Geoff Tate – Town Ballroom-Buffalo, NY 04/04/2024

By THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.

Buffalo, NY -Geoff Tate, the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, and creative force behind the iconic progressive metal band Queensrÿche (from 1982-2012), enthralled a nearly sold-out audience with an entertaining 16-song show in Buffalo, NY on Thursday evening.

Tate is currently on his ‘Big Rock Show Hits Tour,” in which he focuses on playing many of the most popular and fan favorite songs from his time while in Queensrÿche. This was a highly anticipated show for the hard rock music lovers in the Western New York area.

Tate, who is 65 years old, was backed up by a younger and dynamic group of musicians that consisted of a three-guitar army – Amaury Altmayer, Dario Parente, James Brown along with Jack Ross- bass and Daniel LaVerde-drums. With this band, Tate was able to deliver a show that resonated with not only nostalgia, but also crackled with raw, unrestrained energy.

The show kicked off with “Empire,” which certainly set the tone for the show. Tate’s voice sounded better than it has in years past, with the sold-out crowd singing back every word of the song. Queensryche biggest hit, “Silent Lucidity” was performed with passion and intensity. This iconic ballad, with its haunting melody, was the moment that many in the audience had been waiting for and were not disappointed.

The concert culminated in a three-song knockout. First, a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine,” which Queensryche had previously recorded on their 2007 album of cover songs, ‘Take Cover.’ Next came the powerful rocker “Take Hold of the Flame.” And finally, the timeless anthem that launched Queensryche into the stratosphere decades ago—still brimming with magic—closed the show: “Queen of the Reich.”

Overall, this was a great performance by an iconic rock music superstar. Tate still sounds amazing. This is a must-see show if he plays anywhere near you. For more on Geoff Tate, visit www.geofftate.com

Opening the show was the Irish acoustic band Fire & Water. Geoff Tate personally picked this band to open on this leg of the tour. Many in the audience didn’t know what to expect, but in the end, Fire & Water certainly won the audience over. The band consists of members- Tomás McCarthy – lead vocals and guitar, Clódagh Kearney – lead vocals, saxophone and Stephen Manning on guitar. Check out their amazing 5 song EP entitled, “Cocoon.”

Setlist 4-4-2024
Empire
Desert Dance
I Am I
The Thin Line
Operation: Mindcrime
Breaking the Silence
I Don’t Believe in Love
NM156
Screaming in Digital
Walk in the Shadows
Another Rainy Night (Without You)
Jet City Woman
Silent Lucidity
Encore:
Welcome to the Machine
Take Hold of the Flame
Queen of the Reich