Good Maniacs
by Jen S on 4/29/25Birchmere - AlexandriaRating: 5 out of 5They sounded great, played all my favorites plus some I wasn’t as familiar with, and interacted with the crowd. Fun show!
Lineup
Venue
Rams Head On Stage
Venue
Rams Head On Stage
Venue
Encore
Encore
Encore
Encore
Set1
Set2
Encore
They sounded great, played all my favorites plus some I wasn’t as familiar with, and interacted with the crowd. Fun show!
This was a great concert, including the intimate venue, very close and upfront the music was fantastic. Remind me of the old days great music great venue we’ll see them again grade concert intimate venue. They must see. We’ll see them again if they come around.
Mary Ramsey does a nice interpretation of the Natalie Merchant songs. The band behind her is tight. Everyone except Rob Buck and Natalie are still in the band. See them if you can.
In all 40+ years of their existence, I somehow had never been to a 10000 Maniacs show. I was familiar with their music, but somehow attending a live show of this stellar group escaped me. This major oversight by me was finally corrected last Saturday at the UB Center for the Arts. The veteran band, fronted by the ever youthful Mary Ramsey, put on a stellar performance that took the enthusiastic crowd on a musical trip through their long history. Unlike some of their contemporaries on the concert circuit, the Maniacs lineup boasts many original or long serving members who are all still performing on a high level. This was a very enjoyable concert that was well received by the audience, many of whom seemed to be long time Maniacs afficiandos. I was especially happy that the band provided a live horn section to enhance some of their tunes. This attention to detail says volumes about the professional approach the 10000 Maniacs apply to their craft, and it did not go unnoticed by this fan. All in all, a terrific night of music by a terrific, tight group of consummate professionals. I am looking forward to their next local appearance!
Mary Ramsey and the 10,000 maniacs knocked it out of the park at the Performing Arts Center on Saturday night
Wanted to love this show, we’ve never seen the 10,000 Maniacs, but have been to see Natalie Merchant multiple times. Right out of the gate we loved the venue. University at Buffalo Centrr for the arts is clean, intimate atmosphere with many positives. Parking was easy, the bar held down by Falletta’s Restaurant was quickly and orderly executed and the meecv table was full of stock with easy access and a friendly associate. It’s when the music started that we were disenchanted. The sound was ‘too big’ for the space and the unenthusiastic Mary was less than personable on stage. Her lack of movement and oversized, Roy Orbison look really is a disservice to the rest of the band. They weee rocking and engaged and she barely moved / someone even yelled out where’s Natalie ! Live and learn - Never before and never since … I promise !
I have seen the 10,000 Maniacs in intimate venues, arenas, outdoor settings and the relaxed confines of the UB Center for the Arts, with Natalie, with Mary, they never disappoint. While my 5 star rating is reserved for a Springsteen show, this 4 star is pretty great commentary. Enjoyed the chill musicianship of everyone in the band, great originals , great covers. I wasn't expecting a Sly and the Family Stone cover.
Music was so loud you couldn't understand a word lead singer was singing. All sounded the same. Would have liked some earlier songs of group but that would have been before current lead singer was there. Very impersonal to audience. Never introduced others in band nor the band for that matter. Just kept going from one song to another
Awesome time and great music. Crowd was dancing and singing
Probably one of the worst shows I have seen. The lead singer sounds like Natalie Merchant, but lacks her presence. She barely moved or smiled. It was not fun,