Memphis May Fire: The Shapeshifter Tour Part II
Buffalo’s Theater District hosts a unique compilation of entertainment venues. Most recently, it’s become host to Buffalo’s very own Electric City. This venue isn’t just another concert hall; it deepens Buffalo’s roots in live music history. The venue, which has a capacity of up to 750 guests, is unknown to me. I was anxious to see how the multi-level venue would carry the acoustics, the fans’ energy, and the overall live music vibe. The Friday night after Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect time to entertain this idea. With Memphis May Fire packing the venue with a sold-out show, I was stoked to be a part of this new experience. Bringing their friends, If Not For Me, Nevertel, and Rain City Drive, The Shapeshifter Tour Part II was a perfect way to start the weekend. The venue offers plenty of space, including a lounge area on the upper section, along with VIP areas. The overall atmosphere of the night was electric to say the least.
If Not For Me stormed the stage of the sold-out venue. The band's immediate high energy quickly captured the attention of all in attendance. Originating from Harrisburg, PA, the band had quite a surplus of fans. Just a cool 4 hr drive from Buffalo, NY, the band’s personality made it apparent why they fit so well on this lineup. Their sound is masked with a heavy but melodic rhythm. The cool blue and purple lighting meshed with the band’s overall high-voltage performance. Super catchy choruses had fans waving their hands from side to side—all the while, hard-hitting breakdowns and continuous riffs tied it all together. The band played an assortment of songs, mostly from their album Every You Wanted, released in 2024. Lead singer Patrick Glover engaged with the vibrant crowd throughout the set, giving front-row fans a real show.
Nevertel hit the stage next. I was super excited to catch these guys live. The band’s style can be described as a perfect mix of hip-hop-tainted verses that blend with a heavy and hard rock sound. The mix of rap and rock gave some nostalgic vibes of Linkin Park and newer bands like From Ashes to New. Their musical personality not only makes for a unique sound but a definite refreshing mix to the lineup of artists. Crowd favorites such as “Everything In My Mind” and “SYM” had fans rabid. Their set included a polished performance of melodic hooks and rap-driven verses. The shift from clean, flowing hip-hop lyrics to guttural breakdowns kept the crowd’s attention throughout the entire set. The stage presence of Jeremy Michael’s lead vocals and Raul Lopez’s rap vocals was a deadly combo. Throughout their set, the band kept the energy up and fueled some serious mosh pit energy!
Rain City Drive was the final act before Memphis May Fire took the stage. Their name originates from their shared connection to Manchester, England, often called the “rainy city.” They changed the name to signify keeping your head up, even though there’s a cloud overhead. The band’s sound can be described as a mix of modern alternative rock with a more flavorful, aggressive-sounding post-hardcore. Frontman Matt McAndrew immediately commanded the stage with his presence. His clean vocals sliced through the band’s intense energy, and fans clung to the barricade. Many fans knew the band from their former name Slaves, which retired in 2021. Even with a new name, the band kept some of their old roots to songs and chose to grow from that instead of starting from a clean slate. McAndrew’s refreshing vocals were a highlight of the night. Fans held their signature Rain City Drive street signs high in the air to show the band how emotionally excited they were for the performance. Favorites such as “Cutting it Close” and “Talk to a Friend” had the crowd mimicking the band's intense energy.
As the stage set-up began, the crowd started to buzz with anticipation. The stage was home to a huge Memphis May Fire sign that was set up behind Jake Garland’s drum kit. On either side were two large screens, which throughout the night streamed images and videos of some of the band’s most popular songs and videos. As the lights went out, the fans’ energy went up. Memphis May Fire exploded into their first song, which automatically got the crowd moving. Even with a smaller floor space, a pit still formed in sync with the band's heavy-hitting sound. Matty Mullins owned the stage right away with his powerful and charismatic vocals. The band continually switched from guttural screams, pounding drums, and heavy riffs, which most certainly amplified and electrified the venue’s sound. Various multi colored lights beamed through the venue as Electric City quite literally became electric.
Their set includes a tasteful mix of both old and new, giving a nostalgic vibe. As a band, it’s hard to find a good balance that connects with fans both old and new. Memphis May Fire made sure to include their OG fans and newcomers alike. “The Sinner” off of their album The Hollow and “Vices” off of the album Challenger were clearly favorites for more seasoned fans. “Shapeshifter” and “Infection” catered to their new following off their album Shapeshifter, and blended cleanly with the band’s raw emotional power. Throughout the set, Mullins stopped to talk with the crowd about the heaviness of life. Topics such as mental health, having hope, and pushing through harder times had the band relating to fans on a more intimate level. If one thing was for certain, the band’s energy remains high and intense as they flowed through song after song. Multiple kids could be seen in the crowd on top of their parents’ shoulders, mesmerized by the band’s captivating set. Memphis May Fire proved throughout the night that live music was still alive and well. Fans clearly got a performance worth remembering.
As the crowd began to clear out, the buzzing of excitement still lingered throughout the venue. Adrenaline was at an all-time high, and fans scrambled to hit up the merch table one last time. If you’re in town, make sure to check out Electric City and other popular hometown venues there. Missed the show? No worries, The Shapeshifter Tour runs through December 16th, 2025. Make sure to hit it up at a city near you! Be sure to follow Concerthopper.com on all social media, as well as our website, for all your favorite live music content!
Riverside Municipal Auditorium