Canalside Thursday Concerts Now Cost $5

The popular Canalside free Thursday concert series is now no longer free.

After 30 years of free concerts (for many years, they happened right outside our studios in Lafayette Square), the series has gotten so popular, there's been problems with crowd size in the past few years.

Last season, you were able to purchase VIP tickets (and you still can) which give you front of stage access, along with access to the VIP area with special food and drink options.

As well, last season saw the worst crowd issues during the T-Pain show at Canalside in August 2016. Check out a news report from WIVB-TV from the incident.

According to an article in the Buffalo News, "It might separate the wheat from the chaff,"  said Fillmore Council Member David A. Franczyk.

With a $5 fee, the concert is more likely to attract people wanting to listen to music and enjoy being with their friends rather than people coming to get drunk and start trouble, Franczyk said.

"It's quality control," he said. "If I want to raise hell, I'm probably not going to go to a place that charges $5."

The series is now being called "Canalside Live!" and tickets for the yet-announced 10-show season will be available at kiosks at Canalside and at any Consumer's Beverages location.