Formed by Frankie Cassidy and Nathan Ross during their time as students of architecture and mechanical engineering at Montana State University, Buffalo Traffic Jam began in a college dorm room. The duo brought a unique sound to the Americana folk scene — with powerful, gritty vocals and some vulnerable lyrics over a stripped musical backing. And they recently brought their highly anticipated Take Me Home Tour to the sold-out DC9.
Upgraded from their typical acoustic duo for this tour, Buffalo Traffic Jam included a dedicated rhythm section consisting of Caden (Cade) Streeter on the drums and Louie Cevasco laying down the bass. This tour configuration allows for a much fuller-sounding performance, the bass filling in some low gaps the guitar and mandolin avoid, and the drums laying down that solid backing beat. Cade and Louie were both excellent additions to the touring duo; they are skilled at their craft and really made the performance whole.
For a band currently generating tens of millions of streams and just coming off the end of the Tortuga Music Festival alongside headliners Post Malone, Riley Green, and Kenny Chesney, the group performing in DC9 seemed a little strange. But, it makes sense, this is the band’s first national tour, so the 150-capacity venue was fitting with the lack of tour history. In a way, it added to the performance, creating an incredibly intimate environment. Judging from the passion of the sold-out venue on April 17, Buffalo Traffic Jam could’ve easily performed to ten times the number of people and created the same intimate feeling.
The 16-song setlist began with “Strangers Now,” a track that immediately established the musical theme of the evening. Driven by Cassidy’s distinctly raspy, weathered, and warm vocal delivery, one that is full of quality and texture, the song explores the painful transition from intimacy to sudden abandonment. The live arrangement added a percussive element that transformed the acoustic lament into more of a folk-rock anthem. The crowd’s immediate vocal participation showed off the deep connection the audience holds with the music.
The atmosphere of DC9 intensified significantly with the performance of “Forgot Your Roots.” Widely recognized as the single that provided the band with their initial breakout momentum. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has abandoned their origins for superficial gains, which was held solid by aggressive instrumental strums and a heavy kick-drum. The song was met with roaring approval and fist-pumping from the crowd. The band really showcased their versatility throughout the set, transitioning from some somber lyrics to an intensely exciting song. Following “Forgot Your Roots,” the performance turned to the band’s more recent material.
Watch Buffalo Traffic Jam perform “Forget Your Roots” live for The Bonfire Sessions on YouTube:
The track “Hanging On Hope,” a single released just weeks prior on March 13, 2026. Introduced by Cassidy as a new song written “about a month ago,” the track focuses on the desperation of clinging to a failing relationship in a last-ditch effort to save it. The live arrangement showcased amazing dynamic control, opening with a warm acoustic guitar, building more complexity as the rhythm section joined in.
The band played one cover song, and it was one that had a strong personal connection to Cassity, “House of the Rising Sun.” His grandmother’s favorite song and the first song he ever learned on the guitar. Instead of completing a standard cover, the band reconstructed the song, injecting it with some of their Americana style. In the end, it pushed the boundaries of folk, leaning heavily into a more bluesy rock sound, showing off some more of their versatility, honoring their influences, while giving their own take on a classic.
The penultimate song of the evening was undeniably the peak of the performance. “Fools Gold,” the breakout single that single-handedly propelled Buffalo Traffic Jam into the national spotlight, garnering over 65 million streams and reaching No. 3 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. Before even striking the first chord, Cassidy provided a preamble explaining the track’s creation. He recounted a period of intense isolation and anxiety that led to an obsessive creative burst, leading to the writing and demoing of the song in a single night.
The song began with delicate acoustic picking. As the narrative progressed, the full band entered, mirroring the psychological unraveling detailed in the lyrics. The live execution flawlessly captured the ominous, desperate energy of the studio recording, transforming the jam-packed DC9 into an emotional singalong; the crowd’s reaction was deafening.
Watch buffalo Traffic Jam perform “Fools’ Gold” live for The Bonfire Sessions on YouTube:
Before leaving the stage, Cassidy addressed the crowd regarding the band’s future output. Acknowledging that they had played several unreleased tracks throughout the night, he enthusiastically announced that the band has 13 new songs slated for release, “really, really soon,” prompting a final roar of approval.
The upcoming duo, along with their touring crew, maintained absolute control over the room, fostering an intense emotional release from the fans. As they prepare to complete their tour and release upcoming music, Buffalo Traffic Jam has firmly established itself as a leading voice in the contemporary folk-rock revival. The intimate confines of venues such as DC9 will be a distant memory for a band destined for theaters and arenas, but the authenticity they brought to the stage remains the heart of their appeal.
Setlist
Strangers Now
Comfort In Misery
Can’t Let Go
Too Young to Die
Broken Love
Bones
Forgot Your Roots
Older
Hanging on Hope
I Dont Care
Take Me Home
House of The Rising Sun
Taught Me How To Breathe
Milestone
Fool’s Gold
Rescue Me
All Photographs from Buffalo Traffic Jam’s performance at DC9 Nightclub on April 17, 2026, are copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester (@flicksby4ster)
