Your Guide to Live Music in Upstate New York

The 10 Greatest Concerts in Albany History

The 10 Greatest Concerts in Albany History, over the Albany skyline and a concert crowd

U2 launched their first U.S. tour at a 600-seat Albany club; Springsteen and the Grateful Dead pressed live albums named for its rooms. Counting down the 10 greatest concerts in Albany history — plus the homegrown talent and only-in-Albany nights.

The 10 Greatest Concerts in Syracuse History

From the Allman Brothers in a college gym to The Who’s 43-year attendance record, we count down the 10 greatest concerts in Syracuse history — and the homegrown talent and free-fair spectacles only Syracuse could pull off.

The 10 Greatest Concerts in Buffalo History

Vintage poster reading The 10 Greatest Concerts in Buffalo History, with Buffalo City Hall and a roaring concert crowd.

From the Goo Goo Dolls in the rain to the Grateful Dead on the Fourth of July, we count down the ten greatest concerts in Buffalo history — and the hometown shows only Buffalo could pull off.

The Top 5 Outdoor Venues in Upstate New York (And Why We Have So Many)

Saratoga Performing Arts Center pavilion at dusk with the lawn full of audience members on chairs and blankets, venue lights on, big screen showing the performance, pine trees and twilight-blue sky behind the structure

Five venues, ranked. SPAC, Bethel Woods, Artpark, CMAC, and Empower FCU — plus Highland Bowl, Beak & Skiff, and Music Haven as the honorable mentions. The argument for the order, the case for each room, and why Upstate New York has more great outdoor venues than anywhere else in America.

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