The Vault and the Violin: How a Troy Bank Built One of the World’s Great Concert Halls
Inside the 1875 Troy hall built above a working bank — a New York Times critic’s 1971 review saved it, and its acoustics still draw legends today.
The Wonder Theatre: How Buffalo Refused to Let Shea’s Fall
From a Tiffany-designed interior to AC/DC and the Goo Goo Dolls, the story of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre — nearly demolished, saved by volunteers in the ’70s.
The Sole Survivor: Inside the Long, Loud Life of Albany’s Palace Theatre
From the Rolling Stones’ 1965 shows to Springsteen’s 1977 tapes, the story of Albany’s last surviving movie palace and its stage today.
Built on a Wastebed, Filled by Headliners: The Ten-Year Story of Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
On September 3, 2015, Miranda Lambert played the first-ever concert at a brand-new amphitheater built atop a capped Superfund site on Onondaga Lake. Ten years, three names, and roughly 200 artists later — the concert history of Syracuse’s Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview.
From Cornfields to Center Stage: Three Decades of Concerts (and Championship Boxing) at Turning Stone
New York’s first legal land-based casino opened on Oneida Indian Nation land in 1993 — and grew into one of Central NY’s most reliable stages. From Tim McGraw’s 2004 Event Center debut to Laila Ali, Mike Tyson, and championship boxing, the story of Turning Stone.
For One Dollar: How Schenectady Saved Proctors From the Wrecking Ball
Seized for back taxes and marked for demolition, Proctors was saved for a single dollar in 1979 — and turns 100 this December. From Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington to Mariah Carey’s 1993 NBC special, the century-long story of Schenectady’s vaudeville palace.
From Air to Steel: 45 Years of Stadium Rock at Syracuse’s Dome
From the Rolling Stones in 1981 and The Who’s 43-year attendance record to Metallica breaking it in 2025 — the concert history of Syracuse’s Carrier Dome, now the JMA Wireless Dome.
Sheds, Screams, and a Lake in a Cornfield: The Concert History of Darien Lake Amphitheater
From Metallica launching a national tour in 1994 to Phish, the Dead, and Goo Goo Dolls homecomings — the concert history of Darien Lake Amphitheater in Western NY.
Still “Fleepak” to Some: The Concert History of CMAC on Canandaigua Lake
From Joni Mitchell’s 1983 debut to Dave Matthews Band’s jam-era shows — the concert history of CMAC, the Finger Lakes’ lakeside amphitheater.
Four Names, One Arena: The Concert History of Buffalo’s KeyBank Center
From the Goo Goo Dolls’ 1996 opening night to Metallica across three eras — the concert history of Buffalo’s downtown arena, told through four names.