The Show
Marcus King Band at the State Theatre in Ithaca in 2026 — if you care about the future of American blues-rock, this is a show you need to see. Marcus King has been called a prodigy since he was a teenager, and he’s spent the years since earning that label the hard way: relentless touring, blistering live performances, and a voice that sounds like it’s been soaked in bourbon and southern soul for decades longer than his actual age would suggest. The guitar work alone is worth the price of admission. The full band behind him makes it a force of nature.
Catching Marcus King in a theater the size of the State Theatre is a privilege that won’t last forever. This is an artist on a trajectory — the rooms are getting bigger, the audiences are growing, and the critical acclaim is piling up. Seeing him in a venue where you can feel the heat off the amp is the kind of experience that becomes a story you tell for years.
About Marcus King
Marcus King grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, surrounded by music — his father and grandfather were both musicians, and he was playing guitar professionally before most kids finish high school. He formed the Marcus King Band as a vehicle for his genre-spanning vision: blues, soul, country, Southern rock, and Americana all woven together by that voice and those hands. His albums — including El Dorado, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, and the Grammy-nominated Young Blood — have established him as one of the most important young artists in roots music. Warren Haynes, Eric Clapton, and Chris Stapleton have all taken notice, and for good reason.
Do yourself a favor and listen before you go — find Marcus King’s albums on Amazon.
Venue Info
The State Theatre in Ithaca is a 1920s gem that gives blues-rock the room treatment it deserves — warm acoustics, intimate sightlines, and a crowd that’s there to listen. When a guitarist like Marcus King lets loose in a room like this, the walls practically vibrate. Downtown Ithaca surrounds the venue with great food and drink options, making it easy to turn the show into a full evening. Full details in our State Theatre venue guide.
Tickets
Check the State Theatre website for tickets and dates — Marcus King is one of those artists where you’ll want to say “I saw him when…” This is your when.