There are homecoming shows, and then there is this: Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Albany born and raised, returning to their own city just 16 days after dropping their new album. If you are already a fan, you know what Sunday, May 3 at Empire Underground means. If you are not yet a fan, now is an excellent time to become one.
Prince Daddy & The Hyena
Formed in Albany in 2014 and led by vocalist/guitarist Kory Gregory, Prince Daddy & The Hyena climbed from DIY house shows to festival stages on serrated riffs, wit-sharp melodies, and unfiltered storytelling. Pitchfork and AllMusic have both taken notice; Kory cites Weezer, the Strokes, Jeff Rosenstock, and Green Day as key reference points, and you can hear all of it in the output.
Their latest album, Hotwire Trip Switch, dropped April 17 on Counter Intuitive Records — 12 tracks built on a deliberate concept: individual songs that work as standalone hits rather than chapters in a larger narrative. Lead singles “Big-Box Store Heart” and “4-03-04_Birthday_B4” laid the groundwork before the album arrived. This show lands 16 days into that release cycle, which means the energy is still raw and the setlist is probably still being road-tested.
Support comes from Remo Drive and Restraining Order — two well-regarded acts in the genre. This is a genuinely stacked bill for a Sunday night.
Empire Underground
Empire Underground is exactly what its name suggests: set beneath the street, literally underground below Empire Live at 93 N. Pearl Street in Downtown Albany. The room opened in Fall 2021 and has earned its reputation as the capital city’s go-to for high-energy, up-close shows. Brick-and-steel ambience, a punchy sound system, mostly standing room with clear sightlines. At 350 capacity, you are going to be close to the stage — for punk and emo especially, that proximity is the whole point.
Age policy is 16+, or any age if accompanied by a parent or guardian 21+.
Tickets & Details
Doors at 7:30 PM on Sunday, May 3. Tickets are on sale now. For a band that regularly plays festivals and larger rooms, a 350-cap homecoming show is the rare kind of night that does not come back around. Buy Tickets →