Upstate New York runs on rock and roll. In any given week the region’s stages light up with arena headliners, reunited legends, rising indie acts, and the bar bands that turn a Tuesday into a night worth leaving the house for. The lawn at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the amphitheaters at Darien Lake, CMAC, and Bethel Woods, the riverfront at Artpark, and club rooms like Empire Live in Albany give touring rock a home in every corner of the state.
This page is your live, always-current guide to every rock concert on our radar across Upstate NY — classic rock and arena anthems, hard rock and metal-leaning bills, alt and indie, jam, and everything in between. Shows are listed with the soonest dates first, so the next night out is always at the top.
We cover the whole region: the Capital Region and Saratoga, Western NY and Buffalo, the Hudson Valley, Central NY and Syracuse, the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, and the North Country. New tours, festival lineups, and on-sale dates land here as soon as they’re announced, and we flag presales and ticket links so you can lock in seats before they’re gone.
More guides: Country Concerts in Upstate New York · Comedy Shows in Upstate New York · Hip-Hop Concerts in Upstate New York
By region: Rock Concerts in Albany & the Capital Region · Rock Concerts in Buffalo & Western NY · Rock Concerts in the Hudson Valley · Rock Concerts in Syracuse & Central NY · Rock Concerts in the Finger Lakes
Reverend Horton Heat at Empire Live Albany | April 14, 2026
Heath’s guitar playing is genuinely impressive, blending country picking with punk speed in a way that sounds effortless but requires serious skill. Reverend Horton Heat heads to Empire Live Albany on April 14, 2026. Get your tickets now.
Dashboard Confessional at Empire Live | April 15, 2026
Dashboard Confessional is playing Empire Live in Albany on April 15, and if you grew up singing “Screaming Infidelities” at full volume, you already know you’re going. Tickets on sale now.
Dogs In A Pile at Empire Live Albany | April 18, 2026
Dogs In A Pile brings their live show to Empire Live Albany on April 18, 2026. About Dogs In A Pile Dogs In A Pile is a New Jersey jam band that has been steadily building a following in the Northeast with their blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and improvisational jamming.
Sir Chloe at Empire Live Albany | April 24, 2026
Sir Chloe is heading to Empire Live on April 24, 2026, and I am genuinely excited about this one.
Demon Hunter at Empire Live Albany | May 2, 2026
On May 2, 2026, Demon Hunter plays Empire Live Albany. About Demon Hunter Demon Hunter is a Seattle-based metal band that has been releasing consistently heavy and melodic albums since 2002. Lock in your tickets.
Fleshwater & Julie at Empire Live Albany | May 5, 2026
Fleshwater & Julie lands at Empire Live Albany on May 5, 2026. Both bands represent a new generation blurring genre lines in exciting ways, refusing to be categorized by the standards of the scenes they came from. Lock in your tickets.
1964 The Tribute at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | March 26, 2026
On March 26, 2026, 1964 The Tribute hits the stage at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Built in 1875, the hall’s natural acoustics have made it a legendary venue for recording and live performance alike. Mark your calendar.
Super ’70s Rock Show at Cohoes Music Hall | April 3, 2026
Super Trans AM delivers a full production ’70s rock tribute night at Cohoes Music Hall on April 3, 2026. Tickets from $19.50.
The B-Street Band: Tribute to The Boss at Cohoes Music Hall | May 2, 2026
The B-Street Band brings 34 years of Springsteen tribute excellence to the intimate Cohoes Music Hall on May 2, 2026. Tickets $33.50–$44.50.
Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute at Cohoes Music Hall | May 29, 2026
Nationally touring Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense opens a two-night run at Cohoes Music Hall on May 29, 2026. Advance tickets $35.