Live music in Albany, NY

The Lark St Tavern introduces a new jazz jam led by internationally recognized bassist Tarik Shah. Drawing on performances with Gregory Porter, Pharoah Sanders, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, he leads an open session where players at any skill level can join the music, learn from others, and perform. Listeners can settle in for a live jam, food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. This addition complements the tavern’s ongoing jazz offerings and creates more opportunities to experience live music each week.

Autumn Evening is a farm to table celebration of food and community at Hilton Garden Inn Troy, highlighting five decades of local partnerships that strengthen the region’s food system. Guests can enjoy seasonal plates crafted by area chefs, beverages from local producers, and acoustic performances, all in the company of neighbors and supporters. The event honors the farmers, growers, makers, and community members who expand access to fresh, local food across the Capital Region. It offers a chance to savor regional flavors and build connections, reflecting the community spirit that continues to nourish the area year after year.

The Egg presents Pat Metheny with his new ensemble Side-Eye III+. A leading voice in modern music for decades, Metheny began on trumpet at eight, shifted to guitar at twelve, and was already performing with top Kansas City jazz players by fifteen, foundations that helped shape his unmistakable sound. Early work with vibraphonist Gary Burton drew attention to his horn-like phrasing, lyricism, and rhythmic ease. His debut, Bright Size Life, opened fresh paths for jazz guitar with spacious sonics and clear melodic focus. Over the course of a prolific career, Metheny has sold more than 20 million albums and earned 20 Grammy Awards across ten distinct categories, a breadth of recognition no one else has matched. He has collaborated with artists including Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Milton Nascimento, and David Bowie. His compositions range from intimate solo pieces and orchestral works to the trailblazing Orchestrion project. As an educator, he became the youngest instructor at both the University of Miami and Berklee College of Music, later receiving an honorary doctorate. His honors include the DownBeat Hall of Fame, NEA Jazz Master, and membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and the Missouri Hall of Fame. This appearance is part of a world tour with Side-Eye III+, supporting their self-titled album, the inaugural release on his label Uniquity Music, which will serve as the home for his catalog and future projects.

At Lark Street Tavern, open mic night welcomes performers to step up and share their songs. The night features live sets from local singers and songwriters in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Attendees can sip a drink and take in an evening of music, guitars, and friendly company.

Dale Watson & His Lone Stars headline an evening of roots-driven country with special guest India Ramey. For more than four decades, Watson has championed his self-coined style, Ameripolitan, weaving honky-tonk, outlaw country, western swing, and rockabilly into a sound that stands apart. A singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor, he treats tradition with an independent streak and a modern edge. Known for a commanding voice and ringleader presence, he brings twang, heart, and road-tested energy to the stage. His album Unwanted, written and produced by Watson, draws on heartache, hard-won lessons, and the momentum of life on the highway, featuring songs like "Willie Waylon and Whiskey," "If You Really Loved Me (Outlive Me)," and "Life is Like a Song." Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of show.

Waterworks hosts a weekly drag show with a changing lineup of hosts and performers. Enjoy music, drinks, and drag entertainment in a welcoming setting that highlights Albany nightlife and the local drag scene. Each week offers a fresh mix of talent on stage.

The Egg hosts Liz Phair, an artist whose career since Exile in Guyville has challenged expectations and opened doors. She has released five albums, sold more than five million records, composed music for television, and earned two GRAMMY nominations. In 2019 she published the memoir Horror Stories with Random House, noted by the LA Times for its candid look at fame, motherhood, and aging. Her 2021 full-length, Soberish, reunited her with producer Brad Wood and received strong praise from outlets including Variety and The New Yorker. In 2018 Matador Records released a deluxe edition of Exile in Guyville featuring a remaster and the first officially restored audio of her 1991 Girly-Sound cassette recordings, a collection that Pitchfork awarded a perfect 10. She has appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, topped SPIN’s albums of the year list, and reached number one on the Village Voice Pazz and Jop Critics Poll. She was a main stage headliner on Lilith Fair in 1998 and 1999 alongside artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, and Missy Elliott. Three decades after her debut, her influence on contemporary music, especially among female voices, remains strong.

Jazz Evenings brings live jazz to the stylish lobby at The Landing Hotel. Settle in for a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy the music with a thoughtfully made cocktail.

This concert at The Egg features múm, pronounced moom, an Icelandic group whose exploratory sound blends electronic experimentation, gentle vocals, glitchy rhythms, inventive sampling, and haunting textures shaped by both traditional and unconventional instruments. Formed in 1997 by Gunnar Örn Tynes and Örvar Smárason, the band has released six studio albums along with numerous singles, EPs, collaborations, and works for theater and film. Notable milestones include Whistle, a 2013 single with Kylie Minogue from the film Jack & Diane, for which they had composed the original score the year before. In 2015 they created Drowning with German pianist and composer Hauschka, a commission from the MDR Sinfonieorchester in Leipzig that was performed that summer. Their projects also span a semi improvised electronic score for the silent film Menschen am Sonntag and a special Iceland Airwaves 2016 collaboration with the Kronos Quartet at Harpa, revisiting songs from their back catalog. In 2019 they released a 20th anniversary edition of their 1999 debut Yesterday Was Dramatic, Today Is OK and toured Europe and China to mark the occasion, with a planned US leg in spring 2020 postponed due to the global pandemic.

Lark St Tavern hosts karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights, featuring six large screens that display lyrics and a sound system that supports every performance. Sign-up takes place before the singing starts, and arriving early helps secure a spot on the list.

The second annual Evening Over the Falls gala at Mount Ida Preservation Hall offers an elegant celebration of a year devoted to preservation, arts, culture, and community while marking the start of the new fall season. Guests can look forward to a dinner crafted by Chef Larry Schepici, live music filling the historic sanctuary, and time to connect with friends, neighbors, artists, and supporters. The program highlights accomplishments from the past year, recognizes those who have contributed to Mount Ida’s growth, and reveals the upcoming slate of performances, exhibitions, and community programs. Tickets include dinner, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverages, with wine, beer, and additional drinks available for purchase. Cocktail or business casual attire is recommended, encouraging a special look that remains comfortable. The evening flows from a reception with cocktails and conversation to a warm welcome and dinner service, followed by a presentation with sponsor recognition and the fall season announcement, then concludes with live music, dessert, and time to connect. A limited number of reduced-price Community Access Tickets are available for artists, volunteers, students, and community members for whom standard pricing presents a financial barrier, and requests are handled confidentially.

An evening of live jazz unfolds in the elegant lobby of The Landing Hotel, where smooth melodies fill a refined setting. Enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail as the music sets a relaxed backdrop for conversation and unwinding.

Graham Nash presents an evening that surveys six decades of music, guiding listeners through the eras that shaped his storied career with the Hollies, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and his acclaimed solo work. He is joined by Todd Caldwell on keyboards, with Adam Minkoff and Zack Djanikian contributing on guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Recent reviews describe his live shows as more than ordinary concerts, celebrating songs and stories that continue to resonate, and commend his ability to deliver at the highest level every time he steps on stage. Nash has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Hollies and with Crosby, Stills and Nash, has two inductions in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and with CSN, and is a GRAMMY Award winner. His songbook spans beloved tracks from the Hollies such as On a Carousel and Carrie Anne, landmark CSN pieces like Marrakesh Express and Lady of the Island, CSNY favorites including Teach Your Children and Our House, and solo milestones from Songs For Beginners like Chicago and Military Madness. His work with David Crosby yielded Southbound Train and Immigration Man, and his creative journey continues into Now, his 2023 solo album. The first CSN and CSNY chapter was brief, yet the music from that period became lasting touchstones.

Created by the team behind The Simon and Garfunkel Story and The Life and Music of George Michael, this production pays tribute to Billy Joel, celebrating favorite hits while sharing the life behind the music. The concert charts his journey from early days to worldwide renown as a landmark songwriter and performer, combining authentic performances with striking visuals and storytelling. It highlights how these songs have influenced generations and why his legacy continues to endure.

An entire evening dedicated to Rush unfolds at The Kings Inn as The Goldman Boys deliver a performance that spans all eras of the progressive rock band. This tribute centers on the full scope of Rush’s music for a night focused completely on their catalogue.