Live music in Rochester, NY

Rochester’s original night market returns for its second season, transforming an open air marketplace into an evening destination with more than 75 local vendors, food trucks, and live music as the sun goes down. Explore handmade art, vintage clothing and furniture, curated antiques, books, and jewelry, then cool off with ice cream, coffee, or lemonade. The series takes place every other Tuesday throughout the season and is free to attend, creating a welcoming night out for families, friends, kids, and dogs. There is indoor seating in a covered lounge near the stage along with additional outdoor areas for dinner, dessert, and relaxing between sets. Nearby neighbors Rochester Greenovation, MidCentury585, and ASOT Studio will also be open during market hours for even more thrifting and vintage finds. Getting here is simple without a car, with walkable access from South Wedge, Cornhill, Plymouth, and the University of Rochester, plus options for biking or using a Veo. For drivers, free parking is available across multiple designated lots with staff on site to help, as well as free on-street options nearby, accessible parking close to the entrance, and a bike rack for lockup. The market is LGBTQIA+ friendly and queer owned. The event space is on the ground level and wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are located upstairs and can be reached via a ramp around the other side of the building, and there are quiet outdoor spots and a small patio for anyone who needs a breather from the excitement. Staff and security are present throughout the night to assist. Vendors are welcome to apply through Instagram, and the fee is $65 to keep participation accessible for small businesses.

Rochester Entertainment presents Skitz Kraven, an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Wisconsin who has become a standout name in modern horrorcore and underground hip hop. His shows feature dark, cinematic lyricism and emotionally intense performances, weaving horror influences with deeply personal storytelling. This event is 16 and over with proper ID required. Advance tickets are $22, with prices increasing to $29 on the day of the show.

This spotlight centers on G and the Bitter Truth.

Rochester Entertainment presents a night of live music headlined by Texas Hippie Coalition. Local bands Daylight Black and Liquid Damage will open the show, with additional tour support to be announced. Advance tickets are priced at $25, and tickets are $32 on the day of the show.

Photo City Music Hall hosts a night of genre-bending sounds as Big Blitz shares the bill with High Pines and Pass X The Krooks in Rochester, NY. The Pittsburgh trio blends dance rhythms, jazz, rock, and electronic influences into a driving, original sound. Brothers Lucas and Mason Ciesielski layer tenor and baritone saxophones with synthesizers alongside Nick Grabigel on drums, creating tight interplay and high-energy momentum that turns the room into a dance floor. Their mix of vintage instruments with modern technology powers big grooves and bold melodies. This event is for ages 16 and up.

Two tribute acts share one stage for a single night as Rochester Entertainment at The Montage Music Hall presents Burn, a live homage to The Cure, with Fast Fashion saluting Depeche Mode. Burn channels the group’s signature mood, textured guitars, and heartfelt melodies, offering a performance that reflects the band’s emotional pull across eras. Fast Fashion traces Depeche Mode’s journey from early synth pop to darker, arena-ready anthems, pairing commanding vocals with meticulous arrangements for an engaging, high-energy show. This event is for ages 16 and up.

River Shook & Band appear with special guests, showcasing direct, unguarded lyrics and a vivid mix of country, indie rock, and pop influences. After a decade shaping country music, River turns the page from the earlier project Sarah Shook & the Disarmers and steps into a new chapter with a growing batch of new songs. With a distinctive voice and a sound forged on stages around the country, the band brings an energetic fusion of country and rock n roll that highlights River’s continually evolving artistry.

Fresh from a successful Edinburgh Fringe run, Brian Tomaszewski brings a high-spirited, one-man vaudeville experience to the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival at The Little Theatre: Theatre 1. Banjo, guitar, percussion, juggling, storytelling, and on-the-spot live looping come together in a fast-moving show rooted in musical and performance traditions from around the globe. Each loop is created in the moment and cleared immediately, so every performance is unique. The program runs 60 minutes and is free. Audience feedback highlights joyful energy, inviting humor, skilled musicianship, and a worldly bluegrass vibe that feels right at home at Fringe.

Experience West African drumming and dance with master artist and teacher Mohamed Diaby at South Wedge Mission. Newcomers are welcome, and participants can choose either the drum session, the dance session, or both. The drum class is $15, and drummers may stay to play for the dance class for an additional $5. The dance class is $20, or take both drum and dance for $30. Payment is accepted in cash or via Venmo at @Diaby. Diaby began playing jembe as a child under the guidance of his brother Moustapha. As a teenager he joined a troupe supported by the wife of President Sékou Touré. Encouraged by Mamady Keita, he performed with Africa Djolé and later toured across West Africa as lead drummer for Les Merveilles de Guinée, including an extended stay in Sierra Leone. Kemoko Sano of Les Ballets Africains expressed strong interest in having him join that company. He later performed at Symphony Space in New York City, then worked in Atlanta directing Africa Sogaye and organizing the annual WAH WAH Drum and Dance Conference. He continues to teach across the United States, Canada, and Europe, sharing the music and culture of Guinea.

Indie ROC Revel 2026, presented by Wicked Reserve Dispensary, turns Artisan Works into a showcase for Rochester’s indie scene. The lineup includes performances by Some Ska Band, Courtyard, Side Eye, and other local acts. Each band plays a 45 minute set with professional sound and lighting for a seamless night of live music. A curated marketplace featuring more than ten local vendors invites guests to browse and support small businesses throughout the event, and a cash bar will be available. Admission is $20 per person, with tickets offered in advance. Music, art, and community come together from start to finish.

Tyler Westcott marks the arrival of the new album Wanderlust with an album release party at the Local Sound Collaborative. This stop is part of a three-show release series, and Westcott will be joined by additional musicians. The album was recorded with Aaron Lipp at Temple Cabin Studios, features contributions from Ric Robertson, Elton Hough, Tim Clarke, John Troy, Brendan Gosson, and Doug Henrie, and was mixed and mastered by Justin Rose. The cover art, an original painting by Bobby DiTrani, brings imagery from the lyrics to life.

Tracy Lawrence, a CMA and ACM award winner with 13 million albums sold and 18 No. 1 singles, brings more than three decades of country music to this event. His work extends beyond the stage through the TL’s Road House podcast, which has welcomed guests like HARDY, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson. He has toured alongside artists such as Riley Green, Luke Bryan, and Lainey Wilson, marked a sold-out milestone with his first headlining appearance at the Ryman and later returned for another sold-out show, revisited his catalog with the Hindsight 2020 collections and Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, and released the Out Here In It EP. His Mission:Possible nonprofit serves those experiencing homelessness, growing from Thanksgiving meals for the Nashville Rescue Mission to frying more than 15,000 turkeys and raising over $1.3 million, an effort recognized with the 2023 CRS Humanitarian Award. Tickets are available online or at the Kodak Center Box Office. Children under 2 do not need a ticket when seated on an adult’s lap. General parking across the street from Kodak Center is $15 per vehicle, with limited premium parking next to the building for $25. Accessible parking is available in all lots, and all parking is cashless. For everyone’s safety and comfort, the following are not permitted: bags larger than 8.5 x 6 x 11 inches, outside food or drinks, alcohol or drugs, weapons or firearms, cameras or recording equipment, laptops or tablets, flammable objects, flashlights, lasers, umbrellas, tumbler cups, strollers, balloons, noisemakers, flags or posters, and animals. Special accommodations can be made in advance. Any promotion or contest connected to this event is courtesy of Legends Global or the event promoter and is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Eastman Kodak Company or Meta Platforms Inc.

Roc Artists Open Market brings the community together at Innovation Square in downtown Rochester for a day of shopping, music, and the arts. Explore offerings from artisans and small businesses alongside vintage selections and food. Enjoy live music, performances, and dance showcases, plus activities that highlight creativity in many forms. Whether you are deeply involved in the arts or simply out for a casual visit, there is something to discover.