Live music in Troy, NY

Skillet brings the Comatose 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour to Proctors with a lineup that now features Autumn Kings, Escape the Fate, and Skillet. Expect a surge of heavy guitars, soaring hooks, and themes of grit and perseverance from a band recognized among the biggest global hard rock acts of the 21st century. John Cooper on lead vocals and bass, Korey Cooper on guitar and keys, Jen Ledger on drums and vocals, and Seth Morrison on lead guitar headline with a catalog that includes the 6x-Platinum hit Monster, billions of streams, high profile placements across sports, film, and television, RIAA gold, platinum, or multi-platinum certifications for 12 singles and four albums, two GRAMMY nominations, a Billboard Music Award, and three Top 5 debuts on the Billboard 200. Recent highlights include a first Christmas release, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, reaching number one on five Billboard charts, record-setting crowds on a European tour, the EDEN graphic novel series with Z2, and a heavier new single titled Scream. Two VIP options are available. The Skillet Meet & Greet Experience includes a premium or general admission ticket, a meet and greet and photo with the band, a city specific tour poster, an exclusive Skillet merchandise bundle, a commemorative VIP laminate, and early access to merchandise shopping. The Skillet VIP Early Entry Merch Package includes a premium or general admission ticket, a city specific tour poster, an exclusive Skillet merchandise bundle, a commemorative VIP laminate, and early access to merchandise shopping. This second package does not include a meet and greet or any artist involvement. VIP package sales close seven days prior to the event. By purchasing a VIP package, you acknowledge that Proctors Collaborative may share your contact and purchase information with the VIP provider for communications about the VIP experience and to fulfill VIP merchandise.

At Lark Street Tavern, a weekly open mic welcomes singers, songwriters, and anyone who enjoys live performances. Local musicians take the stage for an easygoing night of vocals and acoustic sets, with drinks available and a friendly crowd. Whether performing or listening, attendees can settle in for a casual evening of music and community.

This open mic for musicians takes place at Play by Play Sports Bar & Grill. A house band and a full backline are available, and performers can add their names on a sign-up sheet. Parking is available in the lot. A 10 wings for $10 special is offered, and there are two pool tables.

Waterworks hosts a midweek drag showcase featuring a rotating lineup of hosts and performers. Expect lively music, drinks, and high-energy drag throughout the night.

The Saratoga City Tavern hosts a high-energy karaoke night where the stage is set and the lights bring the room to life. A library of more than 56,000 songs, from timeless ballads to the newest chart-toppers, makes it easy to find the perfect track. Whether trying karaoke for the first time or already a pro, singers can step up for power ballads, pop anthems, or rapid-fire rap and enjoy a fun, welcoming spotlight.

Settle into the sophisticated lobby at The Landing Hotel for an evening of live jazz, complemented by expertly mixed cocktails. A complete lineup is available on the event website.

Buggy Jive brings his soul rock sound to Opalka for a First Friday performance. Fresh off a sweep at the Eddies Music Awards, the reclusive singer-songwriter steps out from the Upstate New York basement studio where he has quietly been creating songs and music videos. His music mixes the grit of Zeppelin, the groove of D'Angelo, the spark of Prince, and the storytelling of Joni. The lyrics pull from literary voices such as Ellison, Morrison, Eliot, and Didion to speak to the moment. Known for the pandemic-era viral video Ain't Going Anywhere and for house concerts streamed from his basement, this set spotlights his work in a First Friday setting.

The performance offers a wide ranging salute to Neil Young, moving from intimate solo acoustic songs to Harvest era textures and gritty grunge jams. Fronted by Rob Piorkowski and joined by accomplished players from New York’s Capital Region, the band is billed as the number one Neil Young tribute act in Upstate New York. Members have an early purchase window, followed by general public sales.

Angelz Fury unleashes an 80s metal Black Friday blowout at Vapor Nightclub, delivering big hooks, loud guitars, and arena-level energy. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Tina Valenti, the band rips through beloved anthems that span shout-along choruses and virtuosic guitar fireworks. Vapor elevates the show with punchy sound, a sweeping light display, and an expansive video wall. With a two-level layout, plush lounge seating, and multiple bars, the setting suits a holiday-weekend party with friends, family, and fellow headbangers. Expect vintage riffs, singable refrains, and the leather-and-denim spirit of a full-on 80s metal celebration.

King's Tavern sets the stage for a high energy karaoke night with shining lights and an upbeat atmosphere. A songbook of more than 56,000 choices spans timeless ballads and current hits, so every voice can find a match. Beginners and experienced performers alike can take the mic to belt an anthem, team up for a duet, or dive into rapid fire rhymes. Whether with friends or solo, attendees can step into the spotlight for a lively evening of singing.

Friday night karaoke at Lark St Tavern brings a lively sing-along atmosphere to the weekend. Six large screens display lyrics so everyone can follow along, and the sound system is set to showcase each performance. A brief sign-in period takes place before songs begin, then the music and singing carry on late into the night. Arrive early to add your name to the list and make sure you get a turn at the mic.

A community fundraiser for breast cancer at Colonie VFW Post 8692 features food, a cash bar, crafts, and lively games including Bra Pong with prizes and Plinko for basket raffle tickets. Admission is $20 and includes food, one door prize ticket, and five raffle tickets. Expect three door prize drawings and basket raffles, with live music from Smart-Alex adding to the festivities.

An easygoing evening of kirtan, chanting, and music centers on connection, inner peace, health, and community. The gathering begins with a casual meet-and-greet, then moves into group chanting, singing, and shared music in a respectful and supportive space. Participants may bring a cushion, yoga mat, or blanket for comfortable seating, wear comfortable clothing, and bring instruments such as drums, harmonium, guitar, or shakers if desired. Everyone is encouraged to help create a peaceful environment, let go of ego, and arrive with authenticity and an open heart. Weather permitting, some gatherings may take place outdoors in the park. All experience levels are welcome to chant, sing, relax, connect, and share positive energy together.

As the sun sets, Jazz Evenings fills an elegant hotel lobby with the warm glow of live jazz. Settle into the refined setting, enjoy the smooth melodies, and savor a carefully crafted cocktail as the music flows.

Stretch returns to September’s Too Tavern in Colonie with the full band, taking the big stage for an evening of favorites and audience requests. A cover charge will be collected at the venue.

Back by popular demand, The Purple Xperience, founded in 2011 by Dr. Fink with front man Marshall Charloff, delivers an authentic production celebrating Prince and The Revolution that speaks to fans from every generation.

Tom Chapin takes the stage with songs and stories shaped by a six decade journey through American music. The Hudson Valley troubadour has released 27 albums and earned three Grammy awards, and his career spans work as a recording artist, concert performer, storyteller and activist, along with extensive credits in Broadway, television, radio and film. Equally at home in contemporary folk and in children’s music, he kept music flowing during the shutdowns by streaming 200 live shows with his daughters as Mornings with Papa Tom. Raised in an arts-focused family, he started out in Greenwich Village folk clubs with brothers Harry and Steve as The Chapin Brothers, then began a solo run in 1976 with Life Is Like That, building a reputation for vivid narratives and easy connection. His creative path has included a lead role in Pump Boys and Dinettes on Broadway, music direction off-Broadway for Cotton Patch Gospel and Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends, hosting National Geographic Explorer, topical songs for NPR’s Morning Edition, and a cameo as a vice presidential candidate in the 2004 remake of The Manchurian Candidate. A committed advocate for the environment, hunger relief, social justice and arts education, he describes these times as a call to reinvent while holding fast to the joy of guitar playing, singing and the spark that makes a good song, a strong recording and a memorable concert. His recent album, Songs of Hope, gathers uplifting, meaningful pieces, some in the long-standing Chapin storytelling tradition, with contributions from Abigail and Lily Chapin, John McCutcheon, Michael Mark, Jon Cobert, and musical friends Eric Weisberg, Robin Batteau, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Jonathan Edwards and Larry Campbell. The release has drawn praise from WFUV for its warmth and timeliness, and The New York Times has recognized Chapin as a defining personality in contemporary folk. This appearance offers an evening with a beloved artist whose work bridges generations.

A new weekly jazz jam is taking shape at The Lark St Tavern, led by renowned bassist Tarik Shah. His resume includes collaborations with Gregory Porter, Pharoah Sanders, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The focus is an open session where musicians of any skill level are welcome to sit in, learn, and perform, while fans can take in an authentic jazz atmosphere with food and drinks. This series runs alongside the tavern’s established Tuesday jazz programming, creating two evenings of live music each week in Albany.

The S&M Tour brings Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy together with Brennan Wedl. Lindsey Jordan returns as Snail Mail with her third album, Ricochet, a set of songs that marries candid self-examination with more spacious, hypnotic melodies and detailed string arrangements. Written while grappling with mortality and the slow slide of time, it leans toward the tenderness of deep love rather than frenzy. It is her first Snail Mail release in five years, following vocal surgery and intensive therapy that left her singing with greater command, and it arrives after a period that included an acting turn in Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow and a move from New York to the Greensboro, North Carolina area. Sophie Allison, the artist behind Soccer Mommy, has long used songwriting to process the experiences of growing up, evolving from early bedroom recordings into albums that reshape familiar ideas in unexpected ways. Her fourth record, Evergreen, again centers her life, written in the wake of a profound personal loss and balanced with flashes of humor, including a loving nod to a purple-haired spouse in Stardew Valley. The tracks are kept close to the feel of the demos, direct and relatable, with production that follows the writing and favors honesty over excess.

After Dark and SLP Concerts present a concert by 76th Street at Empire Underground in Albany, featuring guest Tornsey. Admission is 16 and over with valid ID, and attendees younger than 16 may enter only with a parent or legal guardian.

A special concert pairs John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist known as Five For Fighting, with a string quartet. Since “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” first took flight, he has released six studio albums including the platinum-certified America Town and The Battle for Everything, along with the top-10 Two Lights, plus an EP and live recordings. He is the writer behind hits like “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World,” and “Easy Tonight,” songs that together have surpassed a billion streams and helped place him among the top Hot Adult Contemporary artists of the 2000s. His music has been heard across more than 350 films, television series, and commercials, with appearances in The Blind Side, Hawaii Five-O, The Sopranos, and the CBS drama Code Black. Ondrasik also performed “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” at the 2001 Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden, honoring first responders alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, The Who, Elton John, and Billy Joel. His longstanding charitable work includes USO tours, the CD for the Troops project that delivered over one million albums to veterans and military families with contributions from artists like Billy Joel, Melissa Etheridge, and Chris Rock, as well as support for Augie’s Quest and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

An open mic for musicians at Black Bear Inn in Watervliet features a house band, a full backline, and a signup sheet for performers. Participants take the stage with support from the band and use the on-site gear for their sets.