We enter June with a jam-packed week of music, as the Ithaca Festival returns, Paul McCartney gets back to Syracuse, and Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse come to LaFayette. Plus, dozens of area bands will be onstage throughout the region in the coming week!
Please be sure to check each show’s event page for various venue protocols, as well as potential postponement or cancellation information. Stay safe, and enjoy as much live music as you can in the coming days!
(Note: the concerts are listed below in chronological order)
Roof Raisers
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss bring their “Raising the Roof” tour to Canandaigua to mark the release of “Raise the Roof,” their second album together, more than a decade after their initial successful collaboration, “Raising Sand.” Stellar roots-rocker J.D. McPherson will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 1
Where: CMAC, 3355 Marvin Sands Dr., Canandaigua
Cost: $37-$117 available online here
Trio Grande
Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer comes to the greater Syracuse area, where he’ll be joined by LA Guns and Faster Pussycat for an evening of 80s hard rock and heavy metal classics.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Sharkey’s Bar and Grille, Liverpool
Cost: $40, available online here
Power of Song
Local singer-songwriters Jessie Gray and Lydia Garrison join forces for an evening of music, drawing from their various other projects as well as more recent collaborations. Garrison has toured with The Turtle Duhks and also works with Rosie Newton in the duo Home Remedy, while Gray performed with the quartet Honey Cave as well as released her debut solo album “Through the Woods” in 2019.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Songs to Share
Dan Forsyth of Driftwood hosts Songwriter’s Night at Hopshire, a series taking place every first Thursday of the month at Hopshire Farms and Brewery: “This is an opportunity for songwriters to share their craft with each other. Bring a song you are working on, it doesn’t have to be complete, to get input from your peers. All are welcome to come listen respectfully.”
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Hopshire Farms and Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
Exploring Improv
Neighbors Gallery will host an evening of improvised music featuring Detroit’s Spectrum 3, which includes Skeeter C.H. Shelton (sax), Joel Peterson (bass), and James Baljo (percussion). The Ithaca trio of Sarah Hennies, Keir Neuringer, and Brian (Willie B) Wilson will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Neighbors Gallery, 526 Elm St. Ext., Ithaca
Cost: $10
CNY Sounds
Practice at Pete’s returns to downtown Ithaca, with host band Cobra Cadaver joined by Syracuse doom rockers Cactus Cathedral and local psychedelic-core favorite Water Bears (who just released a new EP/cassette).
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pete’s Cayuga Bar
Cost: $5
Combing Down the Commons
After the Ithaca Festival parade concludes, head to the Commons for the official kickoff party, featuring a free concert by The Comb Down. The local funk band is fronted by Brian Mlodzinski (aka djGOURD), and includes some of Ithaca’s top players: bassist Andrew Battles, drummer Ashley Ickes, keyboardist Jon Petronzio, percussionist Bryan Davis, and horn players TJ Schaper, Jack Storer, and Jamie Yaman.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion, The Commons
Cost: free
Dancing in the Street
With the theme of “Together Again,” The Ithaca Festival returns for the first time since 2019, aiming to celebrate “the artist in everyone.” Dozens of bands, dancers, and other creative types will perform throughout the weekend on the Bernie Milton Pavilion stage, in Dewitt Park, and on the Commons. Some of the bands include Gunpoets, Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots, Alan Rose and the Restless Elements, Metasequoia, Kitestring, and many more. See the complete schedule here.
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: downtown Ithaca
Cost: free
Gettin’ Biggie Wit It
The Frank White Experience brings its Tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. show to downtown Ithaca, covering not only the music of Biggie Smalls but also taking “listeners on a journey back through the beloved soundscape of 1990’s hip-hop.” Ithaca’s own Anthony Kannon, who just released his latest album “The King is Dead,” opens the show.
When: 10 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10 cover
Roots Mining
Local favorite Juge Greenspun returns to South Hill Cider to “debut tunes inspired by recent times, and revisit material of the past with some new perspective.” That includes songs from his latest album, “Faces in the Carpet,” including his new single “Bad Dreams,” which just made Barack Obama’s 2022 Summer Playlist on Spotify! He’ll be backed by an all-star band that includes Jon Petronzio (keyboards), Joey Arcuri (bass), McKenzie Lauren Jones (vocals), Ian Cummings (drums), Nate Richardson (guitar, pedal steel) along with special guests Regan Carver (horns), Crow Greenspun (vocals) and Kieran Makepeace (vocals). Find out more here.
Max Moses will play an opening set at 6-7 p.m.
When: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday (doors at 5 p.m.)
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $10 cover at the door
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Luke G & the Candyhearts continue the Friday Night Farm Jams series as the Ithaca band “transports us to a decade that never was, with echoes of the 1950s era of doo-wop & rock ‘n roll, but a time & place like none before. Despite the name, there’s no saccharine in the Candyhearts. Just unrefined sonic truth, barely hinged, desperate to make memories & make the people move.” The band released the album, “As Always,” in 2015. Find out more here.
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Finger Lakes Cider House
Cost: $5
Dynamic Duo
Penelope-Myles Voss and Mandy Goldman will be sharing the stage for the first time after many years of admiring each other's work for “a night of originals, covers, beers and cheers.” Goldman is a singer-songwriter and vocal coach in Ithaca, lead vocalist in Noon Fifteen, and backing singer/guitarist in Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots; she’s now striking out on her own with soulful, introspective acoustic tunes. Voss is a vocalist and songwriter who studied vocal performance at Ithaca College before buying her first ukulele at Hickey’s in Ithaca a year after graduation -- she “hasn’t stopped playing it since. Her songs are bittersweet and speak to themes of loss, hope and the search for identity.”
When: 7:30-10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 at the door
Ready for Release
It’s time to celebrate the release of Sine Caster's debut EP “House Party,” featuring performances by Big Sister and Sine Caster, who describes its sound as: “Music focused on impact, melody and unique sound design. From roots of Dubstep, Electro, House, Funk, and underground heavy bass music. The heartbeat of Sine Caster compositions comes from their driving energy, evocative chords, and evolving melodies.” Learn more here.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: small cover
Hot Ice
The Iceman Special will make its local debut, bringing its gumbo of Louisiana swamp grooves and New Orleans funk to Ithaca. “They combine a sound of dirty funk and delicate groove with elements of disco and rock and roll to create danceable jams with plenty of edge and substance. Screeching yet smooth guitars, wandering yet punchy bass lines, electronic synth samples, driving drum beats and powerful vocals form one-of-a-kind soundscapes.”
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10; advance tickets are available online here.
Food and Fun
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Taste of Syracuse returns with more than 50area food vendors offering $2 samples along with three stages of live music throughout the event. Among the bands performing are Everclear (9:30 p.m. Saturday), Sophistafunk (9:30 p.m. Friday), Brownskin with Joe Driscoll (5:30 p.m. Friday), and many others. See the complete lineup here.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Downtown Syracuse
Cost: free to attend
We All Scream
Ithaca Underground will mark its 15th anniversary with an Ice Cream Social in downtown Ithaca. “Since 2007, IU has brought the people of Ithaca and surrounding communities with an all-ages, radically inclusive environment, ensuring that new and challenging music and art is available to all.” Enjoy some homemade ice cream along with music from WhoisBriantech, a DJ-producer who recently relocated here from Brooklyn and describes his style as “xtra umph to the max Dance music,” and playhouse 90, a local act. “Your donations will help fund another year of new and challenging music, available to all.”
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Press Bay Alley, downtown Ithaca
Cost: free to attend; donations welcome via Venmo or cash. You can also make donations online here.
Power and Fury
Corporate Death Productions’ “Micro-Dose Tour 2022” comes to downtown Ithaca, with locals Young People’s DeathKamp and Chimes of Bayonets promising a “fun-filled night of POWER and FURY!! Come bask in the lights and get lost in the sounds.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: $10
They Mean Rock
Celebrating 50 years as a band, Petra comes to Horseheads; they’re “an American music group regarded as the pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. For many years they were regarded as the ‘world's most popular Christian rock band.’ Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for ‘rock.’ Though they disbanded formally in 2006, incarnations have played reunion shows in the years since and released two albums in November 2010, and in November 2017.” Find out more here.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $25-$300, available online here
Getting Back
Paul McCartney returns to Syracuse for the first time since 2017, bringing with him a widely acclaimed show that touches all the bases of his lengthy career: The Beatles, Wings, solo work, and recent projects. Though he’ll turn 80 on June 18, McCartney is still playing three-hour concerts on his current “Got Back” tour; expect to hear everything from “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be” to “Band on the Run” and much more. Learn more here.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse
Cost: $99-$299 and up, available online here
Saturday Night Vibe
Keep the Ithaca Festival spirit going with this after-party featuring Dirty Gems, the new project of DJs Gourd and Double Tiger that promises a “Sweaty Getdown” with the help of some special guests and live players. “A Dirty Global Funk Thing,” indeed!
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10
Remembering Heather Dunbar
Heather Dunbar passed away earlier this year, and on Sunday friends and family will gather to remember the ardent supporter of the local music scene and longtime host of WVBR’s Salt Creek Show. At 2 p.m., a memorial will be held at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in Newfield. At 4 p.m., a celebration of her life and spirit will take place at Sweet Land Farm in Trumansburg. Please RSVP at the Facebook event page below if you plan to attend.
When & Where: 2 p.m. Sunday, Greensprings Natural Cemetery, 293 Irish Hill Road, Newfield
When & Where: 4 p.m. Sunday, Sweet Land Farm, 9732 Route 96, Trumansburg
Omaha!!
Bright Eyes will return to central New York, with founding members Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott reuniting after a decade’s hiatus. Founded in 1995 as an outlet for Oberst’s songwriting, the group released nine albums, including its most recent, 2011’s “The People’s Key.” The band just announced an extensive reissue / re-recording project on Dead Oceans for 2022, which entails re-issuing all nine of its studio albums as a “Companion” series with additional recordings created together at their ARC Studios in Omaha. “The album reissue series will be partnered with the release of a Companion EP of five new recordings of songs contained on the original release plus a cover version from an artist they found particularly inspiring at the time of the original recording.” Learn more here.
Alex G, who just released a new album titled “Blessing,” will open the show.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road (Route 80), LaFayette
Cost: $45-$50, available online here
Reggae Sails at Sunset
The Club Cayuga Reggae Sunset Cruises return for 2022, with DJ Mike Judah dropping some classic roots reggae trucks aboard Discover Cayuga Lake’s MV Teal. Call (607) 216-2238 or email DiscoverCayuga@gmail with questions.
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, 1000 Taughannock Blvd. (located near Cass Park, behind The Hangar Theatre)
Cost: $30 ($50 for two), book online here or by calling (607) 327-5253.
MAQ Attack
South Hill Cider’s Monday Night Jazz series returns this week with MAQ, a quartet that performs everything from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian bossa and folk music. The lineup includes Eric Aceto (violin), Harry Aceto (bass), Doug Robinson (guitar, vocals), Chad Lieberman (accordion), and Steve Pond (percussion). Learn more here.
When: 5-8 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free
Floating On
Modest Mouse returns to upstate New York, with frontman Isaac Brock and company touring to promote their latest album, “The Golden Casket,” which produced the single “We Are Between.” Find out more here.
The Cribs, the British indie rock band that comprises twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and their younger brother Ross Jarman, will open the show.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road (Route 80), LaFayette
Cost: $49.50-$164.50, available online here
Ready to Rock
Hard-rock favorites Saliva come to upstate New York. Known for hits such as “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease” from its 2001 debut “Every Six Seconds,” the band has continued to tour the world with bands such as Aerosmith, KISS, and Sevendust, as well as play at “countless fairs, festivals, and bike rallies.” The band currently includes Brad Stewart, Wayne Swinny, Paul Crosby, and Bobby Amaru. Find out more here.
Also on the bill are Otherwise and 9th Planet Out, along with regional bands Burden My Surrender and Concrete Giant.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 8
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $25-$30, available online here
No Shoes Nation
Country superstar Kenny Chesney brings his “Here and Now” tour to upstate New York to promote his 2020 album of the same name. “There is nothing like the way a night on the lawn unfolds,” Chesney said. “It’s friends, fun, the music floating out there – and there’s a closeness that you can’t get at a bigger show. It’s still full-on, but there’s also this sense that the songs really get to shine.” Carly Pearce, the reigning Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 8
Where: CMAC, 3355 Marvin Sands Dr., Canandaigua
Cost: $40-$170 available online here
More Shows
Dee Specker and Bob Walpole are at the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1
Raedwald Howland-Bolton is at Lucky Hare’s Hector taproom at 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
Kitestring is at Bright Leaf Vineyard at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Rachel Beverly returns to Salt Point Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 7-10 p.m. Wednesday
Johnny Dowd is at Bike Bar at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Scott Adams is at Atwater Winery at 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Erin and the Backwoods Blues Project play the Six Mile Creek Vineyard’s Sunset Music Series at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
The Scale House Brewery hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Crossroads Bar and Grille in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
The Vinyl Lounge continues its weekly residency at Trumansburg’s Atlas Bowl at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
The Delta Mike Shaw Band is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Notorious Stringbusters are at Two Goats Brewing at 6 p.m. Friday
The Smoking Loons are at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Junkyard Heights Trio are at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Jim VanDeuson is at Trax Pub and Grill at Greek Peak at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Steve Daniele Trio is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Wingnut is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Feed the Fire is at Wagner Vineyards at 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Garrett's Brewing Company at 7-9 p.m. Friday
M3 is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Tim Herron is at the Glen Haven at 8-11 p.m. Friday
Djug Django is at the Brooktondale Community Center at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Pierce Walsh is at Brookton’s Market at 3 p.m. Saturday
Cielle on Solid Ground is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
The X’Plozionz play the “Blues, Brews, BBQ” bash at the Homer Center for the Arts at 5 p.m. Saturday in support of the Cortland Crush baseball team
Freight returns to Stone Bend Farm at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Tarps are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Ende Brothers are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Erin and the Backwoods Blues Project is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Gerard Burke is at the Westy at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Brewer's Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Friday
A Cast of Thousands plays Moondog’s Lounge in Auburn at 8 p.m. Saturday
Jasperoo plays the Finger Lakes Cider House at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Bradford Allen is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 2 p.m. Sunday
Michael Lucey is at Wagner Vineyards at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Simon and Longwell are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 2 p.m. Sunday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Chateau Dusseau at 3 p.m. Sunday
Whistlin’ Dyl is at Two Goats Brewing at 4 p.m. Sunday
Major Bigtime is at the Scale House Brewery at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Madd Daddy plays the Firelight Live concert series at Firelight Camps (behind La Tourelle) at 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
The Small Kings play the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Tim Braley plays Barnstormer Winery at 5-8 p.m. Wednesday
Kitestring plays Ithaca Beer at 6 p.m. Wednesday
Tru Bleu plays Bright Leaf Vineyard at 6 p.m. Wednesday
