The fall season gets into full swing this week, with Dinosaur Jr. returning to Ithaca to open the State Theatre’s 2022-2023 season. Plus, Elton John comes to Syracuse, Robert Cray visits Hammondsport, and Alice Cooper gets back to Binghamton.
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!
Also, check out the newest show on WITH and withradio.org, “Breakfast with the Beatles,” hosted by Dave Kane from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday mornings. Read more about the show here!
And tune in to WITH from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 10, to hear Scott Regan, Jim Catalano, and Dave Kane broadcast live from the Clothesline Arts Festival at Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery! Read more about that here.
For a more extensive roundup of upcoming shows around the Finger Lakes and beyond, check out this extensive, curated list right here!
(Note: the concerts are listed below in chronological order)
A Good Cause
“Recovery Rocks” returns for 2022, “where we will celebrate the victories of our Recovery Community, while we also remember the people we’ve lost… Come enjoy music, food, and games, and listen to the stories of people in recovery.” Local favorites Maddy Walsh and Miami Whizzdom, which features AfroBeta along with Mike Suave and Maddy of the Blind Spots, and Kitestring will perform at the event, which is a benefit for the Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County during Recovery Month.
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Large Pavilion, Stewart Park, Ithaca
Cost: free and open to all
Weaving a Spell
“Wovenhome is a band of five friends weaving eclectic sounds and voices to inspire dance and reflection. With ngoni harps, polyrhythms, baritone ukulele, jaw harp, synthesizer, call and response, and moving vocal harmonies, their music stays with you long after the evening is done.” The band includes Hayley Dayis, Alexander Fals, Shaun Jones, Adam Kujawski, and Gary Crocker.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Summer Vibes
The Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series continues with the Sim Redmond Band, the long-running local folk-rock-pop-Afro-Caribbean band that has become a summer staple. “They have toured extensively in the U.S and Japan, bringing together sounds and people from all walks of life. Their uplifting, optimistic music is infectious. It will brighten your day, open your heart, and strengthen your resolve to make a positive impact on this crazy world we share.” By the way, this is the next-to-last show of the 2022 summer series, which concludes Sept. 15 with Maddy Walsh.
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion, The Commons
Cost: free
We All Scream
So Good Ice Cream Stand and the Center for the Arts of Homer have teamed up to bring you the So Good Music Series every Thursday through September. This week’s edition features Tim Burns, the CNY singer-songwriter known for fronting the band Two-Hour Delay. So Good will feature “adult only” specialty ice cream for those 21 and up. Bring a chair or two to enjoy the show.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: 5 South West St., Homer
Cost: free
Let’s Get Liquified
The new weekly “Liquid Thursdays” continues at Liquid State Brewing Company, with host Cooper Casterline (Double Tiger and New Planets) joined by a series of rotating musicians and DJs for “an evening of live music, dance, and a full multi-media funky experience.”
When: 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday
Where: Liquid State Brewing Company
Cost: $5
Going Up
Practice Presents returns to the Upstairs with the strong triple bill of Secret Service Men, Cobra Cadaver, and Microbes, Mostly – all veterans of much-loved, but now defunct Practice at Pete’s series.
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10
Electric Avenue
Returning after a hiatus, NEEMFest 2022 will feature “performances, workshops and the usual petting zoo, and YOU! NEEMFest began life as a small electro-music conference, sponsored then as now by electro-music.com, a global online community of diverse electronic musicians.” Performers include Josh Oxford, James Spitznagel, stepwriterun, and many more; find out more here! If you can't make it in person, check out the Stage 1 performances online here. (By the way, NEEMFest means Northeast Electro-Music Festival.)
When: Friday-Sunday; see the full schedule here
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $15 for weekend pass; daily tickets are $10; both are available online here
Pluck of the Irish
The Syracuse Irish Festival returns, with two full days of music and more in the heart of downtown Syracuse. The lineup includes House of Hamill, Enter the Haggis, The Causeway Giants, Hadrian’s Wall, The Elders, Connla, and many more, performing on two stages throughout the event.
When: Friday and Saturday
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
Cost: free
Seeking Haydn
The CCHK Salon presents “Haydn and Femininity” with Mike Lee and Ji-Young Kim, fortepiano, and Sofia Scattarreggia, soprano. “Many of Haydn's solo keyboard, vocal, and chamber works were products of relationships with women he encountered in his life. This salon focuses on music that grew out of Haydn's collaboration with two women he met in London: the poet Anne Hunter and virtuoso pianist Therese Jansen.”
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: A.D. White House, Cornell
Cost: free, but seating is limited and is first-come, first-served.
Planetary Explorers
New Planets return to South Hill Cider, featuring members of Big Mean Sound Machine, Mosaic Foundation, Thousands of One, and other local bands. The all-star band is known for its danceable grooves, with plenty of African and other influences inspiring the original material.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $10
Arena Rock
Classic-rock stalwarts Styx and REO Speedwagon have joined forces for their “Live and UnZoomed” tour, promising an evening chock-full of hits from their heyday in the 1970s and early 1980s. Canadian favorites Loverboy will open the show.
When: 6:45 p.m. Friday
Where: St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Cost: $18.70-$555, available online here
Feel the Pain
After a pandemic-induced postponement, Dinosaur Jr. returns to Ithaca to showcase its latest album, “Sweep It Into Space,” the Massachusetts-based band’s fifth studio release since its original lineup of J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph reunited 13 years ago. The new album spotlights the group’s trademark blend of melody and noise, with some unusual detours along the way. Find out more here.
Chicago-based fingerstyle guitarist Ryley Walker will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $36, available online here
For the Children
“Get ready to clap and sing along with the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble! This free one-hour concert will be an enjoyable way for kids of all ages to learn about this great American music.”
When: 10-11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Ford Hall, Whalen Center for Music, Ithaca College
Cost: free
Living Colors
Colorscape returns to Norwich for two days of arts, crafts, live music, and more. This year’s performers include The Kennedys, Adam Ezra Group, Mustard’s Retreat, Aztec 2Step 2.0, Vance Gilbert, John Gorka, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, and many more. See the full schedule here!
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: East and West Parks, Norwich
Cost: free
Dynamic Duo
Big Sky Studio continues its 2022 concert series with the stellar pairing of local favorites Jennie Lowe with Richie and Rosie. Lowe has released five albums since the 1990s that showcase her pensive lyrics and captivating vocals. Her latest release is “Ghost Tracks,” which was produced by Craig Street, who has worked with Norah Jones and Cassandra Wilson.
Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton have two albums to their name, including their latest, “Nowhere in Time,” along with lots of other albums done with different projects. Their sound blends old-time, country, and folk influences with tight vocal harmonies.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Big Sky Studio, Sweet Land Farm, Trumansburg
Cost: $18, available online here
Saturday Night’s Alright for Rockin’
Elton John brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour” to Central New York. For more than 50 years, the bespectacled piano man has been cranking out hits, most written with his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, including “Crocodile Rock,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Levon,” “Rocket Man,” and so many, many more. Plus, he just released a new song with Britney Spears! Find out more here. And see setlists from recent shows here!
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse
Tickets: $181 and up, available online here
Up and Away
The 5th Dimension brings its psychedelic soul sound to CNY, with original member Florence LaRue joined by four newer bandmates to preserve the group’s trademark five-part vocal harmonies. Since the mid-1960s, the band has scored 22 Top 40 hits and five No.1 songs, including “Up, Up and Away,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All,” and “Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In.” Find out more here.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
Cost: $50-$85, available online here
Strong Persuader
The Robert Cray Band returns to Central New York to promote its latest release, “That’s What I Heard,” which Cray describes as “Funky, cool and bad.” Since the 1980s, Cray has been one of blues music’s foremost proponents – his soulful voice and funky guitar style has fueled hits such as “Smokin’ Gun,” “Right Next Door” (Because of Me)” and “Time Makes Two” – and he also has been a regular participant at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival (not to mention a member of Otis Day and the Nights in “Animal House”). Learn more here.
The Gabe Stillman Duo will open the show.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
Cost: $45-$90, available online here
MAQ Attack
MAQ, a musical ensemble based in Ithaca, comprises some of the area's best jazz and Brazilian-music performers. Its members have individually toured throughout the United States and Europe, in venues from concert halls to clubs, performing everything from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian bossa and folk music. The lineup features Eric Aceto, violin; Harry Aceto, bass; Doug Robinson, guitar/vocals; Chad Lieberman, accordion/piano; and Steve Pond, percussion.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Klarman Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Get Rhythm
Dave Davies RhythmMakers return for Jazz Mondays, as Dave Davies, Doug Robinson, Brian Earle, and Chad Lieberman will play classic jazz, blues, originals, and more.
When: 5-8 p.m., second and fourth Mondays of each month
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Ready to Rock
Atlanta metal favorite Sevendust brings its “Animosity 2022” tour to the Southern Tier to mark the 20th anniversary of its well-known album of the same name. They’ll also be plugging their latest release, “Blood & Stone,” which came out in 2020. Find out more about the band here. Nonpoint, Bastardane, and Burden of the Sky will open the show.
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $40, available online here
Percussive Power
The Cornell Department of Music and the Cornell Contemporary Chamber Players welcome experimental percussionist Greg Stuart for two concerts on campus. The performances are part of a week-long residency in which Stuart will work with Cornell composition doctoral students. The first concert on Monday will feature pieces by Sarah Hennies and Michael Pisaro-Liu. The second concert on Thursday, Sept. 15, will be the culmination of the residency, presenting pieces by Cornell composers John Eagle, Josh Biggs, Han Xu, Laura Cetilia, Michele Cheng, and María Bulla. Stuart is a percussionist whose work draws upon a mixture of music from the experimental tradition, Wandelweiser, improvisation, and electronics. His performances have been described as “a ghostly, gorgeous lesson in how close, concentrated listening can alter and enhance perception” (The New York Times).
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: Milstein Dome, Cornell Event Info
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15
Where: Milstein Dome, Cornell Event Info
Cost: both concerts are free and open to all
Triple Header
Practice Presents returns to the Downstairs with another cool show, this one headlined by NYC-based Out of System Transfer, who return with their “gonzo anti-folk punk rock radical leftist hootenanny.” Check out their latest album, “Just Be Loud,” right here!
They’ll be joined by local farm-to-folk-punk favorites Emma Vulnerability and Motherwort.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 at the door
Country Cool
Alt-country favorites Old 97’s make a welcome return to upstate New York, with Rhett Miller and company set to showcase their raucous, catchy songs such as “Timebomb,” “Let’s Get Drunk and Get It On,” and “Murder (Or a Heart Attack).” Their latest release is the aptly named “Twelfth,” giving the band a dozen albums under its belt over its 30-year career.
Vandoliers will open the show; make sure you arrive in time to see the rowdy Texas-based band, which just released its fourth album.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Lost Horizon, Syracuse
Cost: $25, available online here
Mr. Nice Guy
Alice Cooper returns to Binghamton, bringing his iconic, theatrical stage show – guillotine still included! He’s known for hits such as “School’s Out,” “Under My Wheels,” “No More Mister Nice Guy,” and more, with his appearance in “Wayne’s World” another career highlight. Find out more here.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton
Cost: $38-$78, available online here
Positive Vibrations
Reggae Night makes its long-awaited return, helping new Ithaca club Deep Dive – on the site that formerly housed The Dock, Castaways, and Key West – kicks off its grand-opening week. The event will feature the longtime host band The Crucials, which includes members of area groups such as Jimkata, Mosaic Foundation, New Planets, and others. It’s back for three weeks only, though – Sept. 14, 28, and Oct. 1 – as the club gears up for its fall calendar.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
More Shows
Hold Your Horses play the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Joey Arcuri and Friends play jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Rachel Beverly is at Ithaca Beer at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
The Papa Muse Acoustic Duo plays Damiani Wine Cellars at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Chickenwire Parachute is at the Bike Bar at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Range hosts its weekly Salsa Night Latin Dance Party, featuring DJs and dance lessons, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 8-11 p.m. Wednesday
Glenmary’s Ghost is at Grist Iron Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Raedwald Howland-Bolton plays Atwater Winery at 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Tom and Marie play Brookton’s Market at 6 p.m. Thursday
Bendher plays Punk’s Place in Candor at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Radio London plays the Six Mile Creek Vineyard’s Sunset Music Series at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
The Oasis at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday
The Brewhouse Blues Jam returns Hopshire Brewery at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to CrossRoads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Craig Snyder is at Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Stereopticon is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Friday
Black Robin Band is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
How’s The Soup? is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Dylan Doyle Trio is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Jess Novak Band plays at Treleaven Winery at 6-9 p.m. Friday ($5)
The Bob Keefe Trio plays Bright Leaf Vineyard at 6-8 p.m. Friday ($5)
Molly and the Ringwalds are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Noon Fifteen is at Hopshire Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
GoGone is back at Firelight Camps at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Jesse Collins and Cyndi host a birthday bash, with many special guests, at Brookton’s Market at 6-10 p.m. Friday
Cisco and the Soul Benders are at Finger Lakes Cider House at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday ($5)
Metasequoia plays Garrett’s Brewing in Trumansburg at 7 p.m. Friday
The Ripcords are at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Bendher are at Landon's Pub in Watkins Glen at 7:30-11 p.m. Friday
Bob Holz and Vision Forward are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Jon Rogalia is at The Glen Haven at 8-11 p.m. Friday
La Llorona and Silver Rein team up for an intriguing double bill at the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Friday ($5)
DJ Jona continues his weekly residency at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Friday
Lou Kaplan and John Kelsey are at Willowdale Bend in Skaneateles at 12-2 p.m. Saturday
The Oasis at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards hosts the Red Cat Fall Splash Bash Dance Party at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
The Cosmic Groan is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Tailor Made is at Seneca Lake Resorts in Romulus at 3 p.m. Saturday
Dana Twigg is at McGraw Box Brewing at 4-6 p.m. Saturday
Qwister is at Scale House Brewery at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
Still Kickin’ is at Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Dart Brothers are at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Saturday
Nikolai Ruskin plays Brookton’s Market at 5 p.m. Saturday
Melanie and the Boys are at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Off The Rails is at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Hot Dogs and Gin are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Outcrops are at Two Goats Brewing at 6 p.m. Saturday
Freight returns to Stone Bend Farm at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Amanda Lee Peers is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Sandra Esparza is at Ransom Steele Tavern at 9 p.m. Saturday
Salsa Ithaca hosts a Welcome Back Latin Dance Party at the Range at 9 p.m. Saturday
Delaques continues their September “And Friends” residency at the Downstairs, joined by Annatto for the 9 p.m. show ($5-$10 sliding scale)
The Maplewood Jazz Team returns to the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Charlie Young plays Brookton’s Market at 11 a.m. Sunday
Erich with an H plays Red Newt Cellars at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
ONCO Fermentations hosts Hazel Fest at 1-6 p.m. Sunday, with Amanda Lee Peers performing at 3-5 p.m.
Shawn Halloran plays at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Fabi and Friends play Damiani Wine Cellars at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
90 Proof is at Hosmer Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Richman and the Poorboys are at Americana Vineyards at 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday
Rena Guinn is at Solera Tap House at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Virgil Cain is at Homer Hops at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Marc Ryan (Tribal Revival) and Tink Bennett (Tailor Made) team up for the first time ever as the Shenanigan Twins for an autism awareness benefit show at the Cortland DAV at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes is at Two Goats Brewing at 4 p.m. Sunday
The new weekly series Beer Wax Sundays returns to Liquid State at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Louiston plays the Service Industry Night at Lucky Hare Stage in Press Bay Alley at 5-7 p.m. Monday
Brett Beardslee brings his weekly Monday Night Blues back to Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Monday
Jeremy James is at Solera Tap House at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday
The Burns and Kristy Band play at Firelight Camps at 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
MegaStrings plays Brookton’s Market at 6 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ series features Michael Plagerman, whose program “Symphonic Rhapsody” will include works by Saint-Saëns, Bach, and Mendelssohn, in Sage Chapel at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Tailwind plays the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Obvious Objects returns for the Pub Night DJ Dance Party at the Stonecat Café at 5-9 p.m. Wednesday
Rena Guinn is at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
The Delta Mike Shaw Band is at Ithaca Beer at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Sandra Esparza plays Salt Point Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Range hosts its weekly Salsa Night Latin Dance Party, featuring DJs and dance lessons, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 8-11 p.m. Wednesday
For a more extensive roundup of upcoming shows around the Finger Lakes and beyond, check out this extensive, curated list right here!
