Show Detective – Weekend Shows – 3/7 – 3/9

Show Detective.

Friday, March 7^th

Danú, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm

Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. Their standing room only concerts throughout Ireland are true events featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.
Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. The group’s standing room only concerts throughout Ireland are true events featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.

It’s A 2000’s Party: Albany, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm

The Lustre Kings, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm

The Lustre Kings: Igniting rockabilly dance floors with their irresistible unbeatable tunes, they’re the ultimate soundtrack to your retro dance party!

First Friday with Laura Leigh & Lucy Nelligan at The Eleven, Albany, 7pm-9pm

Hailing from the rolling hills of Washington County in Upstate NY, Laura Leigh gained her following by busking and singing around every late night campfire in the capital region. Quickly becoming what Greg Bell claimed “The new darling of the Albany music scene”, LL is known for her archetypal songwriting, Appalachian style vocals, and her evocative stories that may or may not be true.

Blending an eclectic mix of rock, old time, country and blues styles, Lucy has toured and performed with a number of songwriters and groups across the US, including Berklee World Strings and the Kronos quartet. She can be seen playing locally with the Brule County Bad Boys.

Funky Fridays with Tad Cautious The Eleven at Lark Hall, Albany, 7pm-10pm

Tad Cautious is a DJ and musical curator who has performed at festivals such as Waking Windows in Vermont, Chicago’s Sacred Rose festival and Phish’s Riviera Maya festival in Cancun. He is the host of The Bunny, a weekly free-format show on SiriusXM based on the onsite station of the same name that he has helmed at Phish festivals since 1996. His sets range from international funk, psychedelic jazz and soul to muddled electronics, classic dub, and archival oddities, resulting in a pleasant disorientation.

Reprise: Recreating Iconic Phish Shows, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm

Come join us as we celebrate New York State Music’s 10 year anniversary, with a special performance by Phish tribute, REPRISE. For this show, REPRISE will “reprise” Phish’s 7/10/94 performance from SPAC.

REPRISE — a band that formed to *reprise* the Phish experience, is an all-star New England band. Cal Kehoe, longtime front man for Pink Talking Fish, helms the enterprise on guitar. Adrian Tramontano (Twiddle, Kung Fu and The Breakfast) masters the drums.  Scott Chasolen chairmans the boards for the project, bringing years of experience with The Machine, a Pink Floyd tribute.  Multi-instrumentalist and composer Chris DeAngelis (The Machine, Kung Fu and The Breakfast) rounds out the foursome on bass. The time is near, the mission’s clear — get ready to blaze on with REPRISE!

Upright Bass with Dylan Perrillo, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 12pm-1pm

In this course we will be exploring the fundamentals of being a bass player in an ensemble setting. We will dive into topics that will help shape each musician’s approach to practicing and strengthen their understanding of their relationship with their instrument. This series of group lessons will be a lot of fun as we uncover together the aspects of this instrument that make it so enjoyable to play. We will also focus on the absolute essentials of being a rock solid bassist including: language, sound production, time and tone, among others.

In this course we will be exploring the fundamentals of being a bass player in an ensemble setting. We will dive into topics that will help shape each musician’s approach to practicing and strengthen their understanding of their relationship with their instrument. This series of group lessons will be a lot of fun as we uncover together the aspects of this instrument that make it so enjoyable to play. We will also focus on the absolute essentials of being a rock solid bassist including: language, sound production, time and tone, among others.

Aztec Two-Step 2.0 featuring Rex Fowler, Dodie Pettit & Friends, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-9:30pm

The story of Rex Fowler and his band Aztec Two-Step is intertwined with the history of folk/rock music in America. Originating from a chance meeting at an “open mic night” in Boston in 1971, then taking their name from a poem by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Rex and his former music partner Neal Shulman went on to record four albums on Elektra & RCA Records, helping to usher the music of the 60’s into the 1970s and beyond.

WCDB BOTB 2025 Happy Birthday James / Hundred Gutterz / Cheesy Snacks / Scotchka, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

3/7 5:00 PM Russ Kennedy- Wheatfields Clifton Park

3/7 6:00 PM Chuck Ayers- Powers Pub

3/7 6:00 PM Jacksland- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park

3/7 6:00 PM Pat Decker- Scarlet Knife

3/7 6:00 PM Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey- Cock & Bull

3/7 6:30 PM Joe Archambeault- Other One Brewery

3/7 7:00 PM Alex Riddell- Bye I Brewing

3/7 7:00 PM Dan Bernstein- Emack & Bolios

3/7 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Peddlers Bar & Bistro

3/7 7:00 PM POGO- The Bunker Mohawk Harbor

3/7 8:00 PM Lustre Kings- Rustic Barn Pub

3/7 8:00 PM Nolanauts- Nanola

3/7 9:00 PM Coverups- Centre St Pub

Saturday, March 8^th

The Egg Presents: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Egg, Albany, 8pm

At a moment when musical streams are crossing with unprecedented frequency, it’s crucial to remember that throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface, transformed by the Crescent City’s inimitable spirit and joie de vivre. Nowhere is that idea more vividly embodied than in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 60 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.

Blake Shelton, MVP Arena, Albany, 7pm

Blake Shelton Friends & Heroes 2025 is coming to MVP Arena on Saturday, March 8  with Emily Ann Roberts opening the show and special appearances by Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, and Trace Adkins!

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 7pm

Saturday • Mar 08, 2025 • 7:00pm

Considered the most prominent flamenco dance company in the United States, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana will make its SPAC debut with the world premiere of QUINTO ELEMENTO (Fifth Element), a new evening-length work set to an original score of live music. Choreographed by Patricia Guerrero, the new work explores the fifth element of the earth: ether, the essence that makes up the space around us. Hailed as a master of tradition who dares to deconstruct the art form, Guerrero draws on her deep knowledge of traditional flamenco but pushes past the restriction of its rules. In doing so, she seeks to extract the essence of flamenco itself, its invisible fifth element, and make it tangible to audiences.

Brave Strangers: A Tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Proctors Theater, Schenectady

Experience the electrifying energy of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band with Brave Strangers! This powerhouse fourteen-piece ensemble delivers an unforgettable tribute, featuring an eight-piece core band, a dynamic three-piece female backing section, and the thunderous “Runaway Train” horn trio. At the heart of the show is lead vocalist Tony Paulino, whose voice authentically captures the unmistakable sound of Bob Seger himself. Combine this with an outstanding stage presence and a setlist filled with timeless rock ‘n’ roll classics, and Brave Strangers will take you on a musical journey that perfectly recreates the magic and excitement of a Bob Seger concert.

Brass Queens, Universal Preservation Hall, Schenectady

Finding that they shared similar frustrations about the emerging brass band scene in New York City, co-founders Alex Harris and Ally Chapel came together to form a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of female musicians in a landscape that was dominated by male musicians and bandleaders. After debuting in March 2019, Brass Queens grew to be a fixture in the local music scene and was dubbed “the hardest working band in town” by their peers. The Queens gained a dedicated following through outdoor performances on the streets of Brooklyn and playing pop-up events in their community through the pandemic.

Torpedo Lane, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm

United We Dance -The Ultimate Rave Experience, Empire Live, Albany, 9:30pm

Kilashandra, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm

This Celtic influenced contemporary JAM band will get you in the St.Patricks Day spirit!

Ladies Night ft: King Bully & Sly Fox, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 11:30pm-3am

Come get down on the biggest dance floor in Saratoga with King Bully and Sly Fox.

King Bully blurs the lines between Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, and Latin into what is a refreshing departure from anything else you’ve heard. The Troy NY native not only dominates the Capital Region club circuit, he also boasts an impressive list of concerts, which includes acts like Dababy, Lil Baby, Cardi B, Fabolous, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti and more. Always sure to get the crowd hype and the club packed, DJ King Bully is the sound that keeps any party going strong.

Guitarist Sly Fox is best knows as the front man for blues-rock outfit Sly Fox and The Hustlers.

Bimbo Nite: Cyber Angel – DJ P!nk P!xel / DJ 2ND CH!LD / DJ Dental Work / DJ Circe, No Fun, Troy, 8pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

3/8 6:00 PM Chris Carey- Scarlet Knife

3/8 6:00 PM Don Kelly- Powers Pub

3/8 6:00 PM Jay Yager- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park

3/8 6:00 PM Matty Finn- Carsons Woodside Tavern

3/8 6:30 PM Brad Westcott- Other One Brewery

3/8 7:00 PM Capital Region Vocal Jazz Vanguard- Stella’s Pasta Bar at The Van Dyck

3/8 7:00 PM Jatoba wsg Meat Chickens- Unihog

3/8 7:00 PM Kilashandra- Rustic Barn Pub

3/8 7:00 PM Scott Bravo- Emack & Bolios

3/8 8:00 PM Out Of Office- September’s Too

3/8 8:00 PM Southbound Renegade- Nanola

Sunday, March 9^th

Considering Matthew Shephard, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 3pm

Albany Pro Musica will present the Capital Region premiere of Considering Matthew Shepard, an evocative choral drama by Craig Hella Johnson. This poignant oratorio for chorus, soloists, and chamber orchestra tells the heartbreaking story of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was brutally murdered in Wyoming in 1998. In addition to the concert performance, APM will convene a series of community engagement opportunities that explore the important themes laid out in the oratorio.

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 2pm

Considered the most prominent flamenco dance company in the United States, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana will make its SPAC debut with the world premiere of QUINTO ELEMENTO (Fifth Element), a new evening-length work set to an original score of live music. Choreographed by Patricia Guerrero, the new work explores the fifth element of the earth: ether, the essence that makes up the space around us. Hailed as a master of tradition who dares to deconstruct the art form, Guerrero draws on her deep knowledge of traditional flamenco but pushes past the restriction of its rules. In doing so, she seeks to extract the essence of flamenco itself, its invisible fifth element, and make it tangible to audiences.

Sunday Jazz at UPH: Tarik Shah Quartet, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs

Join us for the inaugural performance of the “Sunday Jazz at UPH” series, featuring the exceptional Tarik Shah Quartet. Bassist, composer, and jazz educator Tarik Shah brings his profound artistry to Universal Preservation Hall, promising an evening of soulful and captivating jazz.

Born in the Bronx, Tarik Shah’s musical journey began at the age of twelve when his mother gifted him his first bass. By sixteen, he was studying under the legendary jazz bassist Slam Stewart. His early career saw him as a sought-after sideman, touring internationally with renowned artists such as Betty Carter, Ahmad Jamal, Randy Weston, and Abbey Lincoln. Notably, in 1992, he performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ball. Now residing in New York’s Capital Region, Shah continues to perform in esteemed venues like Mezzrow and Smalls in New York City, while mentoring emerging musicians in the Albany area. He is currently working on his debut solo album, “Solitary Refinement,” featuring his original compositions.

Punk Rock Flea Market, Empire Live, Albany, 11am-5pm

Second Sunday Bluegrass Jam featuring Mike McMann, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Bluegrass Jams are for making new friends, sharing songs, playing and listening to blue grass and new-grass. All skin levels are welcome.

The Chatham Rabbits, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-8:30pm

From North Carolina comes one of the state’s most beloved musical outfits, Chatham Rabbits.

When you see North Carolina folk duo Chatham Rabbits on stage, you’re getting the real deal: heartfelt lyrics over guitar and banjo, an instant connection with audiences, and banter that can only come from a married duo that spends way too much time together but still manages to be in love.

Eddie Spaghetti (Supersuckers) Solo w/s/g Metal Marty Chandler, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 8pm-11pm

The one, the only, the legend – Eddie Spaghetti from SUPERSUCKERS is back!!!! He hasn’t done a solo tour in over 5 years and here’s your shot to grab a rare performance.

He’ll be performing solo material, covers, requests, sing-a-longs and, of course, the hits and the classics we’ve all come to know, love and expect from Supersuckers like Pretty Fucked Up and Born with a Tail. Wouldn’t be the same with those!!

Special guest is “Metal” Marty Chandler from – you guessed it – Supersuckers! The guitar wizard and backstage comedian, has his own solo record out too! He’ll be playing his Greatest Hits as well as joining in with Eddie.

Hellseeker Presents: HIDE / Trace Amount / Proximity Crush / Melting Regular, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

3/9 1:00 PM Matty Finn- Other One Brewery

3/9 3:30 PM Russ Kennedy- Hank Hudson Brewing

3/9 4:00 PM Grand Central Trio- Carsons Woodside Tavern

3/9 5:00 PM Bobbie Van Detta- Charlton Tavern

3/9 5:30 PM Bluegrass Jam- Rustic Barn Pub

3/9 7:00 PM American Name Band- Unihog