Whassup in the 518 – 9/26 – 9/28
By Staff on September 25, 2025
Whassup in the 518
Friday, September 26th
Plush, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm
Tito Puente Jr. & His Latin Jazz Orchestra. Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Shannon Roy, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm
A voice with grit, a story with heart—Shannon Roy brings her powerful blend of rock, blues, and folk to Rustic Barn Pub. Shannon’s music is raw, soulful, and unapologetically real. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music and storytelling!
The Pine Boys at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE SHOW), The Eleven, Albany, 6pm-8pm
Beats driven jam-funk outfit The Pine Boys return to The Eleven at Lark Hall for a free Happy Hour show on 9/26 6-8pm
Lulu Grey Album Release Party, Lark Hall, Albany, 7pm-11pm
George Boone Blues Band, Putnam Place, Saratoga, 8pm-11pm
From his suit and shiny black shoes to his powerful vocals filled with raw emotion, this veteran musician will immerse you in a deep river of the blues. George Boone won the respect and accolades of the great players in the blues scene and has shared the stage with legendary blues greats such as Albert King, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Johnny Copeland, to name a few.
As Matt Smith wrote in Metroland magazine “I think George Boone is one of the most amazing guys I’ve seen. He’s the real thing…” A night with George Boone is an experience. Rocking out, dancing, crying the blues, George Boone is a lesson in what the blues are all about. George Boone lives the blues. George Boone is the blues.
The Dirty Grass Players, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. 8pm-10pm
With a nod to tradition and a fearless sense of adventure, The Dirty Grass Players are pushing the boundaries of bluegrass—and having a blast doing it. Hailing from Baltimore, this high‑energy quartet blends razor‑sharp harmonies, rootsy improvisation, and modern songwriting into a sound that’s fresh, fast, and unmistakably their own.
The Sadies, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 8pm-11pm
Midnight Radio, Lost and Found, Albany, 9pm
Teen Mortgage / The OBGMs, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
9/26 5:00 PM Chuck Ayers- Frog Alley Brewing
9/26 6:00 PM Bear Bones Project- S&S farm Brewery
9/26 6:00 PM Jason Irwin- Outpost 40
9/26 6:00 PM Keith Pray Trio- Cock & Bull
9/26 6:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- The Scarlet Knife
9/26 6:00 PM Sugar Pill- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/26 7:00 PM Earlybirds- Hometown Pub & Grub
9/26 7:00 PM Matty Finn- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
9/26 7:00 PM Open Mic- Round Lake Auditorium
9/26 8:00 PM The Sadies- Hanger On The Hudson
9/26 8:30 PM Monkberry- Frog Alley Brewing
Saturday, September 27th
Alice Cooper & Judas Priest, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 6:45pm
with special guest Corrosion of Conformity
Fandom Fest Presents: Cosplay for a Cause Variety Showcase, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
Nerds from all fandoms unite for an unforgettable night of creativity, cosplay, and community at Proctors! Hosted and co-produced by Magical Lee, the “Cosplay for a Cause Variety Showcase” brings together talented fans for live performance acts and a cosplay fashion walk, all in support of mental health awareness.
Kemp Harris, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
KEMP HARRIS – CD Release: Goodnight, America
with Adam Osgood, harmonica
Whether he’s performing with members of his band, or in hushed meditation alone at his piano, Kemp Harris speaks truth the only way he knows how: by baring his soul. Onstage, his lyrics and music are crystal clear, his performance simply riveting, as shown in his recent live performance of “Goodnight, America” at Phil Ochs Song Night on Wanda Fischer’s “Hudson River Sampler” (WAMC-fm). In 2024 he was chosen – by audience vote – as a winner of the Emerging Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
A Man Named Cash, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 2pm-7:30pm
Dead Man’s Waltz, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-10pm
Music of The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and The Band
Floydian Trip, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm-11:59pm
Ladies Night ft: King Bully & Sly Fox, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 11pm-3am
Come get down on the biggest dance floor in Saratoga at our weekly Ladies Night with King Bully, Sly Fox and percussionists Seth Casale and Johnny Ellis.
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.
A Special Event with Janis Ian: Screening & in-person interview & audience Q&A, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-9pm
Join us for an extraordinary evening with the celebrated singer-songwriter herself, Janis Ian, as we present American Masters – Janis Ian: Breaking Silence at Caffè Lena.
Janis Ian has spent her life turning truth into song. This documentary explores Ian’s uncompromising journey as a songwriter and performer, confronting racism, media scrutiny, the music industry’s expectations, and her own identity—all while crafting a deeply influential and award-winning body of work.
Oktoberfest, Lost and Found, Albany, All Day
HALF WAY TO WIZARD FEST w/ Kakos / Flatwounds / Casket / Ice Queen / Age of Pain, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
9/27 5:00 PM Sundown Express- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery
9/27 6:00 PM Chad McLoughlin Trio- Stella’s Pasta Bar at The Van Dyck
9/27 6:00 PM Cryin Out Loud- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/27 6:00 PM Larry Gravette- The Scarlet Knife
9/27 7:00 PM Matty Finn- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
9/27 8:00 PM Cactus Blossoms- Hanger On The Hudson
9/27 8:00 PM Dead Mans Waltz- Rustic Barn Pub
9/27 8:00 PM The Switch- Nanola
Sunday, September 28th
Blackbraid North American Tour, Empire Live, Albany, 6pm
“A Joyful Noise!” Gospel Dinner with Soulist Garland Nelson & Friends, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs
A Joyful Noise! Gospel Dinner with Soulist Garland Nelson & Friends is more than a concert—it’s a full-sensory celebration of community, comfort, and spirit. This one-of-a-kind evening blends the rich, uplifting power of live gospel music with a lovingly prepared Caribbean dinner by Vashti’s Kitchen Delights, creating an atmosphere that nourishes both body and soul. Led by the incomparable Garland Nelson, whose voice radiates warmth and joy, each gathering becomes a heartfelt experience of connection and praise. Surrounded by friends, familiar songs, and the clink of shared plates, guests don’t just attend—they belong. Join us for a night where the music moves you, the meal fills you, and the spirit of togetherness leaves you glowing.
Winter / A Country Western, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
9/28 6:00 PM Jukebox Rebellion- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/28 6:00 PM Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio- Cock & Bull
RadioRadioX