Just Announced: 2026 Raven Events Listen Up Awards Nominees VOTE HERE!

Vote for you FAVORITE Local Artists HERE!

The voting process has begun and you can do so below! Winners of the 2026 Listen Up Awards will be revealed at the ceremony on February 22nd at the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY. Vote as much as you want!

Here are the nominees:

Favorite Solo (Male):

Gus Unplugged
Jason Irwin
Kristian Montgomery
Russ Kennedy

Favorite Reggae/World Artist:

Heard
Hallelujah Hat Trick
Mixed Roots
Alex Torres

Favorite Solo(Female):

Caity Gallagher
Donna Britton
Girl Love
Shannon Roy

Favorite Duo:

The Bluebillies
Art -N- Shawna
Elephant Back
HB Swank & Qweylan

Favorite Party Band:

Big Empty
Hit N Run
Lucid Street
The Rhythm Pilots

Favorite Country Artist 

Glenn Rocks Band
Marty Wendell
The Bluebillies
Whiskey Highway

Favorite Cover Band

5ive x 5ive
Big Empty
Brian Kane and The Beginning
Hit-N-Run

Favorite Americana Artist: 

Chris Sanders & the Better Days
Marty Wendell
The Bluebillies
Scott Greene

Favorite Pop Artist:

Hayley Stafford
Peter Annello
Shannon Tehya
Hailey Renee

Favorite Rock/Hard Rock Band: 

Big Empty
Chris Busone
Frank Palangi
The William Deuel Band

Favorite Alt/Indie Artist

The Perfect Storm
Elephant Back
Nocturnne
Otobo

Favorite Folk/Bluegrass Artist:

Carolyn Shapiro
Marty Wendell
Northern Borne
Reese Fulmer

Favorite Jazz Artist:

Hot Club of Saratoga
Keith Pray
Marcus Benoit
Joe Barna

Favorite Punk/Garage Artist:

Anthem for Tomorrow
Shortwave RadioBand
Society High
VinTri Hill

Favorite Metal/Hardcore Artist:

Brick by Brick
Deveria
Gozer
The Phoenix & The Raven

Favorite Jam Band:

Annie in the Water
Glass Pony
The Ky McClinton Band
TV Doctors

Favorite Blues Artist:

Amy Ryan Band
BR&B
Joe Mele
Joe Roy Jackson

Favorite R&B/Soul/Funk:

Erica Rose
Ky McClinton Band
Legacy Music Group
Soul Provider

Favorite Electronica/Experimental Artist:

Rabid Children
She’s Having A Meltdown
Laveda
The Secret Fashions

Favorite Performing/Recording DJ:

Count Sheldrake
DJ Fool
Dj Goodlyfe
DJ IRod

Favorite Hip-Hop Artist:

Bezzolay
Bonus
Camtron 5000
Wavy Cunningham

Favorite Prog Rock Artist

Ampevene
The Phoenix & The Raven
Progeny
Timbre Coup

Best Hair and Makeup:

Brad James
Cait Tizzone
Evan Gori
Vincenzo Baldwin

Most Likely To Fall Off Stage:

Brian Cavanaugh
James Krone
Matty D
Tyler Munson

Best Dressed:

Joanna (Off The Record)
Rod Dukes
Shannon Tehya
Jamie Grignon

Best Marketing/Social Media:

VinTri Hill
The Rhythm Pilots
Straight Edge Punks
Brother T and the Boys

Favorite Medium Venue(100-250 Capacity)

Empire Underground
The Hangar on the Hudson
Wicked Eatery Pub & Ent.
Ophelia’s

Favorite Bar/Small Venue(0-100 Capacity):

Adirondack Winery
The Kings Inn
No Fun
Rustic Barn

Favorite Large Venue(200-400 Capacity)

Empire Live
Lark Hall
Putnam Place
The Strand Theatre