By Carrie Byrne Putelo & Tom Starr
You can hear it before you see it. A guitar tuning behind a curtain. The low hum of a crowd settling into their seats. Glasses clinking in a coffeehouse before the first note lands. In the Mohawk Valley, live music does not wait for summer. It starts now.
This spring, stages across the region are active from afternoon jazz in Hamilton to late-night rock in Rome. Intimate listening rooms in Holland Patent host acoustic sets that feel personal. Historic theatres in Utica glow under stage lights. Verona draws major tours. Barneveld leans into bluegrass. Every corner of the region contributes to the rhythm.
What makes this music scene powerful is its range. Tribute bands that revive decades of hits. National touring artists filling major venues. Regional musicians building loyal followings one show at a time. Big stages and small rooms coexist here, and both matter.
We have also included a curated selection of standout performances just beyond the Mohawk Valley, the kind of concerts worth the short drive for a memorable night out.
Circle the dates. Stay for the encore. Support the venues that keep the lights on and the sound moving. The Mohawk Valley does not just host music. It lives it.
JAZZ & BLUES
Saturday Jazz
When: March 7 at 12:00pm
Where: Arts at The Palace, Hamilton
Contact: 315-824-1420
Blues Night
When: March 12 at 7:30pm
Where: The Other Side, Utica
Contact: 315-735-4825
Clifford Carter
When: March 14 at 7:30pm
Where: The Other Side, Utica
Contact: 315-735-4825
Mark Hynes
When: April 17 at 7:30pm
Where: The Other Side, Utica
Contact: 315-735-4825
Saturday Jazz
When: April 18 at 12:00pm
Where: Arts at The Palace, Hamilton
Contact: 315-824-1420
Cincinnati Creek
When: May 23 at 7:30pm
Where: Park Coffee House, Holland Patent
Contact: 315-865-5854
ROCK, FOLK & AMERICANA
Pat Travers Band with Sydney Irving & The Creatures
When: March 13 at 7:00pm
Where: Capitol Theater, Rome
Contact: 315-337-6277
Rattlin’ Bog
When: March 14 at 7:30pm
Where: Park Coffee House,
Holland Patent
Contact: 315-865-5854
Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam 2
When: March 20 at 7:30pm
Where: Unity Hall, Barneveld
Contact: 315-520-8231
Rebecca Miner Band
When: March 28 at 7:30pm
Where: Park Coffee House,
Holland Patent
Contact: 315-865-5854
Driftwood
When: May 9 at 8:00pm
Where: Unity Hall, Barneveld
Contact: 315-520-8231
Adam Ezra Group
When: May 17 at 3:00pm
Where: Oneida Mansion
House, Oneida
Contact: 315-363-0745
Steubenstock at Steuben Town Hall
When: April 25 at 7:00pm
Where: Park Coffee House,
Holland Patent
Contact: 315-865-5854
TRIBUTE & CLASSIC ROCK
Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty Tribute
When: April 24 at 8:00pm
Where: Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
Vanilla Fudge
When: April 24 at 7:00pm
Where: Capitol Theater, Rome
Contact: 315-337-6277
Real Diamond – Neil Diamond Tribute
When: May 9 at 8:00pm
Where: Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
Always Jovi – Bon Jovi Tribute
When: May 22 at 8:00pm
Where: Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
MAJOR VENUE PERFORMANCES
Riverdance 30
When: March 18 & 19 at 7:30pm
Where: Stanley Theatre, Utica
Contact: 315-724-4000
Warren Zeiders
When: March 28 at 7:30pm
Where: Turning Stone Event Center,
Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
WORTH THE DRIVE
Keb Mo
When: March 6 at 8:00pm
Where: State Theatre, Ithaca
Contact: 607-277-8283
Warren Haynes Band
When: March 7 at 8:00pm
Where: State Theatre, Ithaca
Contact: 607-277-8283
Travelin’ McCourys
When: March 20 at 8:00pm
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Contact: 607-749-4900
Trisha Yearwood
When: April 10 at 8:00pm
Where: State Theatre, Ithaca
Contact: 607-277-8283
Shemekia Copeland
When: April 16 at 8:00pm
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Contact: 607-749-4900
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel
When: April 24 at 8:00pm
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Contact: 607-749-4900
Tom Rush
When: April 25 at 7:30pm
Where: Oswego Music Hall, Oswego
Contact: 315-695-6477
John Legend
When: April 28 at 8:00pm
Where: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Contact: 315-475-7979
Anne Wilson
When: May 7 at 7:00pm
Where: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Contact: 315-475-7979
Joe Satriani & Steve Vai
When: May 17 at 7:30pm
Where: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Contact: 315-475-7979
Cake
When: May 30 at 7:00pm
Where: Beak & Skiff, Lafayette
Contact: 315-696-6085
Jason Mraz
When: May 31 at 7:30pm
Where: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Contact: 315-475-7979
Joey Belladonna
When: April 18 at 8:00pm
Where: Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
Get The Led Out
When: May 21 at 8:00pm
Where: Stanley Theatre, Utica
Contact: 315-724-4000
Abba Revisited – Tribute
When: May 2 at 8:00pm
Where: Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Contact: 800-771-7711
