Top Artists Hitting the Stages in Upstate

KISS
KISS

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield

This is concert time in Upstate New York. Regardless of the music genre that you love, you’re sure to find a great concert in the region this summer. Many big names in music are coming to New York for concerts indoors and outdoors.
Don’t miss out on the famous vocalists coming to Upstate in the months ahead.

Jazz

Fans can catch the smooth sounds of their favorite music with top performers like the Duke Ellington Orchestra (June 6, Plattsburgh http://strandcenter.org and June 7, Clayton, www.claytonoperahouse.com); Norah Jones (June 29, Saratoga Springs, www.spac.org); and Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz (Aug. 17, Skaneateles, www.skanfest.org).

Several jazz festivals are also slated for this time, including CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival (June 21-29, Rochester, www.rochesterjazz.com); 2019 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival (includes Norah Jones, Saratoga Springs, June 29-30, www.spac.org); Fulton Jazz Festival (Aug. 8, Fulton, www.fultonjazzfest.com); and Clayton Jazz Festival (Sept. 20, Clayton, www.claytonjazzfest.com).

Lindsey Stirling
Lindsey Stirling

As of press time, organizers of the popular Syracuse Jazz Fest said they were uncertain about whether the event would take place this year. The festival started in 1982 and has entertained tens of thousands of people in Central New York the last 35 years. It didn’t take place in 2018 for lack of sponsorship.

Classical

Vocalist Sarah McLachlan (Aug 6., Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com.) will perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Country

Crooners are well-represented this summer in the region, including Keith Urban, Rascal Flats, Little Big Town,

The Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls

Brooks & Dunn, Brett Eldridge, Josh Turner and Brett Young (June 7, Hunter, www.tasteofcountryfestival.com); Zac Brown Band (June 11, https://sjhamphitheater.com); Reba McEntire (July 18, Verona, www.turningstone.com); Brad Paisley (July 26, Syracuse, https://sjhamphitheater.com); Sheryl Crow (July 30 and Aug. 15, Syracuse, https://sjhamphitheater.com); Jason Aldean (Aug. 10, Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com); Brett Young (Aug. 10, Watertown, www.DPAO.org).

Pop/Rock

Concerts this season include Rob Thomas (July 21, Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com and July 23, Syracuse, https://sjhamphitheater.com); Lionel Richie (July 23, Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com); Josh Groban (July 28, Verona, www.turningstone.com); Train & The Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 2, Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com); Daughtry (Aug. 30, Verona, www.turningstone.com); Foreigner (Watertown, Sept. 21, www.DPAO.org).

Foreigner
Foreigner

Heavy Metal

Fans can rock out to Alice Cooper and Halestorm (Aug. 7, Canandaigua, www.cmacevents.com), KISS (Aug. 27, Syracuse, https://sjhamphitheater.com).

Christian

Musicians abound at the annual Kingdom Bound weekend of concerts, including Crowder, For King & Country, Passion Music, Bethel Music, Danny Gokey and Skillet (July 28-31, Darien Center, www.kingdombound.org).

Norah Jones
Norah Jones

In addition to all of these, numerous well-known stars are slated to appear on the Great New York State Fair’s Chevy Court Stage and New York Experience Stage (Aug. 21 to Sept. 2, Syracuse, https://nysfair.ny.gov), including Lindsey Stirling, 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Bad Company, Midland, and more. All of these are included free with fair admission. Check the fair website for the schedule of when the artists will appear and additional performers as information becomes available. The fair also features free performances of local talent on other shows around the fairgrounds.

Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow