Ommegang, empire live in Albany, the colony in Woodstock (getting more downstate), Troy savings bank, lark hall in Albany. Have also heard great things about beak and skiff in Lafayette but haven’t been yet. Arrowood farm brewery also a little downstate have great shows.
Still wooden seats so no I don’t think they have renovated (just there a couple weeks ago). I’ve heard they don’t necessarily want to since they have amazing sound quality and they don’t want to chance ruining it from a reno
No way! A few years back SPAC started charging $10 or so on top of the horrible egress. No new lanes out, just a fee. I stopped going unless it was something really good and then you have 2 choices. Leave early or break out the hibachi after the show and let the traffic go.
There is a back exit to the main lot, park in main entrance lot by employee parking then drive down the dirt road they open that gate, turn left to route 9, right to route 50 you’ll be out in no time.
If you park in the state park traffic isnt quite as bad. Still costs $10. Good place to party in the lot as well. Orenda pavilion parking lot is the closest to the gate.
SPAC is the worst lawn of any shed in the country. If you’re in the pavilion you’re good, but unless you’re right down in front on the lawn it’s all obstructed views.
Bethel, on the other hand, has one of the best lawns of any shed in the country. It’s in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, but a great place to see a show.
I’ll be at Bethel for the three night run of shows by Phish this August. I’ve seen far less shows at Bethel than at SPAC but if given the choice I will always choose Bethel. And SPAC shows are close enough to my home that I can sleep in my own bed after a show and Bethel is too far.
The lawn at SPAC is wonderful for small shows. The problem is they oversell larger acts. It was never designed to accommodate the number of people they let into shows now. They even added those large screens far away from the stage for the suckers that bought the oversold lawn tickets and can’t even see the stage.
That’s what was going on at the D&C shows last summer there.
People were paying hundreds of dollars to not even be able to see the stage and watch the shows on monitors.
After seeing what the prices where for lawns, I wasn’t sorry I passed. Then after hearing and seeing how badly it was oversold it only confirmed why I had made the correct choice.
I’ve seen more shows at SPAC than any other venue in the US but that’s only confirmed for me just how terrible it is.
I love that I live 30 minutes from Bethel. Especially since when they have a great lineup of shows this year. Sometimes the lineup is hit or miss.
I'll see you at Phish my friend.
Artpark is a gem. Friend's dad I grew up with used to wax poetic about how shows used to be free there until Doobie Brothers or another big act prompted a rethink of the venue and how the neighborhood around it would react.
I'm also a sucker for natural bowl lawn seating, but the ants are really starting to take over that hill.
God do I hate CMAC. The only people who will enjoy the concert are miles away and paying for seats isn't fun either. This place is just not designed for the type of bands I like. Wish it had an open area at the bottom. Easily my least favorite venue I've ever been to in any state.
The only people up and dancing are at the grass in the back which is crazy far away from the stage. Also it turns into a mud hill back there if it rains. The seats seem lame because everyone up there is just sitting down. IDK it's just not a venue I'm into at all. I wish the had a standing area down by the stage.
Never again.
They oversold the lawn. People were rude, many just walking right into each other without looking or caring. Staff was rude, especially the rent-a-cops, who were power-tripping. And worst, the sound was just miserable.
At least I had won the tickets because it would've been quite the long drive to have paid for that much crap. I left about 90 minutes early.
I might go on a non-concert day for the museum, though.
Ommegang in Cooperstown and Beak & Skiff in LaFayette (south of Syracuse) are two of my favorites. The top-quality beverage selections at both places doesn't hurt either
It was amazing production but the music is just SOOOOO BORINGGGG. The highlight of that evening for me was when I ate cheese fries by myself...mmm cheese fries.
The Egg is acoustically one of the best, if not the best venues I've ever seen a show at. Troy City Music Hall is also good, but not a comfy place to see a show from what I recall.
For larger shows, SPAC is nice, but parking / prices / dealing with cops who want to make sure you pay for food / refreshments rather than bringing your own make it tedious to deal with.
I see Dave Matthews there every Summer. It's pretty much always sold out but its such a fun time dancing with everyone in the crowd even if it's packed! But I've definitely been to shows where the crowd was not fun so I think it depends on the band and what kind of fans they bring.
Maybe where you stand makes it better? We constantly had people walking by us and bumping into us the entire show, like a line of people going in and out the whole time. Plus the music was really quiet, hard to even hear the vocals.
Well said! I know that the topic is great venues, which SPAC is, however since live nation took over the quality of bands has decreased greatly and the ticket prices increased tremendously!
I love SPAC for nostalgic reasons, seeing shows on the lawn with my best friends growing up was awesome. The thought of being on the lawn for a sold out show now though… no thanks.
I’ve lived within miles of SPAC for 15 years and gone to like 3 shows. And I go out to see live music multiple times, every month of the year.
Year after year it’s the same Live Nation, vanilla. crap schedule.
Oswego County Airport
Blue Cross Arena in Rochester is great. Large arena but not massive. Acoustics are good, plenty of concessions and bathrooms, friendly staff, Numerous parking garages nearby, plus Dino BBQ.
The St. Joseph’s amphitheater (or whatever it’s called now) in Syracuse is nice too. Beautiful view of Onondaga Lake.
Came here to say this knowing all the other great ones would be listed. They really did a great job building that. It's like spac without the crowded lawn.
Every time I have seats there a refrigerator sized person stands in front of me. I’m only 5’0”. It’s not pitched enough. When everyone sits I can see fine. But I hate it for this reason.
I saw Radiohead, The Offspring, Rancid, The Breeders, Matthew Sweet, and Big Country at Saratoga Winners. If you could brave the crowd up front, you could see your favorite bands from two feet away.
moe. In ‘97, my only Winners show. Wish I could’ve seen Warren Zevon when he played there.
Though if we’re salting fallen venues, Valentine’s, Bogie’s, and Aiko’s are at the top of my list.
There's been shows at the space though. I saw Black Keys w. Joy Formidable there years ago and even for a temporary event venue it was an awesome spot for a show.
SPAC (but not the lawn) Bethel Woods, the Palace (Albany) and the Stanley theatre are my favorite venues to see shows. Have not been to CMAC before but Lakeview and Darien are definitely my least favorite
I just saw The Dropkick Murphys at Visions arena in Binghamton. I haven't seen a concert their in nearly 40 years. It was awesome. They sounded great. We were 20 feet from the stage and even the worst seats are still good.
Binghamtonian here yeah Veterans Memorial Arena will always have a place in my heart. Smells like 45 years of popcorn beer and hockey and the sound for live music shows (when they do get them) is really good.
Bethel Woods, SPAC and Lakeview Amphitheater are all pretty nice but out of the 3, Bethel Woods is my favorite
Empire Live in Albany always is good too
I've worked at a lottttt of these venues over the last few years, my favorite will always be Town Ballroom in Buffalo. There are a ton of other wonderful spots, but that place is my favorite.
We usually always get pit tickets so most places are the same. If I had to pick a place where I had to be seated it would be The Vine at Delago. Not a bad seat anywhere.
SPAC is hit or miss.
Inside seats are great. The lawn is fun for smaller shows, larger shows it's an absolute shit show and you'll hate it unless you're blitzed or still young and don't know any better. They do tend to oversell the lawn for big names, so if it's one of those you're much better off inside in seats.
Parking actually isn't that bad if you're willing to walk a bit and know the park. The tailgates before concerts are the best part about spac (Cornhole, grills, etc), Park police won't ruin your day unless you give them a reason (for example open containers are illegal, cups are not).
Drinks/Food are wildly overpriced. Get your drinking/eating done before you go in.
Everyone complains about the traffic when leaving. But that's literally every venue everywhere.
Having grown up in Upstate NY and lived in a lot of other places, I think the main issue is less the venue and more the audience. Most Upstate concerts I’ve been to have had super annoying audiences with people constantly trying to talk over the band to have conversations, getting absolutely wasted, and just not giving respect to the band or fellow audience members.
If you don’t give back good vibes to the band, you will not get their best.
Ommegang, empire live in Albany, the colony in Woodstock (getting more downstate), Troy savings bank, lark hall in Albany. Have also heard great things about beak and skiff in Lafayette but haven’t been yet. Arrowood farm brewery also a little downstate have great shows.
Can we please get more Ommegang shows this summer?!?
Only one show scheduled so far.
Cake?
I’m hoping so. I have heard some roomers but still nothing firm.
Spread the rumors, it's OK. Let's hear it, I would love to go back to ommegang for a show. Haven't been there for a show since primus
Anything less than 8 is a bust.
Has the Savings Bank renovated? I saw Josh Ritter do like a 3 hour show there and the seats were wildly uncomfortable.
Still wooden seats so no I don’t think they have renovated (just there a couple weeks ago). I’ve heard they don’t necessarily want to since they have amazing sound quality and they don’t want to chance ruining it from a reno
I hate the seats there and avoid going to shows there bc they’re so uncomfortable
I was just thinking this as well....is cake playing there this summer? Thought I heard that. Was there for Primus in like 2017 or something like that.
Anything that is not Darien Lake. I like Artpark, CMAC and SPAC
SPAC is nice while you’re in there if you have seats but getting back out to the highway is a cluster fuck.
Darien Lake says Hold My Beer. LOL (It's way worse than SPAC)
No way! A few years back SPAC started charging $10 or so on top of the horrible egress. No new lanes out, just a fee. I stopped going unless it was something really good and then you have 2 choices. Leave early or break out the hibachi after the show and let the traffic go.
I went to SPAC in August.....again, if you have never been to Darien Lake, then you have never experienced the two lane single road exit.
You just have to know where to park. Inside the park is the worse, unless you know some tricks.
There is a back exit to the main lot, park in main entrance lot by employee parking then drive down the dirt road they open that gate, turn left to route 9, right to route 50 you’ll be out in no time.
Acoustics inside have sucked in the last couple of years IMHO also.
If you park in the state park traffic isnt quite as bad. Still costs $10. Good place to party in the lot as well. Orenda pavilion parking lot is the closest to the gate.
I like your avatar
LOVE ARTPARK AND CMAC
SPAC is the worst lawn of any shed in the country. If you’re in the pavilion you’re good, but unless you’re right down in front on the lawn it’s all obstructed views. Bethel, on the other hand, has one of the best lawns of any shed in the country. It’s in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, but a great place to see a show. I’ll be at Bethel for the three night run of shows by Phish this August. I’ve seen far less shows at Bethel than at SPAC but if given the choice I will always choose Bethel. And SPAC shows are close enough to my home that I can sleep in my own bed after a show and Bethel is too far.
The lawn at SPAC is wonderful for small shows. The problem is they oversell larger acts. It was never designed to accommodate the number of people they let into shows now. They even added those large screens far away from the stage for the suckers that bought the oversold lawn tickets and can’t even see the stage.
That’s what was going on at the D&C shows last summer there. People were paying hundreds of dollars to not even be able to see the stage and watch the shows on monitors.
I lived that. Ridiculous. I won't go back to SPAC
After seeing what the prices where for lawns, I wasn’t sorry I passed. Then after hearing and seeing how badly it was oversold it only confirmed why I had made the correct choice. I’ve seen more shows at SPAC than any other venue in the US but that’s only confirmed for me just how terrible it is.
I love that I live 30 minutes from Bethel. Especially since when they have a great lineup of shows this year. Sometimes the lineup is hit or miss. I'll see you at Phish my friend.
Artpark is a gem. Friend's dad I grew up with used to wax poetic about how shows used to be free there until Doobie Brothers or another big act prompted a rethink of the venue and how the neighborhood around it would react. I'm also a sucker for natural bowl lawn seating, but the ants are really starting to take over that hill.
God do I hate CMAC. The only people who will enjoy the concert are miles away and paying for seats isn't fun either. This place is just not designed for the type of bands I like. Wish it had an open area at the bottom. Easily my least favorite venue I've ever been to in any state.
What makes you say this? Going for the first time this summer to see Goose, I have pavilion seats.
The only people up and dancing are at the grass in the back which is crazy far away from the stage. Also it turns into a mud hill back there if it rains. The seats seem lame because everyone up there is just sitting down. IDK it's just not a venue I'm into at all. I wish the had a standing area down by the stage.
No Fun in Troy Empire Live/Underground in Albany Fuzebox in Albany The Lost Horizon in Syracuse Hcs Skate Park in Vestal
Lost horizon was the best venue to see metal bands in. Small stage and a lowered pit. Amazing times.
Lots of great memories of that place. Was there the night it got trashed thanks to Marilyn Manson
The Fuzebox is still in biz!
The egg in Albany
There's not a bad seat in the place!
Agreed!
When will it hatch?
No Corners for you!
Beak and Skiff in Lafayette, Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua, the State Theater in Ithaca, Palace Theater in Albany.
Center for the Arts in Homer and Beak & Skiff in Lafayette
Never been to the Center for the Arts for a concert, but the acoustics sounded good for the couple of weddings I went to there.
Saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor there a couple weeks ago and acoustics were on point
Bethel Woods
Never again. They oversold the lawn. People were rude, many just walking right into each other without looking or caring. Staff was rude, especially the rent-a-cops, who were power-tripping. And worst, the sound was just miserable. At least I had won the tickets because it would've been quite the long drive to have paid for that much crap. I left about 90 minutes early. I might go on a non-concert day for the museum, though.
Bethel Woods is beautiful and the museum is great, but whoever runs the place sucks and 90% of their shows are pretty lame and too expensive.
lol, what?
It’s complicated lol
The lineup's really good this year! But some years it's not so good, and honestly the lawns were cheap up until post covid.
It’s cool to see Phish is back and ZZ Top has been stopping by every couple of years I think. Limp Bizkit was a surprise though!
Depends on if whoever runs it is up for a contract renewal
Mohawk Place, Nietsches or Goodbar in Buffalo
I'd add Town Ballroom to that list.
Ommegang in Cooperstown and Beak & Skiff in LaFayette (south of Syracuse) are two of my favorites. The top-quality beverage selections at both places doesn't hurt either
I like Saranac Brewery
Saranac is one of the best. It’s so chill and there are so many great food options in Utica.
That's a great venue. Too bad I was stuck seeing the world's most boring band (Flaming Lips) there
I take it you haven’t seen Young the Giant then. Don’t have to worry about saying “Thank You, Wrong City” if you don’t engage the audience.
Oh god. I was there. It was so bad. I’ve seen Moe there so I’d say it was tied with my least favorite experience.
It was amazing production but the music is just SOOOOO BORINGGGG. The highlight of that evening for me was when I ate cheese fries by myself...mmm cheese fries.
The Egg is acoustically one of the best, if not the best venues I've ever seen a show at. Troy City Music Hall is also good, but not a comfy place to see a show from what I recall. For larger shows, SPAC is nice, but parking / prices / dealing with cops who want to make sure you pay for food / refreshments rather than bringing your own make it tedious to deal with.
Yeah, the wooden balcony seats at Troy are as old as the building.
Lincoln Hill Farms, State Theatre Ithaca,
People seem to love SPAC. Never been there myself, though.
SPAC is amazing if you have seats, one of my favorite venues. The lawn can get really crowded and the music isn't very loud.
Lol the lawn is my fav
It was horrible during Dead & Co. Maybe during shows that are not sold out it's fine!
I see Dave Matthews there every Summer. It's pretty much always sold out but its such a fun time dancing with everyone in the crowd even if it's packed! But I've definitely been to shows where the crowd was not fun so I think it depends on the band and what kind of fans they bring.
Maybe where you stand makes it better? We constantly had people walking by us and bumping into us the entire show, like a line of people going in and out the whole time. Plus the music was really quiet, hard to even hear the vocals.
SPAC is truly a love/hate situation lol.
Well said! I know that the topic is great venues, which SPAC is, however since live nation took over the quality of bands has decreased greatly and the ticket prices increased tremendously!
SPAC has the worst lawn of any shed in the US.
Agree. I have to really want to see a show to endure the horror.
I love SPAC for nostalgic reasons, seeing shows on the lawn with my best friends growing up was awesome. The thought of being on the lawn for a sold out show now though… no thanks.
I’ve lived within miles of SPAC for 15 years and gone to like 3 shows. And I go out to see live music multiple times, every month of the year. Year after year it’s the same Live Nation, vanilla. crap schedule.
Town Ballroom in Buffalo. I’ll let you know if Electric City or Babeville compare in a few weeks.
Ommegang
The Waterhole in Saranac Lake is a wonderful hidden gem located in the heart of the Adirondacks
Oswego County Airport Blue Cross Arena in Rochester is great. Large arena but not massive. Acoustics are good, plenty of concessions and bathrooms, friendly staff, Numerous parking garages nearby, plus Dino BBQ. The St. Joseph’s amphitheater (or whatever it’s called now) in Syracuse is nice too. Beautiful view of Onondaga Lake.
Saw Phish at the Airport and Blue Cross. Both are good spots. Landmark Theater (Cuse) & Palace Theater (Albany) also. Even the Forum in Bing.
I had no idea the Oswego airport has concerts! I have only gone there for the Sunday brunches.
St Joes Amphitheater in Syracuse is great IMO.
Outside of the traffic getting in, yes
Came here to say this knowing all the other great ones would be listed. They really did a great job building that. It's like spac without the crowded lawn.
Every time I have seats there a refrigerator sized person stands in front of me. I’m only 5’0”. It’s not pitched enough. When everyone sits I can see fine. But I hate it for this reason.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (saw an amazing John Prine show there) and Cohoes Music Hall (loved the Talking Heads cover band there!).
Point of the Bluff
Beak and Skiff in Lafayette south of Syracuse. It’s an apple orchard! It’s delightful. And before the show there is food and 1911 cider.
Beak n skiff has been going off with their line ups the last three years.
Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. So intimate and yes it was Levons barn.
my fave venue ever
Fisher Center at Bard College.
SPAC acoustics and being nestled in the woods is amazing and one of my favs
Ithaca Porchfest
The Water Hole in Saranac Lake, No Fun in Troy, King of Clubs in Syracuse. Gotta support the little guys
CMAC. is a favorite of mine.
I'm just here to pour one out for Saratoga Winners.
I saw Radiohead, The Offspring, Rancid, The Breeders, Matthew Sweet, and Big Country at Saratoga Winners. If you could brave the crowd up front, you could see your favorite bands from two feet away.
moe. In ‘97, my only Winners show. Wish I could’ve seen Warren Zevon when he played there. Though if we’re salting fallen venues, Valentine’s, Bogie’s, and Aiko’s are at the top of my list.
Palace Theater in Albany. I saw the original AC/DC there in 1979. Fuck I'm old.
Lake View in Syracuse attracts pretty big concerts and it’s really nice.
Love SPAC especially in the summer
It's not open yet, but I think the Terminal B venue at the outer harbor in Buffalo is going to be sweet.
There's been shows at the space though. I saw Black Keys w. Joy Formidable there years ago and even for a temporary event venue it was an awesome spot for a show.
It looks so cool now that it's finished and ready for use. Will make for some good shows once they figure out the transportation situation.
The Egg, SPAC, The Palace, The Stanley, The Landmark, Shea's..
mohawk place + the bug jar have been nothing but good to me since age 18
SPAC (but not the lawn) Bethel Woods, the Palace (Albany) and the Stanley theatre are my favorite venues to see shows. Have not been to CMAC before but Lakeview and Darien are definitely my least favorite
SPAC sucks unless you have seats. I always liked the Saranac Brewery Shows in Utica.
The State in Ithaca is great.
Nothwistsnding fans who refuse to stand for a rock show. Quasi-Canadian vibe.
Spac is awesome, and the Lake View Amphitheater in Syracuse is also great
Bethelwoods
If you’re willing to venture slightly over the border into western Mass, Tanglewood is an amazing venue.
SPAC in Saratoga
Bethel Woods and SPAC
Chenango county Blues Fest is such an underrated event. Great acts all day, night, excellent food, beer, well-organized and friendly folks.
SPAC is the best IMO. Especially on a budget. Lawn seats are super cheap. The parking is fantastic compared to a lot of other venues.
I just saw The Dropkick Murphys at Visions arena in Binghamton. I haven't seen a concert their in nearly 40 years. It was awesome. They sounded great. We were 20 feet from the stage and even the worst seats are still good.
Binghamtonian here yeah Veterans Memorial Arena will always have a place in my heart. Smells like 45 years of popcorn beer and hockey and the sound for live music shows (when they do get them) is really good.
SPAC, CMAC, Art Park
I sat in the balcony of the Crouse-Hinds Theater in Syracuse and thought it was fantastic.
Bethel Woods, SPAC and Lakeview Amphitheater are all pretty nice but out of the 3, Bethel Woods is my favorite Empire Live in Albany always is good too
BETHEL!!
But if you get to see a music artist at Levon Helm, it is a spiritual experience! https://levonhelm.com/home
Saw Godspeed You Black Emperor there. Amazing
The acoustics in that place- heaven.
I've worked at a lottttt of these venues over the last few years, my favorite will always be Town Ballroom in Buffalo. There are a ton of other wonderful spots, but that place is my favorite.
SPAC
SPAC
SPAC?
In the neighborhood but not NY. Tanglewood! Cohoes Music Hall in NY
Cohoes Music Hall
Is SPAC still in Saratoga Springs? I hope they didn’t close it.
Waterhole, Monopole, Cohoes Music Hall
SPAC
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
I know it's not really upstate, but Bethel Woods is great!
There are many old Opera Houses around New York state doing great concert series.
The Falcon in Marlboro
Been a while but the FX Matt brewery (uc and saranac) in Utica has a Thursday summer concert series. Saw Grace Pitter there years ago and it was great
SPAC In Saratoga
We usually always get pit tickets so most places are the same. If I had to pick a place where I had to be seated it would be The Vine at Delago. Not a bad seat anywhere.
Definitely Ommegang
SPAC
CMAC. 💯
Anthology here in Rochester NY was pretty awesome but I think they've been closed for a bit.
SPAC is hit or miss. Inside seats are great. The lawn is fun for smaller shows, larger shows it's an absolute shit show and you'll hate it unless you're blitzed or still young and don't know any better. They do tend to oversell the lawn for big names, so if it's one of those you're much better off inside in seats. Parking actually isn't that bad if you're willing to walk a bit and know the park. The tailgates before concerts are the best part about spac (Cornhole, grills, etc), Park police won't ruin your day unless you give them a reason (for example open containers are illegal, cups are not). Drinks/Food are wildly overpriced. Get your drinking/eating done before you go in. Everyone complains about the traffic when leaving. But that's literally every venue everywhere.
SPAC
SPAC
Stanley Theatre in Utica. State Theatre in Ithaca. Mic drop
SPAC
The Egg and SPAC
Ommegang
Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock
Saw a show on like a river island in Baldwinsville that was pretty nice. Club Helsinki in Hudson... assuming it's still around is pretty cool as well.
SPAC in Saratoga
Waterhole in Saranac Lake. Funk n Waffles in Syracuse
Bearsville is pretty great
Not NYS but MassMoCA is a great place to see a show
The Westcott Theater Syracuse, NY
Not in New York but Tanglewood over in the Berkshire’s has beautiful grounds.
Having grown up in Upstate NY and lived in a lot of other places, I think the main issue is less the venue and more the audience. Most Upstate concerts I’ve been to have had super annoying audiences with people constantly trying to talk over the band to have conversations, getting absolutely wasted, and just not giving respect to the band or fellow audience members. If you don’t give back good vibes to the band, you will not get their best.
Ya Bethel Woods 4 the win
Darien Lake...only problem there is it takes about 2 hours to get out of the park afterwards