Park News Article
Ten Must-See Live Shows Coming to Albany in May
May 1, 2024
Happy May! It’s a great month to get out and attend a thrilling live show in Albany! There’s an incredible lineup set for this month, outdoor concerts are back, several high-octane rock and metal acts are set to perform throughout the city, and this month features the return of an elusive side project from one of alternative rock’s most notable frontmen! There’s a lot to look forward to this month, and for those traveling downtown for a show, ParkAlbany is proud to continue to offer safe and secure parking at our three centrally located parking garages, each located just a short walk from your venue.
5/3: Death Cab For Cutie & The Postal Service at the MVP Arena
The highly awaited co-headlining tour with Washington State powerhouses Death Cab For Cutie & The Postal Service stops by the MVP Arena just three days into May, kicking off this action-packed month in a big way! Both of these dynamic groups are led by Ben Gibbard, known as one of alternative rock’s most prolific frontmen and as the vocalist for both iconic groups, Gibbard has been a fixture of the indie/alternative rock scene for 30 years now! He was a founding member of Grammy-nominated Death Cab For Cutie in 1997 in Bellingham, Washington and has released 10 studio albums since. This must-see Friday night concert features the full album performance of Transatlanticism, their notable 2003 album. Two years before, Gibbard helped form Seattle-based indie pop supergroup The Postal Service, who went on to release their sole album Give Up in 2003. This elusive act rarely toured after their only albumwas released, however they performed for a reunion tour ten years later in 2013 before disbanding the next year. To celebrate 20 years, The Postal Service regrouped last year and continued their tour into 2024, performing Give Up in full and giving fans a refreshed experience of this legendary electronic-heavy trio’s award-winning album. This co-headlining tour is quite the treat for fans of both groups, and this show is the perfect way to kick off May in Albany!
5/3: Here Come The Mummies at Empire Live
Do you like funk rock? How about Mummies? What about 14 award-winning anonymous musicians dressed up as mummies performing funk rock? If you answered yes to any of these, Here Come The Mummiesat Empire Live is the perfect outing for you! Formed in Nashville in 2000, this mysterious collective boasts an intriguing discography of ten studio albums fusing their signature funk rock with jazz, ska, soul, and reggae music. It’s rumored that several Grammy-winning musicians are members of Here Come The Mummies, and their mummified appearance is to keep their identities “under wraps” due to contract disputes with record labels. Their appearance is also rumored to be an ode to garage punk band The Mummies, who also performed anonymously in mummy garb. Regardless of their origin story, this mysterious act brings an unforgettable stage presence to their shows, and fans of mind-bending funk rock will not want to miss an energetic evening with this mystifying act in Downtown Albany!
5/4: Plush at Empire Live
Last year, Plush brought the heat to Albany’s annual Alive at 5 Summer Concert Series, and now they’re set to make their triumphant return to the city for their first headlining “Find The Beautiful” Tour! Led by Latham, NY native Moriah Formica, this all-female rock quartet has been making waves in the world of rock since 2020. After participating in The Voice in 2017 at just 16 years old, Formica connected with drummer Brooke Colucci and went on to add bassist Ashley Suppa and guitarist Bella Perron in 2020. Since then, Plush has gained national attention for their hard-hitting rock and have been a supporting act for massive acts like Kiss, Evanescence, Alice In Chains, and Daughtry. This headlining tour celebrates their latest release Find The Beautiful, a 6 song EP featuring 5 original songs and a fiery cover of Heart’s “Barracuda”. For those about to rock with Plush at Empire Live, convenient event parking is located a short walk away at the Quackenbush & Riverfront Garages, just steps from wonderful local restaurants along Broadway and North Pearl Street!
5/5: London Film Music Orchestra at the Palace Theatre
Get ready to celebrate cinema’s most magical music with the London Film Music Orchestra at the iconic Palace Theatre! This notable chamber orchestra formed 10 years ago in London with the goal of breathing life into the dazzling music of both film and television. Following their formation, excitement began to grow around the world for this talented ensemble and they proceeded to perform at festivals alongside acclaimed British film and television composers. Now in 2024, the London Film Music Orchestra tours extensively and are slated to pay homage to the renowned music of Hans Zimmer and beyond during their evening in Downtown Albany. Featuring stunning visuals and world-class talent, fans can expect awe-inspiring performances of music from Star Wars, Gladiator, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and so much more! Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile or lover of classical music, the London Film Music Orchestra’s Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favorites is the perfect opportunity to witness world-class talent in New York’s Capital City!
5/9: Chastity Belt at Lark Hall
Enjoy a thrilling Thursday night show with Washington state quartet Chastity Belt within the historic quarters of Lark Hall! Since forming at Whitman College in 2010, this band has dazzled fans with a unique blend of alternative rock/noise pop/pop rock spanning five acclaimed studio albums. They’re known for their humorous approach to feminine customs and stereotypes in their lyrics and use their platform to challenge gender norms and femininity as a construct. From their debut album humorously titled No Regerts to their latest release ironically titled Live Laugh Love, concertgoers will certainly love Chastity Belt’s musicianship and intriguing balance of melancholy and optimism as they rock Albany’s Center Square neighborhood. Looking to grab some drinks and food before the show? Visit The Eleven, a vibrant Grateful Dead-themed bar and restaurant located right below the venue! Or if you’re up for exploring, take a stroll along Lark Street before you head to Lark Hall for an unforgettable night.
5/11: The Front Bottoms at the Albany Tulip Festival
Come for the tulips and stay for the music, because outdoor music is back with a bang in Albany! Free concert season in the city kicks off with a headlining performance from The Front Bottoms during Day 1 of the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival on the WEQX / ParkAlbany Main Stage! Since 2006, this New Jersey group has released 8 acclaimed albums of upbeat indie rock/folk punk/pop. After being contacted by an anonymous filmmaker in 2010, founding members Brian Sella, Matthew Uychich, and the rest of the band recorded the music video for “Maps” which gave them great exposure, and they signed a record deal the following year. Since then, Sella and Uychich remain the sole members of the original lineup and have been performing around the world with 3 prominent touring musicians. The Tulip Festival has always brought world-class music to scenic Washington Park, and this year’s lineup is no different! To learn more about the incredible lineup of live music during both days of this signature spring event, check out our blog detailing everything you can expect to hear both Saturday and Sunday!
5/11: Kansas at the Palace Theatre
Multi-Platinum classic rock band Kansas is set to “Carry On” at the Palace Theatre as part of their celebration of 50 years as a band! This “Garage Rock” group released their debut self-titled album in 1974 after receiving a contract from legendary producer/manager Don Kirshner, quickly taking this band from Topeka to stardom. Fifteen studio albums and five live albums later, Kansas’ unique mixture of art rock/progressive rock brought them massive success in the charts and on tour. Of their discography, 8 albums were certified gold, 3 were sextuple Platinum albums, and their most famous hit “Carry On Wayward Son” was quadruple platinum and continues to be one of classic rock’s most iconic hits. From Guitar Hero to South Park to endless movies and TV shows, Kansas’ music transcends generations and has brought rock fans together for half a century! Before you rock out downtown, park at the nearby Quackenbush Garage and grab some pre-show pints and bites from one of Downtown Albany’s amazing restaurants and bars!
5/15: High On Fire at Empire Live
Metalheads rejoice: High On Fire is slated to electrify Empire Live with their patented sludge/stoner metal! Formed in Oakland, California in 1998 by Matt Pike of renowned doom metal band Sleep, High On Fire has nearly 30 years and 9 studio albums worth of slow, sludge-injected metal under their belt. Their hard-hitting, slow, and steady riff-driven metal has garnered a cult following within the metal community, and this legendary trio even won a Grammy in 2019 for Best Metal Performance for their song “Electric Messiah”! Their most recent album Cometh the Storm was just released on April 19th, clocking in at 57 minutes and providing the band’s longest release to date. So get ready to headbang in Downtown Albany with these sludge metal legends and enjoy a mesmerizing evening at Empire Live!
5/21: Judas Priest at the MVP Arena
Known as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, Judas Priest is one of the world’s most prolific acts in heavy music. Formed in 1969, Judas Priest hit mainstream success in the late 1970s-early 1980s with their legendary albums “Killing Machine” and “British Steel”, solidifying their role in the development of thrash metal and paving the way for later acts in “The Big Four” of thrash metal. Since then, Judas Priest has continued to tour and develop their sound, best characterized by their fast-tempo metal and dynamic vocals of Halford. They’re set to stop by the MVP Arena for their “Invincible Shield” World Tour, sharing the same name with the release of their 19th studio album from March 6th, 2024. For fans of classic rock and heavy metal, this show is the perfect opportunity to rock out with one of the world’s most electrifying acts right here in Downtown Albany!
5/23: The Avett Brothers at the MVP Arena
The Avett Brothers have been crafting their one-of-a-kind music for 24 years now, and their award-winning music is perfect for fans of folk rock! Led by Seth and Scott Avett, these two brothers played music together since they were growing up in North Carolina in the 1990s. Since their debut EP The Avett Bros. in 2000, this group added several members and begun to develop their signature sound. Combining folk rock with bluegrass, punk, pop, honky tonk, and even ragtime, this dynamic group has been described as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of The Beatles, and the raw energy of The Ramones.” Boasting an eclectic range of musical influences all rooted in traditional folk rock, The Avett Brothers have released 11 critically acclaimed studio albums, and they remain a truly unique act in the Americana music scene. Remember to park at the nearby Green-Hudson Garage for quick access to the MVP Arena and grab some dinner and drinks before you unwind with this Grammy-nominated collective in Downtown Albany!
To learn more about the amazing events happening throughout this action-packed month and to find the best places to park, visit our events calendar!
