Introduction

Whether or not you’re a new freshman, or a seasoned RPI veteran, if you are into live music and good times, there are a few local hotspots that you have to know about. Now, I know you’re thinking, “We’re in Troy, the closest thing we’ll get to live music is wandering through West Hall.” Not true. Take a look at my top 10 local music hot spots, and include them in your next planned trip away from your laptop or mounds of homework.

10) Saratoga Winners

This almost eerie looking, huge live music joint is not even in Saratoga, but it is a winner. If you catch a big name act on stage at this venue, it is sure to be packed to the rafters with concert goers. The acoustics are decent, and because it’s still considered a small venue, it allows fans to get up close and personal with their favorite musicians. Winners does have a reputation for catering to very heavy music however, so things can tend to get a little rowdy; but hey, RPI kids have a lot of stored up aggression, Winners is a great way to release it legally.

9) The Larkin

The Larkin is a great little club and eatery right in downtown Albany, with a very relaxed upstairs floor, where many quality acts have jammed out. Known for its popular Wednesday open-mics and other homey performances, the Larkin has a great sound, and a very cool performer-audience relationship. It mixes the sit down, “coffee house” feel with restaurant food, a candlelit atmosphere, and a big Lark Street window, so you can see what’s going on, inside and out. Keep their website in your bookmarks, and check them out next time you see something interesting.

8) Mother’s Wine Emporium

Right downstairs in our own student union, Mother’s has a feel much like that of the Larkin, catering to mostly acoustic acts, solo artists, and folk groups. Many very talented musicians have played at Mother’s, to very small, personal audiences. The sound at Mother’s is good, with a very relaxed, candlelit atmosphere. Best of all, many of the Mother’s shows are free! So when pool and bowling have lost their appeal, check it out for a good time.

7) Valentine’s

Located at 17 New Scotland Avenue in Albany, Valentine’s is an experience all its own. It’s dirty, it’s sketchy, the upstairs venue walls are covered in spray paint and the bathroom, well, just try and go before you get there. But the bands and crowds that Valentine’s attracts are awesome. Many rock, punk, and metal bands play here regularly, with some national acts passing through, and when you get a good crowd here, you will have a great time. The sound guys know what they’re doing, and make the shows great. Downstairs is a full bar and another stage for smaller acts, while the bands are rocking out above you. So grab your Equate hand sanitizer, and check it out.

6) Revolution Hall

A newly added addition to the tiny Troy music scene, Revolution hall has quickly become the number one place to see music in Troy. Local rock bands and other less heavy groups have played here at Troy’s newest music hall, similar to the former Troy Pub and Brewery. This is a good mid-sized venue with a wholesome grange/county fair feel. Catch a quality act like Sirsy there, and you will not be let down.

5) Battle Of The Bands

Courtesy of UPAC concerts, sounds and lighting, no matter what kind of music is coming from the participants at the RPI Battle of the Bands, one thing is for sure, it’s pro-rock. The equipment used by UPAC is state of the art, and the experience of seeing your own RPI buddies putting it all on the line for the coveted invitation to the final battle in the spring is, to say the least, entertaining. Most of the music homegrown at RPI is pretty good, and you’ll be surprised to see that even a science-driven school like RPI has a lot of creative energy. Best of all: it’s free, sometimes record company representatives give away free stuff, and you get to vote for your favorite band at the end. So come out and vote, or if you’re in a band, apply, so we can see how good you are, and you can buy us drinks with your prize money.

4) Ground Zero

Ground Zero is by far RPI’s biggest outlet for creative student energy, both in music and other art. Organized and run by fellow RPI students, they have their own performance area on campus, their own live music equipment, and members with the know-how to produce good sound. Ground Zero is very well known for their open-mic events, where any student can come and entertain for up to 15 minutes, while the audience lounges out with coffee, and sometimes even paper and crayons. They also do many free shows throughout the year. So keep your eyes peeled for event posters, and whether for music or other creative outlets, check out Ground Zero for a change of pace, and a good time.

3) The Glenville Spot

Nestled away in the vast wilderness of Glenville, the Glenville spot, a.k.a. the “G” spot, is one of the most well designed bars/small music joints in the capital area. Equipped with two full service bars, a full service kitchen, a room of pool tables and games, a concert stage, dance floor, booths, and plenty of seating; when there’s a crowd, or a popular band, the “G” spot is the place to be. The sound is done by the same people who do the acoustics for the national shows at Northern Lights, making all the acts sound amazing. The whole joint fronts a fun western theme, which mixes well with the Deer Hunter arcade games near the entrance. The only downside to the “G” spot is its location: while it is in the middle of nowhere, a popular band will still attract plenty of fans.

2) UPAC Concerts

This is RPI student-run entertainment at its finest. UPAC Concerts is the high tech equipment of the student Battle of the Bands mixed with professional musicians and sometimes even national touring acts. Whether in the McNeil room of the student union or the good old Houston Field house, UPAC Concerts always does a great job of putting together a fantastic show right in our own backyard, for cheap, or sometimes even better, free! Make sure to check out the annual UPAC Mainstage performances—free of course—for great music, film, and comedy. UPAC also holds annual benefit concerts from time to time, putting ticket sales towards good causes, and the occasional big show, i.e. Guster, Moe, etc. Just remember while at RPI that UPAC is a great thing; embrace it, accept it, love it like a son, and you will get nothing but good music and great fun from it. Be sure to keep your “flyer eyes” peeled, and check out the next UPAC show.

1) Northern Lights

This is the capital area’s very best venue for live music, sporting hundreds of national acts annually, in every genre imaginable. Whether you are looking for a mosh pit or a swing partner, you will eventually find a show coming through Northern Lights to accommodate. The place is small, with a maximum capacity of about 300, but attracts some of the biggest names in music. There is a huge bar, pool tables, kitchen and plenty of standing and dancing room. The sound control is always pro-rock. A word of advice though: the place is always packed—and is very well known in the area—so get your tickets early for your favorite bands. But one thing is for sure, go to http://www.northernlightslive.com/, find a band you like, buy a ticket, and go. You will not be disappointed, which is why Northern Lights rounds off the very top of my Live music hot spot picks, in and around RPI.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, a complete guide to your top 10 live music needs while enrolled as a hardworking student here at RPI. So just remember to get out every once and a while—even all you transportation-less freshman—and see some music on the upstate scene. Even after living in southern California for the past eight months, I am more than happy to get back to the music scene in and around RPI. It really is a great thing. So get out there and check it out before the snow, and the Chem-Mat test, set in for good.