2013 has been a great year. We have expanded our staff and coverage to bring more bands and live acts to the attention of fans and readers, and are looking forward to 2014 with great anticipation as we focus on the music coming out of all corners of New York State. Music festivals and incredible tours and albums pepper the best of 2013 Upstate New York music calendar, giving broad musical choices for the 8 million New Yorkers who call Upstate their home.

Our staff writers and photographers were asked to look back at the full year of music in Upstate New York and beyond, and weigh in with their best of 2013. We looked at 10 categories – Best Upstate Show, Best Show, Best Upstate Album, Best Album, Best Upstate Festival, Best Festival, Best Upstate Venue, Best Venue, Best Band on the Rise and Jam of the Year – and came up with the best music we have seen and heard this year.

Here’s part 2 of 5, looking at the Best Albums of 2013