Five Can’t-Miss Shows In Syracuse In July

It is safe to say that summer concert season is in full swing.  June has come and gone, with a flurry of outdoor music festivals to kick start the season. Don’t you worry, however. July has arrived with an equally impressive slate of music coming through Central New York.  Here are five shows you don’t want to miss in the greater Syracuse area in July.  

syracuse july
Setnor Music Hall Building

July 8, Elvis Costello & the Imposters at Landmark Theater

Singer-songwriter and musical legend Elvis Costello brings his “We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday” tour to the Landmark Theater on July 8.   The English native, known for his blending of folk rock and power punk musical styles, has been touring for over fifty years. He boasts an impressive resume, with over 30 album releases, 15 Grammy award nominations, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. He will be joined on this tour by backing band, The Imposters and special guest Charlie Sexton. Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets open the show. Music starts at 7:30.

July 12, Fleet Foxes at Beak & Skiff

Indie folk-rockers Fleet Foxes bring their harmonious sounds to the picturesque Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard on July 12 for a performance.  The Seattle natives are touring in support of their latest release, Shore.  The album, released in 2020, received much critical acclaim and earned the band their second Grammy nomination.  Nigerian born singer-songwriter Uwade opens the show.  Uwade is familiar to Fleet Foxes fans, as she sings the opening lyrics on the album Shore. This should lend to some unique and interesting collaborations through out the performance. Music starts at 7pm.

July 27, Arleigh Rose of Sister Sparrow at 443 Social Club

Soul singer and songwriter Arleigh Rose comes to the 443 Social Club in Syracuse for an intimate performance on July 27. Rose, known for her years as the front woman of the band Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, has taken on a more scaled back and intimate sound, following her return to touring after the Covid pandemic. Rose, once described by The Baltimore Sun as having “… one of the biggest voices in the business. Prepare to be blown away”, is now joined by her brother Jackson with the goal of offering more scaled back and intimate performances “that will leave audiences with a deeper understanding of who Sister Sparrow really is”.

Doors open at 5:30pm with music starting at 7pm. The performance is currently sold out, however a wait list is available on the venue’s website.

July 28, Vanessa Collier at the Cortland Main Street Music Series

If you’re willing to take a short drive south on interstate 81, you’re in for a real treat.  Blues saxophonist and vocalist Vanessa Collier has scheduled a free performance on July 28 as part of the Cortland Main Street Music Series.  Since turning in back to back blistering performances at the NYS Blues Festival in 2021 and 2022, Collier has performed four sold-out concerts at 443 Social Club & Lounge in Syracuse.   Always the hot ticket in Central New York, Collier once again returns to the region, this time with a free outdoor performance at Courthouse Park in Cortland.

Music starts at 6pm. See the entire summer line up of the Cortland Main Street Music Series here.

July 28 & 29, Summer Jam 50 featuring Dark Star Orchestra at Wonderland Forest

Deadheads will want to unite for this one, as a two day festival celebrating (and recreating) the infamous 1973 Summer Jam music festival comes to the Wonderland Forest in Lafayette. The original festival, which took place in Watkins Glen and hosted over 600,000 music fans, saw performances from The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers. Surely this festival won’t see as many in attendance but it is certain to share a similar celebratory atmosphere. The Wonderland Forest incarnation will see two days of performances from Dark Star Orchestra (recreating the Grateful Dead performance), Daniel Donato’s Cosmic County featuring Peter Levin (celebrating the Allman Brothers Band) and The Weight Band (celebrating the music of The Band). Each band will perform both days.

Music starts at 4pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.

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