Yellowman
August 6 at the Falcon in Marlboro
One of the most memorable pioneers of dancehall reggae is Yellowman AKA King Yellowman. Born Winston Foster in 1956, the Jamaican singer and DJ lit up the 1980s reggae charts with his fluid toasting on buoyant tracks like “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng,” “Sinsemilla,” and “Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt.” This small-venue date will be a rare treat. (Lala Tamar featuring Yacouba Sissoko dazzles August 13; Jeff Coffin jams August 22.) 7:30pm. Donation requested.
Escher String Quartet
August 8 at Maverick Concerts in Woodstock
Returning favorites to America’s oldest outdoor summer chamber music festival, New York’s Escher String Quartet has won multiple awards and performed with luminaries from both the classical and jazz worlds. The program will include quartets by Mozart, Von Zemlinsky, and Dvorak. (The Calisto Quartet performs August 2; Angela Hewitt appears August 16.) 4pm. $20-$55 ($10 students).
“Celebrating Jack DeJohnette: Sound Travels”
August 9 at UPAC in Kingston
The Hudson Valley—and the music world at large—lost a legend when jazz icon Jack DeJohnette passed in 2025. But the music of the influential drummer, pianist, and composer lives forever, and this benefit for Family of Woodstock and the Table at Woodstock will show exactly that. Performers and speakers include Pat Metheney, Don Byron, Will Calhoun, Bill Frisell, Ravi Coltrane, David Murray, and many more. (Brit Floyd does Pink Floyd August 7.) 5pm. $45-$100.
“Democracy Rocks 2”
August 16 at the Colony in Woodstock
Natalie Merchant, Kate Pierson, and Gail Ann Dorsey will coheadline this reprise of 2025’s “Democracy Rocks” successful charitable event at the same hallowed area venue. Joining them to raise funds for Indivisible’s pro-democracy work and Ulster Rapid Response’s ICE Watch efforts are fellow HV locals Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, Jenn Nichols, the Bob Cats, and the Mark Black Band. (The Allman Brothers Band’s Jaimoe rambles by August 15; Mary Gauthier sings September 4.) 3pm. $45.23.
Black Label Society
August 25 at the Palace Theater in Albany
Long-time Ozzy Osbourne lead guitarist Zakk Wylde leads heavy metal outfit Black Label Society, established in 1998. The band’s had numerous lineups over the years—Bee Gee Barry Gibb’s son Steve Gibb was once a member—and has released 12 studio albums to date, the latest being this year’s Engines of Demolition, their first since 2021. With Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel. (Boss Man Dlow bumps August 1; Josh Turner turns up August 22.) 7:30pm. $53-$196.
TOPOS 2026 Music Festival
September 2-5 at EMPAC in Troy
If you’ve ever considered visiting one of North America’s top facilities for cutting-edge creativity, this three-day festival of adventurous music and performance at EMPAC (Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center) is a perfect opportunity to do so. The roster has jazz and experimental greats Vijay Iyer, Wadada Leo Smith, Miho Hatori, Edward George, Japanese electro-percussion duo IMA, and more. (Guided EMPAC tours take place August 1 and September 5.) See website for ticket prices and show times.
This article appears in August 2026.
