From Chubby Checker doing “The Twist” under I-787 to George Clinton jamming with the Tulip Queen and her court at Riverfront Park, Alive at Five concerts have covered the spectrum of music genres in locations around Albany.
While you’re waiting for this summer’s free concert series — check out the 2026 lineup — here is a look back at highlights from the past 35 years of music.
1990
Alive at Five began during Mayor Thomas M. Whalen III’s leadership in an effort to draw people downtown. The first performer was Richie Havens, who had played Woodstock in 1969.
Other acts from the inaugural season included Nikki, Patners in Kryme (fresh off their hit “Turtle Power” from the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie), Danger Danger, Lethal Lipstick, Bruce Williamson, The Carl Landa Band, Aged in the Hills, Rage of the Stage, Sapa Kumba, Mother Was Right, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and the Naturals.
2008
Dennis DeYoung (Styx’s former keyboardist-vocalist), Melodrome, The Ventures, Rocky Velvet, Herman’s Hermits ft. Peter Noone, New York Players, Joan Osborne, Sean Rowe, Bo Bice, Sirsy, Sister Sledge, Trammps, Terrance Simien, Captain Squeeze & The Dydeco Moshers, War, Solid Smoke, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, Sensemaya, The Tossers and Brother.
2009
Blues Traveler opened the summer and drew a huge crowd on June 4, 2009.
Also playing that summer were Jim Weider’s Project Percolator, The Platters & The Cornell Gunter Coasters, Wylder, The Marshall Tucker Band, Jefferson Thomas, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Deni Bonet, The Village People, The Refrigerators, Black 47, Kevin McKrell & The Hard Road Ceili Band, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, Sensemaya, Hotel California (A Salute to the Eagles), Aloud, Tower of Power, Out of Control Rhythm & Blues Band, Neville Brothers, Mingo Fishtrap, The Original Wailers and Bearin’ Peace.
2010
Chubby Checker celebrated 50 years of “The Twist” in Albany on June 10, 2010. Ernie Williams & The Wildcats opened.
Also appearing in 2010 were The Audiostars, Cryin Out Loud, Gregg Rolie (former member of Santana and Journey), The Foy Brothers, Boyz II Men, Soul Session, Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy” and “Follow you Down”), Ten Year Vamp, The Town Pants, The Ruffians, Disco queen Gloria Gaynor, Solid Smoke, Eddie Money, The Tom Healey Band, Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson tribute band), The Big Smoothies, Fran Cosmo (former singer with Boston) and Crossfire.
2011
The 2011 lineup started with Vertical Horizon, who are opening the Belmont on Broadway concert in Saratoga Springs this summer.
The summer ended with a performance from Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk. Also playing in 2011 were Mirk, The Marshall Tucker Band, Collette & The Mudcats, 10,000 Maniacs, Erin Harkes Band, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, New York Funk Exchange, Thompson Square, The Hillbilly Horns, Burton Cummings, Sly Fox & the Hustlers, Carbon Leaf, Enter the Haggis, Kansas, Spaceland, Parrotbeach (Jimmy Buffett tribute), Electric City Horns and Mission Hill.
2012
Smashmouth drew a huge crowd while Bootsy Collins and The Beach Bums were crowd pleasers in 2012.
Other performers that summer were: Dave Mason (Traffic), Patty Smyth, Scandal, Dickey Betts, Great Southern, The Bacon Brothers, Buckwheat Zydeco and Lee Brice.
2013
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic had the crowd rocking in with help from Tulip Queen Kate Bender and her court on June 27, 2013.
Also in the summer of 2013: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Super 400, Skeeter Creek, J.T. Taylor, formerly of Kool & the Gang, the Refrigerators, Satisfaction (a Rolling Stones Tribute band), Starship (“We Built This City”) and the Original Wailers (featuring guitarist and Bob Marley collaborator Al Anderson).
2014
Fitz and the Tantrums, who will headline Belmont on Broadway this summer, drew a young crowd for the series opener on June 12.
Other acts that summer were: The Features, Easy Star All-Stars, Dwele, Mirk, Lord Huron, MaryLeigh Roohan, Eastbound Jesus, Stellar Young, Hard Soul, Dustin Lynch, Jacob Powell, Grand Funk Railroad, Sheila E. and Conehead Bhudda.
2015
Local legends Blotto opened for Blue Oyster Cult in 2015.
The headliners in 2015 were Blue Oyster Cult, Edgar Winter Band, Chrisette Michele, Atlas Genius, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman, J. Roddy Waiston & The Business, Yonder Mountain String Band and Raelynn.
2016
Dr. John opened the summer with a purple suit and gator-skin loafers in 2016.
Other acts from that summer included The Joy Formidable, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Thump Gospel and The Chronicles, Enter the Haggis, Bloc Party, LoCash and Molly Hatchett…