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Wandering Oak is a Rochester based metal band forging a sound somewhere between progressive heavy metal, epic folk metal, blackened thrash, and traditional metal. Originally formed in western Massachusetts before relocating to Rochester, the band has spent more than a decade developing a sound that is as atmospheric and adventurous as it is heavy. Drawing from folk traditions, progressive songwriting, and the darker edges of extreme metal, Wandering Oak creates sprawling, immersive songs filled with acoustic and electric guitars, powerful riffs, intricate arrangements, whistles, and a distinctly mystical atmosphere. Their music explores themes of nature, society, life, fantasy, and the human experience. The band has released three full length works: Passage Elemental (2019), Resilience (2024), and The Nektarkin’s Plight (Revisited) (2025) and has shared the stage with acclaimed metal acts including Wilderun, Negură Bunget, and Swallow the Sun.

Mitty & The Followers are Rochester soul veterans bringing the sounds of Motown, classic R&B, funk, blues, and old-school soul to the stage with the kind of energy that gets people out of their seats. Led by Rochester’s own Eric “Mitty” Moore, known as the “Ambassador of Soul,” the band has been a fixture of the local music scene for more than 15 years. Moore’s powerful vocals and soulful bass work anchor a tight band built around groove, musicianship, and a genuine love for the music. The Followers have shared stages with major artists including Bootsy Collins, while their repertoire runs from The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Al Green to Santana, Van Morrison and beyond. Their shows are equal parts concert and party high-energy, danceable, and packed with the songs that made soul and R&B timeless.

The Rob Gioia Experience brings the music of Rochester’s own Rob Gioia to the Record Archive stage for a special live performance. A seasoned local performer with a love for great songs and the musicians who make them, Gioia’s performances are built around musicianship, personality, and a genuine appreciation for live music. The Experience is all about creating that feeling you get when you stumble across a great live act familiar songs, unexpected favorites, and plenty of energy packed into an intimate performance. 

For Tragic Tuesday, we’re welcoming two artists from the darker, more atmospheric side of modern music: Bragolin and Carrellee. Bragolin is the Dutch post-punk and dark wave project of Edwin van der Velde, joined live by synth player Edwin Daatselaar. Their sound pulls from across decades, combining ’80s baritone guitar, synths and drum machines, ’60s and ’70s organs, and ’90s shoegaze guitars. Inspired in part by post-apocalyptic and horror films, Bragolin creates dark, cinematic music that feels perfectly suited for a night called Tragic Tuesday. Joining them is Carrellee, whose music has earned a dedicated following and whose current touring schedule brings her to Rochester alongside Bragolin. The two artists are also appearing together on the same tour dates in New York and internationally. 

Bringing a fresh and soulful sound to the Rochester music scene, Ah-Blivian blends R&B, soul, blues, and groove-driven original music into a sound all their own. With releases including “No Tears G,” “B-Line Blues,” and “Ooowwweee,” Ah-Blivian has continued to build a presence both on record and on stages throughout the community, including appearances at the Pan Afrikan Festival and other major Rochester events. Expect smooth vocals, deep grooves, and an energetic performance when Ah-Blivian takes the stage at Record Archive!

A longtime fixture of the Rochester music scene, Red Hot & Blue brings an infectious blend of blues, R&B, soul, and rock ’n’ roll to the stage. Known to local audiences through appearances at the Rochester International Jazz Festival and other area performances, the band delivers a lively, groove driven sound built for a great night of live music. With seasoned Rochester musicians including multi instrumentalist Bernie Heveron among its ranks, Red Hot & Blue combines strong musicianship with the kind of energy that keeps audiences listening, dancing, and coming back for more. Don’t miss this celebrated local band live at Record Archive!

Rochester underground rock legends The Jet Black Berries return to Record Archive to celebrate the official release of Sundown on Venus (Definitive Edition)! Originally recorded in just two days in August 1984 and released during the band’s explosive mid-’80s run, Sundown on Venus captured the group’s unmistakable collision of post-punk, psychedelic rock, rockabilly, roots rock, western balladry, goth, and cinematic sci-fi storytelling. Now, more than four decades later, the album has been newly remastered and restored to the 12 song vision the band originally intended. With a history that includes their contribution to the legendary Return of the Living Dead soundtrack and a sound that helped put Rochester’s underground music scene on the map, The Jet Black Berries are back to celebrate this long awaited definitive release the way it should be celebrated live and loud at Record Archive!

Son House Blues Night returns to Record Archive on the last Thursday of every month, celebrating the timeless sounds of the blues in an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. Each month features a different lineup of talented musicians and special guests, paying tribute to the legends of the genre while showcasing the incredible depth of Rochester’s blues community. Inspired by the spirit and legacy of blues pioneer Son House, this recurring series honors the roots of American music while giving today’s performers a stage to keep the tradition alive. From gritty Delta blues and Chicago classics to soulful originals and unexpected collaborations, every month offers a fresh experience and a chance to hear some of the region’s finest musicians alongside special guest performers. Enjoy an evening of exceptional live music, craft beer and wine, and the one-of-a-kind setting that only Record Archive can provide. With a new lineup every month, no two Son House Blues Nights are ever the same, making it a tradition worth returning to again and again.

Electric Horizons is a young Rochester, NY rock band bringing a fresh energy and their own twist to the classic spirit of rock ’n’ roll. Formed around the longtime musical chemistry of drummer Ray Crane and guitarist Jonathan Dell’Anno, the band expanded with vocalist Henry Manley and bassist Dan Murphy to create a dynamic modern rock sound that draws from the power, attitude, and musicianship of rock’s greatest eras while looking firmly toward the future. After making their live debut in 2025, Electric Horizons have quickly established themselves on the Rochester music scene, releasing original material including “The Gold Room” and “Winds of Valhalla.” Catch this exciting Rochester band live at Record Archive.

Ryan Johnson & The Coexistence are a Rochester-based jazz/funk collective led by guitarist, composer, producer, and educator Ryan Johnson. Blending funky grooves, jazz fusion, neo-soul, and straight ahead jazz, the group creates an energetic, improvisational sound that keeps things moving and unpredictable. Johnson is a nationally endorsed guitarist and prolific composer whose original music draws from jazz, funk, fusion, and soul. He has performed on stages throughout the region and alongside nationally recognized artists, while becoming a familiar presence in Rochester’s vibrant jazz community. 

The Buddhahood is an eight-piece Rochester powerhouse bringing together roots, reggae, ska, funk, rock, folk, and global rhythms into their own brand of “Worldternative” groove. Built from decades of musical roots in Western New York, the band combines a powerful rhythm section with horns, percussion, keyboards, guitars, and vocals to create an infectious sound made for moving. With uplifting original songs, deep grooves, punchy brass, and plenty of rhythmic firepower, The Buddhahood has been a fixture of Rochester’s music scene for decades. Their music blurs the line between concert and dance party, drawing from a worldwide palette while keeping the energy firmly rooted in the live experience.

The Daniel King Band brings a vibrant blend of Spanish guitar, flamenco, Latin, and world music to the Rochester scene. Led by guitarist Daniel King, the group combines the intricate technique and rhythmic intensity of flamenco guitar with the infectious influence of Caribbean and Latin rhythms. King’s music grew from his years performing and living in Puerto Rico, where he developed a distinctive sound rooted in nylon string guitar and shaped by the musical traditions of the Caribbean. His original music and performances weave together passionate melodies, intricate guitar work, Latin grooves, and improvisation.

Black Earth Bloom is a Rochester band digging into the darker side of heavy music, blending crushing doom, sludgy stoner rock, and post-hardcore intensity. Built on thick riffs, heavy grooves, and a raw, punishing energy, their sound lands somewhere between the hypnotic weight of doom and the aggression of hardcore. Emerging onto Rochester’s heavy-music scene in 2026, Black Earth Bloom has quickly established a sound that is loud, grimy, and unapologetically heavy. For fans of massive riffs, distorted walls of sound, and music that hits you in the chest, Black Earth Bloom brings the heaviness.

The John Payton Project is a veteran Rochester-area quintet built around John Payton’s guitar and songwriting. The band’s sound centers on funk, reggae, ska, and rock, with a strong emphasis on groove and improvisation. Their live sets are constantly evolving, with songs changing from performance to performance and originals mixing naturally with unexpected covers.Featuring members with roots in bands including The Buddhahood, Mysterious Blues Band, Riff Monsters, Yolk, 3rd Rail, Blue Axis, The Electras, Great Train Robbery, and Outer Circle Orchestra, the JPP brings decades of Rochester music experience to the stage.