PearlPalooza & YogaPalooza return Saturday, September 13
Downtown Albany’s free, all-ages music festival, PearlPalooza, returns Saturday, September 13 from 12:00 PM–7:00 PM. Presented by Albany Mechanical, Common Roots Brewing, Mr. Good Vybz, and CuraLeaf, this highly anticipated event features a dynamic lineup of local and internationally acclaimed artists. New to the festival this year are four DJs who will spin between sets, adding even more energy to the day. PearlPalooza is produced by 102.7 FM WEQX, Sugar Productions, and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID).
Attendees 21+ with valid ID can purchase craft beverages from official beer sponsor Common Roots Brewing. A wide variety of food, non-alcoholic drinks, handmade goods, and art will be available from 30+ vendors, with even more to explore at Downtown businesses located just steps away from the festival footprint.
Performances will take place at the PearlPalooza stage at N Pearl Street & Sheridan Avenue. This year’s lineup features a spectacular mix of new and returning artists:
Rubblebucket | 5:30 PM
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Dave Gutter | 3:45 PM
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The Happy Fits | 2:15 PM
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Ky McClinton Band I 1:00 PM
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The festival will also feature performances by Sugar Productions DJs, Kendo, Tremblizzy, Spike Right, and Rome, between each act on the main stage.
YogaPalooza, the Capital Region’s only street-wide mass yoga event, returns for its ninth year to kick off the activities on N Pearl Street from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Instructors from The Hot Yoga Spot will lead this free, one-hour, all-levels yoga class from the stage. YogaPalooza is presented by MVP Health Care, in association with The Hot Yoga Spot, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and The Downtown Albany BID. Find more information and register for YogaPalooza at downtownalbany.org/yogapalooza.
Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said: “This year’s PearlPalooza not only welcomes fan-favorite Rubblebucket back to the stage—bringing their signature blend of funk, psychedelic, and indie rock that perfectly captures the spirit of the festival—but also debuts four dynamic DJ sets, highlighting just how much the event has evolved over the years. We’re incredibly thankful to our sponsors for helping us carry this tradition into its 16th year, and deeply appreciative of our co-organizers, WEQX and Sugar Productions, who helped create this annual event. PearlPalooza is a love letter to Downtown—celebrating our district not just as the backdrop for this unforgettable event, but as a vibrant destination filled with thriving businesses, historic charm, and scenic beauty. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of fans back to the core of the city.”
Albany Mechanical Operations Manager Jason Bethon: "We’re thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of PearlPalooza — an incredible day of music and community in the heart of Albany. It’s events like this that make us proud to call the Capital Region home. Albany Mechanical is proud to once again support PearlPalooza, a celebration of music, community, and the energy that makes downtown Albany so unique. As a local business serving the Capital Region for over 45 years, we believe in giving back and being part of events that bring people together. We’re excited for another unforgettable day of live music and local pride!"
Common Roots Brewing Co-founder Christian Weber said: "Common Roots Brewing Company is thrilled to extend our support for PearlPalooza 2025 as the official craft beer sponsor! We're proud to be part of the vibrant Downtown Albany community and can think of no better way to celebrate than by bringing great music and great beer to Pearl Street in September. We can't wait to celebrate with everyone!"
Mr. Good Vybz CEO Amin Cowan said: “We are pleased to collaborate with our long-standing partner Curaleaf and the Downtown Business Improvement District to bring this important community event to residents of the city of Albany. As a business whose future is heavily intertwined with Albany’s downtown, we welcome any opportunity to add our motto — Vibe High. Feel Good. Live Well — to its expanding character.”
WEQX Program Director Jeff Morad said: “Every year we are stoked to put together the lineup for PearlPalooza and this year all the magic fell into place as we get to see Rubblebucket with their artsy, indie display of musicianship. I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t get some fan-participation moments during their headlining set! Grammy Award winning musician Dave Gutter has been a staple, holding the many chapters of EQX together for the past few decades so we are definitely excited to see him perform – his new album “The Music Industry Is Trying To Kill Me” is one of the best albums to come out this year, expect to hear a bunch of music from that in addition to some Rustic Overtones / Paranoid Social Club tunes! The Happy Fits will make the drive up from New Jersey to put on a high energy set. It’s said that The Happy Fits are never unhappy while performing and that energy spills out into the crowd. Beginning the day of free live music will be the talented local musician, Ky McClinton from Troy, NY. You’ve probably seen Ky perform at Lark Hall, Bellstock or numerous local stages, but never on a big ole stage in the middle of Pearl Street in downtown Albany! Be sure to get there early so you don’t miss him – maybe even early enough to participate in YogaPalooza!”
Owner of Sugar Productions Shane Spillenger said: “Rubblebucket has been known to put on some of the most fun interactive concerts I have produced. The Ky McClinton Band is one of the most talented in the area and impresses everyone who sees them. This year's PearlPalooza is one not to miss!"
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said: “Once again, WEQX, Sugar Productions, and the Downtown Albany BID have delivered an incredible PearlPalooza lineup for 2025. This annual tradition has become one of the most anticipated events in our city, bringing high-energy performances and a vibrant atmosphere to the heart of downtown Albany. There’s nothing quite like experiencing nationally recognized bands live—and for free—while enjoying the best our local craft beverage producers, food vendors, artists, and small businesses have to offer.”
PearlPalooza 2025 is sponsored by Albany Mechanical, Common Roots Brewing, Mr. Good Vybz, Curaleaf, Global Partners, Metroland Now, MVP Health Care, ParkAlbany, Silver Cannabis Company, Avelo Airlines, CDTA, Hampton Inn & Suites, Renaissance Hotel, the City of Albany, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, The Hot Yoga Spot, The Skinny Pancake, NeoVista Equities, and War Cannon Spirits. The festival is produced by the Downtown Albany BID, in association with WEQX and Sugar Productions. Common Roots is the official craft beer of PearlPalooza.
$8 event parking is available at ParkAlbany's Riverfront, Quackenbush, and Green-Hudson Garages, just a few blocks from the action! Find more at downtownalbany.org/parking.
