2026 Listen Up Nominees Announced

Here is your official list of nominees for the 2026 Listen Up Awards. The voting process has begun and you can do so below! Winners of the 2026 Listen Up Awards will be revealed at the ceremony on February 22nd at the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY. Vote as much as you want!

VOTE HERE

Favorite Solo (Male):

• Gus Unplugged
• Jason Irwin
• Kristian Montgomery
• Russ Kennedy 

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Favorite Reggae/World Artist:

• Heard
• Hallelujah Hat Trick
• Mixed Roots
• Alex Torres 

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Favorite Solo(Female):

• Caity Gallagher
• Donna Britton
• Girl Love
• Shannon Roy 

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Favorite Duo:

• The Bluebillies
• Art -N- Shawna
• Elephant Back
• HB Swank & Qweylan

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Favorite Party Band:

• Big Empty
• Hit N Run
• Lucid Street
• The Rhythm Pilots

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Favorite Country Artist 

• Glenn Rocks Band
• Marty Wendell
• The Bluebillies
• Whiskey Highway 

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Favorite Cover Band

• 5ive x 5ive
• Big Empty
• Brian Kane and The Beginning
• Hit-N-Run 

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Favorite Americana Artist: 

• Chris Sanders
• Marty Wendell
• The Bluebillies
• Scott Greene 

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Favorite Pop Artist:

• Hayley Stafford
• Peter Annello
• Shannon Tehya
• Hailey Renee

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Favorite Rock/Hard Rock Band: 

• Big Empty
• Chris Busone
• Frank Palangi
• The William Deuel Band

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Favorite Alt/Indie Artist

• The Perfect Storm
• Elephant Back
• Nocturnne
• Otobo

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Favorite Folk/Bluegrass Artist:

• Carolyn Shapiro
• Marty Wendell
• Northern Borne
• Reese Fulmer 

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Favorite Jazz Artist:

• Hot Club of Saratoga
• Keith Pray
• Marcus Benoit
• Joe Barna 

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Favorite Punk/Garage Artist:

• Anthem for Tomorrow
• Shortwave RadioBand
• Society High
• VinTri Hill 

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Favorite Metal/Hardcore Artist:

• Brick by Brick
• Deveria
• Gozer
• The Phoenix & The Raven

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Favorite Jam Band:

• Annie in the Water
• Glass Pony
• The Ky McClinton Band
• TV Doctors 

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Favorite Blues Artist:

• Amy Ryan Band
• BR&B
• Joe Mele
• Joe Roy Jackson

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Favorite R&B/Soul/Funk:

• Erica Rose
• Ky McClinton Band
• Legacy Music Group
• Soul Provider 

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Favorite Electronica/Experimental Artist:

• Rabid Children
• She’s Having A Meltdown
• Laveda
• The Secret Fashions 

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Favorite Performing/Recording DJ:

• Count Sheldrake
• DJ Fool
• Dj Goodlyfe
• DJ IRod

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Favorite Hip-Hop Artist:

• Bezzolay
• Bonus
• Camtron 5000
• Wavy Cunningham 

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Favorite Prog Rock Artist

• Ampevene
• The Phoenix & The Raven
• Progeny
• Timbre Coup

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Best Hair and Makeup:

• Brad James
• Cait Tizzone
• Evan Gori
• Vincenzo Baldwin

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Most Likely To Fall Off Stage:

• Brian Cavanaugh
• James Krone
• Matty D
• Tyler Munson 

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Best Dressed:

• Joanna (Off The Record)
• Rod Dukes
• Shannon Tehya
• Jamie Grignon

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Best Marketing/Social Media:

• VinTri Hill
• The Rhythm Pilots
• Straight Edge Punks
• Brother T and the Boys 

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Favorite Medium Venue(100-250 Capacity)

• Empire Underground
• The Hangar on the Hudson
• Wicked Eatery Pub & Ent.
• Ophelia’s

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Favorite Bar/Small Venue(0-100 Capacity):

• Adirondack Winery
• The Kings Inn
• No Fun
• Rustic Barn

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Favorite Large Venue(200-400 Capacity)

• Empire Live
• Lark Hall
• Putnam Place
• The Strand Theatre

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