The Classic Rock Tours We Want To Come Through the Capital Region

There are some huge bands going out on 2026 tours. One thing they have in common besides being able to rock our faces off is that they aren't bringing those concerts to the Capital Region. No SPAC, no MVP Arena, no Palace. Nothing. Which means if you want to see some of these major shows you're going to have to road trip it a few hours.

While we have announced some pretty amazing shows for 2026 so far (Motley Crue, Foreigner with Skynyrd, etc.) there are so many more that won't be coming our way. We understand that many of these bands have graced us in the past, but the serious FOMO we're going to have while watching them from a far is very real.

The first band I'll start with is Journey. They're on a farewell tour and it's stopping in Buffalo, but that's as close to Upstate as you'll get unless you head to New England.

While I understand that they've been to SPAC a few times in the last few years it would have bene nice to be able to give them a sendoff right here in the Capital Region.

Iron Maiden is another band the never seems to come to the Capital Region, and they're keeping that trend alive in 2026. As a matter of fact the closest you'll be able to get to Iron Maiden is Boston.

What makes this one sting extra is they're on tour with Megadeth, who is also going to be hanging it up in the coming years. That would have been a great show to see at SPAC over the summer.

Read More: NIkki Sixx Interview - What To Expect at SPAC

We all know that RUSH is heading out for a reunion show and yes they're playing several nights at Madison Square Garden, but some of my most fond memories was seeing Rush perform in Saratoga Springs.

MSG is obviously a concert bucket list location for so many people, but I don't want to have to go all the way to NYC to see one of the greatest bands of all time.

Other bands that will be heading out on tour and not making stops near the Capital Region are:

• AC/DC
• ZZTop
• Bon Jovi
• Cheap Trick
• Heart

While many of those names have been here recently, it can't help but make us jealous that so many others will get to enjoy these shows while we sit and twiddle our thumbs.