About Rochester Public Music

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Rochester Public Music brings people together through concerts, cultural programs, and music education. Our events are free and public by design.

We turn parks into concert venues, bring artists into classrooms, and share music across neighborhoods. Our work is rooted in shared experience, local connection, and the belief that music belongs to everyone.

Music with Purpose.

Rochester Public Music is a department of the City of Rochester.

Our Programs

  • FORWARD Park Concerts: Free summer concerts in Rochester parks. Local bands, local food, and space for everyone to gather.
  • Riverside Music Series: Live music. Big names. No tickets. Large-scale concerts featuring chart-topping acts and rising stars.
  • Sound School: In-school residencies where students explore rhythm, movement, and musical identity — from hip hop and taiko drumming to close-harmony singing.
  • Passport Sessions: Free outdoor concerts during Thursdays Downtown, celebrating culture and connection through sound.

Blind Melon

Blind Melon

Live Music. Big Names. No Tickets.

Free, un-ticketed concerts turn public space into shared space, filled with music, food, and connection. It’s one of Rochester’s favorite summer traditions.

Schedule

6:00 p.m. | Get ready!

Come early to grab dinner and settle in. Food trucks start serving at 6:00 p.m., and the music starts at 7:00. Lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome.

7:00 p.m. | Amateur

This Minnesota-based indie rock band brings shimmering guitars, honest lyrics, and a nostalgic energy that sets the perfect tone for a summer night in the park.

8:00 p.m. | Blind Melon

With their distinctive blend of alternative rock, soulful vocals, and psychedelic flair, Blind Melon became one of the defining sounds of the 1990s. Best known for their chart-topping single “No Rain,” the band continues to tour and create music that bridges heartfelt melodies with an unmistakable groove. Their Riverside debut brings a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy to the stage.

More about Blind Melon here.

All ages. All welcome.

All Riverside shows are free, all-ages, and accessible. CART (real-time captions) are available every week, and staff are on site to help with wayfinding, questions, and guest support.

For full details, visit our Accessibility page.

More about Riverside here.

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