It’s been incredibly interesting to watch Rochester’s music scene grow over the past few years. Options for shows were pretty limited, especially for younger music fans, when I first poked my head around the music scene in 2014. Fast forward to now, and there’s a genuine venue ladder and scores of bands across all genres, giving even the casual music fan options on a nightly basis.

We’ve seen artists look around this scene and rise to prominence. I think of Vansire, who played a smattering of shows around 2016 and ‘17 before blowing up on Spotify and touring nationally.

Not every band can do that, but there’s going to be some groups and solo acts that will rise to a new level in 2020.

That’s why — for this list specifically — I wanted to see the possibility of upward mobility, combining a genuine talent with the promise that they hadn’t hit their “ceiling” yet. The best has to be yet to come, but they already had to be pretty good. Plans for new music in 2020 or an increased focus on live music in 2020 was a major part of this, too.

Also, I wanted a distinct Rochester focus from each artist. You didn’t necessarily have to be from Rochester, but it was almost a requirement to be based in Rochester.

Lastly, I wanted a co-sign of some sort — whether it came from friends, fellow musicians, or standard-bearers of the Rochester scene. I got a lot of great information from Zach Zurn of Carpet Booth Studios, and asked around all week for people’s thoughts.

So, with all of that said, don’t think of this as an exhaustive guide, but more of a primer for the great summer of music to come.

These are my picks for five artists to watch in 2020.

This weekend in Rochester

Big Turn Music Festival: Friday & Saturday, Red Wing

This one is in nearby Red Wing — about a 45 minute drive from here — but we included it due to the large number of local artists who will be out there this weekend representing Rochester. The lineup includes Theocles, VILD, Pat Egan, Author, Under the Pavilion, Push and Turn, Luke Hendrickson, Amateur, Twin Lakes, Fires of Denmark, Loud Mouth Brass, My Grandma’s Cardigan, and Sterling and the Silver Lining — and that’s not even all of the Rochester artists set to perform at Big Turn. Check the festival’s website or your favorite band’s social media for details on where and when they’ll be playing.

A Chair Affair

So, with so many Rochester musicians in Red Wing, what’s happening in town? Just a local staple for decades — this Saturday is A Chair Affair, the annual fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester. The dinner menu is locally sourced this year, and as always, there’s a live auction of several eccentrically designed chairs. Stick around for the after party, too — but before going to the Hilton, be sure you have your tickets.

Taco JED acoustic shows

Finally, we’ve got our eyes on a couple shows at Taco JED this weekend. On Friday, check out singer-songwriter Michael Gay, of the Americana band Almighty American. You may have seen his band at Down by the Riverside last year, in an opening slot. One day later, check out acoustic artist Nancy Tobiason-Kramer with her genre-fluid bend of covers and originals. Both shows start at 7 p.m.

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Cover photo: My Grandma's Cardigan at the Castle / credit: William Forsman