SIRSY

If you've experienced a SIRSY weekend at Lena's before, you know why people come back for more than one night. And if you haven't? Well, as the Rochester City Newspaper famously put it: “SIRSY is your favorite band, you just don't know it yet.”

SIRSY is the husband-and-wife duo of Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti, two musicians who somehow create the sound, energy and emotional wallop of a much bigger band. The Boston Globe calls them “the little band with the big sound.” Their fans might argue that their hearts are even bigger. Mel is the powerhouse at the center of it all, singing while playing drums, and simultaneously triggering bass parts with her drumsticks. Then she'll move to piano, melodica or pick up a flute for a solo. Rich surrounds it all with his road-worn Rickenbacker, vintage effects and pedal bass, somehow sounding like several guitarists at once. You really do have to see them do it, and once you do, you'll want to see it again! 

But the musicianship is only part of why SIRSY audiences become so devoted to this band. Mel and Rich are funny, candid storytellers and self-described nerds whose songs dig into resilience, empowerment, love, fear and getting through the hard stuff. A SIRSY show can have you dancing, laughing, singing along and wiping away a tear, many times within the span of a few songs.

And in 2026, there's even more to celebrate as SIRSY was once again named Rock-Pop Artist of the Year AND Record of the Year at the 2026 Thomas Edison Music Awards, repeating the two honors they won in 2024. Those awards follow their 2025 induction into the Eddies Music Hall of Fame and their 2023 win for Solo/Duo Artist of the Year.

They've also been busy making new music. After an unexpected stretch away from touring while Rich recovered from a back injury, Mel and Rich used the time to write and record. New songs have been arriving throughout 2026, including “Little Phoenix,” “Wolves” and “Good Times Roll.”

Through more than two decades on the road, over a dozen records, Mel's two bouts with cancer, a pandemic, injuries and thousands upon thousands of miles in a touring van appropriately named Obi Van Kenobi, the heart of SIRSY has remained the same: two people making music together and inviting everyone in the room to become part of it.

Their songs have appeared on HBO, MTV, PBS, the NFL and the hit series Shameless, and they've shared stages with Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, Joan Jett, Train, Maroon 5, Cheap Trick, Collective Soul and Blues Traveler. They've also worked with Grammy-winning producers Paul Q. Kolderie and David Kahne.

But SIRSY makes the most sense live, especially in a room like Caffè Lena, where all that sound, humor, heart and energy is happening just a few feet away.

And because each night's show is different, and because it's SIRSY, one SIRSY show doesn't necessarily have to be enough. We have three nights and three unique shows! Come for one, or two or make a weekend of it! 

“Krahmer has one of the most powerful and flexible voices you'll ever hear… Songs that have more hooks than a tackle box.” — Times Union

SAMPLE SONG 

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.  

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.