Explore New Jersey

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with special guest Patty Griffin
2026-07-31 19:00 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | New Jersey
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Bring One of America’s Greatest Songwriting Catalogs to New Jersey for a Landmark Summer Night at ParkStage

New Jersey’s remarkable summer concert season continues to build momentum as one of the most respected singer-songwriters of the modern era prepares to take the stage at one of the state’s newest outdoor music destinations. On Friday, July 31, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will perform at ParkStage in Freehold, joined by acclaimed special guest Patty Griffin for what promises to be one of the most artistically significant concerts of the 2026 summer concert calendar.

Presented as part of ParkStage’s inaugural season, the event represents more than a major live music performance. It brings together two of America’s most celebrated songwriters for an evening rooted in storytelling, musicianship, emotional honesty, and the enduring power of songs that speak directly to the human experience.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m., as fans from across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and throughout the Northeast gather for a rare opportunity to experience artists whose work has helped define contemporary Americana, folk, country, and roots music.

Few artists have built the level of critical acclaim, industry respect, and audience loyalty that Jason Isbell enjoys today. Across the last two decades, he has emerged as one of the most important songwriting voices of his generation, creating a body of work that consistently transcends genre classifications while connecting deeply with listeners from all walks of life.

Born and raised in North Alabama, Isbell first attracted national attention through his work with the influential Southern rock collective Drive-By Truckers before launching a solo career that would ultimately establish him as one of the most celebrated songwriters of the twenty-first century.

What separates Isbell from many of his contemporaries is his remarkable ability to transform everyday experiences into deeply resonant narratives. His songs explore family relationships, personal growth, heartbreak, addiction, redemption, community, memory, and identity with a level of honesty that few writers can match. Whether addressing deeply personal subjects or broader social themes, he approaches every lyric with intelligence, empathy, and a craftsman’s attention to detail.

Over the years, that approach has earned him an extraordinary collection of accolades, including six Grammy Awards and widespread recognition as one of America’s premier lyricists. Yet awards alone do not fully explain his influence. Isbell’s greatest achievement may be his ability to consistently create songs that feel both intensely personal and universally relatable.

Listeners often discover their own stories within his music.

His characters feel authentic. His settings feel lived-in. His observations capture emotional truths that are simultaneously specific and timeless. That combination has made him a favorite among critics, fellow musicians, and audiences seeking substance in an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape.

The concert at ParkStage arrives during another fascinating chapter in Isbell’s artistic evolution.

After years of releasing acclaimed albums with the 400 Unit and touring extensively around the world, he entered 2025 by taking an unexpected creative turn. Rather than building another full-band project, he stripped everything back to its essentials.

The result was Foxes in the Snow, a deeply intimate solo recording that showcases Isbell with nothing more than his voice and a vintage acoustic guitar.

Recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City, the project highlights the pure fundamentals of songwriting and performance. Without elaborate arrangements or extensive production layers, every lyric, melody, and emotional nuance becomes front and center.

The album has been widely praised for its vulnerability and artistic confidence. It serves as a reminder that beneath the acclaim, awards, and sold-out tours remains an artist whose greatest strength is simply writing extraordinary songs.

For longtime fans, Foxes in the Snow reinforces what they have always known. For newer listeners, it offers a direct pathway into the essence of Isbell’s artistry.

While the solo project has generated significant attention, the Freehold performance also represents the return of one of modern music’s most accomplished touring ensembles.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have spent years developing a reputation as one of the finest live bands in America. Their concerts seamlessly move between intimate acoustic moments and powerful electric performances, combining exceptional musicianship with emotional depth and dynamic range.

The chemistry between Isbell and the 400 Unit has become one of the defining characteristics of his live shows. Together, they create performances that feel both polished and spontaneous, balancing technical excellence with genuine emotional connection.

Fans attending ParkStage can expect a career-spanning setlist drawing from one of the strongest catalogs in modern songwriting.

Songs such as “Cover Me Up,” “If We Were Vampires,” “24 Frames,” “Elephant,” “King of Oklahoma,” “Alabama Pines,” and “Speed Trap Town” have become contemporary standards within Americana and roots music circles. Each offers a different perspective on love, loss, resilience, family, and the complexities of everyday life.

Many of these songs have achieved something increasingly rare in modern music: longevity.

Years after their release, they continue to resonate with audiences because they address universal experiences through deeply personal storytelling. Rather than chasing trends, Isbell has built a career around craftsmanship, allowing the songs themselves to remain the focal point.

Adding even greater significance to the evening is the appearance of Patty Griffin, whose influence on contemporary songwriting rivals that of any artist working today.

Widely regarded as one of America’s greatest singer-songwriters, Griffin has spent decades crafting songs that blend emotional depth, poetic imagery, and remarkable vocal expression. Her work has been recorded by countless artists across multiple genres, while her own albums have earned widespread critical acclaim and devoted audiences.

Like Isbell, Griffin possesses a rare ability to communicate profound truths through deceptively simple language. Her songs often explore faith, family, resilience, identity, and the passage of time with remarkable grace and insight.

Her presence transforms the Freehold concert from a major performance into a genuine songwriting event.

For audiences, the opportunity to experience both artists on the same stage during the same evening represents a rare convergence of creative excellence.

The venue itself adds another compelling dimension to the event.

ParkStage has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting additions to New Jersey’s entertainment landscape. Developed through a partnership between the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Monmouth County Tourism, the venue has already established itself as a destination capable of attracting nationally recognized artists across multiple genres.

Situated at East Freehold Showgrounds, ParkStage combines the atmosphere of an outdoor festival with the accessibility of a regional concert venue. Its approximately 8,500-person capacity creates an environment that feels substantial without sacrificing intimacy.

That balance makes it an ideal setting for artists like Isbell and Griffin, whose music thrives in spaces where audiences can fully engage with the storytelling and emotional nuances of the performance.

The concert also reflects a broader trend taking shape throughout New Jersey.

The state continues to strengthen its reputation as one of America’s premier destinations for live entertainment. From legendary Jersey Shore venues and historic theaters to major arenas and new outdoor stages, New Jersey has become a central stop for artists seeking passionate audiences and exceptional performance environments.

ParkStage’s inaugural season exemplifies that momentum.

Its diverse lineup demonstrates both artistic ambition and a commitment to serving audiences with varied tastes. The inclusion of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit alongside artists from rock, country, alternative, Americana, and jam-band traditions illustrates the venue’s broad vision for its future.

For fans of songwriting, however, July 31 may ultimately stand as one of the season’s defining nights.

In an era increasingly dominated by spectacle and distraction, Jason Isbell continues to prove that great songs remain among the most powerful forms of artistic expression. His music reminds listeners that honesty, craftsmanship, and emotional truth still matter.

Combined with Patty Griffin’s extraordinary talent and the immersive outdoor setting of ParkStage, the evening promises an experience that extends far beyond a typical concert.

It becomes a celebration of storytelling itself.

It becomes a gathering place for listeners who understand that music can illuminate the complexities of life, provide comfort during difficult moments, and help us better understand ourselves and one another.

As the summer sun sets over Freehold and the first notes drift across the East Freehold Showgrounds, audiences will witness two artists whose careers have been built not on trends or gimmicks but on the enduring strength of their songs.

For one night, ParkStage becomes more than a venue.

It becomes the setting for a masterclass in songwriting, musicianship, and the kind of authentic artistic expression that continues to define the very best of American music.

The Billy Walton Band with The Plaid Salmon Horns
2026-07-31 20:00 - 23:30 | William Morrow Beach, Bay Avenue between Higbee and New Jersey Avenues, Somers Point Beach, New Jersey, 08244, United States
Jersey Blues Meets Shoreline Soul: The Billy Walton Band and The Plaid Salmon Horns Bring High-Energy Rock, Blues, and Funk to Legacy Concerts on the Beach

Every summer concert series has its signature moments. Some nights celebrate national legends. Others spotlight rising stars. Then there are evenings that showcase something equally important to New Jersey’s musical identity: homegrown artists who have spent years building reputations through relentless touring, exceptional musicianship, and an unwavering commitment to live performance.

On July 31, 2026, the acclaimed Legacy Concerts on the Beach series in Somers Point turns its spotlight toward one of the Garden State’s most respected working bands when The Billy Walton Band takes the stage alongside The Plaid Salmon Horns for what promises to be one of the most energetic and danceable nights of the summer season.

Set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of William Morrow Beach, the performance continues a tradition that has helped transform Legacy Concerts on the Beach into one of the nation’s most celebrated outdoor concert experiences. Now in its 33rd year, the series has earned national recognition while maintaining the community-centered spirit that makes it such a beloved part of the South Jersey summer calendar.

For this particular evening, however, the focus shifts squarely toward the rich musical traditions that have long defined New Jersey itself.

Few artists represent the modern Jersey blues-rock scene more authentically than Billy Walton.

For years, Walton has built a loyal following throughout the Northeast and beyond through performances that combine the grit of electric blues, the power of classic rock, the improvisational spirit of jam music, and the soulful grooves of American roots traditions. His reputation has been earned not through radio hype or manufactured celebrity, but through countless nights on stages large and small where musicianship and authenticity remain the only currencies that matter.

That approach has made The Billy Walton Band one of the most respected live acts to emerge from the region.

At a time when many performers rely heavily on technology, pre-recorded elements, and elaborate production, Walton’s music remains rooted in something refreshingly straightforward: great songs played by exceptional musicians.

The result is a sound that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh.

Listeners hear traces of classic blues traditions, echoes of Southern rock, flashes of funk, soul, and Americana, yet the music ultimately belongs to the band itself. It is a style built for live performance, where improvisation, audience interaction, and spontaneous moments often become the highlights of the evening.

That live energy makes the group particularly well suited for the atmosphere of Legacy Concerts on the Beach.

Unlike indoor venues where audiences remain confined to assigned seats, the Somers Point setting encourages movement, participation, and community engagement. Fans spread blankets across the sand, gather with friends, dance near the shoreline, and experience the music as part of a larger social celebration.

The addition of The Plaid Salmon Horns elevates the evening even further.

Horn sections have long occupied a special place in American music history. From Memphis soul and New Orleans funk to classic rhythm and blues, horns bring a sense of excitement and power that can transform even familiar songs into something extraordinary.

When paired with The Billy Walton Band’s already dynamic sound, the result promises an expansive musical experience capable of moving effortlessly between blues-driven rock, soulful grooves, funky rhythms, and explosive improvisational passages.

It is precisely the type of performance that thrives in an outdoor setting.

As the sun begins its descent over Great Egg Harbor Bay and evening settles across the shoreline, the music becomes part of the environment itself. The waterfront breeze, the sounds of the crowd, the glow of sunset reflected across the water, and the energy of live musicians performing just steps from the beach combine to create an experience that extends far beyond a traditional concert.

That unique atmosphere has helped make Legacy Concerts on the Beach one of New Jersey’s most treasured cultural events.

Presented by Tony Mart Cares in partnership with the City of Somers Point, the series has become a model for how communities can successfully blend tourism, entertainment, economic development, and cultural preservation. What began as a local tradition has evolved into a nationally recognized destination that attracts visitors from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and beyond.

The success of the series reflects a broader truth about South Jersey’s music scene.

While major metropolitan markets often dominate headlines, some of the most vibrant musical communities continue thriving in smaller cities and shore towns where audiences remain deeply connected to live performance. Somers Point has embraced that tradition, creating an environment where established artists, emerging performers, and devoted music fans can gather in a setting that feels authentic rather than commercialized.

That authenticity can be traced directly to the city’s rich musical heritage.

For decades, Somers Point served as a gathering place for musicians, performers, and audiences seeking memorable live experiences. The legacy of legendary venues and generations of local music supporters remains woven into the fabric of the community. Legacy Concerts on the Beach honors that history while introducing new audiences to artists who continue carrying those traditions forward.

The July 31 performance embodies that mission perfectly.

The Billy Walton Band represents the enduring strength of New Jersey’s contemporary music community. Their success demonstrates that talent, hard work, and artistic integrity continue to resonate with audiences even in an era dominated by digital entertainment and algorithm-driven consumption.

The band’s appearance also highlights the remarkable diversity of the 2026 Legacy Concerts season.

Throughout the summer, audiences experience everything from blues and funk to classic rock, soul, Americana, New Orleans traditions, and tribute performances celebrating some of music’s most beloved catalogs. The variety ensures that every concert feels distinct while contributing to the larger identity of the series.

For fans attending July 31, the attraction will be simple.

Outstanding musicians.

Powerful songs.

A spectacular setting.

And the opportunity to spend a summer evening surrounded by fellow music lovers on one of the most beautiful stretches of waterfront in New Jersey.

As the music echoes across William Morrow Beach and the crowd gathers beneath the evening sky, the performance will serve as another reminder of why Legacy Concerts on the Beach continues to earn national acclaim year after year.

Great concert series are not defined solely by major headliners.

They are defined by their ability to create unforgettable experiences.

The Billy Walton Band and The Plaid Salmon Horns arrive in Somers Point carrying the proud traditions of blues, rock, soul, and American roots music. Combined with the extraordinary setting of Legacy Concerts on the Beach, their July 31 appearance has all the ingredients necessary to become one of the standout nights of the 2026 season.

For one evening, the sounds of Jersey blues and shoreline soul will merge on the sands of Somers Point, creating the kind of magical live music experience that has become synonymous with one of America’s most celebrated outdoor concert series.

Lake Street Dive with special guest The Dip
2026-08-01 19:00 - 23:30 | ParkStage, East Freehold Showgrounds - 1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, New Jersey, 07728, United States
Lake Street Dive Brings Their Joyful Rebellion to New Jersey: A Celebration of Connection, Community, and the Power of Live Music

There are concerts, and then there are events that feel like a genuine gathering of people united by something larger than themselves. When Lake Street Dive takes the stage on Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 PM, New Jersey audiences will experience exactly that kind of night—a performance built not only on exceptional musicianship but on the increasingly rare ability to bring people together through the simple yet profound power of live music.

In an era defined by constant digital distractions, endless notifications, and growing social fragmentation, Lake Street Dive has emerged as one of the most beloved and important live bands in America by doing something remarkably simple: creating music that reminds people what it feels like to connect. Their genre-defying sound, infectious energy, and deeply human songwriting have helped transform the group from a celebrated independent act into one of the most respected touring bands in modern music.

For New Jersey music fans, this upcoming performance represents far more than another stop on a national tour. It is an opportunity to witness a band at the height of its creative powers, supporting one of the strongest albums of its career while continuing a remarkable journey that has earned admiration from critics, fellow musicians, and audiences around the world.

Adding even more excitement to the evening is special guest The Dip, whose soulful sound and dynamic stage presence make them a perfect complement to a night centered around musical exploration, emotional connection, and unforgettable performances.

Lake Street Dive has never been easy to categorize, and that has always been one of the group’s greatest strengths. Since forming, the five-piece ensemble has built a reputation for blending seemingly disparate musical influences into something entirely their own. Elements of soul, jazz, folk, R&B, pop, funk, and rock all coexist within their songs, creating a sound that feels simultaneously timeless and completely contemporary.

At the center of that sound is vocalist Rachael Price, whose extraordinary voice can move effortlessly from powerful soul-inspired performances to intimate moments of vulnerability. Alongside bassist and songwriter Bridget Kearney, drummer Mike Calabrese, keyboardist Akie Bermiss, and guitarist James Cornelison, Price helps create a musical chemistry that has become one of the band’s defining characteristics.

That chemistry is perhaps more evident than ever on Good Together, the group’s acclaimed and Grammy-nominated latest album. The record arrives at a moment when many artists are grappling with questions about technology, isolation, identity, and the increasingly complex ways people relate to one another. Rather than offering cynicism or despair, Lake Street Dive responds with something far more powerful: optimism, joy, empathy, and community.

The band has described the creative spirit behind the album as “joyful rebellion,” a phrase that perfectly captures the record’s central mission. In a culture often driven by division, anxiety, and relentless pressure to optimize every aspect of life, Good Together embraces human connection, spontaneity, and collective celebration.

The title track immediately establishes that theme. It is a song about rejecting expectations and embracing authenticity, celebrating the courage required to follow one’s own path. Throughout the album, Lake Street Dive explores ideas that resonate deeply with modern audiences while maintaining the uplifting spirit that has become synonymous with the band’s identity.

Songs such as “Dance with a Stranger” showcase the group’s remarkable ability to create music that feels instantly joyful while carrying meaningful emotional depth. The track combines irresistible grooves with a message centered on empathy and understanding, reminding listeners that human connection often begins with simple acts of openness and curiosity.

Elsewhere, “Walking Uphill” delivers one of the album’s most emotionally resonant moments, examining the ongoing process of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Rather than presenting personal transformation as a destination, the song acknowledges it as a continual journey—one that requires patience, resilience, and self-compassion.

“Seats at the Bar” offers a playful and refreshing take on classic romance, while “Twenty-Five” demonstrates the band’s remarkable ability to shift gears and create moments of quiet reflection. Through tender storytelling and elegant arrangements, the song explores memory, longing, and the enduring impact of meaningful relationships.

What makes Good Together particularly compelling is not simply its lyrical content but the way those themes are reflected in the music itself. The album moves effortlessly between genres and influences, creating a rich sonic landscape that mirrors the diversity of experiences and perspectives the band celebrates.

Working once again with Grammy-winning producer Mike Elizondo, whose extensive résumé includes collaborations with some of the most respected artists in contemporary music, Lake Street Dive expands its sound without losing the warmth and intimacy that has always defined its work.

The result is an album that feels expansive yet personal, sophisticated yet accessible, and deeply thoughtful without ever sacrificing fun.

Of course, while Lake Street Dive’s studio recordings continue to earn widespread acclaim, it is on stage where the band truly comes alive. Over the years, the group has developed a reputation as one of the most engaging live acts in modern music. Fans often describe their concerts as equal parts celebration, community gathering, and musical masterclass.

That reputation has been earned through years of relentless touring and a commitment to creating meaningful experiences for audiences. Every performance is fueled by extraordinary musicianship, genuine camaraderie, and a clear appreciation for the people who have supported the band throughout its journey.

Unlike many acts that rely heavily on production spectacle, Lake Street Dive’s concerts are built around something far more enduring: authentic human connection. Audiences are not merely spectators; they become active participants in an evening defined by singing, dancing, laughter, and shared emotional experiences.

For New Jersey concertgoers, that sense of connection carries special significance. The Garden State has long served as one of America’s most passionate live music markets, producing legendary artists while supporting an extraordinary range of touring acts. From intimate club performances to major festival appearances, New Jersey audiences have consistently demonstrated a deep appreciation for musicians who bring authenticity and artistry to the stage.

Lake Street Dive embodies those qualities perfectly.

The addition of The Dip further elevates what is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer. Known for blending soul, rhythm and blues, and modern grooves into a distinctive and infectious sound, The Dip has developed a loyal following of its own through dynamic performances and exceptional songwriting.

Their ability to create vibrant, energetic atmospheres makes them an ideal opening act for a night centered around musical exploration and audience engagement. Together, the two bands promise an evening filled with rhythm, emotion, and unforgettable moments.

Beyond the music itself, this tour also reflects Lake Street Dive’s commitment to causes that extend beyond the stage. Through its partnership with PLUS1, the band is helping support organizations focused on civil liberties, voting rights, environmental protection, and disaster relief efforts. By directing a portion of every ticket sold toward meaningful community initiatives, the group continues to demonstrate that music can serve as a catalyst for positive change.

That commitment aligns naturally with many of the values that resonate strongly throughout New Jersey’s diverse communities. It reinforces the idea that concerts can be more than entertainment—they can also be opportunities to support broader efforts aimed at strengthening communities and improving lives.

As anticipation builds for August 1, it is increasingly clear that this event represents much more than a single performance. It is a celebration of artistry, community, and the enduring power of live music to bring people together during a time when genuine connection often feels increasingly rare.

Lake Street Dive has spent years building a devoted following by creating music that transcends genre boundaries while speaking directly to universal human experiences. Their songs encourage listeners to embrace joy, seek connection, and remain open to possibility. Their live performances transform those ideas into something tangible, creating spaces where strangers become part of a shared experience and where music serves as a common language understood by everyone in the room.

For New Jersey music fans searching for a concert that offers more than a night out, Lake Street Dive’s August appearance promises exactly that. It will be a night of exceptional musicianship, powerful songwriting, communal celebration, and the kind of memorable moments that remind us why live music remains one of our most treasured cultural experiences.

When the lights go down and the first notes ring out, audiences will not simply be watching a band perform. They will be participating in a collective celebration of joy, humanity, and togetherness—the very qualities that have made Lake Street Dive one of the most compelling live acts in music today.

Little Johnny Rivero & His Giants
2026-08-01 19:30 - 23:30 | The Back Deck at The Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road , NJ, Morristown, New Jersey, 07960, United States
Little Johnny Rivero & His Giants Bring the Spirit of Latin Jazz, Salsa, and Afro-Caribbean Rhythm to Back Deck 2026 at the Morris Museum

Summer concert series have become an essential part of New Jersey’s cultural identity, especially when they successfully blend world-class musicianship with intimate atmosphere, regional character, and a setting that feels genuinely connected to the audience experience. Over the past several years, the Back Deck concert series at the Morris Museum has evolved into exactly that kind of destination. What began as an innovative outdoor performance experiment during a difficult cultural period has transformed into one of the most respected and creatively ambitious live music series in the state. Now entering another major season in 2026, the series continues expanding its artistic reach with performances that move fluidly between classical music, jazz, global traditions, chamber ensembles, crossover experimentation, and genre-defying contemporary artists.

One of the most anticipated performances of the entire season arrives on Saturday, August 1, 2026, when legendary percussionist Little Johnny Rivero and His Giants headline the Back Deck with a special presentation titled Tribute to our Legends of Jazz & Latin Jazz. Scheduled for 7:30 PM at the Morris Museum’s celebrated outdoor performance space, the concert promises to deliver an electrifying fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythm, salsa energy, jazz improvisation, and deeply rooted musical tradition in one of New Jersey’s most unique live music environments.

For audiences familiar with Latin jazz history, Little Johnny Rivero represents far more than simply another accomplished percussionist appearing on a summer concert calendar. He is one of the living connective figures to an entire era of groundbreaking Latin music innovation that helped redefine jazz, salsa, and Afro-Caribbean fusion across generations. His career spans decades of collaboration with some of the most influential names in Latin music history, most notably his celebrated tenure with piano legend Eddie Palmieri, whose fearless fusion of jazz complexity and Afro-Caribbean rhythm transformed Latin jazz into one of the most adventurous musical forms of the twentieth century.

Rivero’s reputation has long been built on more than technical skill alone. Countless percussionists can play quickly. Very few can command rhythm with the authority, emotional intuition, and cultural depth that Rivero brings to the stage. His playing reflects generations of Afro-Caribbean musical lineage while remaining remarkably alive, contemporary, and improvisational. That combination is precisely what has allowed Latin jazz to endure for decades without becoming frozen as a museum piece or nostalgia act. At its best, the genre remains living music built on movement, spontaneity, communication, and collective energy.

That spirit should feel especially powerful within the Back Deck environment itself. Since launching in July 2020, the Morris Museum’s elevated outdoor concert series has steadily established itself as one of New Jersey’s most imaginative cultural venues. Located atop the museum’s parking structure and transformed into a sophisticated open-air performance setting, the Back Deck has now hosted more than seventy performances while welcoming over 11,000 attendees. What initially made the series stand out was its atmosphere. Rather than presenting audiences with rigid formal concert structures, the Back Deck encouraged a more relaxed but still deeply attentive listening experience built around elegant outdoor gatherings, picnics, sunset performances, and close artist-audience connection.

That atmosphere becomes especially meaningful for music built around rhythm and communal energy. Latin jazz has always thrived in spaces where audiences feel connected not just to performers, but to each other. The music depends on interaction. It breathes through conversation between instruments, spontaneous rhythmic dialogue, improvisation, call-and-response dynamics, and emotional momentum that expands outward from the stage into the crowd itself. Unlike some musical forms built primarily around stillness and restraint, Latin jazz invites physical reaction. Even audiences sitting quietly often feel the rhythm internally, pulled into the groove structure whether consciously or not.

Rivero’s performance is expected to channel exactly that kind of immersive experience. The evening’s Tribute to our Legends of Jazz & Latin Jazz concept positions the concert not simply as a standard live set, but as a celebration of the musicians, traditions, and cultural movements that shaped the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, and Latin improvisational music over the last century. That legacy stretches through countless foundational artists whose innovations permanently altered American music itself, influencing jazz, funk, soul, rock, hip-hop, and contemporary global fusion genres in ways many listeners may not even fully realize.

The roots of Latin jazz extend back to the powerful musical intersections between Cuban rhythm traditions and American jazz during the mid-twentieth century, particularly in New York City where immigrant communities, jazz musicians, and experimental composers collided creatively. The result was a revolutionary fusion that combined sophisticated jazz harmony and improvisation with polyrhythmic percussion structures rooted in Afro-Caribbean musical traditions. Artists like Tito Puente, Machito, Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, and countless others helped create a musical language that remains among the most rhythmically sophisticated forms of modern music.

Rivero emerged directly from that ecosystem, absorbing its traditions while helping carry them forward into new eras. His performances are known for explosive rhythmic energy balanced with disciplined musical communication, allowing percussion to function not merely as accompaniment, but as narrative force. Congas, timbales, hand percussion, syncopated accents, groove structures, and ensemble interplay become emotional storytelling devices as much as rhythmic foundations.

What makes Rivero particularly compelling as a performer is his ability to bridge generations of listeners simultaneously. Longtime Latin jazz fans recognize the authenticity and historical depth of his musicianship. Younger audiences increasingly drawn toward global rhythm traditions, jazz fusion, and groove-centered live music often discover how modern and contemporary these sounds still feel. The rhythmic sophistication of Latin jazz has aged remarkably well precisely because it was never built around trend cycles. The music is fundamentally physical, emotional, and communal.

The Back Deck setting should further amplify that emotional accessibility. One reason the series has become such an important part of New Jersey’s arts landscape is because it successfully eliminates much of the stiffness that can sometimes discourage newer audiences from engaging with jazz, chamber music, or global music traditions. Patrons arrive early, often beginning their evenings around 6:30 PM to enjoy wine, small picnics, and social gathering before performances begin. Guests bring chairs, refreshments, and their own sense of relaxed participation, transforming the concert into a complete summer evening experience rather than a narrowly structured performance event.

That communal atmosphere aligns naturally with the emotional core of Latin jazz itself. Salsa, rumba, mambo, Afro-Cuban jazz, and related traditions were never designed purely as intellectual exercises. They are deeply social forms of music rooted in gathering, movement, release, storytelling, improvisation, and emotional exchange. Rivero’s appearance at the Back Deck therefore feels less like a standard booking and more like a perfect cultural fit between artist and venue identity.

Importantly, the concert also continues the Morris Museum’s larger commitment to presenting stylistically diverse programming that reflects the breadth of contemporary cultural life in New Jersey itself. The state has long served as a crossroads for immigrant communities, global musical traditions, and multicultural artistic exchange. Latin music in particular has become inseparable from New Jersey’s cultural fabric across generations, influencing local club scenes, festivals, dance culture, jazz education, and regional performance circuits throughout the state.

The broader Back Deck 2026 season reflects that same diversity. From chamber ensembles and crossover classical artists to jazz vocalists, experimental global fusion performers, orchestral presentations, and genre-blending collaborations, the series increasingly resembles a curated snapshot of modern musical pluralism rather than a narrowly defined concert schedule. Rivero’s performance stands out not only because of his legendary status, but because it embodies the series’ willingness to embrace rhythm-driven music traditions with the same seriousness and artistic respect often reserved for more traditionally institutional concert forms.

The logistical structure surrounding the event remains consistent with the overall Back Deck experience. Tickets are sold in designated outdoor blocks accommodating either one or two attendees, allowing audiences to create personalized viewing spaces throughout the elevated concert environment. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early, settle into the atmosphere, and experience the performance as part of a full evening rather than a rushed entertainment stop. In the event of inclement weather, performances shift indoors to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre, preserving the event regardless of conditions.

Support for the Back Deck series itself also reflects the increasing recognition of its importance within New Jersey’s arts ecosystem. Leadership support continues through the Lot of Strings Concert Series along with contributions from longtime arts patrons and regional business partners including Gary’s Wine & Marketplace and the Morris County Tourism Bureau. That combination of cultural investment, tourism partnership, and community engagement demonstrates how seriously the series has become integrated into the state’s broader arts identity.

By the time Little Johnny Rivero and His Giants take the stage on August 1, the Back Deck season will already have delivered weeks of acclaimed performances across genres and traditions. Yet Rivero’s appearance may ultimately become one of the most emotionally charged and physically exhilarating evenings of the entire summer. Latin jazz, at its highest level, creates a uniquely immersive live experience because it collapses the distance between technical virtuosity and emotional immediacy. Audiences do not need academic understanding to feel its power. The rhythm itself communicates directly.

That is precisely why artists like Rivero continue to matter so profoundly within live music culture. They preserve tradition without treating it as static. They honor musical history while still performing with urgency, vitality, and improvisational life. And in an era where so much modern entertainment feels increasingly digital, isolated, and fragmented, performances built around live rhythm, collective energy, and shared physical experience feel more valuable than ever.

On a warm August evening atop the Morris Museum’s celebrated outdoor stage, surrounded by summer air, conversation, movement, and world-class musicianship, Little Johnny Rivero & His Giants are poised to deliver exactly the kind of unforgettable live music experience that continues making the Back Deck one of New Jersey’s most important and distinctive cultural destinations.

Gary U.S. Bonds & The Houserockers
2026-08-03 19:00 - 23:30 | Atlantic City at Kennedy Plaza, 2300-, 2498 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, United States
Gary U.S. Bonds and Anthony Krizan Bring Rock and Roll History to Atlantic City as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk Continues Its Summer Celebration

The Jersey Shore has always understood the power of live music. Long before streaming services and social media transformed how audiences discover artists, New Jersey’s beaches, boardwalks, clubs, and concert venues served as gathering places where generations came together through the shared experience of great songs performed live. That tradition remains stronger than ever in 2026, and nowhere is it more visible than along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, where Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues another remarkable season of free summer entertainment.

On August 3, the popular Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series welcomes two artists whose careers represent decades of musical excellence, influence, and authenticity. Headlining the evening is legendary rock and roll pioneer Gary U.S. Bonds alongside The Houserockers, joined by acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Anthony Krizan for a night that promises to celebrate the enduring spirit of American rock and roll.

Few artists can claim a career that spans seven decades while remaining relevant to multiple generations of listeners. Gary U.S. Bonds is one of those rare performers whose music helped shape the foundation of rock and roll itself. Long before many contemporary stars were born, Bonds was creating records that became staples of American popular music and defining the sound of an era that transformed the cultural landscape forever.

Songs such as “Quarter to Three,” “New Orleans,” and “This Little Girl” remain essential chapters in the story of rock and roll. Their influence can still be heard today in countless artists who followed in Bonds’ footsteps. His powerful voice, unmistakable energy, and ability to connect rhythm and blues with mainstream rock audiences helped establish him as one of the most important performers of his generation.

What makes Gary U.S. Bonds particularly significant to New Jersey audiences is his deep connection to some of the state’s most celebrated musical figures. Throughout his career, Bonds has maintained close ties to the Jersey Shore music scene and has enjoyed a long creative relationship with artists who helped define New Jersey’s reputation as one of America’s premier music destinations.

Perhaps no relationship is more notable than his connection to Bruce Springsteen. During the 1980s, Bonds experienced a major career resurgence thanks in part to collaborations with Springsteen and members of the E Street Band. That partnership introduced his music to a new generation while reaffirming his status as one of rock’s true originals.

Yet Bonds’ story extends far beyond any single collaboration. His career stretches back to the earliest days of rock and roll, linking the genre’s formative years to the present day. Few performers have witnessed the evolution of American popular music from the front row quite like Gary U.S. Bonds, and even fewer continue to command stages with the same enthusiasm and authenticity that made them stars in the first place.

Audiences attending the August 3 performance can expect far more than a nostalgic trip through the past. Bonds remains an energetic live performer whose concerts celebrate the timeless qualities that make great music endure. His performances continue to combine rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, and storytelling into a dynamic experience that resonates with longtime fans and first-time listeners alike.

Adding even more firepower to the evening is Anthony Krizan, one of New Jersey’s most respected musicians and guitarists. Krizan’s career represents another fascinating chapter in the state’s rich musical history, combining technical mastery with a lifelong commitment to creative exploration.

Many music fans know Krizan through his work with the Spin Doctors, one of the defining alternative rock bands of the 1990s. However, his musical journey extends well beyond that association. Over the years, he has developed a reputation as a versatile performer, songwriter, producer, and collaborator capable of moving effortlessly between rock, blues, soul, and roots music.

His resume includes collaborations and recording sessions with legendary musicians from across the rock spectrum, including work connected to Noel Redding, the celebrated bassist who helped create some of the most influential recordings in rock history as a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Those experiences helped shape Krizan’s unique musical voice while reinforcing his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists to emerge from the New Jersey music scene.

Krizan’s live performances have become known for their musicianship, spontaneity, and emotional depth. Whether delivering soaring guitar solos, blues-infused grooves, or heartfelt songwriting, he brings a level of artistry that appeals to audiences across generations.

Together, Gary U.S. Bonds and Anthony Krizan create a lineup that perfectly reflects the mission of Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk. The series has become one of Atlantic City’s most successful cultural traditions by presenting artists who represent both the history and future of American music.

The free concert series continues to attract visitors from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond, transforming the Atlantic City Boardwalk into a vibrant gathering place where music serves as the common language connecting audiences of all backgrounds.

For Atlantic City, events like these play an important role in reinforcing the city’s identity as an entertainment destination. While the city is often associated with gaming and tourism, its musical legacy remains equally important. From jazz and rhythm and blues to rock, soul, and contemporary music, Atlantic City has long welcomed performers whose work reflects the diverse sounds of America.

The Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series builds upon that tradition by offering free access to world-class performances in a setting unlike any other. With the Atlantic Ocean serving as a backdrop and the energy of summer surrounding every performance, these concerts deliver experiences that extend beyond the music itself.

As New Jersey continues to strengthen its position as a destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, events like Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk demonstrate how live music remains one of the state’s most powerful cultural assets. They bring communities together, support tourism, celebrate artistic achievement, and create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.

On August 3, those traditions continue when Gary U.S. Bonds and Anthony Krizan take the stage in Atlantic City. It will be a night that connects the earliest days of rock and roll to the present, celebrating artists whose contributions continue to inspire audiences decades after their first recordings reached listeners.

For music fans, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience the best of a New Jersey summer evening, this concert represents a rare opportunity to witness living legends performing in one of the state’s most iconic settings. As the sun sets over the Atlantic and the first notes echo across the Boardwalk, audiences will be reminded once again why live music remains one of the most enduring and cherished traditions of the Jersey Shore.

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
2026-08-05 19:00 - 23:30 | Atlantic City at Kennedy Plaza, 2300-, 2498 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, United States
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience Bring Grammy-Winning Louisiana Energy to Atlantic City’s Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

The heartbeat of Louisiana is making its way to the Jersey Shore this summer as two-time Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience headline one of the most anticipated nights of Atlantic City’s Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series. Scheduled for August 5 at Kennedy Plaza, directly outside the historic Boardwalk Hall, the performance promises to transform the Atlantic City Boardwalk into a vibrant celebration of Creole culture, world music, dance, and community spirit.

As one of the most acclaimed ambassadors of zydeco music in the world, Terrance Simien has spent decades carrying the sounds of Southwest Louisiana far beyond their regional roots. His appearance in Atlantic City represents much more than a concert. It is a cultural event that connects the traditions of Louisiana’s Creole heritage with the rich musical landscape of New Jersey’s shoreline communities, creating an evening that reflects the very spirit upon which Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk was founded.

Now in the midst of another successful summer season, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has established itself as one of New Jersey’s premier free concert experiences. Running every Wednesday evening from late June through early September, the 11-week series draws thousands of music fans to Atlantic City’s iconic oceanfront for performances spanning rock, blues, soul, funk, Americana, roots music, and the vibrant sounds of New Orleans.

The series has become a hallmark of summer entertainment at the Shore, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience nationally recognized performers in a festive, family-friendly setting without the barrier of admission costs. Each week brings a different musical flavor, but few artists embody the New Orleans and Louisiana spirit more completely than Terrance Simien.

For more than four decades, Simien has been one of the leading figures responsible for introducing zydeco music to international audiences. While the genre originated in the Creole communities of Louisiana, its infectious rhythms, driving accordion melodies, and irresistible dance grooves have earned fans around the globe. Simien has played a central role in that expansion, performing thousands of concerts across multiple continents while helping preserve and celebrate one of America’s most unique musical traditions.

His reputation extends well beyond the zydeco community. Simien’s work has earned widespread critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and recognition from cultural institutions dedicated to preserving traditional American music. His career has been defined by a commitment to authenticity while simultaneously bringing the genre into new spaces and introducing it to audiences who may never have encountered it before.

Many younger fans may recognize his music through another cultural touchstone. Simien’s contributions to Disney’s beloved animated film “The Princess and the Frog” helped introduce the sounds of Louisiana to a new generation, further cementing his role as a global ambassador for Creole music and culture. That connection continues to resonate with audiences, making his performances appealing to longtime zydeco enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

What separates Terrance Simien from many performers is his ability to turn every appearance into an immersive experience. His concerts are not passive listening events. They are celebrations. The music invites movement, participation, and connection. Audiences often find themselves dancing from the opening notes, swept into the joyous energy that defines zydeco and Louisiana culture.

That dynamic makes him an ideal fit for Atlantic City’s Boardwalk setting.

Kennedy Plaza has become one of New Jersey’s most exciting outdoor music destinations during the summer months. Positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the historic architecture of Boardwalk Hall, the venue creates an atmosphere unlike any traditional concert hall. The combination of ocean breezes, summer crowds, and world-class live music transforms each Wednesday evening into a communal celebration.

On August 5, that celebration will take on an unmistakably Louisiana flavor.

The performance will highlight the core elements that have made zydeco one of America’s most enduring musical traditions. Accordion-driven melodies, rhythmic washboard percussion, blues influences, R&B grooves, and infectious dance rhythms will combine to create a sound that feels simultaneously historic and contemporary. While deeply rooted in tradition, Simien’s music remains fresh, energetic, and accessible to audiences of all backgrounds.

His band, The Zydeco Experience, further elevates the performance. Known for exceptional musicianship and powerful stage presence, the group delivers a polished yet deeply authentic presentation that honors the music’s origins while embracing modern influences. Together, they create an atmosphere that captures the spirit of Louisiana’s dance halls, festivals, and cultural gatherings.

The August 5 concert also reflects the broader vision behind Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk.

Produced by Tony Mart Presents and longtime entertainment promoter Carmen Marotta, the series pays tribute to the musical heritage of New Orleans while celebrating the diversity of American roots music. The name itself carries historical significance, tracing its origins to the legendary Tony Mart nightclub in Somers Point, a venue that played an important role in South Jersey’s entertainment history for decades.

Today, Tony Mart Presents continues that legacy through large-scale public concert events that connect communities through music. The organization’s commitment to presenting both legendary performers and emerging talent has helped establish the series as a cultural cornerstone of the South Jersey summer calendar.

For Atlantic City, the concert series serves as another reminder of the city’s enduring role as a destination for live entertainment. While known internationally for its casinos, beaches, and Boardwalk attractions, Atlantic City has also maintained a rich musical legacy that spans generations. Events like Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk reinforce that identity while introducing new audiences to the city’s cultural offerings.

The August 5 performance arrives at a particularly exciting point in the season. As summer reaches its peak, attendance and energy levels throughout the series continue to build. Visitors from across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond are expected to gather at Kennedy Plaza for an evening that celebrates both Louisiana culture and the communal power of live music.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the event is its accessibility. At a time when concert ticket prices continue to rise nationwide, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk remains entirely free. That commitment ensures that world-class entertainment remains available to everyone, regardless of age or financial circumstances. Families, tourists, music enthusiasts, and curious first-time listeners can all experience an artist of Terrance Simien’s caliber without cost.

As the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean on August 5, the sounds of accordion, rhythm, and Creole soul will fill the Boardwalk air. Thousands of people will gather to dance, celebrate, and share an evening rooted in one of America’s most vibrant musical traditions.

For Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, it will be another opportunity to share the culture they have spent decades championing. For Atlantic City, it will be another unforgettable chapter in a summer filled with extraordinary performances. And for audiences fortunate enough to be there, it will be a chance to experience the joy, energy, and cultural richness that only zydeco music can deliver.

On a Boardwalk known for creating lasting summer memories, August 5 is shaping up to be one of the season’s most memorable nights, a celebration where Louisiana meets New Jersey and where music once again proves its ability to bring people together.

Vandenberg: My Whitesnake Years
2026-08-05 20:00 - 22:30 | The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St, , NJ, Newton, NJ, 07860, United States
Vandenberg: My Whitesnake Years Tour Arrives in New Jersey for a Rare, High-Voltage Night of Classic Rock Mastery

New Jersey’s live music calendar continues to assert itself as one of the most dynamic in the country, and this summer adds another major highlight as Adrian Vandenberg brings his “My Whitesnake Years Tour” to the region for a highly anticipated performance on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Designed as an immersive, career-spanning experience, this all-ages event is far more than a standard concert—it is a curated journey through one of rock’s most defining eras, delivered by the musicians who helped shape it.

Anchored by Adrian Vandenberg himself, the evening assembles an elite lineup featuring Marco Mendoza and Vinnie Moore, creating a rare convergence of talent that collectively touches the legacies of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Ted Nugent, and beyond. For New Jersey audiences—long recognized for their deep appreciation of guitar-driven rock—this show represents a direct connection to the genre’s golden years, brought forward with precision, authenticity, and contemporary energy.

This event lands squarely within the evolving ecosystem highlighted across the Explore New Jersey Music platform, where legacy acts, touring icons, and emerging performers all converge to reinforce the state’s role as a premier destination for live performance. From historic theaters to modern venues and festival stages, New Jersey’s music infrastructure continues to attract artists with global pedigrees, and Vandenberg’s return underscores that ongoing momentum.

Adrian Vandenberg’s trajectory through rock history is both distinctive and influential. Emerging in the early 1980s with his self-titled band Vandenberg, he quickly established himself as a guitarist with both melodic sensibility and technical authority. The band’s early success, marked by Top 40 hits like “Burning Heart” and “Friday Night,” positioned him for a pivotal transition when David Coverdale recruited him into Whitesnake. What followed was a defining chapter not just for Vandenberg, but for the sound of arena rock itself.

His contribution to Whitesnake extended far beyond performance. Vandenberg delivered the iconic guitar solo on “Here I Go Again,” one of the most enduring tracks of its era, and became a key co-writer during a period that saw the band expand its global reach. His work on releases such as Slip of the Tongue and Restless Heart, along with his presence on live and acoustic recordings including Starkers Live in Tokyo and Live at Donington, cemented his role as a central creative force within the band’s most commercially impactful years. These recordings remain foundational listening for fans of the genre, and this tour revisits that catalog with a level of authenticity that only the original architect can deliver.

Beyond Whitesnake, Vandenberg’s career reflects sustained artistic output and reinvention. His solo catalog spans eight releases, while his work with Vandenberg’s Moonkings introduced a revitalized blues-rock edge that resonated with both longtime fans and new listeners. His recent touring activity—including a co-headlining run with Geoff Tate’s “Operation: Mindcrime” tour and appearances on the Monsters of Rock Cruise—demonstrates not only longevity but continued relevance in a competitive live music landscape.

Joining him on this tour is Marco Mendoza, a bassist and vocalist whose résumé reads like a blueprint of modern hard rock and classic metal collaboration. With more than two decades tied to Thin Lizzy, along with extended tenures in Whitesnake and Ted Nugent’s band, Mendoza brings both technical command and stage presence that elevates every performance. His role in co-founding The Dead Daisies further showcases his ability to bridge legacy and contemporary rock, while his current position as bassist and lead vocalist in the Satch/Vai Band places him at the intersection of virtuosity and innovation.

Completing the lineup is Vinnie Moore, widely regarded as one of the most technically accomplished guitarists of his generation. His 21-year tenure with UFO produced a significant body of work that continues to influence modern rock guitarists, while his solo career—spanning ten albums—demonstrates a level of precision and compositional depth that sets him apart. Moore’s collaborations with artists such as Alice Cooper and Vicious Rumors further reinforce his standing as a player capable of navigating both mainstream and technically demanding musical environments.

Together, this lineup transforms the concert into something more expansive than a retrospective. It becomes a live interpretation of interconnected legacies—where Whitesnake’s arena anthems intersect with Thin Lizzy’s melodic storytelling, UFO’s hard rock foundation, and the broader lineage of guitar-driven music that continues to evolve today. The setlist is expected to draw heavily from these catalogs, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience these songs performed by the very musicians who helped define them.

For New Jersey, a state with a deeply rooted music culture and an audience that consistently shows up for both heritage acts and cutting-edge performers, this event reinforces its position as a key stop on major tours. The region’s proximity to major metropolitan markets, combined with its own rich venue network, allows for performances that feel both intimate and significant—an ideal setting for a show built on legacy and musicianship.

As the summer concert season builds across the state, Vandenberg: My Whitesnake Years stands out as a definitive highlight for rock audiences. It is an evening constructed with intention—bringing together artists whose collective contributions have shaped decades of music, and presenting them in a format that prioritizes both authenticity and performance excellence.

For fans of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, UFO, and the broader spectrum of classic and hard rock, this is not simply another tour date. It is a rare alignment of history, talent, and live execution, delivered in a setting that continues to prove why New Jersey remains one of the most important live music markets in the country.

SNACKTIME and Ron Santee
2026-08-06 19:00 - 23:30 | Bradley Beach, 1108 Ocean Ave, Bradley Beach, New Jersey, 07720, United States
Brass, Soul, Community, and the Jersey Shore: SNACKTIME and Ron Santee Bring a Powerful Summer Soundtrack to Bradley Beach

Summer along the Jersey Shore has always been about more than sunshine and ocean breezes. It is about gathering. It is about community. It is about discovering the artists, musicians, and creative voices that help define New Jersey’s cultural identity. For more than two decades, one of the state’s most enduring summer traditions has embraced all three of those ideals through a simple but powerful concept: free live music directly on the beach.

Since 2005, Brookdale Public Radio’s 90.5 The Night has transformed Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach into one of New Jersey’s most unique outdoor music destinations through its annual Songwriters on the Beach concert series. The program has become a cornerstone of the Shore’s summer entertainment calendar, bringing together nationally recognized artists, emerging performers, and dedicated music fans for evenings that celebrate original songwriting, independent music, and the shared experience of live performance.

That tradition continues on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when Philadelphia’s explosive soul-funk collective SNACKTIME joins New Jersey singer-songwriter and producer Ron Santee for another memorable installment of the free weekly concert series.

At first glance, the pairing may seem unexpected. One act arrives with a horn section, dance-floor energy, and festival-sized ambitions. The other brings deeply personal songwriting, roots-driven musicianship, and a creative life shaped by the forests and back roads of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Yet together they embody exactly what has made Songwriters on the Beach successful for more than twenty years. Both artists represent authenticity. Both are deeply connected to their communities. Both have built audiences through hard work rather than hype. And both remind audiences that some of the most compelling music being created today continues to emerge from independent artists operating outside the traditional industry machine.

For SNACKTIME, the journey to Bradley Beach represents another stop in what has become one of the most remarkable grassroots success stories in modern independent music.

The Philadelphia-based collective did not emerge from major-label development meetings or social media marketing campaigns. Their story began organically during the uncertainty of the pandemic, when a group of musicians started performing free pop-up concerts in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. What began as a simple effort to create joy during a difficult period quickly grew into something much larger.

Word spread. Crowds gathered. Videos circulated online. The energy became impossible to ignore.

Today, SNACKTIME has evolved into one of the most exciting live acts on the East Coast. Their reputation is built on a singular ability to transform virtually any environment into a celebration. Whether performing at a festival, a club, a public park, or a beachside concert series, the band brings the same level of intensity, joy, and musical firepower.

The group’s sound is difficult to categorize because it deliberately ignores traditional genre boundaries. At its core, SNACKTIME blends classic soul, funk, hip-hop, rock-and-roll, jazz influences, and contemporary grooves into a style that feels simultaneously familiar and completely fresh. Massive horn arrangements collide with infectious rhythms. Powerful vocal performances weave through intricate instrumental passages. Hip-hop sensibilities meet old-school soul traditions. Every element contributes to an experience designed to move both body and spirit.

Tracks such as “Together” have helped define the band’s growing catalog, capturing the collective energy and optimism that have become central to their identity. Their recordings are engaging, but it is on stage where SNACKTIME truly distinguishes itself.

The band’s live performances have become legendary among fans throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Audiences rarely remain stationary. Dancing becomes inevitable. Participation becomes unavoidable. What separates SNACKTIME from many contemporary acts is their ability to create an atmosphere that feels communal rather than performative. The barrier between artist and audience often disappears entirely.

That dynamic has earned them opportunities far beyond their Philadelphia beginnings. Their growing reputation led to major festival appearances and high-profile touring opportunities, including sharing stages with internationally recognized artists such as Portugal. The Man. Yet despite that success, SNACKTIME has retained the grassroots spirit that first attracted audiences in Rittenhouse Square.

The band continues to emphasize connection, community, and accessibility as core components of its identity. Those values align perfectly with the mission behind Songwriters on the Beach.

Sharing the bill is an artist whose creative journey reflects a very different, yet equally compelling, vision of independent music.

Ron Santee has quietly become one of New Jersey’s most intriguing multi-hyphenate creative figures. Musician, songwriter, producer, engineer, broadcaster, and studio owner, Santee has built a career defined by artistic independence and unwavering commitment to authentic expression.

Operating from Desert Dog Studios in Browns Mills, deep within the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Santee occupies a unique place in the state’s musical landscape. While many artists relocate to major urban centers in pursuit of opportunities, he has built a creative ecosystem rooted directly within one of New Jersey’s most distinctive natural regions.

That environment influences his work in meaningful ways. The Pine Barrens possess a mythology and atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the state. Their isolation, beauty, mystery, and rugged character often seem reflected in Santee’s songwriting and production style.

Musically, Santee resists easy categorization. His work moves fluidly between garage rock, soul, folk, Americana, roots music, and country influences. Rather than adhering to a single genre, he follows the emotional requirements of the song itself. The result is a catalog that feels both eclectic and cohesive.

His recent single, “Feral Love,” exemplifies that approach. The track combines raw emotional storytelling with earthy musicianship, creating a listening experience that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive. Like much of Santee’s work, the song embraces imperfection and humanity rather than polished commercial formulas.

Beyond his own music, Santee has become an important supporter of New Jersey’s independent music community through his work as a producer and engineer. Desert Dog Studios has served as a creative home for numerous regional artists seeking an environment that prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial trends.

His influence extends further through broadcasting. As host of The Sonic Boom on Radio Garden State, Santee regularly spotlights independent musicians, underground artists, and emerging voices that might otherwise struggle to find exposure. The program has developed a loyal following among listeners who appreciate its commitment to authentic, uncompromising music.

That dedication to community-building mirrors many of the same values that have fueled Songwriters on the Beach since its inception.

Together, SNACKTIME and Ron Santee create a lineup that showcases the remarkable diversity currently thriving throughout the regional music scene. One artist represents explosive collective energy and large-scale musical celebration. The other embodies introspection, craftsmanship, and the enduring power of independent creativity. Both approaches are essential. Both deserve audiences. Both contribute to the vibrant cultural ecosystem that makes New Jersey such an important music state.

The setting itself amplifies the significance of the evening.

Few concert experiences can rival watching live music unfold against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. As daylight fades and the sound of waves mingles with amplifiers and applause, Newark Avenue Beach becomes something far more than a concert venue. It becomes a gathering place. Families spread blankets across the sand. Friends reconnect. New listeners discover artists for the first time. Longtime music fans experience familiar sounds in a completely different environment.

These moments have become increasingly valuable in an era dominated by screens, algorithms, and digital experiences. Live music remains one of the few cultural activities capable of bringing strangers together around a shared emotional experience. Songwriters on the Beach has spent more than twenty years proving that those experiences remain as important as ever.

As August arrives and another summer evening settles over Bradley Beach, audiences will once again have the opportunity to experience something uniquely New Jersey. They will witness a nationally recognized Philadelphia collective whose rise has been powered by community, authenticity, and pure musical energy. They will discover a Pine Barrens artist whose work reflects the depth and diversity of the Garden State’s independent music culture. And they will do so free of charge, surrounded by neighbors, visitors, and fellow music lovers gathered on the sand.

That combination of accessibility, artistry, and community is precisely why Songwriters on the Beach continues to thrive after more than two decades. It is not simply a concert series. It is a celebration of what live music can still accomplish when artists and audiences come together in a place designed for connection.

On August 13, SNACKTIME and Ron Santee will provide the soundtrack. Bradley Beach will provide the setting. And for one summer evening, the Jersey Shore will once again remind everyone why live music remains one of the most powerful forms of community we have.hare the same stage, creating a performance that promises to be among the season’s most memorable highlights.

Wildwood’s Music in the Plaza Concert Series Presents: Legacy
2026-08-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave, Wildwood, New Jersey, 08260, United States
Wildwood’s Music in the Plaza Concert Series Returns for Another Summer of Free Live Entertainment, Community Gathering, and Jersey Shore Tradition

The full 2026 Downtown Wildwood Music in the Plaza lineup features 11 different bands performing free weekly outdoor concerts. The performances take place every Thursday night from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Byrne Plaza:

June 18: The Roundhouse Band (Season Kick-Off)

June 25: Chicago 9

July 2: The Juliano Brothers

July 9: The Beat Tells

July 16: Wrong Way Band

July 23: Jamison

July 30: Animal House Band

August 6: Legacy

August 13: Winslow

August 20: 99 Reasons

August 27: The Chatterband

Every summer, communities along the Jersey Shore search for ways to bring residents and visitors together beyond the beach, the boardwalk, and the attractions that have made the region famous for generations. In Wildwood, one of the most successful examples of that community spirit continues to thrive through the Music in the Plaza Concert Series, a free outdoor entertainment tradition that transforms Downtown Wildwood into one of South Jersey’s most vibrant weekly gathering places. Returning for the summer of 2026, the beloved concert series once again promises an entire season of live music, dancing, family-friendly entertainment, and community celebration in the heart of one of New Jersey’s most recognizable shore destinations.

Held at Byrne Plaza, the open-air downtown venue located at 3400 Pacific Avenue, the Music in the Plaza Concert Series has evolved into far more than a weekly concert schedule. It has become a cornerstone of Wildwood’s summer identity, attracting families, seasonal visitors, local residents, and music lovers who gather each Thursday evening to enjoy free performances under the open sky. Against the backdrop of the city’s energetic downtown district, the series offers an experience that captures everything people love about a Jersey Shore summer: live music, warm evenings, community interaction, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Running every Thursday evening from mid-June through late August, the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m., creating a perfect evening destination after a day spent on the beach or exploring Wildwood’s famous attractions. Unlike many ticketed summer events, the Music in the Plaza Concert Series remains completely free, making it one of the most accessible entertainment offerings along the New Jersey coastline.

The atmosphere at Byrne Plaza reflects the unique character of Downtown Wildwood itself. Concertgoers arrive early carrying lawn chairs, beach blankets, coolers, and picnic baskets as they claim their favorite spots on the plaza lawn. Families spread out together while groups of friends gather to enjoy an evening of music and conversation. Children dance near the stage while longtime visitors reconnect with neighbors and fellow summer regulars. The result is an environment that feels equal parts concert, neighborhood gathering, and summer celebration.

One of the strengths of the Music in the Plaza Concert Series has always been its ability to present a wide variety of musical styles that appeal to multiple generations. Rather than focusing on a single genre, organizers have assembled a schedule that reflects the diverse tastes of the Wildwood audience, blending classic rock, pop favorites, country influences, dance music, oldies, and tribute performances throughout the season.

The 2026 schedule begins on June 18 with The Roundhouse Band, which will officially launch the summer season. Known for energetic performances and crowd-friendly song selections, the group is expected to deliver a high-energy opening night that sets the tone for the weeks ahead.

On June 25, Chicago 9 takes the stage, bringing audiences a celebration of the iconic sound associated with one of America’s most enduring rock bands. Their horn-driven arrangements and faithful interpretations of classic hits make them a favorite among audiences seeking a nostalgic musical experience.

July begins with The Juliano Brothers on July 2, bringing a blend of crowd favorites and danceable classics that have earned them a loyal regional following. Their performance arrives just ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend, adding another layer of excitement to one of the busiest periods of the summer season.

On July 9, The Beat Tells will transport audiences back to the golden age of British rock and pop, delivering a tribute experience inspired by one of the most influential bands in music history. Their attention to musical detail and authentic presentation has made them a popular attraction throughout the region.

Basic Cable follows on July 16, offering a diverse setlist that spans decades of popular music. Their versatility allows them to connect with audiences of all ages, creating the kind of shared experience that has become a hallmark of the Byrne Plaza concerts.

Jamison takes the stage on July 23, continuing the summer momentum with an energetic performance designed to keep the crowd engaged from start to finish. As midsummer reaches its peak, the concert series traditionally attracts some of its largest audiences, and this performance is expected to continue that trend.

July concludes with the Animal House Band on July 30. Known throughout the region for their lively stage presence and audience interaction, the group has built a reputation for transforming concerts into full-scale dance parties, making them a perfect fit for Wildwood’s festive summer atmosphere.

August begins with Legacy on August 6, bringing a polished performance style and a broad musical repertoire that appeals to both longtime music fans and younger audiences. Their appearance helps maintain the series’ momentum as the summer season enters its final stretch.

Winslow follows on August 13, delivering a performance rooted in classic American songwriting and timeless musical influences. Their appearance adds another dimension to a lineup that consistently emphasizes musical variety and broad audience appeal.

On August 20, 99 Reasons takes over Byrne Plaza with a dynamic performance expected to blend popular hits, dance favorites, and crowd-pleasing energy. By this point in the season, the concerts have become a weekly tradition for many attendees, and the August performances often draw some of the most enthusiastic crowds of the summer.

The series concludes on August 27 with The Chatterband, providing a fitting finale to another successful season of free entertainment in Downtown Wildwood. Their performance will serve as both a celebration of the summer that was and a reminder of the community connections that have made the concert series such an enduring success.

Beyond the music itself, the Music in the Plaza Concert Series plays an important role in supporting Downtown Wildwood’s local businesses. Restaurants, ice cream parlors, cafes, and shops throughout the surrounding district benefit from the steady flow of visitors who arrive early to dine, browse, and explore before the evening performances begin. Many attendees make a full night of the experience, combining dinner, shopping, and live entertainment into a single downtown outing.

The concerts also complement a broader schedule of activities hosted at Byrne Plaza throughout the summer months. Fitness in the Plaza programs provide weekday morning wellness opportunities for residents and visitors alike, while Family Movie Nights transform the venue into an outdoor cinema each Tuesday evening. Together, these events have helped establish Byrne Plaza as one of the most active and versatile public gathering spaces anywhere along the Jersey Shore.

As New Jersey continues to celebrate the unique communities that define its coastline, the Music in the Plaza Concert Series stands as a powerful example of how free public programming can strengthen local culture, support small businesses, and create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike. In a region known for its entertainment options, Wildwood has succeeded in creating something refreshingly simple yet remarkably effective: a weekly gathering centered around great music, shared experiences, and community connection.

For families planning summer vacations, day-trippers exploring the Shore, and longtime Wildwood visitors searching for another reason to return downtown after sunset, the Music in the Plaza Concert Series offers exactly what summer in New Jersey should be. It is welcoming, accessible, energetic, and deeply connected to the spirit of the community that hosts it. As the 2026 season prepares to begin, Byrne Plaza is once again ready to become the soundtrack of summer in Wildwood, one Thursday night at a time.

Lance Bryant and SHOUT!
2026-08-06 19:30 - 23:30 | The Back Deck at The Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road , NJ, Morristown, New Jersey, 07960, United States
Lance Bryant and SHOUT! Bring the Spirit of Classic Soul, Funk, and R&B to the Morris Museum’s Back Deck 2026 Concert Series

New Jersey’s summer concert calendar has become increasingly crowded over the last decade, but very few series have managed to establish a genuine identity beyond simply booking talented artists outdoors. What separates the truly memorable concert experiences from routine seasonal entertainment is atmosphere, curation, setting, and emotional connection. Audiences want more than background music while sitting outside with a drink. They want performances that feel immersive, communal, celebratory, and deeply alive. That exact formula has helped transform the Morris Museum’s acclaimed Back Deck concert series into one of the most respected and culturally distinctive live music destinations anywhere in the region.

Now entering another ambitious season in 2026, the Back Deck continues its evolution as a genre-spanning showcase for world-class musicianship presented in one of New Jersey’s most unique outdoor venues. Perched atop the Morris Museum’s elevated parking structure, the series has steadily built a reputation for combining sophisticated artistic programming with relaxed summer-night atmosphere, elegant tailgating culture, and close artist-audience intimacy rarely possible in larger venues. Over the years, the series has welcomed chamber ensembles, jazz innovators, crossover performers, orchestral musicians, vocalists, and internationally recognized artists while maintaining an environment that feels welcoming rather than formal or inaccessible.

One of the most energetic and crowd-pleasing performances of the 2026 season is expected to arrive when Lance Bryant and SHOUT! take the stage for an explosive evening celebrating the timeless legacy of soul, funk, rhythm and blues, and classic dance music. Their appearance at the Morris Museum’s Back Deck continues the series’ commitment to programming artists capable of transforming an outdoor concert into a full-scale communal experience built around rhythm, emotional release, nostalgia, musicianship, and audience participation.

The performance also reflects something larger happening throughout New Jersey’s live music landscape right now. Audiences increasingly crave authenticity and musicianship in an era where so much entertainment feels hyper-digitized, algorithm-driven, and emotionally disconnected. Soul and R&B traditions continue thriving because they remain rooted in direct emotional communication. These songs were built around melody, groove, storytelling, tension, release, vulnerability, joy, heartbreak, resilience, and celebration. When performed properly by experienced live musicians, the music still carries enormous emotional force regardless of generation.

That emotional immediacy has become central to Lance Bryant’s reputation as a performer. Bryant’s stage presence is grounded in the traditions of classic soul entertainers who understood that a concert should feel less like passive observation and more like collective experience. The best soul performances have always functioned as emotional exchanges between artists and audiences, fueled by rhythm sections, vocal power, call-and-response energy, improvisation, and the kind of undeniable groove that physically transforms the atmosphere of a room — or in this case, an open-air rooftop concert venue beneath a New Jersey summer sky.

SHOUT! is expected to bring exactly that energy to the Back Deck stage. The group’s reputation has been built around dynamic live performance rooted in the great traditions of American soul music while remaining contemporary enough to resonate with audiences far beyond nostalgia circuits. Their shows blend classic R&B structures with funk, dance rhythms, horn-driven arrangements, and the timeless architecture of songs designed to move people both emotionally and physically.

That tradition matters enormously within the broader history of American music itself. Soul and rhythm and blues are not isolated genres sitting neatly inside museum categories. They are foundational musical languages that helped shape rock and roll, funk, disco, hip-hop, gospel crossover, pop music, jazz fusion, and countless contemporary genres that dominate modern culture today. The influence of artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, and countless others still echoes throughout virtually every corner of contemporary popular music.

Performances like Bryant and SHOUT! therefore function on multiple levels simultaneously. For longtime fans, the concert serves as a celebration of timeless songwriting and musicianship. For younger audiences, it offers direct connection to musical traditions that continue influencing modern artists across hip-hop, neo-soul, pop, and contemporary R&B. Most importantly, it creates a live experience centered around human energy rather than technological spectacle.

The Back Deck itself remains uniquely suited for this kind of performance. Since launching in July 2020, the series has steadily become one of the state’s defining outdoor cultural destinations precisely because it refuses to operate like a standard amphitheater or rigid concert hall. Guests arrive early, often around 6:30 PM, carrying chairs, wine, refreshments, picnic setups, and a relaxed sense of social participation. Rather than forcing audiences into sterile rows of fixed seating, the environment encourages conversation, gathering, and shared experience before performances begin at 7:30 PM.

That social atmosphere aligns perfectly with soul and funk traditions, which have always thrived in communal settings. This is music built around movement, rhythm, emotional release, and collective participation. Unlike genres that rely heavily on detached performance distance, soul music invites engagement. Even audience members sitting quietly often find themselves physically responding to the groove structure almost involuntarily. Rhythm becomes connective tissue between strangers sharing the same space.

That dynamic becomes even more powerful within the open-air setting of the Morris Museum rooftop. As daylight fades into evening, the venue itself begins contributing to the emotional rhythm of the concert experience. Summer air, city lights, conversation, dancing, and live instrumentation create the kind of atmosphere increasingly rare within heavily commercialized entertainment environments.

Importantly, the Morris Museum’s programming philosophy continues demonstrating remarkable artistic range. The Back Deck 2026 season has already featured internationally respected chamber ensembles, jazz vocalists, orchestral projects, Latin jazz innovators, experimental crossover artists, and genre-defying performers. The inclusion of Lance Bryant and SHOUT! reinforces the idea that sophisticated arts programming should not be narrowly defined by traditional institutional hierarchies separating “high art” from popular music traditions. Soul, funk, and R&B are among the most emotionally sophisticated musical forms America has ever produced, built on extraordinary vocal control, rhythmic complexity, arrangement skill, and emotional storytelling.

The performance also speaks to New Jersey’s own musical identity. The state has long served as a crucial corridor for soul, funk, jazz, and R&B culture due to its proximity to New York, Philadelphia, and the broader East Coast music circuit. Countless legendary performers toured through New Jersey clubs, theaters, boardwalk venues, and dance halls throughout the twentieth century, helping establish the region as a vital live music territory where audiences deeply appreciated musicianship and stagecraft. Events like this continue that lineage while reintroducing these traditions to new generations of listeners.

The broader Back Deck series itself has now become a meaningful cultural institution within the state’s arts ecosystem. More than 11,000 patrons have attended performances since the series began, and national as well as regional media have increasingly recognized the venue’s unique atmosphere and programming ambition. Several artists who appeared early in the series later gained wider national recognition, reinforcing the Back Deck’s growing reputation not simply as a venue, but as a serious curatorial platform capable of identifying compelling performers across genres.

The logistical structure surrounding the concert remains consistent with the Back Deck’s now well-established audience experience. Ticket blocks are available for either one or two patrons, creating personalized viewing spaces throughout the rooftop venue. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, settle in, socialize, and enjoy the evening organically as part of a full summer-night experience. Should weather conditions become unfavorable, performances transition indoors to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre while preserving the event itself.

Support for the series continues through major arts leadership contributions, including backing from the Lot of Strings Concert Series, longtime donor partnerships, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, and the Morris County Tourism Bureau. That combination of arts investment, regional tourism partnership, and cultural development support reflects how significant the series has become within New Jersey’s broader cultural landscape.

What ultimately makes Lance Bryant and SHOUT! such an ideal fit for the Back Deck is the same thing that makes great soul music endure decade after decade: emotional honesty paired with musical craftsmanship. These songs were built to connect people. They were designed for live spaces where rhythm could physically transform atmosphere, where audiences could feel the bassline in their chest, where horns could cut through summer air, and where a vocalist could command emotional attention through sheer presence and authenticity.

In an entertainment era increasingly dominated by distraction, fragmentation, and artificial polish, concerts centered around genuine musicianship and communal joy feel more important than ever. Lance Bryant and SHOUT! are not simply arriving at the Morris Museum to perform a setlist. They are bringing an entire musical tradition rooted in groove, humanity, celebration, and emotional connection.

For one summer evening atop one of New Jersey’s most distinctive outdoor stages, the Back Deck will once again become exactly what it was designed to be: a gathering place where great live music, atmosphere, culture, and community converge into something audiences remember long after the final encore fades into the night.

No Surrender (Springsteen Tribute)
2026-08-07 19:00 - 23:30 | Lindenwold Park, 1000 United States Ave, Lindenwold, New Jersey, 08021, United States
Lindenwold Park’s Free Summer Concert Series Brings South Jersey Music Tradition to Life With Suitcase Murphy, Chicago 9, and a Massive Springsteen Celebration

Summer concert season in New Jersey has always represented something larger than entertainment alone. Across the state, public parks, waterfronts, downtown plazas, community centers, and outdoor amphitheaters become gathering places where generations reconnect through live music, neighborhood traditions, local culture, and the unmistakable atmosphere that only New Jersey summers can create. While major stadium tours and arena spectacles dominate national headlines, the heart of the state’s music identity still lives in the local concert series that bring communities together week after week under open skies. This summer, Lindenwold Park is once again embracing that tradition with a free concert series that captures the energy, nostalgia, and regional character that continue defining South Jersey’s live music culture.

Set against the backdrop of warm summer nights and community celebration, the Lindenwold Park concert lineup combines legendary local bar-band energy, classic rock nostalgia, and one of the strongest Bruce Springsteen tribute experiences in the region. More importantly, the series reinforces something New Jersey continues doing exceptionally well: preserving live local music as an accessible, communal experience rather than turning it into an exclusive luxury.

At a time when ticket prices for national tours continue climbing and live entertainment increasingly feels financially out of reach for many families, free concert series like this have become more culturally important than ever. They create opportunities for communities to gather organically around music without barriers, restoring a sense of accessibility and togetherness that once defined summer entertainment throughout the state.

This year’s Lindenwold Park series officially kicks off June 26 at 7 p.m. with Suitcase Murphy, one of South Jersey’s most recognizable and enduring bar bands. For decades, groups like Suitcase Murphy have formed the backbone of the region’s local music ecosystem, carrying forward the traditions of neighborhood taverns, shore bars, VFW halls, and outdoor summer festivals that have long fueled New Jersey’s identity as one of America’s great live music states.

The significance of bands like Suitcase Murphy often goes beyond simple nostalgia. South Jersey’s bar-band circuit has historically served as an essential proving ground for musicians, performers, and audiences alike. Long before streaming platforms and viral social media promotion reshaped the industry, local bands built loyal followings the old-fashioned way — through relentless touring, live performances, word-of-mouth reputation, and genuine community connection. That culture still exists throughout New Jersey, and bands like Suitcase Murphy remain important symbols of its staying power.

Their appearance at Lindenwold Park promises to bring exactly the kind of atmosphere longtime South Jersey music fans understand immediately: familiar songs, energetic crowds, spontaneous singalongs, and the kind of easygoing summer-night energy that transforms a local park into the center of the community for an evening.

The series continues July 17 with Chicago 9, a tribute act dedicated to recreating the iconic sound of Chicago, one of the most commercially successful and musically ambitious rock bands in American history. Tribute performances have become an increasingly powerful force throughout New Jersey’s live music landscape, particularly as audiences continue seeking ways to reconnect with classic catalogs that helped define multiple generations of listeners.

Chicago’s music remains uniquely suited for large outdoor summer performances because of its fusion of rock, jazz, brass instrumentation, pop hooks, and emotional balladry. Songs that once dominated FM radio continue resonating with audiences decades later, and tribute groups like Chicago 9 help preserve that experience in live settings that feel celebratory rather than nostalgic alone.

What makes tribute concerts especially important throughout New Jersey is the way they bridge generations. Younger audiences experience music they may know only through streaming playlists or family influence, while longtime fans reconnect with songs deeply tied to personal memory and regional culture. In a state where classic rock still occupies an enormous place in cultural identity, tribute performances continue functioning as both entertainment and shared community ritual.

That sense of ritual reaches another level entirely with the August 7 finale featuring No Surrender, one of the region’s premier Bruce Springsteen tribute bands. In New Jersey, Springsteen tributes carry a significance that extends well beyond imitation or nostalgia. Bruce Springsteen’s music remains inseparable from the emotional and cultural identity of the state itself. His songs are woven into New Jersey’s understanding of working-class resilience, local pride, youth, memory, escape, frustration, ambition, and community.

A Springsteen tribute event in New Jersey is not simply a concert. It is often closer to a collective celebration of identity and shared experience.

Lindenwold’s August 7 event embraces that atmosphere fully by expanding the evening into a larger community celebration that includes a 6 p.m. car show before the 8 p.m. concert performance. The pairing feels especially fitting given how deeply automobile culture, cruising traditions, classic cars, and Jersey summer nights remain embedded in the mythology surrounding Springsteen’s music. The imagery of highways, engines, freedom, parking lots, and late-night escape has always been central to the emotional landscape of his songwriting, making the combination of live music and classic cars feel organically connected to the spirit of the material itself.

No Surrender’s performance is expected to transform Lindenwold Park into a full-scale summer celebration of New Jersey rock culture, complete with the communal energy that accompanies nearly every Springsteen-related event across the state. Audiences know the words. They know the stories. They know the emotional arcs embedded within the music. The concerts become less about passive observation and more about participation.

That participatory spirit is exactly what continues making local outdoor music events so important across New Jersey. In an entertainment culture increasingly shaped by algorithms, digital isolation, and individualized consumption habits, live community concerts remain one of the few experiences where strangers still gather together in shared emotional space around music. Families bring lawn chairs. Friends reconnect. Children experience live performance for the first time. Neighbors who rarely speak throughout the year suddenly spend entire evenings together. The music becomes the catalyst, but the larger experience becomes about community itself.

The Lindenwold Park series also highlights the broader strength of New Jersey’s local and regional music scene. While much attention naturally gravitates toward major venues in Newark, Atlantic City, or the Meadowlands, smaller municipal concert series continue playing a vital role in sustaining live performance culture throughout the state. These events create opportunities not only for audiences, but for working musicians, tribute acts, production crews, vendors, local businesses, and community organizations that rely on vibrant public arts programming.

Across South Jersey especially, summer concert traditions remain deeply embedded within local culture. Town-sponsored music events continue serving as seasonal landmarks that residents anticipate months in advance. They become part of the rhythm of summer itself, marking time through music, weather, memory, and shared experience.

The accessibility of these events matters enormously as well. Free public concerts ensure that live music remains available to everyone regardless of financial circumstances. In many ways, they preserve one of the original purposes of community arts programming: creating cultural experiences that belong to the public rather than limiting them to premium-ticket audiences alone.

New Jersey’s identity has always been profoundly shaped by music. From the clubs of Asbury Park to the jazz history of Newark, from arena rock legacies to punk scenes, bar bands, soul singers, tribute circuits, and local outdoor festivals, the state’s musical DNA is rooted in performance spaces of every size and scale. Concert series like the one at Lindenwold Park help sustain that tradition at the grassroots level where live music culture remains most personal and most connected to everyday life.

This summer’s lineup succeeds because it understands exactly what audiences want from community concerts. They want familiarity without feeling stale. They want music that invites participation. They want atmosphere, nostalgia, excitement, and connection. Most importantly, they want experiences that feel genuinely local and unmistakably New Jersey.

From the bar-band legacy of Suitcase Murphy to the brass-driven classic rock celebration of Chicago 9 and the emotionally charged Jersey mythology surrounding No Surrender’s Springsteen tribute performance, Lindenwold Park’s summer concert series captures multiple generations of regional music culture in one accessible community-centered lineup.

As New Jersey continues strengthening its reputation as one of America’s most passionate and enduring live music states, events like these remain essential reminders that some of the most meaningful concert experiences still happen close to home, under summer skies, surrounded by neighbors, with music echoing through the park long after the sun goes down.

Beautiful The Carole King Musical
2026-08-07 19:30 - 2026-08-16 23:30 | New Jersey
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Brings One of Music’s Greatest Success Stories to New Jersey This August

Some artists write hit songs. Some artists define generations. Few have accomplished both with the consistency, influence, and enduring cultural impact of Carole King. This summer, New Jersey audiences will have the opportunity to experience the remarkable story behind one of the most influential singer-songwriters in modern music history when Beautiful: The Carole King Musical arrives for a special run from August 7 through August 16.

More than a jukebox musical and far more than a nostalgic trip through popular music history, Beautiful tells the extraordinary journey of a young woman from Brooklyn whose talent transformed the sound of American music. Packed with beloved classics, emotional storytelling, and a powerful message about determination, creativity, and self-discovery, the production continues to captivate audiences years after its celebrated Broadway debut.

For New Jersey theatergoers and music fans alike, the arrival of Beautiful represents one of the most anticipated musical events of the summer season, bringing together unforgettable songs, compelling storytelling, and the enduring legacy of one of popular music’s most influential figures.

Long before she became a Grammy-winning recording artist, Carole King was simply Carole Klein, a gifted young songwriter with extraordinary musical instincts and an ambition that would eventually reshape the music industry. Her story begins not on a concert stage but in the legendary songwriting factories of New York City, where some of the most memorable songs of the twentieth century were crafted behind the scenes by talented young writers working tirelessly to create the next hit record.

What makes King’s story so compelling is that her success was never predetermined.

She entered a music business largely dominated by men and quickly proved that talent, persistence, and authenticity could overcome barriers that often seemed insurmountable. As a songwriter, she became responsible for an astonishing collection of chart-topping hits recorded by some of the era’s biggest stars. Yet even after achieving remarkable success as a composer, another chapter awaited.

Eventually, Carole King stepped from behind the curtain and into the spotlight herself.

The result would be one of the most important albums in music history.

Tapestry became more than a commercial success. It became a cultural landmark, a defining soundtrack for an entire generation, and one of the best-selling albums ever recorded. The album’s emotional honesty, musical sophistication, and deeply personal storytelling helped redefine what a singer-songwriter could be.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical traces that remarkable journey, allowing audiences to witness not only the triumphs but also the challenges, relationships, disappointments, and personal growth that shaped one of music’s most iconic careers.

What separates Beautiful from many biographical productions is its ability to balance historical accuracy with emotional depth. Rather than simply presenting a chronological collection of events, the musical explores the human experiences behind the music.

It reveals the uncertainty behind creative breakthroughs.

The sacrifices behind professional success.

The heartbreak behind many of the songs that audiences know and love.

The result is a production that resonates equally with devoted Carole King fans and newcomers discovering her story for the first time.

Of course, one of the greatest strengths of Beautiful is its extraordinary catalog of music.

The show features a remarkable collection of beloved songs written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, whose collective contributions helped define an era of popular music. The score serves not merely as entertainment but as a living history of American songwriting excellence.

Audience members will recognize classic songs that have remained part of the cultural landscape for decades. These are the records that filled radios, inspired generations of artists, and continue to find new audiences today.

From the heartfelt warmth of “You’ve Got a Friend” to the timeless beauty of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” the music carries emotional power that remains as effective today as when these songs first topped the charts.

The production also showcases beloved standards such as “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “So Far Away,” “Natural Woman,” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” among many others. Together, these songs create a musical experience that feels simultaneously nostalgic and timeless.

What audiences often discover during performances of Beautiful is just how many songs Carole King helped create.

Many attendees arrive familiar with her recordings but leave amazed by the sheer number of classics connected to her songwriting legacy. The musical serves as a powerful reminder of how deeply her work has become woven into the fabric of American popular culture.

The production’s success on Broadway and beyond speaks to the universal appeal of King’s story.

The show earned widespread critical acclaim, captured major theater awards, and attracted audiences across generations. Its appeal extends beyond traditional musical theater fans because it combines compelling storytelling with songs that already hold deep personal meaning for millions of listeners.

Parents recognize the music from their youth.

Younger audiences discover timeless songs for the first time.

Music lovers gain a deeper appreciation for the creative process behind some of history’s most beloved recordings.

Theater enthusiasts experience a production that balances spectacle with genuine emotional substance.

For New Jersey audiences, the arrival of Beautiful continues the state’s rich tradition of hosting major theatrical productions that celebrate music history and artistic achievement. New Jersey’s theater community has long embraced productions that tell meaningful stories while delivering world-class entertainment, and Beautiful fits perfectly within that tradition.

The timing of the production also feels especially appropriate.

At a moment when audiences increasingly seek authenticity and connection, Carole King’s story remains profoundly relevant. Her journey reflects themes that continue to resonate today: perseverance, artistic integrity, self-belief, and the courage to find one’s own voice.

Those themes transcend generations.

They speak to aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, students, professionals, and anyone who has ever pursued a dream despite uncertainty or obstacles.

The musical’s book, created by the late Douglas McGrath, captures those universal elements with remarkable sensitivity and intelligence. Rather than simply celebrating success, the story explores the personal costs, challenges, and emotional complexities that often accompany achievement.

That honesty is one reason why audiences continue embracing the production year after year.

As August approaches, excitement continues building among theater patrons eager to experience a production that combines exceptional music with one of the most inspiring stories in entertainment history.

For longtime Carole King fans, it is an opportunity to revisit songs that have provided the soundtrack to countless memories.

For newcomers, it offers an introduction to a remarkable artist whose influence continues shaping music decades after her rise to prominence.

Most importantly, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical serves as a celebration of creativity itself—the power of a song to connect people, the courage required to pursue artistic dreams, and the extraordinary impact one voice can have on the world.

When the curtain rises this August, New Jersey audiences will not simply be watching a musical.

They will be experiencing the story of an artist whose music changed lives, transformed an industry, and continues inspiring listeners around the globe.

It is a journey filled with unforgettable songs, extraordinary talent, and the kind of timeless storytelling that reminds us why great music never truly fades. It simply finds new audiences ready to fall in love with it all over again.

The Fumos
2026-08-08 19:30 - 23:30 | The Back Deck at The Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road , NJ, Morristown, New Jersey, 07960, United States
The Fumos Bring Horn-Driven Funk, Soul, and Vintage Groove Energy to the Morris Museum’s Back Deck 2026 Concert Series

There are certain live bands that do not simply perform music so much as ignite an atmosphere. Before the first full song even settles into rhythm, audiences already understand the assignment: this is not going to be a quiet evening spent politely observing from a distance. It is going to be a night built around movement, groove, brass, rhythm, improvisation, nostalgia, musicianship, and the kind of joyous collective energy that only truly great live bands can generate. That spirit sits directly at the heart of what makes The Fumos such a perfect addition to the Morris Museum’s celebrated Back Deck 2026 concert season.

Scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM, The Fumos arrive at the Back Deck carrying the sound and spirit of classic 1970s horn-driven funk, soul, jazz fusion, and dance music while channeling it through the perspective of seasoned New York City live musicians who understand exactly how to turn an outdoor summer concert into a full-scale party. Their appearance continues the Morris Museum’s increasingly ambitious and culturally rich Back Deck programming strategy, which has transformed the series into one of New Jersey’s most distinctive live music experiences.

What separates The Fumos from countless retro revival acts is that their performances are not built around imitation alone. Instead, the band approaches the great catalog of funk, soul, jazz-rock, and rhythm-heavy classics with the loose confidence and musical chemistry that only develops among musicians deeply embedded in live performance culture. Their concerts feel organic rather than scripted. The grooves breathe. The horns punch through arrangements with explosive warmth. Solos stretch naturally. Rhythms lock into place with effortless fluidity. Audiences are invited into an environment that feels celebratory, spontaneous, and deeply alive.

That energy matters enormously right now because audiences increasingly crave authenticity in live music experiences. In an era dominated by hyper-programmed production, digital backing tracks, algorithmic playlists, and overly choreographed arena spectacles, bands rooted in actual musicianship and ensemble chemistry stand out immediately. The Fumos operate within a tradition where rhythm sections drive momentum in real time, horn arrangements create emotional lift, and audiences respond instinctively to groove rather than spectacle alone.

The band’s musical DNA draws heavily from some of the most influential artists and eras in modern American music history. Their repertoire channels the spirit of legendary acts including Kool & The Gang, Maceo Parker, Average White Band, B.T. Express, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, and The Band. That range alone says everything about the group’s musical philosophy. The Fumos are not confined to one narrowly defined genre lane. Instead, they embrace the interconnected history of groove-oriented American music where jazz, funk, soul, rock, rhythm and blues, fusion, and dance traditions constantly overlap.

The result is a show that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly current at the same time. Audiences familiar with the original recordings immediately recognize the timelessness of the songwriting, while younger listeners discover just how foundational these grooves remain to contemporary music culture. Much of modern pop, hip-hop, neo-soul, jam-band culture, and even electronic music still relies heavily on rhythmic and harmonic structures pioneered during the funk and soul explosion of the 1970s.

The Fumos understand this lineage instinctively. Their performances celebrate that musical history without becoming trapped inside it. Rather than functioning as a museum piece dedicated solely to replication, the band approaches the material with the looseness and confidence of players who genuinely love the music and understand how to keep it emotionally alive for modern audiences.

That authenticity is reinforced by the band’s lineup itself, which features veterans of New York City’s fiercely competitive live music scene. Guitarist Jack Walsh, keyboardist George Wurzbach, tenor saxophonist Tony Orbach, alto saxophonist Paul Vercesi, trumpeter Kevin Bachelor, bassist Charlie Sands, and drummer Gary Ciuzio collectively bring decades of performance experience to the stage. In cities like New York, musicians survive and thrive only through adaptability, technical excellence, chemistry, and the ability to connect with audiences night after night across wildly different environments. That experience becomes immediately visible during live performance.

The Fumos’ rhythm section serves as the engine room for the entire show, laying down deep, danceable grooves that allow the horn section to soar above the arrangements with power and precision. Horn-driven music carries a unique physicality in live settings because brass instruments cut through open-air environments with enormous energy and emotional immediacy. When paired with a tight rhythm section and outdoor summer atmosphere, the effect can feel almost cinematic.

That dynamic makes the Morris Museum’s Back Deck especially ideal for a band like The Fumos. Since launching in 2020, the Back Deck has evolved into one of New Jersey’s premier outdoor arts destinations by creating an atmosphere unlike traditional concert venues. Guests arrive early carrying lawn chairs, refreshments, picnic spreads, and wine while settling into personalized viewing spaces across the museum’s elevated rooftop deck. The setting encourages social interaction, relaxed gathering, and communal enjoyment before the performance even begins.

As twilight settles over the venue and the skyline atmosphere shifts into evening, concerts naturally become immersive social experiences rather than passive performances observed from a distance. Funk and soul music thrive within precisely that kind of communal environment. These genres were never intended to remain emotionally static or formally restrained. They were built around release, movement, joy, groove, dancing, and connection.

The Back Deck’s evolution into a cultural institution within New Jersey’s arts landscape also reflects the broader maturation of the state’s live entertainment scene itself. Increasingly, New Jersey audiences no longer need to travel exclusively into New York or Philadelphia to experience sophisticated, high-level arts programming. Venues throughout the state have begun developing their own identities, audiences, and artistic ecosystems capable of standing on their own merits. The Morris Museum’s programming exemplifies that transformation.

The 2026 Back Deck season has already featured an impressively eclectic lineup spanning chamber ensembles, jazz innovators, orchestral projects, crossover performers, Latin jazz artists, vocal showcases, and genre-defying experimental musicians. The inclusion of The Fumos demonstrates the series’ continued understanding that great arts programming should remain expansive rather than rigidly hierarchical. Funk, soul, jazz fusion, and groove music belong within serious artistic spaces because the musicianship required to perform them at a high level is immense.

Importantly, this concert also taps directly into New Jersey’s longstanding relationship with dance music and live groove culture. The state’s musical identity has always been shaped by its geographic position between New York and Philadelphia, creating fertile crossover territory for jazz clubs, funk bands, soul acts, dance venues, boardwalk performance circuits, and nightclub culture. Across generations, New Jersey audiences have consistently embraced live music rooted in rhythm, movement, and strong ensemble performance.

That tradition continues through events like this one. The Fumos are not arriving merely to play recognizable songs. They are bringing an entire musical atmosphere built around celebration and collective energy. Their shows create the kind of environment where audiences stop checking phones, stop overthinking, and simply allow themselves to enjoy live music in its purest communal form.

The logistical details surrounding the concert continue the Back Deck’s now signature audience-friendly approach. Tickets are sold in personalized blocks designed for either one or two attendees, allowing guests to curate their own viewing spaces comfortably. Patrons are encouraged to arrive beginning at 6:30 PM to enjoy picnics and refreshments before the performance begins at 7:30 PM. In the event of inclement weather, performances transition indoors to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre while maintaining the event itself.

The series continues receiving substantial support from leadership donors and regional cultural organizations, including the Lot of Strings Concert Series, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, and the Morris County Tourism Bureau. That support reflects how significant the Back Deck has become not only as an entertainment venue but also as an important contributor to New Jersey’s broader cultural and tourism economy.

Since its launch, the Back Deck has presented more than 72 performances while welcoming over 11,000 patrons. The venue has steadily earned recognition from local and national media alike while helping establish northern New Jersey as a serious destination for innovative live arts programming. Its continued success lies largely in its refusal to become formulaic. Each event feels intentionally curated around atmosphere, setting, artist compatibility, and audience experience.

The Fumos embody that philosophy perfectly. Their music captures the timeless chemistry between rhythm, horns, groove, and communal joy that has powered dance floors, concert halls, clubs, festivals, and outdoor gatherings for generations. Their performance promises not merely a concert but a full-scale summer celebration rooted in the enduring power of live musicianship.

For one August night atop the Morris Museum, the Back Deck will once again transform into exactly what great live music spaces are meant to become: a gathering place where rhythm, nostalgia, artistry, movement, and shared experience merge into something unforgettable beneath the New Jersey summer sky.

Buddy Guy
2026-08-08 20:00 - 23:30 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
A Living Legend Returns to New Brunswick for a Once-in-a-Generation Night of Blues

Buddy Guy Brings His Historic 90th Anniversary Tour to State Theatre New Jersey This August

State Theatre New Jersey will welcome one of the most important and enduring figures in American music when Buddy Guy takes the stage in New Brunswick on Saturday, August 8, 2026, delivering a landmark performance that is already shaping up to be one of the most significant concert events in New Jersey’s live music calendar.

At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy is not simply continuing his career—he is actively expanding one of the most influential legacies in modern music. His appearance at State Theatre New Jersey comes as part of his national Buddy Guy 90 Tour, a limited run of headline performances celebrating a lifetime spent shaping the sound, attitude, and emotional power of electric blues.

The New Brunswick stop places New Jersey directly on the map for one of the most historically meaningful tours currently crossing North America. The performance is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m., with tickets now available and pricing starting at $93, including fees.

For generations of musicians and fans alike, Buddy Guy represents the bridge between the roots of Southern blues and the explosive evolution of electric guitar that transformed popular music in the second half of the twentieth century. Long regarded as the architect of Chicago’s West Side blues sound, his influence stretches far beyond blues itself, helping define the vocabulary of rock, funk, and modern guitar-driven music.

The timing of this New Jersey performance adds even greater significance. In 2026, Buddy Guy earned his ninth Grammy Award, taking home Best Traditional Blues Album for Ain’t Done with the Blues, a late-career triumph that reaffirmed his relevance and creative authority at a moment when most artists are long retired. The album’s success stands as a rare example of sustained artistic excellence across seven decades of recording and performance.

Few artists in any genre can match the scope of recognition Buddy Guy has accumulated. Alongside his multiple Grammy wins, his honors include a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, dozens of Blues Music Awards, the Billboard Century Award, the Presidential National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honor. Rolling Stone has ranked him among the greatest guitarists in history, a distinction that reflects not only technical mastery but also his singular ability to translate raw emotion through the instrument.

Yet accolades tell only part of the story.

Born in 1936 in rural Lettsworth, Louisiana, Buddy Guy’s earliest connection to music came through necessity and imagination. As a child, he built his first guitar using wire and wood, teaching himself the fundamentals long before formal instruction was accessible. In 1957, he moved to Chicago, a decision that would place him at the heart of one of the most fertile musical movements in American history.

Within a short time, he became a key figure in the city’s thriving blues scene, recording and performing alongside many of the genre’s most influential artists. His aggressive phrasing, elastic bends, searing tone, and unpredictable stage presence helped reshape expectations of what blues guitar could be. What followed was not only a remarkable recording career, but also decades of mentorship and inspiration for countless younger musicians who would later dominate rock and popular music worldwide.

Buddy Guy’s role as a cultural torchbearer has only grown more visible in recent years. His memoir offered an unfiltered account of his journey from the Louisiana countryside to international stages, while a wave of critically praised albums throughout the 2010s and 2020s reintroduced him to new audiences without compromising the grit and emotional honesty that defined his earliest work.

His most recent studio release, Ain’t Done with the Blues, stands as both a declaration and a celebration. Produced by longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge, the album features a remarkable lineup of guest artists, uniting multiple generations of blues, rock, and roots musicians in a project that feels more like a living conversation than a retrospective. The record’s lead tracks reflect the humor, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom that have become hallmarks of his late-career renaissance.

Released on his birthday and immediately embraced by critics and fans alike, the album confirmed that Buddy Guy is not operating in legacy mode. He remains creatively restless, emotionally direct, and fully engaged with the present moment of American music.

In recent years, he publicly scaled back from the grueling pace of extended global touring, announcing a farewell to full-scale road life. But that shift never signaled a retreat from performing or recording. Instead, it marked a transition toward carefully selected appearances that allow him to deliver his music at the highest possible level. The Buddy Guy 90 Tour reflects that philosophy—fewer dates, greater focus, and a renewed emphasis on the shared experience between artist and audience.

The New Brunswick performance will take place inside State Theatre New Jersey, one of the state’s most respected and acoustically refined live performance venues. Known for hosting internationally recognized touring acts and culturally significant programming, the theater provides a uniquely intimate setting for an artist whose career has filled stadiums, festivals, and historic concert halls around the world.

For New Jersey audiences, the opportunity to experience Buddy Guy in this environment is exceptionally rare. His concerts are widely known for their spontaneity, extended improvisation, and direct interaction with the crowd. Even after decades on stage, his performances remain unpredictable and emotionally charged, balancing blistering guitar work with deeply personal storytelling drawn from his life, his mentors, and the communities that shaped him.

This appearance also arrives during a period of renewed interest in roots music, live performance culture, and intergenerational collaboration across the state. New Jersey’s live music landscape continues to expand across venues large and small, connecting legacy performers with emerging artists and new audiences. Readers interested in the broader regional scene can explore more of New Jersey’s evolving music culture through Explore New Jersey’s music coverage, which highlights the artists, venues, and creative movements shaping the state’s sound today.

Beyond the technical brilliance and historical importance, Buddy Guy’s enduring appeal lies in something far more human. His music speaks openly about survival, loss, perseverance, humor, and hope. It carries the voices of earlier blues pioneers who shaped him and the responsibility he continues to carry forward for the genre itself.

As he approaches his 90th year, Buddy Guy remains one of the last living architects of electric blues—a direct link from the fields of rural Louisiana to the clubs of Chicago and onward to the world’s most prestigious stages. His upcoming performance at State Theatre New Jersey is more than a concert. It is a living chapter in American musical history, unfolding in real time for New Jersey audiences.

On August 8, 2026, New Brunswick will host not just a legendary guitarist, but a defining voice of American culture—still playing, still creating, and still proving that the blues is not a relic of the past, but a living, evolving force.

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
2026-08-10 19:00 - 23:30 | Atlantic City at Kennedy Plaza, 2300-, 2498 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, United States
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Bring Award-Winning Blues Firepower to Atlantic City’s Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

The Jersey Shore has always been a place where music and summer come together in a way that feels uniquely New Jersey. From the earliest days of boardwalk entertainment to the rise of legendary clubs, beachfront festivals, outdoor concert series, and neighborhood music traditions, live performance has become woven into the cultural fabric of the Shore. Every summer, audiences gather along the coastline seeking the soundtrack that turns warm evenings into lasting memories, and few concert series embody that tradition better than Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

As the celebrated 2026 season continues, one of the summer’s most anticipated performances arrives on August 10 when internationally acclaimed blues-rock powerhouse Tommy Castro & The Painkillers take the stage as part of the free Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series. For music lovers throughout New Jersey and beyond, the event represents an opportunity to experience one of contemporary blues music’s most respected performers in one of the most iconic outdoor settings on the East Coast.

For more than four decades, Tommy Castro has built a reputation as one of the hardest-working and most electrifying artists in American roots music. His career stands as a testament to the enduring power of blues, soul, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues, genres that continue to thrive because artists like Castro understand how to honor tradition while pushing the music forward.

That commitment to excellence has earned Castro widespread recognition throughout the industry. A five-time recipient of Blues Music Awards and a celebrated member of the modern blues community, he has become known for performances that blend exceptional musicianship, emotional storytelling, and the kind of high-energy stage presence that transforms concerts into unforgettable experiences.

Unlike performers who rely solely on nostalgia, Castro approaches every show as a living, breathing celebration of American music. His concerts are not museum pieces. They are dynamic, passionate performances filled with improvisation, intensity, and genuine connection between artist and audience.

That authenticity has helped him build a devoted following around the world.

Recording for the legendary Alligator Records label, one of the most respected names in blues music, Castro has released a remarkable catalog of albums that showcase his versatility as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader. Throughout his career, he has successfully combined Chicago blues, Texas blues, Memphis soul, Southern rock, and classic R&B into a distinctive sound that is instantly recognizable yet constantly evolving.

His music reflects the influence of icons such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, and Otis Redding, while maintaining a voice that is uniquely his own. Whether delivering a slow-burning blues ballad, a driving rock anthem, or a soul-infused groove, Castro brings an unmistakable energy and conviction to every note.

At the center of that sound is The Painkillers, a band widely regarded as one of the strongest touring units in contemporary blues. Together, they create performances filled with explosive guitar work, powerful rhythms, rich vocal harmonies, and the kind of chemistry that can only develop through years of performing together on stages across the globe.

The result is a concert experience that appeals to longtime blues enthusiasts while remaining accessible to audiences discovering the genre for the first time.

That broad appeal is one reason Castro continues to attract fans from multiple generations. His music bridges gaps between blues purists, rock fans, soul lovers, and anyone who appreciates exceptional live musicianship. In an era increasingly dominated by digital experiences, Castro’s performances serve as a reminder of the unique magic that can only happen when talented musicians share a stage and create something spontaneous in front of a live audience.

His appearance in Atlantic City is particularly fitting.

The city has long maintained deep connections to American roots music. Throughout its history, Atlantic City has welcomed jazz legends, rhythm and blues pioneers, rock icons, and contemporary stars who have contributed to the region’s rich musical legacy. Events like Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continue that tradition by bringing world-class artists directly to audiences in an accessible and community-centered environment.

The Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series has become one of the crown jewels of Atlantic City’s summer entertainment calendar. By offering free performances from nationally and internationally recognized artists, the series reinforces the city’s identity as a destination where music remains central to the visitor experience.

For residents and tourists alike, these concerts create opportunities to discover new artists, reconnect with favorite performers, and enjoy live music against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The setting itself enhances every performance. As the sun begins to set over the Boardwalk and ocean breezes move through the crowd, the atmosphere becomes something that cannot be replicated in traditional indoor venues.

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers are uniquely suited for that environment.

Their music carries the same sense of freedom and spontaneity that defines summer at the Shore. Songs rooted in blues tradition gain new life in open-air settings where audiences can dance, sing along, and fully immerse themselves in the performance. Castro’s ability to connect with crowds ensures that every concert feels personal regardless of venue size, making his appearance one of the most anticipated nights of the entire Mardi Gras season.

For Explore New Jersey readers, the concert also serves as a reminder of the remarkable musical diversity available throughout the Garden State. While New Jersey is often celebrated for its rock and roll heritage, its musical landscape extends far beyond any single genre. Blues music has played a significant role in shaping countless New Jersey artists, venues, and audiences, influencing generations of performers who continue to build upon its foundation.

Events like this demonstrate how those traditions remain alive and thriving.

As New Jersey continues to strengthen its reputation as a destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, performances by artists such as Tommy Castro reinforce the state’s ability to attract world-class talent while creating meaningful cultural experiences for residents and visitors. They contribute to local economies, support tourism, and preserve the vital role that live music plays in community life.

On August 10, that tradition continues when Tommy Castro & The Painkillers bring their acclaimed blend of blues, soul, and rock and roll to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk. It promises to be an evening filled with exceptional musicianship, award-winning performances, and the kind of authentic musical connection that has made Castro one of the most respected figures in contemporary blues.

For longtime fans, it is another opportunity to witness a master performer at the height of his powers. For newcomers, it may be the perfect introduction to one of America’s greatest living blues artists. For everyone gathered along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, it will be another unforgettable chapter in a summer concert tradition that continues to showcase the very best of live music at the Jersey Shore.

Guns N' Roses World Tour
2026-08-12 17:00 - 23:30 | MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073, United States
Guns N’ Roses Set to Take Over MetLife Stadium in Summer 2026

New Jersey is gearing up for a night of pure rock energy as Guns N’ Roses prepares to storm MetLife Stadium on August 12, 2026. For fans who have followed the band through decades of unforgettable riffs, historic tours, and larger-than-life performances, this upcoming show is more than just a concert — it’s a full-scale return of one of rock’s most defining forces. Visitors looking to keep up with the Garden State’s thriving live music scene can explore more through our music page.

Guns N’ Roses’ 2026 stop at MetLife Stadium is expected to draw fans from across the tri-state area and beyond, as the group continues to deliver the kind of explosive concerts that cemented their legacy. From the moment the first chord hits, the stadium will echo with the unmistakable sound of Slash’s guitar, Axl Rose’s unmistakable vocals, and the high-octane stage presence that transformed the band into global icons. Fans can anticipate a setlist filled with the classics that defined generations, alongside the raw live performance style that has always set Guns N’ Roses apart.

MetLife Stadium’s massive scale and state-of-the-art production capabilities make it one of the few venues truly suited for a band of this magnitude. The setting provides an immersive experience where every seat captures the energy of the performance. The atmosphere of a packed MetLife crowd, united by decades of rock anthems, adds a level of excitement that few concerts can match.

For longtime fans, this show is a reminder of the band’s staying power and the timeless draw of their music. For newcomers, it is a rare opportunity to witness a legendary act whose influence still shapes today’s rock sound. Guns N’ Roses continues to be a defining presence in the world of live music, and their upcoming New Jersey performance promises a powerful night of nostalgia, adrenaline, and unforgettable moments.

As August 12 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what is sure to be one of the most exciting rock events of the year. With a stage built for monumental performances and a fanbase eager to relive the magic, Guns N’ Roses at MetLife Stadium is shaping up to be a must-see experience in New Jersey’s 2026 entertainment lineup.

Sixpence None the Richer
2026-08-12 19:30 - 23:30 | McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell, Haddon Township, Haddon Township, New Jersey, 08107, United States
Sixpence None the Richer, the Grammy-nominated band whose music helped define a generation of late-1990s and early-2000s alternative pop.

Every summer, New Jersey’s live music culture expands far beyond arenas, amphitheaters, casinos, and stadium tours. Some of the state’s most memorable performances happen instead inside county parks, downtown greens, waterfront promenades, and neighborhood gathering spaces where audiences arrive carrying lawn chairs and blankets rather than VIP credentials. These are the places where live music still feels connected to community life rather than detached from it. In South Jersey, few concert traditions embody that spirit more completely than the Sundown Music Series at Haddon Lake Park.

Returning once again to the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell in Haddon Township, the 2026 Sundown Music Series arrives with one of its strongest and most stylistically ambitious lineups in recent memory. Sponsored by AAA South Jersey and presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners, the free weekly concert series has steadily evolved into one of the region’s defining summer cultural programs, bringing nationally recognized touring artists, respected independent performers, and deeply community-oriented live entertainment into one of the most atmospheric outdoor venues anywhere in the state.

That atmosphere is central to why the series continues growing.

The Dell does not feel manufactured. It does not feel overly commercialized. The wooded amphitheater setting inside Haddon Lake Park creates an environment that feels naturally suited for live performance. As evening settles over the trees and the stage lights begin cutting through the summer air, the venue takes on the kind of communal energy that modern entertainment spaces increasingly struggle to replicate. Families settle into the grass. Longtime concertgoers reconnect from previous summers. Younger audiences discover artists they may never have encountered otherwise. The concerts feel rooted in place, and that authenticity continues separating the Sundown Music Series from countless interchangeable seasonal events.

The 2026 season reflects that larger ambition immediately.

Running throughout the summer on Wednesday evenings, the lineup moves fluidly between hard rock, alternative pop, soul, indie music, funk, Americana, and genre-crossing contemporary artists who all bring distinctly different identities to the stage. Rather than programming narrowly around one demographic or style, the series embraces musical diversity in a way that mirrors the broader evolution of New Jersey’s live music culture itself.

Among the season’s most anticipated performances is the July 29 appearance by Sixpence None the Richer, the Grammy-nominated band whose music helped define a generation of late-1990s and early-2000s alternative pop.

Best known for the dreamlike hit “Kiss Me,” Sixpence None the Richer occupies a particularly interesting place within modern music history because the band’s catalog extends far beyond the single song that brought them mainstream visibility. Their sound has always existed at the intersection of melodic alternative rock, shimmering pop structure, folk influence, and emotionally restrained songwriting that feels intimate without becoming overly sentimental.

That balance helped the group stand apart during an era when commercial radio increasingly leaned toward either aggressive post-grunge or heavily polished teen pop production. Sixpence None the Richer instead cultivated something softer, more reflective, and more musically textured. Leigh Nash’s unmistakable vocal delivery became central to the band’s identity, floating above arrangements that combined acoustic warmth, atmospheric guitar work, and understated emotional tension.

Even decades later, “Kiss Me” remains one of the most instantly recognizable songs of its era because it captured something unusually timeless. The song still carries emotional familiarity across multiple generations of listeners without feeling trapped inside nostalgia alone. That enduring connection is precisely what makes the band such an effective fit for the Sundown Music Series environment.

Outdoor summer concerts thrive when audiences feel emotionally connected to the music unfolding around them. Songs become shared experiences rather than isolated performances. Sixpence None the Richer’s catalog naturally lends itself to that atmosphere, particularly inside a venue like the Dell where intimacy and openness coexist simultaneously.

Their appearance also reinforces how significantly the Sundown Music Series has expanded artistically.

This is no longer simply a local summer entertainment calendar designed around background music and casual attendance. Increasingly, the series is attracting artists with lasting cultural recognition and catalogs that continue resonating deeply with audiences long after their original commercial peaks.

Opening the July 29 performance is Max Davey, continuing the Sundown tradition of pairing nationally recognized acts with rising or regionally respected performers. That structure remains one of the more important aspects of the series overall because it allows audiences to encounter emerging artists within the same environment as established touring names.

The broader 2026 lineup further reinforces the strength of this year’s programming.

Goodbye June opens the season June 3 with a hard-driving blend of Southern blues, gospel swing, and muscular classic rock energy. Their sound feels purpose-built for outdoor stages, built around thunderous riffs, emotional vocals, and the chemistry of three cousins determined to create rock music that feels both modern and deeply rooted in traditional American influences.

June 10 shifts toward Latin-infused improvisational energy with Edgardo Cintron & The Inca Band presenting a celebration of Santana’s music, a performance likely to transform the Dell into one of the most rhythmically alive environments of the entire summer.

Devon Gilfillian arrives June 24 carrying one of the strongest critical reputations on the schedule. The Delaware County native has emerged as one of the more compelling modern voices operating between soul, Americana, and contemporary roots music, blending socially conscious songwriting with deeply expressive vocal performance and rich instrumental textures.

July’s performances continue broadening the musical landscape.

Philadelphia-based duo Work Drugs brings their signature “smooth-fi” sound to the Dell on July 8, delivering a hypnotic fusion of indie pop, chillwave, and late-night atmospheric textures that feel especially suited for humid summer evenings beneath the trees of Haddon Lake Park.

Augustana follows July 15 with a catalog anchored by the platinum-selling hit “Boston,” one of the defining piano-driven alternative songs of the 2000s. Their melodic pop-rock sound, built around emotionally resonant songwriting and cinematic arrangements, continues carrying remarkable emotional staying power with audiences.

The season continues through late summer with Young Gun Silver Fox, The Verve Pipe, Sadie Gust, and the wildly theatrical funk collective Here Come the Mummies, whose appearance may become one of the most talked-about performances of the year simply because of how unpredictable and visually elaborate their live show has become.

What ultimately makes the Sundown Music Series work so effectively, however, is not just the lineup itself.

It is the understanding that live music functions differently in spaces like this.

Inside major venues, concerts often become transactional experiences shaped heavily by pricing tiers, premium seating structures, parking logistics, and increasingly expensive ticket markets. At Haddon Lake Park, the atmosphere remains fundamentally communal. Admission is free. Audiences arrive casually. Families feel comfortable bringing children. Older concertgoers mingle beside younger listeners. Local residents encounter nationally recognized performers in a setting that still feels accessible and familiar.

That accessibility matters enormously at a moment when live entertainment continues becoming increasingly expensive nationwide.

Public concert series like Sundown help preserve a version of live music culture that remains connected to neighborhoods, counties, and regional identity rather than existing exclusively inside major metropolitan entertainment systems. The series reinforces something New Jersey has always understood exceptionally well: music does not only belong inside stadiums. Some of its most meaningful moments happen outdoors, beneath trees, surrounded by communities that continue showing up summer after summer because the experience itself still feels authentic.

And in 2026, with one of the deepest lineups the series has assembled to date, the Sundown Music Series appears ready once again to transform Wednesday nights in Haddon Township into one of South Jersey’s defining live music destinations.

Young Gun Silver Fox
2026-08-12 19:30 - 23:30 | McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell, Haddon Township, Haddon Township, New Jersey, 08107, United States
Young Gun Silver Fox Bring Sophisticated West Coast Soul and Yacht-Rock Revival Energy to Camden County’s Expansive 2026 Sundown Music Series

Every summer, New Jersey’s live music culture expands far beyond arenas, amphitheaters, casinos, and stadium tours. Some of the state’s most memorable performances happen instead inside county parks, downtown greens, waterfront promenades, and neighborhood gathering spaces where audiences arrive carrying lawn chairs and blankets rather than VIP credentials. These are the places where live music still feels connected to community life rather than detached from it. In South Jersey, few concert traditions embody that spirit more completely than the Sundown Music Series at Haddon Lake Park.

Returning once again to the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell in Haddon Township, the 2026 Sundown Music Series arrives with one of its strongest and most stylistically ambitious lineups in recent memory. Sponsored by AAA South Jersey and presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners, the free weekly concert series has steadily evolved into one of the region’s defining summer cultural programs, bringing nationally recognized touring artists, respected independent performers, and deeply community-oriented live entertainment into one of the most atmospheric outdoor venues anywhere in the state.

That atmosphere remains central to why the series continues growing in both scale and cultural significance.

The Dell does not feel artificial or overproduced. The wooded amphitheater setting inside Haddon Lake Park creates an environment where music feels naturally embedded within the landscape itself. As evening settles across the trees and the stage lights begin illuminating the park, the venue transforms into something that feels increasingly rare in modern entertainment culture: a genuinely communal concert experience. Families settle into the grass with folding chairs and blankets. Longtime attendees reconnect from previous summers. Younger listeners discover artists they might never otherwise encounter. Dogs move calmly through the crowd alongside food vendors, casual conversations, and audiences gathered not for spectacle alone but for the shared experience of live performance itself.

That identity has helped elevate the Sundown Music Series beyond a simple county-sponsored concert calendar.

It has become one of South Jersey’s defining public arts traditions.

The 2026 season reflects that broader ambition immediately. Rather than limiting itself to one genre or demographic lane, the lineup moves comfortably between blues-infused rock, soul, indie pop, Americana, alternative music, tribute performances, synth-driven contemporary acts, and sophisticated retro-inspired artists whose sound bridges multiple generations simultaneously.

One of the most intriguing performances of the entire season arrives August 12 when Young Gun Silver Fox takes the stage at the Dell.

For audiences unfamiliar with the UK-based duo, Young Gun Silver Fox represents one of the more musically refined and unexpectedly compelling modern acts operating within today’s expanding yacht-rock and West Coast soul revival movement. Built around the creative partnership of Andy Platts and Shawn Lee, the group has quietly developed an international following through albums that fuse pristine melodic craftsmanship, polished vocal harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, vintage studio aesthetics, and deep reverence for the golden era of late-1970s and early-1980s California pop music.

Describing their sound strictly as “yacht rock,” however, undersells the musical precision involved.

Yes, the influence of artists like Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, Ambrosia, Pages, Toto, and Michael McDonald runs throughout their catalog. But Young Gun Silver Fox approaches those influences less as parody or nostalgia exercise and more as a serious continuation of a highly technical songwriting tradition built around groove, harmony, arrangement, and atmosphere.

That distinction matters because the duo’s music avoids the gimmickry that often surrounds retro-inspired acts.

Instead, their records sound remarkably authentic in both construction and execution. The bass lines glide rather than overpower. The rhythm sections breathe naturally. The keyboard textures shimmer without becoming synthetic excess. Guitar tones remain warm, fluid, and melodic. Most importantly, the songwriting itself carries emotional sincerity rather than ironic detachment.

The result is music that feels simultaneously familiar and newly rediscovered.

Andy Platts, whose vocal tone often evokes the smooth melodic sophistication of late-1970s radio pop, brings emotional warmth and melodic control to the duo’s material. Shawn Lee, meanwhile, remains one of the more quietly accomplished musicians and producers operating in modern independent music, known for his multi-instrumental versatility and obsessive attention to sonic detail. Together, they create records that feel handcrafted in an era increasingly dominated by hyper-digital production and compressed streaming-era aesthetics.

That craftsmanship is precisely why Young Gun Silver Fox feels especially well suited for the Sundown Music Series environment.

Their music thrives in open-air spaces where atmosphere matters as much as volume. Songs built around sunny grooves, understated elegance, soulful hooks, and fluid instrumentation naturally complement the Dell’s relaxed evening setting. The concert is likely to become one of the season’s most immersive performances, not through overwhelming spectacle but through the kind of transportive musical atmosphere that settles gradually over an audience as twilight moves across the park.

And in many ways, that perfectly reflects the broader evolution of the Sundown Music Series itself.

This is no longer a regional concert series built exclusively around safe or predictable programming. Increasingly, the series is curating artists with distinctive musical identities capable of drawing serious music fans while still remaining accessible to casual audiences. That balancing act has become one of the strongest aspects of the entire summer lineup.

The season opens June 3 with Goodbye June, the Tennessee-based trio whose hard-driving blend of blues rock, gospel influence, and Southern grit immediately establishes an ambitious tone for the summer. June 10 brings Edgardo Cintron & The Inca Band celebrating Santana’s catalog through a rhythm-heavy Latin rock performance designed almost perfectly for outdoor communal listening environments.

Devon Gilfillian arrives June 24 carrying one of the strongest critical reputations of any artist on the schedule, blending soul, rock, Americana, and socially conscious songwriting into one of contemporary roots music’s most compelling live shows. July continues broadening the stylistic reach of the series with Philadelphia-based synth-pop duo Work Drugs, whose atmospheric “smooth-fi” sound seems tailor-made for humid summer evenings inside the Dell’s wooded surroundings.

Augustana follows with their emotionally resonant piano-driven alternative rock catalog anchored by the enduring hit “Boston,” while Sixpence None the Richer later delivers one of the most recognizable alternative pop songbooks of the late-1990s and early-2000s era.

What ultimately strengthens the entire Sundown Music Series, however, is not simply the lineup itself.

It is the understanding that public music programming still plays a vital role within regional cultural identity.

At a time when major touring shows continue becoming increasingly expensive and inaccessible for many audiences, events like the Sundown Music Series preserve a version of live music culture that remains open, communal, and deeply connected to local life. Admission remains free. The environment feels welcoming rather than transactional. Audiences arrive casually rather than anxiously navigating aggressive ticket pricing structures or heavily corporatized entertainment systems.

That accessibility changes the emotional dynamic of the concerts themselves.

People stay longer. Families attend together. Younger audiences encounter artists organically. Older concertgoers reconnect with the ritual of weekly live performance. The series becomes less about consumption and more about participation.

In a state with one of the richest and most historically important music cultures anywhere in America, that kind of public artistic space still matters enormously.

And on August 12, as Young Gun Silver Fox bring their smooth grooves, soulful harmonies, and beautifully constructed West Coast-inspired sound to the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell, the Sundown Music Series appears poised once again to remind audiences why some of New Jersey’s best live music experiences continue happening not inside stadiums or corporate venues, but beneath trees, beside neighbors, and under the fading light of a South Jersey summer evening.

Jeffrey Gaines and Jill Hennessy
2026-08-13 19:00 - 23:30 | Bradley Beach, 1108 Ocean Ave, Bradley Beach, New Jersey, 07720, United States
Songwriters on the Beach Continues a Shore Tradition with Jeffrey Gaines and Jill Hennessy in Bradley Beach

Few summer traditions along the Jersey Shore have demonstrated the staying power, consistency, and cultural value of Brookdale Public Radio’s Songwriters on the Beach concert series. Since 2005, the beloved program produced by 90.5 The Night has transformed Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach into one of New Jersey’s most unique live music destinations, creating a gathering place where nationally recognized artists, emerging performers, and devoted music fans come together beneath the summer sky for evenings built around authentic songwriting and unforgettable performances.

What makes the series special is its simplicity. There are no barriers between artist and audience, no expensive ticket prices, and no elaborate production designed to overshadow the music itself. The focus remains exactly where it should be: on songs, stories, musicianship, and the shared experience of live performance. Week after week throughout July and August, families, longtime music lovers, visitors, and curious first-time attendees gather on the sand for free concerts that showcase the depth and diversity of the contemporary singer-songwriter landscape.

That tradition continues on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines and musician, actress, and storyteller Jill Hennessy arrive in Bradley Beach for an evening that promises emotional depth, exceptional songwriting, and performances rooted in authenticity.

The pairing represents another thoughtfully curated installment in a series that has built its reputation on bringing together artists whose work transcends trends and commercial formulas. While Gaines and Hennessy come from very different professional backgrounds, both have spent decades developing distinctive artistic voices grounded in personal storytelling, emotional honesty, and a deep respect for the craft of songwriting.

For Jeffrey Gaines, the appearance represents another chapter in a career that has quietly become one of the most respected success stories in the American singer-songwriter community.

Raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Gaines emerged during the early 1990s at a time when audiences were increasingly embracing artists whose music favored substance over spectacle. After signing with Chrysalis Records, he introduced listeners to a style that blended folk, rock, soul, and alternative influences into something uniquely his own. His self-titled debut album established him as an artist capable of delivering deeply personal songs while simultaneously connecting with broad audiences through memorable melodies and powerful vocal performances.

What has always distinguished Gaines is the emotional sincerity at the center of his work. His songs rarely rely on complicated arrangements or studio gimmicks. Instead, they succeed because they are built upon timeless songwriting fundamentals: compelling narratives, relatable emotions, and melodies that linger long after the final note fades away.

Throughout his career, Gaines has demonstrated a remarkable ability to communicate vulnerability without sacrificing strength. His songs explore themes of love, loss, redemption, self-discovery, resilience, and human connection with a level of honesty that has earned him a fiercely loyal following throughout the country.

Many listeners first discovered Gaines through songs such as “Hero in Me,” a composition that remains one of the defining works of his catalog. Built around heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, the song showcases his ability to transform personal reflection into something universal. It remains a favorite among longtime fans and a powerful introduction for newcomers experiencing his music for the first time.

Yet perhaps no performance has become more closely associated with Jeffrey Gaines than his remarkable interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” While countless artists have attempted to reinterpret beloved classics, few have managed to completely reinvent a song while preserving its emotional essence. Gaines accomplished exactly that. His stripped-down acoustic version transformed the iconic hit into something intimate, soulful, and deeply personal. Over time, the performance became a signature moment in his live shows and remains one of the most celebrated covers in contemporary singer-songwriter music.

That ability to reimagine familiar material while simultaneously creating powerful original work has helped Gaines maintain a successful touring career for more than three decades. While many artists from his era have come and gone, Gaines remains a respected presence on stages throughout the East Coast and beyond, continuing to attract audiences who appreciate authentic musicianship and emotionally driven songwriting.

Live performance has always been central to his appeal. Whether performing solo with an acoustic guitar or backed by a full ensemble, Gaines possesses a rare ability to command attention through sincerity alone. There is an intimacy to his concerts that makes even large audiences feel connected to the stories unfolding onstage. Every lyric feels intentional. Every note feels earned. Every performance feels personal.

That quality makes him an ideal artist for Songwriters on the Beach, a series specifically designed to showcase artists whose music thrives in intimate environments.

Sharing the evening is Jill Hennessy, an artist whose creative journey has traveled across multiple disciplines while remaining consistently rooted in storytelling.

For many audience members, Hennessy’s name immediately evokes her celebrated acting career. Her performances as Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid on the groundbreaking television series Law & Order and as the lead character in Crossing Jordan established her as one of television’s most recognizable and respected performers. Over the years, her work across film, television, and stage earned widespread acclaim while introducing her to audiences around the world.

Yet music has always occupied an equally important place in her creative life.

Long before many fans discovered her songwriting abilities, Hennessy was developing her voice as a musician, drawing inspiration from folk traditions, Americana, roots rock, country influences, and the rich storytelling traditions that connect all of those genres. Unlike performers who approach music as a side project, Hennessy has built a legitimate and meaningful musical catalog that reflects a deep commitment to songwriting as an artistic discipline.

Her recordings reveal a songwriter unafraid of complexity. The songs are intimate, reflective, and often deeply autobiographical. Themes of family, relationships, memory, resilience, and personal growth appear throughout her work, delivered through lyrics that feel conversational yet poetic.

Albums such as Ghost in My Head and I Do showcase her ability to create songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her writing often embraces imperfection and ambiguity, reflecting the realities of life rather than offering easy answers or simplistic narratives.

Musically, Hennessy occupies a space where Americana, roots rock, folk, and country influences intersect naturally. Her voice carries warmth, texture, and lived experience. The result is music that feels genuine rather than manufactured, intimate rather than performative.

That authenticity extends beyond the studio and onto the stage. Hennessy’s live performances emphasize connection rather than spectacle. Audiences quickly discover that her songwriting deserves the same level of attention and respect as her acting career. In many ways, the same qualities that have made her such a compelling actress—empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to communicate complex human experiences—also make her a captivating musician.

Her ongoing involvement with charitable organizations and benefit performances, including appearances connected to the Light of Day Foundation and other community-driven initiatives, further demonstrates her commitment to using music as a vehicle for connection and positive impact.

Together, Gaines and Hennessy create a lineup that perfectly embodies the spirit of Songwriters on the Beach. Both artists prioritize substance over flash. Both understand the power of storytelling. Both have spent years developing artistic voices rooted in honesty, craftsmanship, and emotional authenticity.

The setting itself elevates the experience even further. As daylight begins to fade across the Atlantic Ocean and summer breezes move through Bradley Beach, audiences will experience two artists whose music thrives in exactly this type of environment. The sound of waves becomes part of the performance. The open sky becomes part of the stage. The beach transforms into a gathering place where songs can resonate in ways impossible to replicate inside traditional venues.

For Brookdale Public Radio and 90.5 The Night, that has always been the mission. The series is not simply about presenting concerts. It is about building community through music. It is about creating opportunities for discovery. It is about supporting artists whose work deserves to be heard. And it is about preserving the unique cultural identity that has long made the Jersey Shore one of America’s great music destinations.

As the 2026 Songwriters on the Beach season continues, the August 13 performance stands as another reminder of why the series has endured for more than twenty years. In an era dominated by algorithms, viral trends, and increasingly fragmented entertainment experiences, there remains tremendous value in gathering together to hear great songs performed by gifted artists.

Jeffrey Gaines will bring decades of singer-songwriter excellence, unforgettable melodies, and one of the most distinctive voices on the touring circuit. Jill Hennessy will bring powerful storytelling, heartfelt Americana, and the perspective of an artist whose creative life extends far beyond any single medium. Together, they will create an evening defined not by spectacle, but by connection.

And on a summer night in Bradley Beach, that may be the most powerful performance of all.ormance that promises to be among the season’s most memorable highlights.

Paradise Island Luau
2026-08-13 19:30 - 23:30 | Cooper River Park at Jack Curtis Stadium, Cooper River Park 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken, New Jersey, 08109, United States
Camden County’s Twilight Concert Series Returns to Pennsauken With One of New Jersey’s Strongest Free Summer Music Lineups of 2026

The Twilight Concert Series takes a vibrant cultural turn on August 13 as the Paradise Island Luau transforms Jack Curtis Stadium into a full-scale Polynesian celebration blending music, dance, cuisine, storytelling, and high-energy live performance. More than a traditional concert, the evening is designed as an immersive island-inspired experience where audiences are transported through authentic Pacific traditions and entertainment from the very moment the festivities begin. Set against the summer backdrop of Cooper River Park, the luau brings a completely different atmosphere to the Camden County concert calendar, expanding the series beyond mainstream music performances into a broader celebration of global cultural artistry.

Throughout the evening, attendees can expect an evolving showcase of traditional Polynesian rhythms, synchronized dance performances, interactive crowd participation, and visually striking stage production that captures the spirit and energy associated with island celebrations across Hawaii and the South Pacific. The event’s emphasis on authenticity gives the performance added depth, creating an experience that feels educational and celebratory at the same time. Families, first-time attendees, and returning concertgoers alike are expected to be drawn into the immersive atmosphere as the music, movement, and ceremonial elements unfold across the night.

One of the most anticipated moments of the entire Twilight Concert Series season will undoubtedly be the luau’s dramatic fire knife finale, a breathtaking performance tradition known for its speed, precision, athleticism, and visual intensity. In the open-air setting of Jack Curtis Stadium, the fire performance is expected to create one of the summer’s most memorable live entertainment moments. Combined with the relaxed outdoor environment, food vendors, riverfront scenery, and community-focused atmosphere of the series, the Paradise Island Luau stands out as one of the most unique and visually spectacular events on Camden County’s 2026 summer entertainment schedule.

Every summer, New Jersey proves once again that some of the best live music experiences in the region are not confined to arenas, casinos, or ticketed amphitheaters. They unfold in parks, along riverfronts, inside county spaces built for community gathering, and under open skies where families, longtime music fans, and new generations come together for nights that feel distinctly local while carrying the energy of major touring events. That tradition continues in a major way this season as the Camden County Board of Commissioners officially brings back the Twilight Concert Series at Jack Curtis Stadium in Pennsauken, one of South Jersey’s most consistent and increasingly important live music destinations.

Set against the scenic Cooper River corridor, the 2026 edition of the Twilight Concert Series arrives with a lineup that reflects exactly where live entertainment culture is right now. Nostalgia remains powerful, but audiences are no longer interested in simple throwback performances. They want immersive experiences, recognizable songs, artist interaction, and events that feel communal rather than transactional. Camden County’s programming this summer taps directly into that demand with a schedule blending pop revival tours, classic rock royalty, orchestral performances, R&B favorites, tropical celebration nights, and one of the most recognizable drummers in American rock history.

For New Jersey residents, the series has become more than another county-sponsored concert calendar. It has evolved into a defining part of the regional summer identity, particularly for South Jersey audiences looking for major entertainment without the cost and logistical burden attached to large-scale venues. The fact that these concerts remain entirely free only strengthens the cultural value of the program.

Hosted at the riverfront-adjacent Jack Curtis Stadium in Pennsauken, the Twilight Concert Series once again positions Camden County as one of the state’s strongest public supporters of accessible arts programming. At a time when ticket prices for national tours continue climbing across the live entertainment industry, programs like this have become increasingly meaningful. Families can attend together without financial barriers. Younger audiences can discover legacy artists in a live setting for the first time. Older fans reconnect with music that defined entire eras of radio, MTV, and summer nightlife. The result is a uniquely New Jersey concert atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and current at the same time.

The season officially launches June 4 with the Pop 2000s Tour, a lineup specifically designed to capture the enduring cultural impact of early-2000s pop music. Hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC, the evening features performances from O-Town, LFO, and Ryan Cabrera in what is expected to be one of the largest-attended events of the series. Over the past several years, the resurgence of Y2K-era pop culture has transformed from a temporary trend into a dominant force in music and entertainment. Audiences that grew up during the TRL generation now represent a major live-event demographic, and the Twilight Concert Series opens its season by leaning directly into that momentum.

What makes nights like this work in a venue such as Jack Curtis Stadium is the atmosphere. Unlike tightly packed arena seating or corporate concert settings, the Twilight format allows audiences to experience the music in a more relaxed and communal environment. Families arrive early with lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Groups spread out along the grass before sunset. Food trucks line the surrounding areas while fans move freely through the venue rather than remaining confined to assigned seating. It creates a summer-night energy that feels authentic to South Jersey itself.

One week later, on June 11, the series pivots into classic rock territory with Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, one of the most interactive live music concepts currently touring. Weinberg, best known worldwide as the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, has built the Jukebox format around audience participation. Fans effectively create the setlist in real time, calling out songs spanning The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and other classic rock staples. That unpredictability has become central to the appeal.

For New Jersey audiences specifically, Weinberg’s appearance carries even deeper resonance. The relationship between New Jersey and Springsteen’s musical legacy remains foundational to the identity of the state’s live music culture. Even outside an official E Street Band performance, the presence of one of its defining members immediately elevates the significance of the evening. It also reinforces something the Twilight Concert Series continues to do exceptionally well: presenting artists with genuine cultural credibility rather than relying solely on tribute acts or nostalgia branding.

The July portion of the schedule continues with another major shift in genre and atmosphere. On July 9, Color Me Badd brings its signature blend of pop, R&B, and hip-hop harmony-driven songwriting to Pennsauken. Few vocal groups from the early 1990s remain as instantly recognizable to audiences across generations. Their catalog still carries enormous crossover familiarity through radio, streaming platforms, and pop-culture retrospectives, making the concert one of the season’s strongest multi-generational draws.

The following week may ultimately become one of the most emotionally significant events of the entire summer lineup. On July 16, Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band arrive in South Jersey for an evening deeply connected to the enduring musical legacy of The Beach Boys and the artistry of Brian Wilson. Jardine, a founding member of The Beach Boys, represents a direct living connection to one of the most transformative groups in American music history. His performances combine beloved surf-rock classics with deeper catalog selections and reflections tied to Wilson’s extraordinary songwriting influence.

In New Jersey, where classic rock audiences remain among the most passionate in the country, nights like this transcend nostalgia. They become living celebrations of American songwriting history. The emotional connection audiences maintain to records like Pet Sounds continues to span generations because the music itself remains timeless. Hearing those songs performed outdoors beside the Cooper River during peak summer season creates exactly the kind of experiential live event audiences increasingly seek today.

By August, the series broadens even further. The August 13 Paradise Island Luau transforms the concert format into a full cultural celebration built around tropical rhythms, dance traditions, and interactive crowd participation. These themed nights have become especially popular in county summer programming because they attract audiences beyond traditional concertgoers. Families, community groups, and younger attendees often engage differently with immersive performances that combine music, movement, and atmosphere into a larger event experience.

The season concludes August 27 with the South Jersey Pops Orchestra delivering what is expected to be a massive symphonic finale at Jack Curtis Stadium. Featuring film music, Broadway selections, orchestral standards, and crossover arrangements, the performance serves as both a concert and a ceremonial close to the county’s summer entertainment calendar. Large-scale orchestral performances in outdoor settings carry a distinct cinematic quality, particularly in venues positioned near water and open landscapes like Cooper River Park.

The Twilight Concert Series also reflects a much larger transformation currently happening across New Jersey’s live entertainment ecosystem. Increasingly, counties and municipalities are becoming critical drivers of cultural programming. While major touring circuits still dominate large venues across the state, local government-backed music initiatives are now filling an equally important role by creating accessible public gathering spaces centered around live performance.

Programs like the Twilight Concert Series strengthen regional tourism, drive local restaurant and small-business traffic, encourage park utilization, and reinforce community identity through shared experiences. In South Jersey especially, where audiences often travel into Philadelphia for entertainment, events like this continue proving that world-class live music experiences can thrive locally.

The venue itself has become central to that success. Jack Curtis Stadium offers an environment fundamentally different from traditional concert infrastructure. Positioned within the Cooper River Park area, the stadium combines accessibility with scenic surroundings that naturally complement summer programming. The open-lawn format keeps the experience relaxed and community-oriented while still accommodating major crowds.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets since seating remains entirely open and first-come, first-served. Outside food and picnic baskets are permitted, further reinforcing the family-oriented nature of the series. Meanwhile, rotating food truck vendors continue adding another important layer to the atmosphere, creating a festival-like experience surrounding each concert evening.

Accessibility has also remained a major strength of the series. The venue’s location at 5300 North Park Drive in Pennsauken places it within easy driving distance for residents across Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. With accessible parking and relatively straightforward transit access from Philadelphia, the series consistently attracts audiences from both sides of the Delaware River.

More importantly, the Twilight Concert Series succeeds because it understands something essential about New Jersey’s relationship with live music. This state does not treat concerts as passive entertainment. Music here has always functioned as a communal language tied to identity, memory, geography, and summer culture itself. Whether audiences are singing along to early-2000s pop anthems, classic rock staples, Beach Boys harmonies, or orchestral film scores beneath the night sky, the experience becomes bigger than the performance alone.

That is precisely why the Twilight Concert Series continues growing into one of New Jersey’s defining seasonal traditions. It merges accessibility with legitimacy. It respects audiences enough to present recognizable, culturally meaningful artists while still preserving the informal atmosphere that makes county summer concerts feel special in the first place. In an era when much of live entertainment feels increasingly expensive, overproduced, or disconnected from local communities, Pennsauken’s summer riverfront concerts continue offering something refreshingly genuine.

For Explore New Jersey readers tracking the state’s evolving music and entertainment landscape, the return of the Twilight Concert Series stands as another reminder that some of the strongest live-event programming in the region is happening directly inside local communities. From classic rock history to pop revival energy, orchestral performance, family programming, and open-air summer celebration, Camden County’s 2026 season captures the full spectrum of what New Jersey live music culture has become.

Additional information about New Jersey’s expanding live music scene, regional concerts, summer entertainment programming, and statewide arts coverage can be explored through the Explore New Jersey Music section as the 2026 summer season continues across the Garden State.

Evan Sherman
2026-08-13 19:30 - 23:30 | New Jersey
New Jersey’s Own Evan Sherman Returns to the Back Deck for a World-Class Summer Jazz Evening at the Morris Museum

There are moments when a musician’s career trajectory moves so quickly that even longtime jazz audiences find themselves stopping mid-performance to fully process what they are witnessing. That phenomenon surrounds Evan Sherman right now. Although still only in his thirties, the New Jersey-born drummer, bandleader, arranger, and GRAMMY-winning performer has already assembled a résumé that many jazz musicians spend entire lifetimes attempting to build. On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Sherman brings that extraordinary momentum back home to New Jersey as part of the Morris Museum’s acclaimed Back Deck 2026 concert series for what promises to be one of the summer’s premier live jazz performances.

The concert immediately stands out as more than simply another stop on a seasonal outdoor schedule. Sherman’s return represents the intersection of New Jersey roots, elite contemporary jazz artistry, and the increasingly important role the Morris Museum’s Back Deck series now occupies within the state’s cultural landscape. Over the last several years, the Back Deck has evolved into one of New Jersey’s most respected outdoor performance environments, presenting artists who are not merely touring musicians, but major contributors shaping the future of jazz, chamber music, fusion, Latin music, and contemporary performance culture itself.

Sherman fits that mission perfectly because his career embodies both tradition and forward momentum simultaneously. His musicianship is deeply grounded in classic jazz vocabulary, yet his career path reflects the modern global reality of elite jazz performance in the twenty-first century. He is equally comfortable driving a small acoustic ensemble, powering a large jazz orchestra, supporting iconic legends, arranging for vocalists, or performing in front of massive international audiences across multiple continents.

What makes Sherman especially compelling for New Jersey audiences is the fact that his ascent feels genuinely local in origin while simultaneously international in scope. Before he became associated with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz and vocal performance, Sherman was simply a young musician from New Jersey whose talent became impossible to ignore. That regional connection adds emotional weight to performances like this because audiences are not merely watching a touring artist stop through town. They are watching one of New Jersey’s own return after emerging onto the world stage.

Sherman began playing professionally as a teenager, a detail that immediately reveals the seriousness of his talent and discipline from an early age. Jazz drumming at a professional level requires far more than technical coordination or raw speed. It demands musical maturity, dynamic sensitivity, deep listening ability, rhythmic sophistication, stylistic versatility, and the capacity to elevate every musician sharing the stage. Great jazz drummers do not merely keep time. They shape atmosphere, control momentum, guide transitions, build tension, create release, and establish the emotional architecture of live performance itself.

Those qualities became evident quickly enough that Sherman earned a Presidential Scholarship to attend the Manhattan School of Music in 2011. Yet perhaps the most revealing detail about his rise is that before graduating in 2015, he had already been personally hired by towering jazz figures including Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, and John Lee.

That list alone places Sherman within extraordinarily rare company. These are not casual collaborations or brief industry encounters. They are endorsements from some of the most respected and discerning musicians in jazz history. In jazz culture, especially at the highest professional level, trust is everything. Legendary artists do not hand over rhythmic control of their music to drummers incapable of handling the responsibility. Sherman earned that trust extraordinarily young.

His work alongside Ron Carter particularly helped solidify his reputation among serious jazz audiences. Critics praised Sherman’s playing on the 2017 release Masters Legacy, with observers marveling at how a drummer still in his twenties could perform with the maturity, confidence, and restraint associated with veteran masters decades older. That reaction reflects one of Sherman’s defining artistic strengths: his playing never feels forced or over-performed. He possesses the ability to generate immense energy and sophistication while maintaining elegance, patience, and groove.

In recent years, Sherman’s profile has expanded even further through his ongoing work with Samara Joy, one of the most important breakout vocalists in contemporary jazz. Beginning in 2022, Sherman joined Joy’s rapidly ascending international touring and recording orbit, performing across five continents at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. That global schedule included appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival alongside major television appearances on the Grammy Awards, The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Today, 60 Minutes, and additional national broadcasts.

That level of visibility reflects not only technical excellence but adaptability. Modern jazz musicians increasingly operate across multiple worlds simultaneously. Sherman moves seamlessly between traditional jazz performance, contemporary vocal accompaniment, orchestral arrangement, television production environments, recording studios, and international touring circuits. That versatility has become one of the defining characteristics of elite modern jazz careers.

Importantly, Sherman’s artistry extends beyond sideman work. His own projects increasingly showcase his vision as both a bandleader and composer. His 2021 debut quintet album Sidewalkin’ introduced audiences to a broader picture of his musical identity beyond accompaniment roles alone. The recording demonstrated Sherman’s understanding of ensemble architecture, melodic pacing, rhythmic storytelling, and modern jazz presentation while preserving the swing traditions foundational to the music itself.

For the Morris Museum audience, that broader artistic identity is exactly what makes this Back Deck appearance so intriguing. Promoted as “Evan Sherman & Friends,” the evening carries the sense of openness and spontaneity that often defines the best jazz performances. Rather than rigidly scripted presentation, audiences can likely expect the kind of collaborative interplay, musical conversation, improvisational energy, and ensemble chemistry that transforms great jazz concerts into singular experiences unique to that exact evening.

The Back Deck itself provides an ideal environment for that kind of performance. Since debuting in 2020, the series has become one of New Jersey’s most distinctive outdoor concert destinations by rejecting the stiffness often associated with traditional concert halls while preserving artistic seriousness. Guests arrive early with chairs, refreshments, picnic spreads, and wine before settling into designated viewing spaces atop the Morris Museum’s elevated parking deck. The atmosphere blends sophistication with relaxed summer intimacy, creating an environment where audiences feel simultaneously connected to the performers and socially immersed within the evening itself.

Jazz thrives within spaces like this because the music depends heavily on atmosphere, audience energy, and human interaction. Outdoor summer performances naturally encourage a different kind of listening experience than formal theater seating. Conversations happen before the music begins. Sunset shifts across the skyline. Audiences settle into communal rhythms. By the time the band takes the stage, the environment already feels emotionally alive.

For Sherman specifically, the setting allows audiences to appreciate the full scope of his musicianship in a way large festival stages sometimes cannot. Drummers are often physically positioned behind ensembles, making their influence felt more than visually centered. Yet in intimate performance settings, audiences gain a clearer understanding of how profoundly great drummers shape musical flow. Sherman’s ability to guide momentum, sculpt dynamics, and generate rhythmic elasticity becomes especially compelling in close listening environments.

The concert also reinforces New Jersey’s increasingly important position within the national jazz ecosystem. Historically overshadowed by New York’s larger institutional scene, New Jersey has quietly developed an extraordinarily rich arts infrastructure built around festivals, museums, educational institutions, regional venues, and artist communities. Performers like Sherman demonstrate how deeply the state continues contributing to the broader evolution of American jazz culture.

The practical structure surrounding the concert maintains the now familiar Back Deck format. Ticket blocks are available for one or two attendees, encouraging guests to create personalized seating areas for the evening. Concertgoers are welcome to arrive beginning at 6:30 PM to enjoy picnics and refreshments before the 7:30 PM start time. Should weather conditions require adjustment, performances relocate indoors to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre.

The continued growth of the Back Deck series itself remains one of New Jersey’s most impressive arts success stories of the last several years. Since launching during the uncertain cultural landscape of 2020, the series has welcomed more than 11,000 attendees while presenting over 72 performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists, emerging stars, chamber ensembles, jazz innovators, and genre-crossing performers. The elevated rooftop venue has evolved into something much larger than a seasonal concert series. It has become a signature regional arts destination capable of attracting audiences seeking sophisticated live performance experiences without leaving New Jersey.

Evan Sherman’s return represents exactly the kind of artist the series was designed to showcase: technically elite, artistically ambitious, culturally relevant, and deeply connected to both tradition and innovation. His career already spans collaborations with legendary jazz masters, international touring acclaim, major television appearances, award-winning recordings, and rapidly growing recognition as both a drummer and creative force.

On August 13, the Back Deck audience will not simply witness a talented drummer returning home. They will experience one of contemporary jazz’s most accomplished young musicians performing within one of New Jersey’s most unique live music environments, combining world-class artistry with the unmistakable atmosphere of a summer evening built around rhythm, improvisation, collaboration, and the enduring power of live jazz performance.

BoDeans - 40th Anniversary
2026-08-14 20:00 - 23:30 | The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St, , NJ, Newton, NJ, 07860, United States
BoDeans Celebrate 40 Years of “Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams” with a Landmark New Jersey Performance Spanning Five Decades of American Rock

New Jersey’s live music calendar continues to affirm its position as a destination for artists whose work has shaped the fabric of American music, and on Friday, August 14, 2026, that legacy takes center stage as BoDeans arrive for an 8:00 pm all-ages performance commemorating the 40th anniversary of their landmark debut album Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams. This is not simply a concert—it is a sweeping retrospective of a band whose sound has resonated across generations, anchored by a catalog that has defined moments in both music and culture for more than four decades.

At the core of this anniversary tour is a concept that elevates the traditional live performance into something far more expansive. BoDeans will deliver an extended two-and-a-half-hour show that integrates a curated video retrospective alongside a setlist spanning their entire discography. The result is a multi-dimensional experience that traces the band’s evolution from its origins in the mid-1980s through its continued creative output into the present decade. Each era is represented not as a standalone chapter, but as part of a continuous narrative that reflects both artistic growth and enduring identity.

Founded in Waukesha, Wisconsin and led by original frontman Kurt Neumann, BoDeans emerged at a time when American rock was undergoing a significant transformation. Their debut album, produced by T Bone Burnett, immediately set them apart with its blend of roots-driven authenticity, melodic clarity, and lyrical depth. Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams was not simply well-received—it established a blueprint for a sound that would carry through their subsequent releases, balancing introspection with anthemic energy in a way that continues to resonate with audiences today.

The band’s trajectory following that debut reinforced their standing within the industry. Albums such as Outside Looking In, Home, and Black and White expanded their sonic range while maintaining a consistent emotional core. By the time Go Slow Down arrived in 1993, BoDeans had fully established themselves as a force within the American rock landscape. The album’s standout track, “Closer to Free,” would go on to achieve widespread recognition as the theme song for the hit television series Party of Five, embedding the band’s music into the cultural consciousness of an entire generation.

What distinguishes BoDeans, however, is not solely their recorded output, but their sustained excellence as a live act. Over the course of their career, they have shared stages with some of the most influential artists in modern music, including U2, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Pretenders, and David Bowie. These associations are not incidental—they reflect a level of respect and recognition that speaks to the band’s ability to deliver performances that are both technically accomplished and emotionally compelling. Their appearances at major events such as Farm Aid, Summerfest, and Austin City Limits further underscore their role as a band capable of connecting with audiences across diverse settings and scales.

The upcoming New Jersey performance builds on that legacy while introducing a format that is uniquely suited to the occasion. By incorporating visual elements that chronicle their journey alongside the music itself, BoDeans create a layered experience that engages both memory and immediacy. Fans who have followed the band for decades will find a renewed connection to the songs that have defined their listening history, while newer audiences are offered a comprehensive introduction to a catalog that spans five distinct decades of music.

New Jersey’s continued emergence as a hub for culturally significant live performances is reflected in the expanding reach of Explore New Jersey’s music coverage, which consistently highlights events that contribute to the state’s evolving artistic identity. The inclusion of BoDeans within this landscape reinforces the region’s ability to attract artists whose work carries both historical weight and ongoing relevance.

There is a broader significance to this anniversary as well. In an industry often driven by cycles of rapid change, BoDeans represent a model of longevity that is grounded in consistency, craftsmanship, and a clear sense of purpose. Their music has remained accessible without becoming formulaic, evolving without losing its core identity. Songs like “Good Things,” “You Don’t Get Much,” and “Idaho” continue to resonate not because they are tied to a specific moment, but because they capture themes that are universal—connection, resilience, and the search for meaning within everyday life.

Kurt Neumann’s role as songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer has been central to maintaining that continuity. His approach to composition emphasizes clarity and structure, allowing melodies and lyrics to carry the emotional weight of each song. This focus on fundamentals has enabled the band to adapt to changing musical landscapes while preserving the qualities that define their sound.

As August 14 approaches, the anticipation surrounding this performance reflects a recognition that milestones of this magnitude are rare. A 40-year anniversary is not simply a marker of time—it is an acknowledgment of sustained relevance, of a body of work that continues to find new audiences while remaining meaningful to those who have been there from the beginning.

For New Jersey audiences, this event offers more than a concert experience. It is an opportunity to engage with a band that has contributed significantly to the evolution of American rock, presented in a format that honors both their history and their ongoing creative presence. It reinforces the state’s position within the broader live music ecosystem while delivering a performance that is as reflective as it is forward-looking.

On this night, BoDeans will not just revisit their past—they will bring it into the present, weaving together decades of music into a cohesive and compelling live experience that underscores why their work has endured and why it continues to matter.

Booker T. Jones
2026-08-16 19:00 - 23:30 | Atlantic City at Kennedy Plaza, 2300-, 2498 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, United States
Booker T. Jones Brings Rock and Roll Royalty to Atlantic City as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk Continues a Summer Tradition

The Jersey Shore has long been a destination where music and summer become inseparable. From legendary clubs and beachfront festivals to boardwalk performances and community concerts, live music remains one of the defining sounds of a New Jersey summer. Along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, that tradition takes center stage once again as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues its celebrated 2026 season with one of its most anticipated performances of the year. On August 19, music fans will have the opportunity to witness a true American music icon when Booker T. Jones headlines an unforgettable evening at Kennedy Plaza, joined by Jersey Shore favorites the Billy Walton Band featuring the Plaid Salmon Horns.

As free summer concert series become increasingly rare across the country, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues to stand out as one of New Jersey’s greatest live music success stories. Presented by Tony Mart Presents and veteran promoter Carmen Marotta, the series has evolved into one of the most beloved summer traditions on the Jersey Shore, attracting music lovers from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond.

Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk, the concert series captures something that has always made New Jersey’s live music scene special: world-class performers sharing a stage with regional favorites in an environment that is accessible, welcoming, and deeply connected to the community.

The August 19 performance represents a perfect example of that philosophy.

Few artists in American music history possess a resume as extraordinary as Booker T. Jones. As the legendary leader of Booker T. & the MG’s, Jones helped create some of the most influential recordings ever produced. His unmistakable Hammond organ sound became one of the defining voices of soul music, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and American popular music itself.

For generations of listeners, the opening notes of “Green Onions” remain instantly recognizable. More than sixty years after its release, the instrumental classic continues to stand among the most celebrated recordings in music history. Yet Booker T.’s legacy extends far beyond a single song.

As a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, and bandleader, Jones played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Stax Records during one of the most important periods in American music. His work helped establish Memphis as one of the nation’s great musical capitals while influencing countless artists across genres ranging from soul and blues to rock, country, jazz, and funk.

His impact can still be heard throughout contemporary music.

Booker T. & the MG’s served as the house band on many of the most iconic recordings ever made, helping create timeless hits alongside artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Albert King, and dozens of others whose recordings defined an era.

The band’s unique chemistry became legendary. Their ability to blend soul, blues, rhythm and blues, country influences, and rock and roll into a seamless musical language changed popular music forever.

Recognition followed naturally.

Booker T. & the MG’s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Jones himself has received multiple Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his extraordinary contributions to music history. His influence stretches across generations, making him one of the most respected musicians ever to emerge from the American recording industry.

What makes Booker T. Jones particularly remarkable is his ability to remain artistically relevant throughout multiple decades. While many performers become tied to a specific era, Jones has continually evolved while maintaining the musical excellence that first established his reputation.

His solo work, collaborations, production projects, and live performances have introduced his artistry to entirely new audiences while preserving the timeless qualities that made him a legend.

When he arrives in Atlantic City this August, audiences will have the opportunity to experience a performer whose music helped shape the very foundation of modern American sound.

The setting could hardly be more appropriate.

Atlantic City has long embraced artists who represent the rich traditions of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, rock, and American roots music. The city’s musical heritage stretches back generations, making it an ideal destination for a performer whose career embodies so much of that history.

Yet this concert is far more than a celebration of the past.

Opening the evening is one of New Jersey’s most respected and accomplished live acts, the Billy Walton Band featuring the Plaid Salmon Horns.

For years, Billy Walton has established himself as one of the Jersey Shore’s premier guitarists, performers, and songwriters. His music draws from the same traditions that helped shape artists like Booker T. Jones while simultaneously reflecting the unique energy and character of the modern Jersey Shore music scene.

Blending rock, blues, soul, rhythm and blues, and Americana influences, Walton has built a reputation as a dynamic live performer capable of delivering both technical brilliance and emotional authenticity.

His performances consistently demonstrate why the Jersey Shore remains one of America’s most important regional music communities. Audiences are drawn not only to Walton’s impressive guitar work but also to his ability to connect with listeners through powerful songwriting and passionate performances.

Adding even greater depth to the performance are the Plaid Salmon Horns, whose rich arrangements and energetic stage presence elevate the band’s sound into something truly special. Together, they create a powerful musical experience that perfectly complements the evening’s headlining performance.

The pairing of Booker T. Jones and the Billy Walton Band illustrates exactly why Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has become such a successful series.

Rather than simply presenting concerts, the series creates meaningful musical conversations between generations, styles, and traditions. Legendary national artists share the spotlight with exceptional regional talent, allowing audiences to experience both the roots and future of American music during a single evening.

That approach reflects the broader vision behind Tony Mart Presents.

For decades, Carmen Marotta and his team have worked to create opportunities for audiences to experience high-quality live music in community-centered environments. The result has been a collection of events that not only entertain but also strengthen the cultural identity of the Jersey Shore.

Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has become one of the most visible examples of that commitment.

Every Wednesday evening throughout the summer, Kennedy Plaza transforms into a gathering place where residents and visitors come together to celebrate music, community, and the unique spirit of Atlantic City. Families bring chairs, friends gather along the boardwalk, and visitors discover the city through one of its most powerful cultural assets: live music.

The atmosphere captures the spirit of New Orleans while remaining distinctly New Jersey.

Ocean breezes replace the Mississippi River. Boardwalk lights replace Bourbon Street. Yet the sense of celebration, spontaneity, and community remains remarkably similar.

As August 19 approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be one of the standout performances of the entire 2026 season.

For longtime fans, it is an opportunity to see a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend perform in one of the most unique concert settings on the East Coast. For younger audiences, it is a chance to experience firsthand an artist whose influence can be heard throughout modern music. For supporters of local music, it offers another opportunity to celebrate one of the Jersey Shore’s finest performers in Billy Walton and his exceptional band.

Most importantly, it represents everything that makes New Jersey’s live music culture special.

World-class artists. Incredible local talent. An oceanfront setting. A vibrant community atmosphere. And a shared appreciation for the music that continues to bring people together generation after generation.

On August 19, Atlantic City’s boardwalk becomes the stage for a night where musical history, Jersey Shore tradition, and summer celebration all meet under the same sky. For music fans throughout the region, it promises to be one of the defining nights of the summer.

Dana Fuchs
2026-08-17 19:00 - 23:30 | Atlantic City at Kennedy Plaza, 2300-, 2498 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, United States
Dana Fuchs and Funktastic Voyage Turn Up the Heat at Atlantic City’s Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

The Jersey Shore has long been a destination where music and summer become inseparable. From legendary clubs and beachfront festivals to boardwalk performances and community concerts, live music remains one of the defining sounds of a New Jersey summer. Along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, that tradition takes center stage once again as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues its celebrated 2026 season with one of its most anticipated performances of the year.

On August 17, the free Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series delivers an unforgettable combination of powerhouse vocals, blues-rock intensity, funk, soul, and dance-floor energy as acclaimed singer-songwriter Dana Fuchs headlines an evening that also features the electrifying ten-piece ensemble Funktastic Voyage. Together, the performers promise a celebration of American music that spans decades, genres, and generations while transforming the Atlantic City Boardwalk into one of the hottest live music destinations of the summer.

For music fans who appreciate performers capable of commanding a stage from the moment they step into the spotlight, Dana Fuchs represents the very definition of authenticity. Throughout her career, Fuchs has built an international reputation as one of contemporary roots music’s most compelling performers, combining the emotional intensity of blues, the grit of rock and roll, and the soulfulness of classic American rhythm and blues into a sound that is entirely her own.

Her voice is impossible to ignore. Powerful, expressive, and deeply emotional, Fuchs delivers performances that connect directly with audiences in a way few artists can achieve. Every song feels lived-in, every lyric carries weight, and every concert becomes an immersive experience fueled by passion and authenticity.

Many audiences first discovered Dana Fuchs through her acclaimed theatrical portrayal of Janis Joplin in the Off-Broadway production Love, Janis. The role introduced her to a wider audience and demonstrated her remarkable ability to channel the spirit, emotion, and power associated with one of rock music’s most legendary voices. Rather than simply imitating Joplin, Fuchs captured the raw vulnerability and explosive energy that made Janis such a transformative artist.

Her talent soon reached an even larger audience through her memorable role in the celebrated musical film Across the Universe. As the character Sexy Sadie, Fuchs delivered a performance that showcased both her acting abilities and her extraordinary vocal range. The film introduced her to a new generation of music fans and further cemented her reputation as a performer capable of bringing depth and emotion to every stage she occupies.

Yet while those appearances helped expand her profile, Dana Fuchs has spent years building an impressive recording and touring career that stands firmly on its own merits.

Her albums have earned praise from critics and audiences alike for their fearless songwriting, exceptional musicianship, and emotional honesty. Drawing inspiration from blues, soul, Southern rock, and Americana traditions, Fuchs continues to create music that feels both timeless and contemporary. Her songs often explore themes of resilience, personal growth, heartbreak, redemption, and determination, reflecting the life experiences that have shaped her artistic voice.

Live performance remains at the center of her artistry. Whether appearing in intimate clubs, major festivals, or large concert venues, Fuchs consistently delivers the kind of performances that leave audiences talking long after the final song ends. Her appearance in Atlantic City offers New Jersey audiences a chance to experience that intensity firsthand in one of the region’s most unique outdoor settings.

As compelling as Dana Fuchs is on her own, the August 17 lineup becomes even more exciting with the addition of Funktastic Voyage, a ten-piece musical powerhouse dedicated to celebrating some of the greatest funk, soul, and dance music ever created.

The group’s mission is straightforward: keep audiences moving, dancing, and singing from the opening note until the final encore.

Drawing from the catalogs of legendary artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, War, Ohio Players, Chaka Khan, and Prince, Funktastic Voyage recreates the energy and excitement of an era when live bands ruled dance floors and unforgettable grooves dominated radio airwaves. Their performances are more than tribute concerts. They are immersive celebrations of some of the most influential music ever recorded.

With a full horn section, dynamic vocalists, tight rhythm arrangements, and a stage presence built around audience engagement, Funktastic Voyage captures the spirit of the classic funk and soul experience while bringing fresh energy to every performance. Their shows blend musical precision with nonstop entertainment, creating an atmosphere that encourages audiences of all ages to participate.

The music they celebrate remains remarkably influential. Songs from Earth, Wind & Fire continue to fill arenas and wedding receptions alike. Prince’s groundbreaking fusion of rock, funk, and pop remains as innovative today as when it first appeared. Chaka Khan’s extraordinary vocal performances continue to inspire generations of singers. War’s socially conscious grooves and Ohio Players’ infectious rhythms helped define the soundtrack of the 1970s and beyond.

By bringing these musical legacies together on one stage, Funktastic Voyage creates a celebration of rhythm, groove, and musicianship that perfectly complements Dana Fuchs’ blues-rock firepower.

Together, the evening’s performers showcase the incredible diversity of American popular music. From blues and rock to funk, soul, and rhythm and blues, the August 17 concert highlights genres that have shaped countless artists and influenced virtually every corner of modern music.

The setting makes the experience even more special.

Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has become one of Atlantic City’s signature summer attractions, drawing residents and visitors together for free performances that celebrate the city’s long-standing connection to live entertainment. Located against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, the concert series transforms the Boardwalk into an outdoor festival environment where music, community, and summer traditions intersect.

The Lundi Gras Monday Night Concert Series has consistently featured artists who represent excellence in their respective genres, and the pairing of Dana Fuchs and Funktastic Voyage continues that tradition. It is the kind of lineup that appeals to multiple generations of music fans while introducing younger audiences to artists and styles that helped shape contemporary music culture.

For Atlantic City, events like these reinforce the city’s role as one of New Jersey’s most important cultural and entertainment destinations. Beyond casinos and tourism, the city continues to embrace its identity as a place where live music thrives and where audiences can experience performances ranging from internationally recognized headliners to beloved regional favorites.

For Explore New Jersey readers looking for one of the summer’s most exciting live music events, August 17 offers a compelling combination of artistry, energy, and atmosphere. Dana Fuchs brings a world-class voice and an extraordinary stage presence. Funktastic Voyage delivers a celebration of funk and soul guaranteed to get audiences moving. Together, they create a concert experience that reflects everything Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk represents.

As the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean and the sounds of blues, soul, funk, and rock fill the Boardwalk, audiences will once again be reminded why live music remains such an essential part of the Jersey Shore experience. It is about more than entertainment. It is about connection, community, and the shared joy that only great music can provide.

On August 17, Atlantic City becomes the gathering place for all of those traditions. From Dana Fuchs’ powerhouse vocals to the irresistible grooves of Funktastic Voyage, the evening promises to be one of the defining musical moments of the 2026 summer season and another memorable chapter in the continuing success of Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk.

Sadie Gust
2026-08-19 19:30 - 23:30 | McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell, Haddon Township, Haddon Township, New Jersey, 08107, United States
Sadie Gust Brings Soulful Songwriting and Rising Philadelphia Energy to the 2026 Sundown Music Series at Haddon Lake Park

Every summer, New Jersey’s live music culture expands far beyond arenas, amphitheaters, casinos, and stadium tours. Some of the state’s most memorable performances happen instead inside county parks, downtown greens, waterfront promenades, and neighborhood gathering spaces where audiences arrive carrying lawn chairs and blankets rather than VIP credentials. These are the places where live music still feels connected to community life rather than detached from it. In South Jersey, few concert traditions embody that spirit more completely than the Sundown Music Series at Haddon Lake Park.

Returning once again to the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell in Haddon Township, the 2026 Sundown Music Series arrives with one of its strongest and most stylistically ambitious lineups in recent memory. Sponsored by AAA South Jersey and presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners, the free weekly concert series has steadily evolved into one of the region’s defining summer cultural programs, bringing nationally recognized touring artists, respected independent performers, and deeply community-oriented live entertainment into one of the most atmospheric outdoor venues anywhere in the state.

That atmosphere remains central to why the series continues growing.

The Dell does not feel overproduced or disconnected from its surroundings. The wooded amphitheater inside Haddon Lake Park creates a setting where music feels naturally integrated into the environment itself. As the sun lowers behind the trees and stage lights begin illuminating the park, the venue transforms into the kind of gathering space that modern entertainment culture increasingly struggles to create authentically. Families settle into the lawn with blankets and folding chairs. Neighbors reconnect week after week throughout the summer. Younger listeners discover artists organically while longtime music fans embrace the increasingly diverse programming that has become a defining characteristic of the series.

The concerts feel rooted in community rather than spectacle alone.

That distinction has helped elevate the Sundown Music Series into something far more significant than a traditional county-sponsored entertainment schedule. It has become one of South Jersey’s most important public arts programs and one of the clearest examples of how live music continues strengthening local identity throughout New Jersey.

The 2026 season reflects that larger ambition immediately.

Rather than programming around one genre or audience demographic, the lineup moves fluidly between indie rock, Americana, soul, funk, alternative pop, blues-infused rock, synth-driven contemporary music, and genre-crossing singer-songwriters whose performances bring distinctly different energies to the Dell stage.

Among the season’s most compelling emerging voices is Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Sadie Gust, who takes the stage August 19 alongside opening performer Michael Tearson.

For audiences unfamiliar with Gust’s work, her inclusion may ultimately become one of the season’s most rewarding discoveries.

Described by many as “a musical old soul,” Sadie Gust has quietly developed a growing reputation throughout the Philadelphia region for a style that blends classic soul influences, emotionally exposed songwriting, blues-infused vocal phrasing, and contemporary indie sensibilities into something that feels remarkably timeless without sounding derivative. Her music carries echoes of artists like Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone, but those comparisons only partially capture the emotional texture she brings to her performances.

What separates Gust from many younger contemporary singer-songwriters is her ability to balance technical vocal strength with emotional restraint.

Rather than overwhelming arrangements with theatrical excess, she leans into phrasing, atmosphere, and emotional honesty. Her songs often feel conversational in structure while still carrying the melodic sophistication associated with classic soul traditions. That balance gives her music an intimacy that works particularly well in outdoor settings like the Dell, where audience connection matters as much as volume or spectacle.

Her emergence gained additional momentum after winning WXPN’s respected 24 Hour Song Challenge, a competition that has increasingly become a showcase for some of the region’s most promising songwriting voices. That recognition helped introduce Gust to wider audiences throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey music communities, while reinforcing the sense that she represents part of a newer generation of artists deeply influenced by older songwriting traditions rather than disposable trend cycles.

That artistic sensibility fits naturally within the broader identity of the Sundown Music Series.

One of the strongest aspects of the series has been its willingness to balance recognizable national acts with artists who may still be ascending creatively and commercially. Rather than relying entirely on nostalgia-driven bookings, the series consistently gives audiences opportunities to encounter emerging performers whose careers are actively developing in real time.

Sadie Gust’s appearance reflects that commitment directly.

Her music feels rooted in craft rather than algorithmic songwriting trends. The arrangements breathe naturally. The vocals remain emotionally grounded. The songwriting prioritizes storytelling and emotional texture rather than maximalist production. In an outdoor environment like Haddon Lake Park, where the atmosphere encourages attentiveness rather than distraction, that kind of songwriting can become especially powerful.

Michael Tearson opens the evening, adding another layer of musical depth and regional credibility to the performance.

Throughout the broader 2026 schedule, the Sundown Music Series continues building one of its most expansive lineups to date. Goodbye June opens the season with Southern blues-infused hard rock energy, while Edgardo Cintron & The Inca Band deliver a rhythm-heavy celebration of Santana’s music that feels tailor-made for outdoor summer evenings. Devon Gilfillian brings one of the strongest critical reputations of any artist on the schedule, blending soul, Americana, and socially conscious songwriting into one of contemporary roots music’s most compelling live performances.

Later performances by Work Drugs, Augustana, Young Gun Silver Fox, Sixpence None the Richer, The Verve Pipe, and Here Come the Mummies continue reinforcing how stylistically ambitious the 2026 season has become.

That variety ultimately reflects something larger about New Jersey’s evolving live music culture itself.

Audiences increasingly crave experiences that feel communal, authentic, and emotionally connected to place. Massive tours and stadium productions still dominate headlines, but concert series like Sundown succeed precisely because they offer something entirely different. They create environments where music once again feels woven into everyday life rather than isolated behind expensive ticket barriers and heavily commercialized entertainment structures.

Free public arts programming plays a major role in preserving that accessibility.

Families can attend casually. Younger listeners can discover artists without financial pressure. Older audiences return repeatedly because the environment feels welcoming rather than transactional. Community identity becomes inseparable from the concerts themselves.

That may ultimately explain why the Sundown Music Series continues growing year after year.

The series understands that successful public music programming is not only about booking artists. It is about creating spaces where audiences want to gather repeatedly throughout the summer because the atmosphere itself becomes part of the experience. Haddon Lake Park has increasingly become exactly that type of destination.

And on August 19, when Sadie Gust brings her soulful songwriting, emotionally rich vocals, and old-school musical instincts to the Dell stage beneath the trees of Haddon Township, the Sundown Music Series appears poised once again to deliver the kind of memorable summer night that reminds audiences why New Jersey’s strongest live music experiences so often happen not inside arenas, but within the shared spaces where community and music continue intersecting naturally.

Keith Roth and Bonny
2026-08-20 19:00 - 23:30 | Bradley Beach, 1108 Ocean Ave, Bradley Beach, New Jersey, 07720, United States
Songwriters on the Beach Closes Another Memorable Summer with Keith Roth and Bonny in Bradley Beach

Every great summer soundtrack eventually reaches its final song. Along the Jersey Shore, that moment arrives each August when Brookdale Public Radio’s beloved Songwriters on the Beach concert series presents its final performance of the season. For more than two decades, the series has become one of New Jersey’s most enduring cultural traditions, transforming the sands of Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach into a gathering place where music, community, and the simple pleasures of a summer evening converge.

Since 2005, Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The Night, has curated a concert series unlike any other in the region. Free to attend and open to all ages, Songwriters on the Beach has built its reputation not through massive production budgets or headline-grabbing spectacles, but through a commitment to authentic music and meaningful artistic experiences. Week after week throughout July and August, audiences gather along the oceanfront to discover new voices, reconnect with favorite artists, and celebrate the enduring power of live performance.

The final chapter of the 2026 season arrives on Thursday, August 20, when nationally recognized radio personality, musician, and songwriter Keith Roth joins New York-based singer-songwriter Bonny for an evening that perfectly captures the spirit that has made Songwriters on the Beach such a treasured Shore tradition. Together, the two artists bring contrasting yet complementary musical perspectives to the stage, creating a finale built around storytelling, musicianship, and the intimate connection that only live music can provide.

Closing a season is never an easy assignment. The final concert often serves as both a celebration of the summer that was and a reminder that another chapter is coming to an end. For that reason, the selection of Keith Roth and Bonny feels particularly fitting. Their music reflects two different approaches to songwriting while sharing a common commitment to authenticity and artistic individuality.

For many music fans, Keith Roth is immediately recognizable as one of the most familiar voices in rock radio. His work on SiriusXM’s Hair Nation and Ozzy’s Boneyard has made him a fixture among listeners who appreciate the history, culture, and continuing evolution of rock music. For years, Roth has served as both a curator and advocate for artists whose work helped shape generations of music fans.

Yet radio is only one chapter of his story.

Long before becoming a nationally recognized broadcaster, Roth was a musician deeply immersed in the tri-state area’s rock-and-roll community. His roots as a performer remain central to his identity, and throughout a career spanning more than three decades, he has continued to write, record, and perform music while simultaneously building one of the most respected careers in rock broadcasting.

His work with Frankenstein 3000 established him as a formidable presence within the regional music scene. The band’s combination of classic rock influences, hard-driving guitars, and unapologetic energy earned a loyal following throughout New Jersey, New York, and beyond. Roth’s association with legendary punk-rock icons The Dictators further cemented his standing within a lineage of musicians who view rock and roll not merely as a genre, but as a lifestyle and creative philosophy.

What makes this Songwriters on the Beach appearance particularly compelling is the opportunity to experience a different side of Roth’s artistry.

Audiences accustomed to hearing him through the speakers of a radio broadcast or watching him front a high-energy rock band will instead encounter a more intimate performer. Stripped of the amplifiers, full-band arrangements, and volume often associated with his rock credentials, Roth’s acoustic performances reveal the foundation beneath the noise: the songs themselves.

The transition from electric stages to acoustic storytelling has long been a defining test for songwriters. Without elaborate production or walls of guitar distortion, every lyric, melody, and emotional nuance becomes more visible. Roth’s extensive songwriting catalog allows him to thrive in that environment. His performances often blend personal stories, observations from decades spent inside the music industry, and songs shaped by a lifetime immersed in rock culture.

There is an honesty to acoustic performance that often reveals dimensions of an artist that audiences may not otherwise experience. In Roth’s case, listeners discover not only a veteran rock musician but also a storyteller whose songs reflect years of personal experience, artistic growth, and deep connections to the music community.

Adding another layer to the evening is the fact that Roth’s New Jersey roots remain an important part of his story. Based in Red Bank and deeply connected to the state’s musical heritage, he represents the kind of artist who has helped sustain New Jersey’s reputation as one of America’s most important music incubators. His appearance serves as a reminder that the Garden State continues to produce musicians whose influence extends far beyond state borders.

Sharing the evening is Bonny, whose musical approach provides a compelling contrast while complementing the intimate atmosphere of the series.

Based in New York City, Bonny has developed a reputation for creating melodic, emotionally resonant songs that prioritize honesty, vulnerability, and connection. While her musical style differs from Roth’s rock-driven background, both artists share a commitment to authentic songwriting that places emotion at the center of the listening experience.

Bonny’s music embraces simplicity without sacrificing depth. Her songs often unfold through carefully crafted melodies, reflective lyrics, and understated arrangements that allow stories and emotions to take center stage. Rather than relying on spectacle, she creates atmosphere through sincerity and emotional precision.

That approach has become increasingly valuable in a music landscape often dominated by trends and short attention spans. Bonny’s work invites listeners to slow down, engage with the narrative, and experience songs as personal conversations rather than disposable content.

Her presence on the bill creates a fascinating balance. Where Roth brings decades of rock-and-roll experience, industry perspective, and road-tested storytelling, Bonny offers a contemporary singer-songwriter perspective rooted in introspection and emotional immediacy. Together, they demonstrate the remarkable range that exists within the broader singer-songwriter tradition.

The pairing also reflects one of the defining strengths of Songwriters on the Beach itself. The series has never been limited to a single genre, style, or demographic. Instead, it has consistently embraced diversity of expression, presenting artists whose shared commitment to songwriting transcends stylistic differences.

That philosophy has helped the concert series thrive for more than twenty years.

The setting plays an equally important role in the experience. There are few concert venues in New Jersey capable of matching the atmosphere created by Newark Avenue Beach on a summer evening. As daylight fades over the Atlantic Ocean and the sound of waves becomes part of the performance, artists and audiences find themselves participating in something that feels less like a traditional concert and more like a community gathering.

Children play in the sand while families settle into beach chairs. Friends reconnect after work. Visitors discover artists for the first time. Longtime fans enjoy the rare opportunity to experience accomplished performers in a setting defined by accessibility rather than exclusivity. The result is a uniquely Jersey Shore experience that continues to attract audiences year after year.

The final concert of a season always carries a certain emotional weight. It marks the conclusion of weeks of performances, memories, discoveries, and shared experiences. Yet it also serves as a celebration of everything that makes live music important. In an era increasingly shaped by digital experiences, Songwriters on the Beach remains a reminder of the power of gathering together in a physical space to experience art in real time.

For Brookdale Public Radio and 90.5 The Night, the continued success of the series reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting artists, strengthening communities, and preserving the role that music plays in public life. The station’s dedication to original music and independent voices has helped establish the concert series as one of New Jersey’s most respected annual cultural events.

As the 2026 season reaches its conclusion, Keith Roth and Bonny will provide the soundtrack for one final summer evening on the beach. Their performances will celebrate songwriting, storytelling, and the enduring appeal of artists who create music from a place of genuine passion and personal expression.

The waves will continue to roll onto the shoreline. The sun will eventually disappear beyond the horizon. Another season will come to an end. But for one more Thursday night in Bradley Beach, the music will once again bring people together, reminding everyone why Songwriters on the Beach remains one of New Jersey’s most cherished summer traditions and why live music continues to matter.

When the final notes drift across the sand on August 20, they will not simply close a concert. They will close another successful season of discovery, connection, and community along the Jersey Shore, while setting the stage for yet another summer of music still to come.erformance that promises to be among the season’s most memorable highlights.

Wildwood’s Music in the Plaza Concert Series Presents: 99 Reasons
2026-08-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave, Wildwood, New Jersey, 08260, United States

"Funk-tastic Voyage" & Dana Fuchs
2026-08-21 20:00 - 23:30 | William Morrow Beach, Bay Avenue between Higbee and New Jersey Avenues, Somers Point Beach, New Jersey, 08244, United States
Soul, Funk, and Fire on the Bay: Dana Fuchs and Funk-tastic Voyage Bring a Summer Music Explosion to Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point

As summer reaches its peak along the Jersey Shore, the 33rd Annual Legacy Concerts on the Beach continues its remarkable 2026 season with one of its most electrifying double bills. On August 21, the sands of William Morrow Beach in Somers Point will transform into a celebration of rhythm, soul, blues, funk, and pure musical energy as Dana Fuchs and Funk-tastic Voyage deliver a night designed to keep audiences dancing long after the sun disappears beyond Great Egg Harbor Bay.

For more than three decades, Legacy Concerts on the Beach has built a reputation for presenting artists who embody the very best of live music. The series has evolved into one of New Jersey’s most treasured cultural traditions and one of the most respected outdoor concert programs in America. Set against the breathtaking waterfront backdrop of Somers Point, these free performances have become a summer pilgrimage for music lovers throughout the Northeast.

The August 21 performance exemplifies everything that has made the series so successful. It brings together two acts whose styles may originate from different corners of the American musical landscape but whose performances are united by a commitment to authenticity, passion, and audience connection.

At the center of the evening is Dana Fuchs, one of the most powerful and captivating vocalists working today.

Few contemporary artists command a stage quite like Fuchs. Her voice carries the emotional weight of classic blues, the grit of rock and roll, the depth of soul music, and the fearless intensity of an artist who performs every song as if it might be her last. Over the course of her career, Fuchs has earned a reputation as one of America’s premier roots-rock performers, captivating audiences across the United States and throughout Europe.

What separates Fuchs from many modern performers is her ability to create an immediate emotional connection. Whether delivering a tender ballad or unleashing a full-throttle blues-rock anthem, she approaches every performance with complete conviction. Her concerts are not simply recitals of songs. They are emotional journeys that invite audiences into every lyric, every note, and every moment.

Music critics have often compared her intensity to some of the great voices in rock and blues history, yet Fuchs has forged a path entirely her own. Her sound draws from timeless influences while remaining unmistakably contemporary. The result is music that resonates equally with longtime blues fans, classic rock enthusiasts, and younger audiences discovering roots music for the first time.

For a venue like William Morrow Beach, her style is particularly well suited.

The open-air environment allows her powerful vocals to soar across the bay, creating the type of immersive experience that only live music can deliver. As daylight fades and the shoreline becomes illuminated by evening skies, Fuchs’ emotionally charged performance promises to become one of the defining musical moments of the summer.

Sharing the bill is Funk-tastic Voyage, a high-energy ensemble built around one simple mission: making audiences move.

While Dana Fuchs brings soul-stirring blues and rock intensity, Funk-tastic Voyage supplies the evening’s irresistible dance-floor energy. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of funk, soul, disco, and rhythm-driven party music, the group specializes in transforming every performance into a celebration.

Their music taps into a rich tradition that stretches from Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth, Wind & Fire to the dance-floor grooves that helped define generations of American popular music. Tight rhythms, infectious bass lines, powerful horns, and crowd-engaging performances combine to create an atmosphere where standing still becomes virtually impossible.

For concertgoers gathered on the sand, the performance promises to become exactly the type of communal musical experience that has become synonymous with Legacy Concerts on the Beach. Blankets become dance floors. Walkways become gathering places. Families, friends, and visitors from throughout the region come together through a shared appreciation for live music.

The pairing of Dana Fuchs and Funk-tastic Voyage also reflects the remarkable diversity that has become a hallmark of the 2026 season.

Throughout the summer, Legacy Concerts on the Beach has showcased everything from blues legends and New Orleans icons to Jersey Shore rock veterans, tribute acts, Americana performers, and contemporary touring artists. Each concert offers something unique while remaining connected to the larger mission of celebrating great live music in one of the country’s most extraordinary outdoor settings.

That setting remains a major part of the experience.

William Morrow Beach is unlike virtually any concert venue in America. Positioned along the waters of Great Egg Harbor Bay, the location offers a combination of natural beauty and community atmosphere that cannot be replicated indoors. Attendees arrive hours before showtime, setting up lawn chairs, spreading blankets across the sand, and gathering with family and friends as the bay becomes part of the evening’s scenery.

The experience begins long before the music starts.

Visitors stroll through Somers Point’s vibrant waterfront district. Restaurants and businesses welcome concertgoers from throughout the region. The entire community comes alive with anticipation as another Friday night concert approaches.

When the music begins, the venue transforms into something magical.

The sounds drift across the water. The sunset paints the horizon in shades of gold, orange, and crimson. Boats pause in the bay. Generations of music fans gather side by side. The atmosphere becomes equal parts concert, community celebration, and summer tradition.

That combination has helped elevate Legacy Concerts on the Beach to national prominence.

Presented by Tony Mart Cares and supported by the City of Somers Point, the series has become a model for how communities can successfully combine arts programming, tourism, economic development, and cultural preservation. Its recognition as America’s top outdoor concert series for three consecutive years reflects not only the quality of the performers but also the unique experience created by the setting itself.

The August 21 concert represents another chapter in that story.

Dana Fuchs brings the passion, power, and emotional intensity that have made her one of the most respected voices in blues and roots music. Funk-tastic Voyage delivers the kind of groove-heavy celebration that keeps audiences moving from the first note to the final encore. Together they create a musical experience that captures the spirit of summer, the joy of live performance, and the communal energy that has always defined the best concerts.

As the 2026 season enters its final stretch, August 21 stands out as one of the most anticipated evenings on the schedule. It is a night built around exceptional musicianship, unforgettable performances, and the simple but powerful idea that great music brings people together.

On the shores of Great Egg Harbor Bay, beneath the summer sky and surrounded by thousands of fellow music lovers, audiences will once again discover why Legacy Concerts on the Beach remains one of New Jersey’s most beloved traditions and one of the premier outdoor concert experiences anywhere in America.

New Jersey Clearwater Festival
2026-08-22 00:00 - 2026-08-23 23:59 | Bradley Beach, 1108 Ocean Ave, Bradley Beach, New Jersey, 07720, United States
New Jersey Clearwater Festival Returns to Asbury Park for Its 51st Year, Celebrating the Lasting Legacy of Music, Community, and Environmental Stewardship

For more than half a century, one New Jersey festival has demonstrated that live music can be far more than entertainment. It can educate communities, inspire volunteerism, strengthen environmental awareness, and bring together thousands of people around a shared commitment to protecting the natural resources that define the Garden State. As many festivals have come and gone over the decades, the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival has remained remarkably true to the mission that inspired its founding, growing into New Jersey’s oldest continuously operating music and environmental festival while preserving the grassroots spirit that has made it one of the state’s most unique annual traditions.

That tradition continues on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, when the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater returns to Bradley Park in Asbury Park for its 51st Annual Festival. Located directly across from the iconic Convention Hall and the city’s historic boardwalk, the two-day outdoor celebration once again promises an experience that blends outstanding live music, environmental education, family activities, local artisans, community organizations, and volunteer engagement into one of the most distinctive events on New Jersey’s cultural calendar.

Unlike many modern festivals built primarily around celebrity performers or commercial attractions, the Clearwater Festival has always been driven by a much larger purpose. Since its founding, the event has celebrated the idea that music possesses the unique ability to unite people from every background while creating meaningful conversations about environmental responsibility. Every performance, educational exhibit, nonprofit organization, children’s activity, artisan vendor, and community conversation contributes to that larger mission of encouraging New Jersey residents to become active participants in protecting the state’s beaches, rivers, bays, forests, wetlands, and open spaces.

The festival traces its origins to the environmental movement inspired by legendary folk musician Pete Seeger, whose belief that music could become a catalyst for social and environmental change transformed communities throughout the Northeast. Seeger understood that songs could accomplish something that policy papers and scientific reports often could not—they could bring people together, create lasting emotional connections, and inspire ordinary citizens to become involved in protecting the places they loved. His creation of the historic 106-foot sloop Clearwater became an international symbol of grassroots environmental activism, helping restore awareness of pollution affecting the Hudson River while inspiring similar efforts throughout the region.

The New Jersey Friends of Clearwater embraced that same philosophy more than five decades ago, establishing an annual festival dedicated to combining music with environmental education in a way that continues to resonate today. What began as a gathering of musicians, volunteers, and environmental advocates has evolved into one of New Jersey’s longest-running nonprofit festivals while remaining firmly rooted in community participation rather than commercial entertainment.

This year’s festival once again transforms Bradley Park into a vibrant community gathering place where visitors can spend an entire weekend experiencing live performances, exploring environmental exhibits, meeting nonprofit organizations, discovering local artisans, enjoying diverse culinary offerings, and participating in educational programs designed for every generation. Two music stages will showcase an impressive mix of rock, folk, acoustic performers, singer-songwriters, and regional musicians whose performances reflect the festival’s longstanding commitment to celebrating both established artists and emerging talent from throughout the region.

Music, however, represents only one part of the Clearwater experience. Throughout the festival grounds, environmental organizations from across New Jersey will provide interactive exhibits highlighting conservation initiatives, clean water advocacy, sustainable living practices, marine protection efforts, recycling programs, wildlife preservation, renewable energy education, and volunteer opportunities available throughout the state. Rather than presenting environmental issues as abstract policy discussions, the festival encourages direct engagement between visitors and the organizations working every day to improve New Jersey’s environmental future.

Families have long been at the center of the Clearwater Festival’s identity, and the 51st edition continues that tradition with a broad range of activities designed to introduce younger generations to both music and environmental stewardship. Dedicated children’s programming includes educational activities, interactive experiences, pony rides, a petting zoo, and opportunities for young visitors to connect with nature through hands-on learning. These experiences reflect the festival’s belief that environmental awareness begins early and that educating children remains one of the most effective ways to inspire future conservation efforts.

Beyond the music and educational programming, visitors will discover an extensive marketplace featuring local artisans, environmentally conscious vendors, handcrafted products, nonprofit organizations, and businesses committed to sustainability. Food trucks representing a wide variety of culinary traditions will once again create a diverse dining experience that complements the festival’s welcoming community atmosphere. Together, these elements transform the festival into far more than a concert or environmental fair; they create a complete cultural experience celebrating the creativity, diversity, and civic spirit that define communities throughout New Jersey.

Volunteerism remains one of the festival’s defining characteristics and continues to play an essential role in its success. Organized by the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater, the event depends upon dedicated volunteers who contribute countless hours before, during, and after the festival to ensure its continued operation. Community members sixteen years of age and older are encouraged to volunteer independently, while younger participants may volunteer alongside an adult, creating meaningful opportunities for families to work together in support of one of New Jersey’s most respected nonprofit traditions. Students seeking community service experience can also receive Community Service Certificates, making the festival an opportunity not only to give back but to inspire future generations of civic engagement.

The continued success of the Clearwater Festival also reflects the strength of Asbury Park as one of New Jersey’s premier cultural destinations. Long recognized for its extraordinary musical heritage, thriving arts community, historic boardwalk, and ongoing renaissance, Asbury Park provides a fitting backdrop for a festival built around creativity, public participation, and community connection. Bradley Park’s location directly across from Convention Hall places visitors within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean, reinforcing the festival’s message that environmental stewardship begins with protecting the very landscapes and waterways that make New Jersey unique.

Over the past fifty-one years, the festival has witnessed dramatic changes throughout both the music industry and the environmental movement. Musical styles have evolved, technology has transformed how audiences discover artists, and environmental challenges have become increasingly complex. Yet the fundamental mission that inspired the festival has remained remarkably consistent. Bringing people together through music continues to create opportunities for education, collaboration, volunteerism, and meaningful public dialogue that extends far beyond a single weekend each summer.

Perhaps that longevity represents the festival’s greatest achievement. In an era when many events struggle to survive beyond a few years, the New Jersey Clearwater Festival has continued serving multiple generations of residents while preserving the grassroots philosophy established by Pete Seeger and embraced by the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater. It remains a place where music and activism exist not as separate experiences but as complementary expressions of community, reminding visitors that lasting change often begins with people gathering together around a common purpose.

As the festival enters its fifty-first year, it stands not only as a celebration of outstanding live music but also as a testament to the enduring power of volunteerism, environmental advocacy, and community engagement. For longtime attendees, it is the continuation of a cherished New Jersey tradition. For first-time visitors, it offers an opportunity to experience one of the Garden State’s most meaningful cultural events while discovering how music, education, and civic participation can come together to strengthen both communities and the environment.

More than five decades after its founding, the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival continues to embody Pete Seeger’s enduring belief that when people gather to sing, learn, volunteer, and work together, they can accomplish far more than they ever could alone. That message remains every bit as relevant today as it was fifty-one years ago, making the Clearwater Festival not simply one of New Jersey’s oldest festivals, but one of its most enduring and inspiring traditions.

Winslow Family Day
2026-08-22 18:00 - 23:30 | Winslow Township at New Brooklyn Park, Sicklerville, Sicklerville, New Jersey, 08081, United States
Winslow Township’s 2026 Summer Concert and Community Celebration Series Brings Motown, Gospel, Funk, Family Events, and Cultural Celebration to New Brooklyn Park

South Jersey’s summer entertainment calendar continues expanding in 2026 as Winslow Township officially prepares to host a season of large-scale community gatherings, live music celebrations, cultural programming, and family-focused events at New Brooklyn Park. Anchored by nationally recognized tribute acts, contemporary gospel performances, and one of the region’s signature Juneteenth celebrations, the township’s summer schedule reflects the growing importance of local outdoor music programming across New Jersey. At a time when audiences increasingly seek experiences rooted in community connection rather than high-priced commercial entertainment, Winslow Township is positioning itself as one of Camden County’s standout destinations for accessible live events this summer.

Running throughout the season at New Brooklyn Park beginning at 6 PM, the lineup combines classic soul, gospel inspiration, funk-driven dance music, and family entertainment into a series designed to appeal across generations. More importantly, the programming reflects the evolving role of municipal summer events in New Jersey. What once may have been viewed simply as local park concerts have transformed into major regional attractions capable of drawing audiences from across Camden County, Gloucester County, Burlington County, and beyond.

The atmosphere surrounding these events is expected to be central to their appeal. Unlike traditional ticketed venues, New Brooklyn Park offers a more relaxed and community-centered environment where residents and visitors can gather outdoors, reconnect with neighbors, enjoy food vendors and open-air entertainment, and experience live music in a setting designed to feel welcoming rather than commercialized. That format has become increasingly valuable across New Jersey, particularly as summer programming continues evolving into one of the state’s strongest forms of local cultural engagement.

The season begins June 13 with Winslow Township’s Juneteenth Celebration, an event expected to serve as both a cultural gathering and a major musical showcase. Headlining the evening is WallStreet, the acclaimed performance group known for delivering energetic tributes to Motown classics, Philadelphia soul, funk standards, and crossover R&B favorites that helped define multiple generations of American music. Their performances are built around high-energy musicianship, polished vocals, audience participation, and a setlist deeply rooted in the legacy of soul music’s golden era.

For a Juneteenth celebration specifically, the choice of music carries deeper significance. Motown and Philadelphia soul are not simply entertainment formats. They represent foundational chapters in American cultural history, reflecting decades of Black artistic innovation that transformed popular music around the world. Through artists and songs tied to Detroit’s Motown movement and Philadelphia’s legendary soul scene, WallStreet’s performance is expected to channel the celebratory spirit, resilience, and communal energy that define Juneteenth gatherings throughout the country.

Across New Jersey, Juneteenth events have continued growing in both scale and importance over recent years as communities increasingly recognize the need for public celebrations centered on cultural reflection, education, music, and collective experience. Winslow Township’s inclusion of a major live performance component reinforces the broader understanding that music has always played a central role in Black cultural expression, protest movements, celebration, and community-building throughout American history. In that context, the June 13 event becomes more than a summer concert. It becomes part of a larger statewide cultural movement honoring freedom, heritage, and artistic legacy.

The summer schedule continues July 15 with a dramatically different but equally powerful performance as Justin Powell & Adoration bring their contemporary gospel sound to New Brooklyn Park. Known for blending traditional gospel foundations with modern musical influences, the choir has built a reputation for emotionally charged performances centered on worship, inspiration, and spiritual connection. Led by Justin Powell, the ensemble combines rich vocal harmonies, passionate stage presence, and uplifting arrangements that resonate with audiences across both church and concert environments.

In recent years, contemporary gospel music has experienced renewed visibility throughout the live music world as audiences increasingly gravitate toward performances emphasizing authenticity, emotional resonance, and communal participation. Justin Powell & Adoration embody that movement by delivering concerts that function not only as entertainment experiences but also as moments of encouragement, reflection, and celebration. Their ability to connect across diverse audiences has helped the group establish a growing regional following, particularly among listeners who appreciate the intersection of faith-based music and contemporary vocal performance.

The July 15 appearance at New Brooklyn Park also reflects the broader diversity of Winslow Township’s summer programming strategy. Rather than focusing exclusively on one genre or demographic, the township has assembled a lineup that mirrors the cultural and musical range of South Jersey itself. Gospel music, especially in outdoor community settings, carries a uniquely powerful atmosphere because of the participatory nature of the performances. Audiences do not simply observe. They engage, respond, sing along, and become part of the experience itself. In a park setting during the height of summer, that energy is expected to create one of the season’s most emotionally memorable evenings.

The 2026 series concludes August 22 with Winslow Family Day featuring Let’s Groove Tonight, widely recognized as one of the country’s premier Earth, Wind & Fire tribute bands. Designed as a major family-centered celebration, the event combines live entertainment, community gathering, and dance-driven nostalgia into what is expected to be one of the largest-attended nights of the summer season. Earth, Wind & Fire’s catalog remains among the most universally recognizable in popular music history, blending funk, soul, jazz, R&B, disco, and pop into a sound that continues influencing artists across genres decades after the group first emerged.

Let’s Groove Tonight has developed a national reputation for recreating that signature sound with remarkable precision while preserving the high-energy stage presence and celebratory atmosphere associated with Earth, Wind & Fire’s legendary live performances. Horn sections, layered harmonies, dynamic rhythm arrangements, and crowd-driven interaction all contribute to performances that feel less like tribute concerts and more like full-scale celebrations of one of the most influential bands in modern music history.

For Winslow Family Day specifically, the selection is particularly fitting. Earth, Wind & Fire’s music has always functioned as multi-generational connective tissue. Their songs remain staples at festivals, weddings, family gatherings, cookouts, and public celebrations because the music naturally invites movement, participation, and joy. In an outdoor park environment filled with families, local residents, and visitors from throughout the region, the August 22 finale is expected to deliver exactly the kind of communal summer atmosphere that increasingly defines New Jersey’s strongest public entertainment programming.

What makes the entire Winslow Township summer series especially important is how it reflects larger shifts happening throughout New Jersey’s live entertainment landscape. Increasingly, local governments and community organizations are becoming key cultural curators, creating opportunities for audiences to experience high-quality live performances without the financial barriers often associated with major concert touring. These events strengthen local identity, increase regional tourism activity, support surrounding businesses, and reinforce the role that public spaces continue playing in the social and cultural life of communities across the state.

New Brooklyn Park itself becomes part of that story. Outdoor venues throughout South Jersey have increasingly emerged as essential gathering spaces where music, food, recreation, and cultural programming intersect. The accessibility of the environment encourages broader participation across age groups and economic backgrounds while preserving the relaxed atmosphere that makes summer concerts feel distinctly connected to community life rather than commercial spectacle.

For Explore New Jersey readers following the continued evolution of the state’s music and entertainment scene, Winslow Township’s 2026 summer programming stands as another example of how local communities are redefining what public live entertainment can look like. From Juneteenth celebrations and contemporary gospel performances to funk-driven family dance nights, the season captures multiple dimensions of New Jersey’s musical identity while reinforcing the importance of community-centered arts programming throughout the Garden State.

As summer unfolds across South Jersey, events like these continue proving that some of the most meaningful live music experiences are not always found inside major arenas or ticketed amphitheaters. Increasingly, they are happening inside local parks, township gathering spaces, and open-air community venues where audiences come together not just to hear music, but to celebrate culture, connection, and shared experience in ways that remain deeply rooted in the identity of New Jersey itself.

More coverage of New Jersey concerts, community events, summer festivals, live entertainment, and regional music programming can be found through the Explore New Jersey Music section as the 2026 summer season continues statewide.
