thePULSEA guide to summer music festivals from Worcester to Newport and beyond
Summer-time means music festival-time, and all around New England and adjacent states there’s festivals for just about every kind of musical taste. We’ve put together a quick guide to festivals near and far — you’ve got no excuse to hit the road and here some good music (that is if it ever stops raining – but remember Woodstock? It rained for three days!)
We’ll start off with some nearby events, just to give the local economy a little boost. On July 5 “The Battle of the Bands” will be held as a special fourth of July celebration in the Auburn High Gazebo on Auburn Street, in yes, Auburn. You can show off your own band’s talents or watch other local musicians battle it out at this free to the public, 2 p.m. event. For information, call (508) 832-3581.
Down the road a piece in Newport, RI, the 6th annual Sunset Music Festival will be in full gear the weekend of July 3 – 6, featuring returnees Livingston Taylor and Ben Folds and the Grammy-winning music of the Blind Boys of Alabama. Enjoy good music and some legendary sunsets in the intimate setting of a waterfront tent. (Newport is also a great place to cruise around before of after the concert).
The schedule of events for the Sunset Festival is: Thursday, July 3, The Bacon Brothers featuring Michael and Kevin Bacon; Friday, July 4, Blind Boys, Saturday, July 5, Ben folds and Sunday, July 6, Livingston Taylor. For information, log on to www.newportfestivals.com.
Back in Wormtown, if you like Disney music, the Fleet Summer Concert Series is sponsoring a free concert of Disney classics performed by the Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra on July 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Worcester’s Institute Park. Call (508) 754-1234 for information.
If Bluegrass is your thing, hit the road July 17-20 for the big Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival at Rothvoss Farm in Ancramdale, NY. The festival is hosted by the Dry Branch Fire Squad and includes the following lineup: The Sam Bush Band, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Del McCoury Band, the Gibson Brothers, Mountain Heart and a lot more. A full festival pass (including camping) is $110 ($120 after June 30).
Tickets range from $15 to $45 and discounts are available for tickets purchased before June 30. Call 888-946-8495 or log on to www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com.
For some good reggae don’t miss the New England Reggae Festival planned for the weekend of July 26 and 27 at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, RI. A tentative list of performers includes Big Mountain, Freddie McGregor, Mikey Dread, the Mighty Diamonds, Black Rebels, Vibewise and more.
This popular festival is held in a big park where camping, swimming, hiking and more are part of the fun. According to the concert web-site, the new venue features a playground, soccer fields, tennis courts, frisbee golf, picnic areas – and even a wildlife refuge. Food and arts and crafts vendors are also part of the scene.
Advance tickets are $55 for two days and $30 for one day. Camping is $20 with a ticket. The music starts at noon on both days. For information and tickets, go online to Newenglandreggae.com.
It’s not Just My Imagination… on Wednesday, July 30, the classic crooners, The Temptations, will take center stage at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, in Hyannis. If you want to hear the famous band that brought us such memorable songs as “My Girl”, “The Way You Do The Things You Do” and “Pappa Was A Rollin’ Stone”, put down $30.50 ($40.50 for a premium ticket) and cruise to Hyannis. For information, contact www.melodytent.com.
The next day, Thursday, July 31 you can swing to the opposite end of the musical spectrum and roar into Brockton, MA for the Vans Warped Tour 2003. The 9th annual Warped Tour features 43 bands including the Dropkick Murphys, Simple Plan, Bowling for Soup, Rancid, Pennywise and Less Than Jake. Also featured will be a giant skate ramp, a skateboarding street course, a BMX bike demonstration and a giant climbing wall.
The Internet price for tickets to Warped is $25. Gates will open at the Brockton Fairgrounds on Route 123 East at 11:30 a.m. Need more ? Call (508) 931-2000.
For some fine jazz music, kick back at the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, RI, August 8-10, which will feature a Friday night performance by K.D. Lang. Performances will be held at the Newport Casino, Friday 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at Fort Adams State Park. Other performers at this classic jazz festival will include Inida-Arie, George Benson, the Terence Blanchard Sextet, Lizz Wright, Dave Brubeck, Cassandra Wilson and many more.
Event tickets range from $30-$85 reserved; $54 at the gate, $49 in advance for general admission. For information, call (401) 847-3700 or go online to www.festivalproductions.net/jvcjazz/newp.htm.
Up the coast a bit in the Cape Cod Melody Tent, Ani DiFranco will play on Friday, August 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $43 for premium tickets; $40 for regular tickets at www.melodytent.com.
Also on the weekend of August 15-17, Newport will host the annual Newport Folk Festival at two different locations. On Friday, August 15 at the Hotel Viking on One Bellevue Ave., a special “Ribbon of Highway ~ Endless Skyway” tribute to the music of Woodie Guthrie will feature top performers Jimmy LaFave, Ellis Paul, Eliza Glikyson, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Slaid Cleaves and Michael Fracasso. Tickets will be $30
On Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Fort Adams State Park, three stages will feature such big names as Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt,Guy Clark & Joe Ely, Nickel Creek, Ellis Paul, Sol y Canto and more. Tickets are $49.
Sunday’s performers, also at Fort Adams at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., will be Ani DiFranco, Sam Bush, Alison Brown, The Ben Taylor Band, The Mammals and more. Tickets will be $49. Workshops will also be held. For information on all events, go to www.festivalproductions.net/folk/schedule.htm.
In Ninagret Park in Charlestown, RI, the Rhythm and Roots Festival will be held August 29-31 featuring host band, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and Little Feat, Marcia Ball, Geno Delafose and the French Rockin’ Boogie, Donna the Buffalo, Double Clutchin and lots more performers. There will be dance workshops and other entertainment. Three-day passes with and without camping are available. Tickets range from $25-$25. For information, visit, www.rhythmandroots.com.
Just to bring this right back to where we started in Worcester, wrap up a good summer of music at the fifth annual Pet Rock 2003 on September 7, (rain date, September 14). This massive animal festival and concert is sponsored by Worcester Magazine, the Animal Shelter in Sterling and Hebert Candies and will feature performances by the Belmondos and local favorite band, Pet Rock. More bands to be announced. Bring your favorite animal (on a leash) and enjoy raffles, dog contests, animal massages and nail clippings, all kinds of great food and more. All proceeds benefit worthy animal welfare organizations in Massachusetts.
Tickets to Pet Rock, which will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on the soccer field at Quinsigamond Community College on Worcester’s West Boylston St., are $7 for adults $5 for kids 12 and under, free for kids three and under. For information, call (508)755-8004, ext. 245 or visit www.petrockfest.com.
