Great South Bay Music Festival returned to Shorefront Park in Patchogue, NY over the weekend for four days of music featuring an eclectic mix of rock, jam, and reggae artists.
The festival’s daily schedule was organized by genre, offering something for every type of music lover. Thursday, July 18th, kicked off the event with a guitar-heavy lineup showcasing the talents of blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. Jim Messina brought a nostalgic touch with his classic hits, while young prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederauer impressed with his energetic performance. Kerry Kearney added to the mix with his blues-infused rock, and other notable acts kept the momentum going, making for an electrifying start to the festival.
On Friday, July 19th, the festival took a turn toward island rhythms and sunny vibes with a day dedicated to reggae and ska. Headliners Pepper delivered their signature blend of reggae rock, while Streetlight Manifesto brought their high-energy ska punk to the stage. Badfish paid tribute to Sublime with their spot-on covers, and Tropidelic‘s fusion of funk, reggae, and hip-hop kept the crowd moving. Local favorites Oogee Wawa and Nonstop to Cairo also delivered memorable sets.
Saturday, July 20th, was a day for jam band enthusiasts, featuring an array of improvisational performances. Beloved Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra headlined the day with a well-received set featuring a rare take on Ron “Pigpen” McKernan deep cut “The Stranger (Souls in Communion)”—a song only played by the Dead during 1972—and a step outside the Grateful canon with an encore rendition of Jefferson Airplane‘s “White Rabbit”.
Earlier in the day, The Disco Biscuits, who have been making waves of late with their well-received Why We Dance Tour and new “Space Opera” material, welcomed familiar guest vocalist Erin Boyd to reprise her contributions to the saga from the album’s release show in New York City. Dogs in a Pile also brought their fresh, youthful energy to the stage for a daytime set featuring a Long Island-appropriate cover of Billy Joel‘s “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”, while Dopapod‘s intricate compositions and Karina Rykman‘s dynamic stage presence further highlighted the standout schedule.
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Finally, the festival wound down on Sunday, July 21st, with classic rock performances that appealed to fans of timeless hits. Yes “Epics & Classics” featuring Jon Anderson delivered a set full of progressive rock masterpieces, showcasing Anderson’s iconic voice. Justin Hayward, the voice of The Moody Blues, brought a sense of nostalgia with his beloved songs. Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre performed with precision and passion, while Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute, got the crowd dancing with their faithful renditions of classic hits.
Click below to view a gallery of photos from the weekend courtesy of photographer Kevin Cole.
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