In the 7 years since its inaugural show in 2007, The Great South Bay Music Festival has cemented itself as Long Island’s biggest and best music event of the summer. Past headliners such as MOE, The Mickey Hart Band, Hot Tuna, Umphrey’s McGee, the late-great Ritchie Havens, Eddie Money and just about every local band you’ve ever heard or seen have come to the South Shore and rocked for thousands of Long Island music fans.
This year will be no different with heavy hitters The Doobie Brothers, Dark Star Orchestra and Electric Hot Tuna headlining Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Along with those rock icons, a vast array of national and local sounds will be on display on three stages over three days. More than 50 bands total will jam the shores of Shorefront Park in Patchogue from July 19 – 21.
Friday night, the music kicks off at 5 p.m. with rockers Memphis Crawl. Local favorites Butchers Blind and blues legend Kerry Kearney take the music though to sunset when Billy Squier (“Lonely is the Night”) will take the stage leading up to the headliner of the night The Doobie Brothers.
Saturday’s lineup is jam-packed. All three stages will be rocking from noon till the 11 p.m. Performers include Southold’s Robert Bruey, the Amy Helm Band fronted by the Levon Helm’s talented and soulful daughter, Soulive, the inimitable singer-songwriter James Maddock and Grateful Dead live concert re-creators Dark Star Orchestra among many many more.
The jams continue on Sunday all leading up to the main event Electric Hot Tuna. Jorma loves Long Island and Long Island loves Jorma so you’ll sure be in for a treat. Northforker Sunday tip: Don’t miss the Carolina Chocolate Drops playing at 3:40 p.m.
To see the full lineup, click here. For the full day-by-day, hour-to-hour schedule of performers, click here.
Besides the music, this festival is in Patchogue, which has become one of the top craft beer destinations of the Island, and Blue Point Brewing Company’s array of craft beers are the star of the show in the beer tents. There is also a Grape Jam tent where Long Island wines will be available.
And what’s a music festival without the arts and crafts vendors selling their wares. Great South Bay’s “Artisan Market” will feature a wide range of art and crafts and a full shelf of artisan and handmade creations.
The festival is family friendly of course. The KIDZONE features tons of activities for the youngsters.
The Great South Bay Music Festival will be held July 19 – 21 at Shorefront Park in Patchogue. Tickets are available online or at the gate. The doors open Friday at 4:30, music starts at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Saturday the doors open at noon and the music plays until 11 p.m. Sunday doors also at noon and the music stops at 9 p.m.
