By Kate Nalepinski
From punk to bluegrass, pop to classical, music festivals celebrating specific genres and local artists alike can be seen and heard across Long Island virtually every weekend this summer through Labor Day.
Here are eight upcoming music festivals coming to LI this summer:
Oyster Bay Music Festival
Pianists, classical singers, string and woodwind musicians join together for this eight-day-long chamber music festival at various venues across Oyster Bay. The performers, ranging from children to adults, also hone their craft along the way at seminars between the concerts. Various locations, Oyster Bay. oysterbaymusicfestival.com Free. June 24-July 2.
Alive After Five
Many villages host live music in their downtowns during summer, but none do it like Alive After Five in Patchogue, which closes down Main Street for four days for this summer festival that features six stages. Besides the music, festivalgoers can also visit over 90 craft vendors, getting a bite to eat at a food truck and have a beer while watching the sun set. Alive After Five is the ultimate entertainment bash with the laid-back vibe that all good festivals include. Main Street, Patchogue. aliveafterfive.com Free. 5 p.m. July 7, 21, Aug.4, 18.
Vans Warped Tour
Where can you see a metal band live, walk 20 feet to your right, and then watch a hip-hop artist perform on another stage? That would be the Warped Tour, the nation’s longest running traveling music festival. With a recognizable lineup of over 50 artists, it’s no wonder thousands flock to see the Warped Tour every year when it comes to town. This year, Vans Warped Tour includes Yellowcard, Mayday Parade, Falling In Reverse, Reel Big Fish, and New Found Glory, just to name a few. Nikon at Jones Beach, Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh. vanswarpedtour.com $45-50. 11 a.m. July 9.
LIU Post Chamber Music Festival
Like the Oyster Bay Music Festival, the LIU Post Chamber Music Festival also features seminars for musicians in addition to a concert series for the public during this three-week program. Performances include string quartets, woodwind quintets, mixed ensembles and a concerto competition. Tilles Center, LIU Post, Brookville. liu.edu Various times, July 11-29.
Great South Bay Music Festival
This waterfront music festival is back with an irresistible lineup including Third Eye Blind, Graham Nash, Manchester Orchestra, Umphreys McGee, Kevin Devine, Joe Nichols and Dopapod. It would be a mistake to miss out on the largest-running music, art and cultural event on Long Island. What’s better than an amazing view of the water, live music and great food? And there’s a kidzone for the children. Shorefront Park, Patchogue. greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com $32-$125. July 14-17.
Huntington Folk Festival
More than three-dozen artists jam out in flowing skirts for the festival that’s been persisting since 2006. Bask in the sun in the morning and then snuggle under a blanket at night, while you listen to artist showcases of folk music all day. Headlining the festival is Slaid Cleaves, folk singer from Austin, Texas. Heckscher Park, Huntington. http://fmsh.org/huntington-folk-festival/ Free. 12-10:30 p.m. July 30.
FOLD (Freak Out Let’s Dance) Festival * POSTPONED*
Probably the coolest dance party you can attend the whole summer, the FOLD Festival will have you dancing on your feet as soon as you arrive. Appropriately, DNCE, the artist with the pop jam, “Cake By The Ocean” will be joined by KESHA and Earth, Wind and Fire at this summer’s FOLD. Nile Rodgers and Chic will perform all three days. Tickets include complementary transportation to the Riverhead train station. No doubt, you’ll “freak out” from AM to PM. Martha Clara Vineyards, 660 Herricks Lane, Riverhead. foldfestival.com $99 per day. Aug. 12-14.
14th Annual Long Island Bluegrass Festival
Expect sunshine, banjos, plunking and Bill Monroe covers. LI Bluegrass festival features the Jim Hurst Trio and Flatt Lonesome as well as seven other artists. As per usual, the lineup contains The Fiddle Kids, a group of children from the Northport school district, ages 10 to 14, passionate about bluegrass music. Tanner Park, Copiague. babylonarts.org $15 single, $40 family. 12-7 p.m. Aug. 20.
