In an effort to show our heartfelt gratitude to our many veterans who fought to preserve our freedom, The Great South Bay Music Festival will donate over 350 tickets to nine of Long Island's deserving veterans’ organizations in front of Patchogue Village Hall on Wednesday, July 10th, at 12pm.
Founders and lifelong Long Island residents James Faith and Larry Weinberger, along with Village Trustee Joseph Keyes, will present the tickets directly to the organizations, including New York State Veterans Home (Stony Brook), Suffolk County Police Veterans Association, United Veterans Beacon House, American Legion, VFW, Suffolk County Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Paws of War, Active Duty, and Blue Star Families.
“We are able to have concerts and music festivals like Great South Bay because of the sacrifices of those who have served and are still serving,” shares James Faith. “We felt it would be the right thing to do to thank them for their service by inviting these many veterans from all over Long Island to join us for some great entertainment, food, and camaraderie in the land of the free because of the brave!”
“When people show this type of support for our veterans, it makes all the difference in the world. When veterans who were in the country in the 1960s and 1970s and listened to Yes, The Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull now have a chance to come and enjoy them here, performing in person, it goes a long way towards welcoming them home. I’ve known Larry and Jim for years, and this is not the first nor would it be the last time they have saluted our heroes,” shares Steven Castleton, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (Ret).
About the Great South Bay Music Festival:
The Great South Bay Music Festival will celebrate its 16th Anniversary this year from Thursday, July 18, through Sunday, July 21, 2024. The four-day music and arts festival, presented by Voodoo Ranger, will return to the newly revamped and picturesque waterfront at Shorefront Park in Patchogue Village. Tickets are available to purchase now at www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com. The festival will feature over 60 performers on four stages, performing classic and contemporary rock, jam, blues, jazz, Americana, ska, reggae, alternative, and funk genres. It is sponsored by Voodoo Ranger and boasts multiple craft beer, wine, and adult beverage tents, an artisan and craft market, and a food court offering a diverse gourmet menu of funky and healthy fare.
The fest is well known for presenting four very different days of music, with an eclectic lineup of headline artists performing alongside cutting-edge rising stars.
Headlining Thursday, July 18, is “blues-rock-superstar” and three-time Grammy Nominee Joe Bonamassa. Supporting is Poco, Loggins & Messina, and Buffalo Springfield legend Jim Messina. Also appearing is phenom guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, who performed at Great South Bay when he was just 10 years old and has since shared the stage with Gregg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gary Clarke Jr., Warren Haynes, Lady Gaga, and just recently The Rolling Stones. Local guitar wizard Kerry Kearney will get the ball rolling. (10 performers on two stages).
Friday’s annual rock-reggae-ska party on the bay continues with Hawaiian “Kona-Dub-Rockers” Pepper, plus New Jersey’s own Streetlight Manifesto, Sublime Tribute: Badfish, Ohio’s Tropidelic—emerging LI hometown reggae-rockers Oogee Wawa and more. (15 performers on 3 stages).
Saturday is always Jam Day and continuing the Grateful Dead Live Concert Experience as no one else can is Dark Star Orchestra. Rock Pioneers The Disco Biscuits support with their Brand of “Trancefusion,” bridging the gap between electronic music and jam bands. Also appearing will be Asbury Park New Jersey’s eclectic quintet Dogs In A Pile, Dopapod, psychedelic indie-rocker Karina Rykman, and more. (18 performers on 4 stages).
Sunday is a Rock Dream Concert as Great South Bay will close out Sunday’s Main Stage with the legendary YES - Epics & Classics, featuring Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks, with special guest guitarist, songwriter, and Voice of The Moody Blues Justin Hayward. Also taking the Main Stage is Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, Talking Heads Tribute: Start Making Sense, local rockers Miles to Dayton, and more. (19 performers on 4 stages).
For the kids:
Great South Bay will again present a full schedule of fun, educational children’s performers in the worlds of magic, music, puppetry, costume characters, and more. Getting Zen with Erin, Funky Town Playground Band, Magic by Jeff, Puppetry with Kiddle Karoo & her Kool Krew, Juggling with Lou Johnson, Greg Milstein’s Circus, and fest favorite Cheryl the Stiltwalker.
Emerging Local Artists:
Supporting and presenting original emerging artists has always been part of our mission at GSB. For 2024, the festival is pleased to present over 30 talented original artists that we are excited to give stage time and lay on our music-loving attendees. Some talented original artists to keep on your radar this year include Robinson Treacher, Enrose, Circus Mind, Miles to Dayton, Aqua Cherry, Chloe Halpin, Paris Ray, and more.
Philanthropy:
Great South Bay is a proud part of our LI Community and is committed to doing all we can to support our less fortunate Long Island brothers and sisters. Great South Bay will continue to donate a percentage from every ticket sold to the GSB-Stony Brook Cancer Center Fund. To date, the fest has raised well over a quarter of a million dollars for the cancer center. We will again donate booth spaces in our “Storyville Tent” to local organizations looking to raise awareness and funds for battered women, homeless people, pet rescue, and voter registration.
Ticketing:
Various ticketing levels and packages are available, including GA, VIP, Ultra VIP, 2-day, and 4-day options. Please check the website for package benefits and prices.
Festival Times:
Thursday, July 18: Doors are at 4:00 pm, fest goes till 10pm.
Friday, July 19: Doors are at 4:00pm, music till 11pm.
Saturday, July 20: Doors are at 1:00pm, music till 11pm.
Sunday, July 21: Doors are at 2:00pm with performances till 10pm.
Ticket price includes all concerts and entertainment. Food & beverages not included. Children under 10 are free. Shorefront Park is located just a few miles south of LIE, exit 63S, straight to the magnificent Great South Bay. By Train: LIRR to Patchogue Train Station, less than a mile from the fest.
