Mayor Jon Mitchell presents
the City of New Bedford
2023 Summer Sound Series
Friday evenings are going to be action-packed this summer in the city! Every other Friday from 6:30-8:30 PM enjoy free concerts in the heart of downtown. These block party-style events will alternate between Lower Union Street and Purchase Street from June 9th through September 15th.
Dance and enjoy beverages from local establishments during the concerts! Watch live art and explore downtown New Bedford’s historic charm.
June 9: Diane Blue All-Star Band with Ricky King Russell
Location: Lower Union Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
The Diane Blue All-Star Band with Ricky King Russell brings a captivating, charismatic, and heartfelt blues performance to New Bedford. Blue is a multi-nominated and award-winning artist with a longstanding career of touring in the US and abroad. Enjoy the show as she belts the blues and cuts loose with her impressive harmonica skills.
June 23: Entrain
Location: Purchase Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Straight off the boat from Martha’s Vineyard, Entrain joins the Summer Sound Series lineup bringing a “funky-world-jam-ska-reggae-rock” vibe to New Bedford. The band’s goal is to “create music that makes people feel good” and we hope you’ll feel good listening to their music at the block party.
July 7: Neal McCarthy Problem
Location: Lower Union Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Local legend, Neal McCarthy, performs with friends as the Neal McCarthy Problem bringing a mix of blues, roots, and folk music to the street.
July 21: The Funky White Honkies
Location: Purchase Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
The Funky White Honkies are sure to bring fun and funk to the Summer Sound Series. Grab your dancing shoes and prepare for a night fueled by jazz, funk, and everything in between. This high-energy party band is sure to lay down a set of grooves that start loose and build to a funky beat that will “make you do one thing – free the primal urge to move.”
August 4: Mo Bounce
Location: Lower Union Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
It’s always a party with Boston’s Mo Bounce. Enjoy the funkiest dance hits from past to present with an authentic, danceable, raw, and entertaining performance.
August 18: JAMMIN’: A Tribute to Bob Marley
Location: Purchase Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Don’t worry about a thing because returning to the Summer Sound Series this year is JAMMIN’: A Tribute to Bob Marley. This authentic tribute band brings the greatest hits from Bob Marley with extraordinary sound and good vibes from start to finish.
September 1: Kabu Jazz Ensemble ft. Candida Rose
Location: Lower Union Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
New Bedford Cape Verdean artist, Candida Rose leads the Kabu Jazz Ensemble for a night of world music and jazz standards. The performance combines Cape Verdean musical roots with American influences of R&B and jazz.
September 15: East Coast Soul
Location: Purchase Street
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
We’re closing out the series with East Coast Soul, a collective of elite ensembles with a rich repertoire and performance style that brings a unique energy to the stage.
Participating Restaurants
Purchase Street: The Pour Farm Tavern, No Problemo, DNB Burgers, The Vault Music Hall & Pub
Union Street: Moby Dick Brewing Company, Play Arcade, Union Flats Seafood, Cultivator Shoals, Quahog Republic Whaler’s Tavern, Rose Alley Ale House
A special thanks to our 2023 Summer Sound Series sponsors!
Lead Sponsor: WPRI-12
Presenting Sponsors: Moby Dick Brewing Company, Servedwell Hospitality (The Black Whale, The Whale’s Tail, and many other restaurants), Vibra Hospital, Mass Cultural Council, Vineyard Wind, Mirasol’s Cafe,