The Long Island music scene has seen a resurrection over the past decade. From the blossoming, young, talented musicians rising, to the plethora of new music venues opening, many would call it a return to the rich culture the area once knew some three decades prior. Part of the rebuilding of the arts can be attributed to The Great South Bay Music Festival, which was established nine years ago. Growing in leaps and bounds in popularity each year, 2015’s edition could be the biggest yet at Patchogue, New York’s Shorefront Park. Expanded to four days in total, the concert hosts a wide variety of national and local talent covering Rock, Blues, Funk, Punk, Rap, Soul, Dance, Folk, Jazz, and more. Opening night, Thursday July 16th, greeted the crowd with a beautiful, cloudless sky, warm temperatures, and a trio of female singer-songwriters led by the star power of Christina Perri, Colbie Caillat, and rising talent. Outside The Great South Bay Music Festival, the bill is currently on the road, dubbing it the Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour, and Long Islanders were thrived to see it stop in the area.
Opening the festival was New England area native Rachel Platten. Working hard for over a decade now, releasing a debut record back in 2003, titled Trust Me, Platten followed with Be Here in 2011. Proving persistence and dedication pays off, Platten is now signed to Columbia Records and is making ways with her number 8 Billboard hit “Fight Song.” Possessing a sound that connects with listeners on a deeper level than many of today’s Pop Rock artists, Platten’s fanbase is continuing to group, and The Great South Bay Music Festival was packed early to check her out.
Joined on stage by keyboards and drums, Platten also played acoustic guitar. “Beating Me Up,” a Dance Pop number, started the set with propulsive drumming and a Trip-Hop keyboard lead. A catchy, repetitive chorus had the crowd moving in the early evening. Going into a new track titled “You Don’t Know My Heart,” slated for Platten’s forthcoming LP, was a slice of perfect Adult Contemporary Pop where strong piano led and a tasteful drumbeat was accompanied by a passionate, soaring vocal. “Congratulations,” with its sparse musical arrangement, allowed Platten to show her broad singing ability. The verses were delivered with purposeful hesitation, while the chorus, aimed at a jilted lover, was delivered with the right amount of venom.
Moving along, “Can’t Find Heaven,” another new track, again showed Platten’s range as the verses were delivered in both a hushed whisper and an elevated pitch. The chorus, dripping in sugary Pop sentiment, was propelled by a bouncy piano lead. Smash hit “Fight Song” closed the set. Opening with ominous, dark piano, “Fight Song” eventually took off into a sprawling anthem, as Platten sang with conviction, before an a capella break, which took off again in a rousing manner, and eventually finished off with a quiet ending. Expressing a mass amount of energy and emotion on and off the stage, Platten was a rousing beginning to the evening. Be on the look out for her new record in the future, but in the meantime, pick up The Fight Song EP out now.
Coming from Newbury Park, California, Colbie Caillat was next to take the stage. Caillat’s debut album, 2007’s Coco, went on to sell over three million copies internationally, and launched the passionate singer into stardom immediately. Featuring the single “Bubbly,” which peaked at number five on the Billboard singles charts and sold over one million copies in the U.S., the song was ubiquitous on the airwaves in the Summer of 2007. Since Coco, Caillat has released three studio albums, one Christmas collection, partaking in a variety of tours, been nominated, as well as won a slew of awards, and continues to ride high off 2014’s Gypsy Heart. A fitting joining of talent with opener Platten, and co-headlining friend Perri, the night was only heating up as the sun began to go down as Caillat and her band took the stage.
Provoking cheers immediately, a gentle acoustic cut, “Make It Rain” began Caillat’s set on a thoughtful note. Strumming her guitar, Caillat displayed her singer-songwriter abilities with a sunny melody and strong vocals that captured the audience. “Falling for You,” another top twenty hit for Caillat, encompassed everything that makes her sound so appealing. The song moved along at a medium pace and told a tale of young, hopeful love. It was a Pop masterpiece featuring just enough hints of Country music to differentiate it from a lot of the banal offerings of her contemporaries.
Continuing to dazzle, Caillat went into “Lucky,” a song she put out with fellow star Jason Mraz, and it was a sliver of Jazz-tinged Pop that sounded like it could have come out of the Brill Building. Then the song that launched Caillat’s career, “Bubbly” elicited a sing-along from the crowd as they drowned her out during the chorus. Caillat seemed to be having just as much, if not more, fun than the crowd , displaying a smile that simply would not fade. Her most recent hit, “Brighter Than the Sun,” closed her set with its full-tilt melody backed by rapid fire drumming, the song had the crowd swaying in unison to the music. The strong, catchy jaunt left the crowd burning for more, and capped off a wonderful performance. Recently engaged to singer-songwriter Justin Young, Caillat seems to have the world at her feet both professionally and personally. With an inviting personality and the talent she possesses, there is no reason why she will not continue to lead music charts for years to come.
Closing out the night was Pennsylvania born and raised Christina Perri. Getting her big break when her single “Jar of Hearts,” was featured on the television show So You Think You Can Dance in 2010 and sold over three million copies, Perri has been a force since. With two albums under her belt, including 2014’s Atlantic Records release, Head or Heart, Perri has either written or co-written every track on each of them. No stranger to Long Island, fans across the area adore Perri, and that was never more evident than her memorable performance at The Paramount in Huntington back on December 10th of last year. Now returning seven months later, the packed out festival was ready for yet another performance filled with personality and affectionate music.
Immediately interjecting energy into the air, set opener “Shot Me in the Heart” featured a classic girl group drum beat reminiscent of the Ronettes along with a melody on synthesizer that echoed classic ’80s Dance Pop. With a smile that was contagious, Perri went into “Arms,” which began with a heartfelt, a capella vocal before a basic piano lead pushed the lyrics forward as she belted out a robust vocal. Going into the track “Run,” the opening of an eerie organ lead escalated into a biting vocal, echoing the sentiments of the woman of the Lilith Fair era as Perri challenged conventional, stereotypical relationships.
Keeping the mood sincere with emotion, Perri sat on a stool for a moment as she delivered “The Words.” Complemented by haunting piano notes, Perri’s inflection was ear-tingling through the chorus as fans hummed under their breath, perhaps reflecting on a personal experience of their own. “The Lonely” was as somber as the title suggests as Perri sang, “Crying off my face again/the silent sound of loneliness/wants to follow me to bed…………../I’m a ghost of the girl that I want to be most.” It was a stoic, haunting track that sounded like the best of Fiona Apple and Poe drenched in piano. Continuing to connect with the audience, making eye contact and sharing laughs, the band went into “Be My Forever,” and it was the antithesis of the downtrodden sound of “The Lonely” as it was an upbeat cut with an infectious melody, handclaps, staccato piano, as as well as countless “Ooh”’s and “Yeah”’s. Above all, the lyrics that told a tale of a love swimming in hope and fun. Enchanting the air with a soft voice, Perri went into “I Believe” and vividly let out the feeling of the song with hand movements that matched fittingly. Complemented by full musicianship, with thick drums, guitar, and cello, the song was masterfully delivered as everyone hung on Perri’s every sung word.
Following with another fan-favorite, “Human,” the subtle textures were intricately performed and had everyone dreading the end of the set. Thankfully Perri had a few more tricks up her sleeve as she went into the massive aforementioned hit “Jar of Hearts.” With more soaring, passionate vocals over a sweeping piano lead, Perri delighted the crowd. Taking the opportunity to showcase her vocal range, she belting out low-end sounds in the verses and nailing the high, borderline operatic notes for the chorus. Having everyone cheering loudly and enthusiastically, show closer “I Don’t Wanna Break” was an excellent choice to wrap up the night. Channeling classic-era Blondie, Perri was clearly having fun with a song that blended classic Pop stylings with a deep, complex sound. Concluding the track with a vocals only turn, Perri put a stamp on a breathtaking performance.
Perri once again charmed Long Island in a way that simple words can not describe. Her songs are masterful pieces of human feeling, and she only takes their rousing adrenaline to the next level live. The Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour continues through August 30th, so do not miss a chance to see these three musicians all together. As for The Great South Bay Music Festival, the first of four nights was an excellent primer for the three nights that were to follow. Those three nights would feature a wide swath of acts covering just about every genre of music known. Opening night featured three women who all touched on the many aspects of popular music and made it clear that they are more than just great vocalists, they are great songwriters, and even stronger live performers.
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