The Sounds of Summer

Summer Music Too Hot To Miss

by Morgan Cole

In a society that’s built around screens, streams and virtual music scenes, we often lose sight of the energy and dedication that goes into creating a killer beat or catchy melody. While virtual works in a pinch, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the bass and the buzz of live music. Fortunately, our local music scene offers an abundance of opportunities when it comes to enjoying fantastic live music, especially during the summer months. Whether you’re in the mood to set up your beach chair and kick back at a free concert on the beach or soak up the smooth sounds of jazz and bluegrass along the river, you’re sure to enjoy one or all of these live outdoor concerts happening throughout the community in the months ahead.

Bands on the Beach

Each year, from April through October, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts on Pensacola Beach. This highly anticipated summer concert series promises a musical extravaganza spanning from rock and country, to pop and funk and everything in between. Hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and set against the stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach, Bands on the Beach offers free weekly concerts every Tuesday night from 7 to 9 pm. Grab some friends, pack the cooler and lawn-chairs and head out to the beach for one or all of these free beachside concerts. Dogs and glassware are not permitted. Check out the full line up of scheduled performances at visitpensacolabeach.com.

• July 2: Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs

• July 9: Still Standing a Tribute to Elton John

• July 16: On the Rox

• July 23: Stormfolk

• July 30: Tyler Mac

• August 6: Blackwater Country

• August 13: The Astronauts

• August 20: Yard Lights

Bands in the Beer Garden

Emerald Republic Brewing will host another installment of its popular Bands in the Beer Garden series on July 6 featuring Tris Music. Playing guitar, piano and classically trained in voice, Tris is influenced primarily by 60s and 70s-era classic rock and modern alternative. Her songs are soul-searching and poetic, exploring the wonders of love, self-empowerment, society and the importance of selflessness. Tris regularly performs in venues across the Gulf Coast and this year, she’s added appearances in NYC, Nashville and Chicago. This complimentary outdoor concert will run from 6 to 9 pm. Short Fuse Pizza will be out front serving up bites from 6 pm and on. Emerald Republic is located at 1414 W. Government St. in downtown Pensacola. For details on upcoming shows and performances, visit emeraldrepubilcbrewing.com.

Pensacola Opera Library Concert

Join Pensacola Opera for an afternoon of beautiful music at your local library! In partnership with West Florida Public Libraries, local singers will present favorite arias and musical theatre tunes for a free concert the whole family can enjoy. The concert will be held on July 16 at 3 pm at West Florida Public Library in downtown Pensacola located at 239 N. Spring Street. Featured artists will include sopranos Sheila Dunn and Bizhou Chang, baritone Jack Chandler and pianist conductor Cody Martin. This is a free community concert. No tickets are required to attend. For more information, visit pensacolaopera.com.

Bands on the Bayou

Brought to you by the East Hill Neighborhood Association in partnership with the City of Pensacola, Bands on the Bayou is a community-centric concert series that gives back to our local community. This neighborhood concert series features local and regional talent representing a variety of music genres. Concerts are held on the bank of Bayou Texar at Bayview Park located in the East Hill neighborhood of Pensacola at 2001 E. Lloyd St. Members of the community are invited to bring chairs and blankets to set up on the lawn outside of the Bayview Community Center during concerts. Boat access is also available and guests are welcome to take in the tunes from their own watercraft. Local food trucks will also be on-site to dish up tasty snacks and foods for concert-goers. Through contributions from local sponsors, this concert series is free and open to the public. Proceeds from the event directly benefit local non-profit organizations throughout our community. Food vendors begin serving at 4:30 pm and bands start at 6:30 pm. Check out the full calendar of upcoming concerts and more at bandsonthebayou.com.

July 27: Cowboy Park

Event proceeds will benefit local nonprofit organization Upwards Intuition, whose mission is to inspire and empower the next generations. Proceeds will help Upward Intuition construct a new skatepark in East Hill. Show your support by visiting their tent and making a donation at the July Concert.

October 5: Bay Bridge Band

Event proceeds will benefit local nonprofits, Rally Gulf Coast and Survivor-Led Solutions. Proceeds will directly support Rally's mission to fund research for childhood cancer and to sponsor survivors of sexual exploitation for an all-inclusive LeadHer Retreat through Survivor-Led Solutions. Show your support by visiting their tents and making a donation at the October Concert.