By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City is offering free concerts at a time when tickets for most A-list performers are easily costing in the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
For instance, seeing Elton John, Billy Joel or Neil Diamond this summer won’t cost Sea Isle concertgoers a dime.
Yes. Free.
Well, that might be stretching the truth a bit. But tribute bands performing the songs of Elton John, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and other top names of the music industry will entertain thousands of spectators during Sea Isle’s free outdoor summer concerts in 2024.
“Free is fabulous. People really appreciate that they’re getting first-class entertainment without paying for admission,” Sea Isle spokeswoman Katherine Custer said.
The city announced that some of the favorite tribute bands are returning for the 2024 summer season, while some new acts will also be part of the Concerts Under the Stars lineup at the Band Shell in Excursion Park. Altogether, there will be 10 concerts.
“It’s a wonderful lineup,” Custer said.
Several years ago, Mayor Leonard Desiderio directed city officials to hire only tribute bands or themed bands for the summer concert series because of their drawing power, Custer said.
“We found early on that tribute bands are enormously popular,” she said.
Some of the popular bands returning this year include Real Diamond performing the music of Neil Diamond, Yellow Brick Road, a tribute to Elton John, and Elvis performer Jesse Garron.
New this year are Queen tribute band Queen Flash, StevieMac performing the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac and Parrot Beach playing the tropical-themed songs of the late Jimmy Buffett.
Desiderio was eager to have a Buffett tribute band this year following the 2023 death of the “Margaritaville” singer-songwriter, Custer said.
Sea Isle has also been trying to land a Queen tribute band ever since the release of the 2018 movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” showcasing the talents of late lead singer Freddie Mercury, Custer noted.
Concerts will be held, weather permitting, every Saturday night at Excursion Park from June 29 to Aug. 31 starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Band Shell in Excursion Park opened in 2011 and serves as the city’s entertainment hub. Concerts, dance parties, movies and Family Fun Nights are among the free outdoor shows staged there during the summer.
There is bench seating for 100 people at the open-air Band Shell, but the venue also includes an expansive grassy area that allows concertgoers to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Chris Oney, Sea Isle’s tourism representative, said it’s not uncommon for 2,000 to 3,000 concertgoers to attend the shows. At times, the crowds spill out of the park and onto the walkways.
As in the past, Sea Isle will collaborate with concert organizer Go Events to stage the shows. Custer explained that the city’s Tourism Office works closely with Go Events to draw top tribute bands from across the country and Canada.
“One thing we have consistently heard from the bands is that they love playing in Sea Isle City,” she said, referring to the enthusiastic reception they receive from the large crowds.
Back in 2020, the concert series was canceled due to gathering restrictions during the height of the pandemic. It was brought back in 2021 and continues to be a success year after year.
Following is the Concerts Under the Stars lineup for the summer of 2024:
June 29: Streetlife Serenade (Billy Joel tribute)
July 6: Jesse Garron (Elvis tribute)
July 13: Queen Flash (Queen tribute)
July 20: Seven Bridges (Eagles tribute)
July 27: Kick It Out (Heart tribute)
August 3: Real Diamond (Neil Diamond cover)
August 10: Frontiers (Journey tribute)
August 17: Parrot Beach (Jimmy Buffett tribute)
August 24: Yellow Brick Road (Elton John tribute)
August 31: StevieMac (Fleetwood Mac tribute)
