The Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series is back in full force this summer with its new partnership with the Loft in Oak Bluffs. The shows begin on July 21, and will lead up to the Beach Road Weekend Music Festival happening in Vineyard Haven July 23 to 25. After the Beach Road concert, shows will return to the Loft, and are scheduled through the end of August, with more shows still to be announced. Tickets and the event list for all the shows can be found at the M.V. Summer Concert Series website, mvconcertseries.com.
The Loft has had an extensive six-figure renovation to improve the lighting and sound system to provide the best musical experience possible. Adam Epstein with the M.V. Summer Concert Series was not deterred by the time or effort that it would take to make the Loft the perfect venue. “We weren’t going to get into it if we can’t do it right,” Epstein said. He said he’s excited about the busy summer schedule, saying that August will be an extremely active month, with shows expected every night.
The owner of the Loft, along with several Island restaurants, J.B. Blau, said, “Loft started as a music venue, and then transitioned into events and DJs … after seeing the success of Adam’s company, we are excited to bring national and regional live music back to M.V., and particularly to downtown O.B. We can’t wait to see the energy it brings to town, and we know Adam’s team will do it right.”
Epstein said he wants the Loft to be “an outlet to see local and touring bands on the Island.” The Loft will be a place to grow an audience and to build relationships with the community, but most importantly, it’s going to be a place to enjoy a show with the best possible experience. Epstein couldn’t have put it any better when talking about the upcoming shows, saying between him and his colleagues that the “eagerness is infectious.”
Kick off the summer on July 21 with Neighbor. With their community called the Neighbors, they are an exciting and unpredictable live band, with a catalog of hundreds of songs. Neighbor brings together composition, balladry, and an approach to every performance to inspire and touch everyone in the audience.
Pink Talking Fish will follow them on July 22. Eric Gould on bass, Zack Burwick on drums, Richard James on keyboards, and Cal Kehoe on guitar come together to form the hybrid fusion act that takes music from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish to create a special treat for fans of the music.
Marble Eyes plays on July 23 with “Rock & Roll for the Soul.” Formed during the pandemic, the four band members based on the New Hampshire seacoast create soulful, energetic rock music to bring something positive out of one of the most challenging times in recent memory.
Kicking off the weekend of July 24 and 25 is moe., with their treasured, mesmerizing musical synergy, unfettered showmanship, and smart, resonant songcraft. Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitar and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on drums are ready to bring their 30 years of experience to the Island.
Dalton & the Sheriffs will come to the Island on July 27, August 17, and August 31. Prepared with two full albums’ worth of completely new material, these guys are more than ready for the best show they can give.
Crooked Coast will be here on July 31. From right across the Sound on Cape Cod, they’re experts in indie rock riffs, reggae rhythms, hip-hop flows, and pop melodies.
August 2 brings Luna, an indie rock band originally formed in New York in 1991, reuniting in 2015 after a 10-year break. The band retains its original lineup from their initial days, with Dean Wareham on vocals and guitar, his wife Britta Phillips on bass, Sean Eden on guitar, and Lee Wall on drums.
Dwight & Nicole arrive August 4, an American indie-soul band fronted by Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, with recent addition of the powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan. This Independent Music Award–nominated band is excited to bring their sound and live energy to the Island.
Boston-based Ripe comes to the Island August 5. The band has won over fans with their blend of rock, funk, R&B, jazz, and pop.
Island favorite Entrain has been around since 1993, with the same goal since their inception, creating music that makes people feel good. They play August 6.
Seven-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne will fill the Loft with her diverse range of pop rock, soul, R&B, blues, roots rock, gospel, funk, and country on August 7.
Badfish: Tribute to Sublime comes to the Loft August 11 and 12. One of the more energetic and eclectic bands will be celebrating their 20-year anniversary tour with the real spirit of Sublime.
Syracuse native singer-songwriter Martin Sexton will bless the Loft with one of his legendary live shows and vocal prowess that keep fans coming back for more on August 20.
Love & Chuck Treece arrive on August 24. Celebrating his 27th year as a touring and recording artist, Garrett “G. Love” Dutton will bring his signature funky version of delta blues, hip-hop, funk, rock and roll, and jazz.
Sammy Rae & the Friends play August 25. These eight musicians and artists can be close enough to be called a family, and with their high-energy classic rock, folk, funk, soul, and jazz–inspired music, it’s easy to tell.
On August 27, eclectic funk rock jam band the New Motif will get the crowd at the Loft to match their high energy, termend by fans “reciprocal boogie.”
Boston-born and Island favorite singer, songwriter, and folk musician Livingston Taylor brings his years of experience to the Loft with his relaxed onstage performance on August 28.
