It was a beautiful weekend for the second annual Martha’s Vineyard Sound Festival, which brought dozens of local and national acts and hundreds of spectators to Oak Bluff’s Alley Park (formerly known as Waban Park) over the two-day musical event.
The perfect summer weather and easy re-entry policy made it possible for attendees to make the most of back-to-back beach days while popping in and out of the festival to catch a set between swims. Many set up camp for the whole day, and some for both days, bringing blankets, chairs, and picnics to better enjoy the show.
The family-friendly event featured a diverse musical lineup ranging from indie, rock, and folk to reggae and hip-hop. On Saturday, Island native and singer-songwriter Dana Williams hit the stage in the early afternoon, taking some time away from her busy off-Island schedule to reconnect with the community where she first honed her musical talents. “I am so honored to be a part of something so great! I hope the festival grows every year, and that I continue to be a part of it. I look forward to next year’s lineup!” said Ms. Williams.
Saturday’s lineup continued with a captivating set by Jemima James, accompanied by Rose Guerin. Local folk band Good Night Louise invited festival organizer Phil daRosa to the stage, in appreciation of the festivities and Mr. DaRosa’s commitment to strengthening the Island’s music scene. Cambridge singer/songwriter and Starbuck’s Emerging Artist of the Year Mieka Pauley wooed the crowd with her soulful voice and ethereal presence.The day continued with performances by local musician Alex Karalekas, Wellfleet’s Parkington Sisters, American roots band Dwight & Nicole, Kenyatta Hill of Culture, and an especially lively performance by the Vineyard’s own Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish to finish off the evening.
Sunday proved another gorgeous day for the outdoor event, with local bands Sabrina and the Groovers and the Chandler Blues Band entertaining fans midday. For the boys of Chandler Blues Band, it was their first year playing the festival, and they were appreciative of the opportunity: “Being a part of the M.V. Sound Festival was an amazing experience for us. It gave us the opportunity to play on a large scale with talented sound engineers, and hang out with so many amazing artists, and to play for a bigger crowd than we normally do. As an independent band, it can be hard to get this kind of exposure to people, press, photographers, etc., and the M.V. Sound Festival really helped us by believing in the independent artist. They treated us so well, and made us feel like we were headlining Woodstock, while still feeling like we were part of a local community of musicians supporting each other. It was some of the most fun we’ve had as a band, and we’re excited to be a part of it for as long as they’ll have us,” said band member Mike Chandler.
Also on Sunday, Boston native Will Dailey performed; he brought Dwight & Nicole back onstage with him, and finished by distributing copies of his CD to the enthusiastic crowd.
Next came the hip-hop group Lynguistic Civilians from Vermont with a memorable set. One of the highlights of the day was watching 8-year-old Dorothy “Dottie” Walsh take the stage with her brother Brian Walsh, a.k.a. Walshie Steeze of the Lynguistic Civilians, for a special performance. When it was determined that the group’s female member, LC, couldn’t make the show, Mr. Walsh enlisted his younger sister to rap on the group’s energetic song “Daddy Cool” (a rendition from their original “Crazy Fools”). The younger rapper seamlessly sang along, and further impressed the crowd with a choreographed dance routine alongside her brother. The duo had everyone on their feet, and at one point Dottie was performing atop Brian’s shoulders. It was a family-friendly event after all.
In true Island fashion, the event culminated with a performance by Mike Benjamin and a community all-star jam, the perfect ending to a lively weekend of music and merriment.