A Preview of the 2026 Great South Bay Music Festival
I grew up on Long Island, and longed for festivals like the Great South Bay Music Festival. In college, I traveled around the world to catch some amazing festivals, Bonnaroo, Shaky Knees, Ottawa Bluesfest, Newport, and so many others. But damn, would it have been convenient to just make a quick transfer at Babylon to see artists like the ones on this year’s lineup. Early on, the festival was very jam-focused, but in recent years, they’ve expanded to a really cool concept, genre-driven days that actually expanded the sounds you’d hear at the fest. Last year, day one was reliving my high school years, imagining logging into AIM while seeing Taking Back Sunday and Head Automatica, (who I actually caught at the Nassau Coliseum in 2006…) and the next vibing with Damian & Stephen Marley, followed by a day of Jam with Moe. and Umphrey’s McGee, then the wildcard “80’s Beach Party” headlined by Men At Work. It truly had something for everyone. 2026 continues that and is shaping up to be their greatest fest yet. This year’s festival runs from July 23-26 and takes place at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, NY.
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This year has a similar setup, and we’re stoked for it. The first day is headlined by two bands that were legends at my high school just a few miles west. The Used, and Bayside. Emotionally driven, angsty, punk rock for the volatile youth. Pop-Punk outfit Cartel slot in perfectly on the lineup with those two. Koyo are a local band, formed in Stony Brook, and really channel that Long Island indie sound of the mid-aughts. And be sure to get there early to check out Art Rockers Imposters, the intense metalcore of Deadlands, No Fly List, who bring a refreshing blend of genres, and Gamblers who have a music video that is definitively Teppen-core.
Recommended listening: The Used – “A Box Full Of Sharp Objects”, Bayside – “Duality”, Koyo – “Barely Here”, Cartel – “Give or Take”, Deadlands – “Limbo”, Gamblers – “Pulverizer”
Friday should be a day of good vibes, especially with Sublime, headed by Jakob Nowell, the son of original Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, playing right on the bay. Common Kings will hold down the groove, too. It truly is a day of Reggae and Reggae-influence with The Ries Brothers, Oogee Wawa, Project Vibe, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Bunktown Falls, Reggaelar People, IRIEspect, and Roots Foundation. But we might be most excited for Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads, as they put a fun spin on the music of the Talking Heads and much more. Honestly, it’s a toss-up between that and hearing Sublime’s “Doin’ Time” on a perfect summer night.
Recommended listening: Sublime – “What I Got” (the amount of time I spent crusing Levittown blasting this…), Common Kings – “Lost in Paradise”, Bunktown Falls – “Grab ‘N Dash”, IRIEspect – “Strong Island”, Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads – “Slippery People”.
Saturday, however, may be the most legendary day in the history of the Great South Bay Music Festival. Headlined by Warren Haynes’ iconic Gov’t Mule. That’s big enough, but Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers will also hit the festival’s main stage. LaMP, the all-star trio of Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, and Ray Paczowski also hit the main stage, as does bluegrass shredder Sierra Hull. Adding in Long Island slide guitar legend Kerry Kearney‘s Cajun Review, It would be completely understandable to camp out in front of that stage all day, but it’d be a disservice. On the other stages, there’s Long Island-based psych rockers Orchyd, as well as Pachogue’s own Ernie & The Band and Soundswell. Also don’t forget The Allmost Brothers Band and Ripple All Stars playing familiar tunes. A day of southern-style jam mixed headlined by undeniable legends.
Recommended listening: Gov’t Mule – “Soulshine”, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers – “Cyclone” (Live), Sierra Hull’s Tiny Desk Concert, LaMP – “Tango” (Live), Soundswell – “All Thee Above”
And if that doesn’t score “most legendary day on the bay”, Sunday sure will. The always evolving My Morning Jacket headline the final day of the festival. 2026 is a bit of an off year for them, hitting mostly festivals and shorter sets. However they’re scheduled for 2 and a half hours, giving them more than enough room to cover their discography from The Tennessee Fire to Is. Then there’s another legendary act, Little Feat, who released their first record of new material in 13 years last year. Also, there’s an all-star celebration of Bob Weir, hosted by Andy Falco of Infamous Stringdusters, plus members of Dark Star Orchestra, Leftover Salmon, and also the incomparable Leslie Mendelson. Weir’s music is at the core of what Great South Bay Music Festival is, so it’s sure to be a special afternoon. Then there’s long-time festival mainstay Taz, the project of Brandon Niederauer. Also, be sure to catch local acts Andrew Weiss, who describes his music as “Power Pop-icana” and the super talented Albert Liu & the Wild Hearts.
Recommended listening: My Morning Jacket – “Mahgeetah”, Little Feat – Willin’, TAZ – “Running After You Again”, Andrew Weiss & Friends – “Billy”, Albert Liu & The Wild Hearts – “Angels” (Live)
Check out the full lineup on their poster, and give them a follow at the links below
Connect with Great South Bay Music Festival: site / insta / facebook
