On September 30th and October 1st, fellow genre manager Amanda Geraci and I made our way to Bridgeport, CT for the second annual run of the Sound on Sound music festival. This had been the event we’d been looking forward to all year. Our summer was spent fantasizing about the fall weather, the festive bites, and of course, the amazing music!
When the time came for the festival, unexpected storms took over New England. Connecticut, as well as our hearts, were gloomy for the week leading up to Sound on Sound. Our biggest fear was that the festival would have to be postponed, or even worse, canceled.
Thankfully, the festival persevered! In order to accommodate the weather, a few artists were sadly cut from the first day’s lineup. While we were disappointed that we wouldn’t get to see them, we were happy that the festival was powering through.
The gloom of the preceding week gradually gave way to anticipation as we walked through the festival grounds. Even the patches of mud that emerged from the recent storms seemed to add to the festival’s vibe. It was charming to see everyone in their boots and coats, all ready to see the artists they love, regardless of potential rain.
As we navigated the festival, we took note of the spots we knew we’d be revisiting throughout our time there. It became routine for us to stop by the Coca-Cola tent, where they were handing out free drinks and merchandise. Each day we would get our cokes and walk through the lineup of food trucks, deciding where our stop would be that day.
During a break between sets, we stumbled upon a culinary gem. This food find was from Fire Engine Pizza Co. Inside a firetruck turned brick oven, they were serving the most delicious pizzas that were of the utmost necessity after the hours we had been at the festival.
Along with the fun food and drink options, there were practical areas such as a station to fill up your water bottle. Fellow concertgoers know all too well the struggle of staying hydrated at events. In an age where “liquid death” has dominated the concert scene, having easy access to free water was refreshing to see, especially at a festival of this scale.
Not only were there many options for those who had General Admission, but for those who had GA+ and VIP, things just got better. Amanda and I were lucky enough to have GA+ passes which allowed you closer to the stage and gave you access to the GA+ lounge. We were so happily surprised when in the lounge we were provided an array of free necessities, from earplugs to sunscreen to dry shampoo, and even medicine like Advil. This made the experience so much better, especially as I forgot my own earplugs and was in dire need of them.
And then, there was what we came for: the music.
Sound on Sound lived up to its name with impeccable sound quality. We had heard from many festival goers who attended the previous year that this year’s sound had improved significantly. Even when standing at the edges of the festival crowd, you could still hear each artist on stage as if you were standing at the barricade.
The one thing that struck me was how amazing all of the music was regardless of how familiar it was. Each artist was captivating and engaging with their set. I would say one of my favorite parts of the festival is hearing the entire audience singing along. The cameras would pan towards the crowd that filled the entire park and you could just hear the love and excitement.
On the second day of the festival, I knew that I wanted to see Hozier at the barricade. In order to do this, I had conceived a plan where I would stand at the barricade for the first set and stand there for the entire 6 hours before his set. While this idea was horrible for my back and feet, it was amazing to listen to all of the artists, especially those I hadn’t heard before.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that even during the main headline acts, when crowds were at their peak, there was no sense of claustrophobia. The festival layout ensured that everyone could revel in the music without feeling crammed in.
While I loved all of the acts, I of course had my favorites:
Lord Huron, with his skeleton mask and guitar, sang haunting melodies and poetic lyrics that kept me mesmerized the entire time.
Mt. Joy’s indie folk anthems mixed with the jaw-dropping visuals created an amazing energy in the crowd that I wish I could experience again.
Hozier’s haunting vocals resonated deep within. The entire audience seemed to be captivated by his aura. I saw tears in many people’s eyes by the time his set was over.
Of course, the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers brought their signature energy. While singing hit after hit after hit, the entire crowd was moving and singing every word.
As the final notes of John Mayer’s performance drifted into the night, it was clear that the memories made at Sound on Sound Festival would be cherished for a lifetime.
Overall, the Sound on Sound Festival was everything we had hoped it would be. It was a journey through different genres surrounded by those who appreciate music within the same realms as us. We came for the exceptional lineup and left with an overwhelming sense of togetherness. It was a day to make memories, and that’s exactly what we did.
