With so many music festivals, having something new and unexpected to set it apart from previous years and attract a larger crowd is always at the top of the list. But for the JP Music Festival, which returns to Pinebank Baseball Field in Jamaica Plain on September 10 for its tenth edition after a pandemic-induced two-year hiatus, just getting back to the way it was before is the highest priority. Because when you’re a free, all-ages, and well-attended music festival showcasing the specific talent of a special neighborhood, there isn’t so much a need for tinkering as there is just maintaining its allure — and reclaiming that long-gone sense of normalcy.
“A lot of people have been asking ‘what are you doing for the 10th year?’ The short answer is, we’re doing the same thing we always have,” producer Shamus Moynihan tells Vanyaland. “Just trying to put together a day of great music and fun in the park. We’ve done things pretty much the same way for a decade and it’s the reason for our continued success. We keep it simple. Music. Food trucks. Some fun stuff for kids.”
Moynihan, alongside co-organizers Rick Berlin and Charles McEnerney and a healthy team of volunteers (as well as a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $4,000), have pulled together a solid lineup for this year’s festivities, featuring a mix of bands who have played in the past, like Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Diablogato, and Hallelujah The Hills, and a host of newcomers. In all 21 bands and artist will perform live.
“As for the lineup, we really tried to put together a mix of some of our favorite bands from past years, along with some great new acts,” Moynihan adds. “I think we did a pretty good job. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of them perform. I’m probably most looking forward to seeing everyone have a great time again.”
Rounding out the diverse and eclectic lineup are Catherine Bent and Ian Coury, Bird Language, Cambridge Common Voices, C.E. Skidmore and The DFB, Chandler Travis Philharmonic, The Chops, Double Star, FauxMenco, The Footlight Club (performing Xanadu), Lenny Lashley’s Gang Of One, Lovewhip, Nick And The Adversaries, The Party Band, Jethro Pierce, The Ray Liriano Experience, Rick Berlin with The Nickel & Dime Band, Thalia Zedek Band, and the wonderfully named winner of John Casey’s JP Bar Wars, The Chesticles. Listen to a festival-cured playlist of all the acts below.
“It’s been a long two-year hiatus,” admits Moynihan. “We’re very lucky to be able to put this thing on again. All of our sponsors are still with us — which says a lot. We couldn’t do this without them. It’s a ton of work, but we have a great group of folks who put their hearts and souls into making this happen. Seeing the crowd coming out and having a blast makes it all worth it.”
JP MUSIC FEST :: Saturday, September 10 at Pinebank Baseball Field, 345 Jamaicaway in Boston, MA :: noon to 7 p.m., all ages, free :: Festival homepage :: Facebook event page
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