TVD Live Shots: Soundside Music Festival, 9/27

BRIDGEPORT, CT | Overlooking the banks of the Long Island Sound lies a 35-acre park which has been home to Connecticut’s largest music festival for the past three years. Soundside Music Festival continues to grow in recognition and popularity for all that it uniquely offers to musical artists and attendees as a premier destination in the Northeast. Held in the last weekend of September, Soundside brings fans from New England, New York, New Jersey and beyond together as the American outdoor festival season nears its end. Featuring 20 incredible artists across two days, fans are treated to performances of their personal favorite musicians from the past, present, and future.

Premium experiences of GA+, VIP, and Skydeck viewing offered premium seats, expedited entry, and exclusive lounge areas complete with their own food vendors and restrooms. Lawn chairs were permitted in the back half of the grounds which allowed attendees to create their own relaxed space. Viewing and hearing the musicians was no issue wherever you were at the festival. Performances took place atop a giant 10 foot tall stage, and multiple towers of premium sound speakers were expertly placed throughout the grounds to provide an optimal experience. Attendees were pampered as they indulged with fifty-seven different food and beverage vendors offering an overwhelming amount of delicious options. A grounds crew continuously worked to keep the park fresh and respectfully presentable.

Featuring twenty musical performances on one giant stage over two days is not an easy feat, but with Soundside’s unique rotating stage setup time is minimal and typically lasts less than ten minutes. While an artist is performing, stagehands will get the next setup completed and prepped. Once the performance is done, the giant backing LED screen behind the artist will lift high enough that the entire stage can turn 180 degrees revealing the instruments for the next act. Fans have just enough time to get another drink and return to their spot to continue enjoying the full day of performances.

The first day of the weekend felt the remnants of Hurricane Helene as strong winds pushed a steady rain sideways throughout the day and into the evening. At one point, a fan released a balloon into the air and as it quickly traveled from stage left to right never touching down. Attendees geared up with ponchos, rain coats, warm blankets, and umbrellas and shared smiles of strength as a testament to the Northeastern spirit to not let these conditions deter them from enjoying this highly anticipated weekend. Lead vocalist of the Goo Goo Dolls John Rzeznik joked with the crowd about how he would not have made it that far into the night. “Even if they announced a reunion of The Beatles I would be long gone by now.” Headliner and local native Noah Kahan also gave the weathered crowd his respect stating, “We’re from New England! This won’t stop us!”

Saturday began with an upbeat set from Rijah, contemplative tunes from Madi Diaz, and a welcomed performance by songwriter Lisa Loeb who had fans reminiscing with hits from the ’90s featured in movies and across pop culture. If fans were still getting their bearings figuring out the layout and offerings of the festival, they were quickly snapped into attention with the soulful and piercing playing of blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram who captivated the audience from his very first note. The audience was transported to Mississippi as Kingfish got the crowd moving and expressing their joy of live music.

Ahead of their upcoming release Got A Story To Tell, the neo-soul group Thee Sacred Souls connected emotionally by using their music and lyrics to lift the spirits with the crowd. Almost immediately lead singer Josh Lane recognized he wasn’t satisfied with the distance from him to the crowd and climbed down from the tall stage to embrace and welcome in the crowd into the performance. When that wasn’t enough for Lane, he began hopping multiple barricades—continuing the performance with his cordless mic—and running laps around the grounds to create the most inclusive performance of the day.

Some artists may have felt timid following the unique performance, but that was not the case for the live performing veteran and Vermonter Grace Potter. Entering the stage with a purifying smudge stick and an electrifying stage presence, it was clear Potter was ready to rock. A strong setlist which started with the hit, “Medicine” was capped off with another classic success “Paris (Ooh La La).” Grace was in constant motion all across the stage while playing a flying V guitar, and at one point wearing her tambourine like a crown during “Good Time.”

Multi-Grammy Award winning R&B vocal harmony group Boyz II Men delivered a stacked setlist consisting of their greatest hits and well known covers which were enhanced by their recognizable personal style. The trio who first saw commercial success in 1992 maintained a high level of dancing and choreography and showed no signs of slowing down. Shawn Stockman surprised the audience by not only playing the guitar but by playing solos so well he gave all musicians during the day a run for their money. Boyz II Men started their set off with the smash “Motownphilly,” felt the crowd swoon during “On Bended Knee,” and had a full circle moment in the rain while covering Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

The strongest wind and rain came during the next two sets of Fleet Foxes and the Goo Goo Dolls, which seemingly served to enhance the experience of both group’s performances. The moody Fleet Foxes, who sound like the next generation of Simon and Garfunkel at times, captivated the audience’s emotions with meaningful lyrics and impressive musicianship. The band’s most impressive aspect is their multiple harmonies which built up to a joyful high during “White Winter Hymnal.”

The Goo Goo Dolls highly acclaimed career includes Grammy nominations and the 39th spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest pop songs, but fans remember 2004’s special performance in the band’s hometown of Buffalo in the highest regard of achievements. The Goo Goo Dolls held a concert in the pouring rain outside of city hall for a fourth of July celebration, and this night’s performance was reminiscent of that very show. The crowd was treated to a setlist of hits from albums spanning the band’s discography, including their largest hits “Iris,” “Slide,” and “Name.”

The path to stardom for the headliner of the night Noah Kahan has seen his rise take off after his release of Stick Season in 2022, and he hasn’t looked back since. Throughout the day a buzz was felt anticipating his performance as it was clear the majority of attendees were here for the folk-pop singer songwriter. Those who had yet to be exposed to his alt-folk anthemic choruses and charismatic style were staying to see what the excitement was about and were sure to leave as fans.

Tonight’s performance contained a joyful tone and felt as if he had been looking forward to it, stating “this is going to be our last show in the north east for awhile—thanks for coming to it!” For many this was their first time seeing the beloved New Englander who is known for putting on a spirited performance and giving his songs new life backed by a full band of friends. Kahan also brought the crowd together when he dedicated “You’re Gonna Go Far” to anyone who attended by themselves, endorsing the adventure by exclaiming “Once you start doing shit by yourself you realize you’re the coolest person you know.”

Kahan united the sold out festival’s on day one and was the motivation attendees needed to weather the storm and enjoy a full day of memorable performances. All that was left was to gear up for day two.

BOYZ II MEN