Visitors and residents are invited to New Bedford’s annual Summer Sound Series, now organized by AHA! New Bedford, delivering to downtown a lineup of musicians who will have you dancing in the streets!
Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell, the popular free concert series kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with Pearly Baker Band, a legendary Grateful Dead tribute band. This performance is part of Explore New Bedford’s JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party, celebrating the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favorite shark movie, complete with a costume contest, pop-up market, themed drinks, Instagram-worthy moments, and, of course, live music.
“The team at AHA! has brought incredible energy and creativity as the new organizers for the 12th year of the Summer Sound Series,” said Ashley Payne, Director of Tourism and Marketing for Explore New Bedford. “JawsJam: A Bigger Boat Block Party is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Jaws that celebrates local art, community, and summer fun right here in our seaport.”
“Summer Sound Series has become a highlight of the City’s summer events,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “The live music and block parties bring crowds Downtown to shop, dine and gather with family and friends to enjoy the summer season.”
The free Summer Sounds Series concerts take place on select Fridays throughout the summer, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, alternating between stages on closed portions of lower Union Street and Purchase Street.
“There is nothing like an outdoor summer concert,” said Kim Goddard, Executive Director, AHA! New Bedford. “We’re delighted to be organizing this year’s Summer Sound Series and continuing the tradition of live music filling the streets of New Bedford each summer. This year, we’ve brought back some familiar favorites and are introducing a few new acts to this year’s lineup. We can’t wait to enjoy these nights together.”
In addition to the kick-off concert, two more Summer Sound Series concerts will take place in collaboration with other popular downtown events:
- A high-energy fixture in the New Bedford music scene, The Jethros will play the Lower Union Street Stage on July 4th, blending folk, blues, funk, swing, bluegrass, and more into an unforgettable performance in collaboration with the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s First Fridays. During this Independence Day First Friday celebration, there will be family-friendly activities outside, with select Whaling Museum galleries open after-hours and free to the public.
- NB Rude Boys bring their spirited blend of ska, reggae, rock steady, and punk to the Purchase Street Stage on July 18th in collaboration with the NB Roots and Branches Festival. Now in its third year, the two-day event is an entirely free festival celebrating music, art, and creativity with primarily acoustic performances in and around local businesses.
The complete 2025 Summer Sound Series schedule features:
JUNE 20: PEARLY BAKER BAND
GRATEFUL DEAD TRIBUTE
PART OF JAWSJAM: A BIGGER BOAT BLOCK PARTY
Location: Lower Union Street Stage
JUNE 27: MELO GREEN
FUNK/SOUL/ROCK
Location: Purchase Street Stage
JULY 4: THE JETHROS
COUNTRY/FOLK/SWING/JAZZ
STAGE HOST: WHALING MUSEUM FIRST FRIDAYS
Location: Lower Union Street Stage
JULY 18: NB RUDE BOYS
SKA
WITH NB ROOTS AND BRANCHES FESTIVAL
Location: Purchase Street Stage
JULY 25: THE GROOVALOTTOS
FUNK, THUMP & SOUL
Location: Lower Union Street Stage
AUGUST 8: JAMMIN’
REGGAE
Location: Purchase Street Stage
AUGUST 15: NEAL MCCARTHY ELECTRIC 6-PIECE BAND
ROCK & BLUES
Location: Lower Union Street Stage
AUGUST 22: COLBY JAMES & THE RAMBLERS
ROCK-COUNTRY
Location: Purchase Street Stage
During Summer Sound Series concerts there will be free parking available at the Elm Street Garage and the Zeiterion Garage. All concerts are weather permitting.
Organized by AHA! New Bedford, the 2025 Summer Sounds Series is made possible thanks to lead sponsor WPRI-12, supporting sponsors Moby Dick Brewing Company and Servedwell Hospitality, as well as Explore New Bedford, Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Massachusetts, and the New Bedford Light. Funding for this initiative is also provided by the City of New Bedford, through American Rescue Plan Act awards.
Participating restaurants include:
Purchase Street Stage: No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern, The Vault
Lower Union Street Stage: Port Royal, Play Arcade, New Beige, Cultivator Shoals, Cork Wine & Tapas
About AHA! New Bedford
For over 25 years, AHA! New Bedford has helped build and promote a creative economy that, alongside other arts organizations and supporters, transformed Downtown New Bedford into the cultural epicenter of the region.
AHA! continues to offer and showcase free arts and cultural experiences Downtown on the second Thursday of each month, February through December. Programming has expanded to include music, film, storytelling, block parties, art markets, and more. AHA! is a fiscally sponsored program of the SouthCoast Community Foundation.
