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.

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

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. 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.