Montauk LOVES its music and musicians. From The Rolling Stones to Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon to Billy Joel, Willie Nelson to Rufus Wainwright–musicians have always LOVED Montauk back. Every May, Montauk celebrates its musical identity with the Montauk Music Festival hosted by The Montauk Sun!
This year’s festival is kicking off May 15th and closes on Sunday, May 18th. Two full days on the Main Stage on the Montauk Town Green, and four days of your favorite bars and restaurants hosting musicians and bands all festival long! Don’t forget–the party doesn’t stop because the Main Stage show ends. Montauk is your oyster!
We sat down with Kenny Giustino, founder of The Montauk Sun and the Montauk Music Festival to share why Montauk’s only music festival is an integral tradition in our community!
Sue & Kenny Giustino; Photo courtesy of The Montauk Sun
Hey Kenny! Please tell us a little about the Montauk Music Festival and what inspired you to start this festival 14 years ago.
I had always thought Montauk would be a perfect venue for a music festival celebrating original music. Also, because of the history of Montauk and the music legends, like Paul, Jimmy, and Mick to name a few, who hid out in Montauk in the ’70s… it seemed like a perfect location.
Then, 16 years ago, while Sue and I were walking up from Nicks on the Beach to town, Lou Gross stopped on his bike and said the Montauk Chamber of Commerce had been kicking the idea around for a few years and that my name had come up a few times as someone who could possibly make it happen.
We had to think about it and after a week, I reached out to Paul Monte, president of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce at that time. I told him we would do it but under the Montauk Sun brand to have the ability to make quick decisions. Paul was supportive of the idea and offered that the Chamber would help support the festival any way they can. That was in September 2009 and the first Montauk Music Festival commenced May 13, 2010.
What sets the Montauk Music Festival apart from other music festivals?
The Montauk Music Festival is dedicated to showcasing original music performed by the original artists. Our goal is to provide venues for artists to experience a big festival environment, network with other artists, and even meet industry professionals to help them on their music journey. Every year, we bring out almost 100 acts that perform in over 35 Montauk venues. The first year we did over 200 showcases and this year we’re doing 470 showcases!
What can music lovers expect to see at this year’s festival?
This year, we have Oogee Wawa (alternative reggae band) back on the Main Stage. They were in the first five or six festivals and now only do limited performances; this year the only other show they have booked is in the Great South Bay Music Festival. We have so many favorite acts returning: Drop the 4, Alex Cano, Paris Ray, Virginia Sweet, Samurai Pizza Cats, Hope Darling, Days of Wild, Lina Maxine and many others. The website lists them all, as well as the line up for the showcases: www.montaukmusicfestival.com
Photo courtesy of Oogee Wawa.
Are there any must-see performers or anything new we can’t miss this year?
Some newcomers this year include: Maeve, Camryn Quinlan, Sydney Dale, Kath, Moxie Poe, Katie Ainge, Jensen Keets and more. we get over 2000 artists looking to perform each year, offering us a wonderful pool of talent to try and select new, interesting acts covering a variety of genres.
The Big Happy; Photo courtesy of Montauk Music Festival.
What are your favorite Montauk Music Festival memories to date?
The second year, we had 14-year-old Meghan Trainor perform! Her mom booked her. When she sang at Lenny’s on the Dock, Lenny called me while she was singing and said, “She’s gonna be big!”
Another is when Jimmy Fallon surprised the crowd by rocking out to The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” with Blue Collar Band (5/17/14) as the crowd went wild at The Montauket!
Finally, some of our favorite memories are seeing the bands make friends, jam together on stage, collaborate on music, and help secure each other gigs in their respective territories. Sue and I love and respect all of the artists; they come to Montauk on their own dime and share their art with a wonderful audience that appreciates great, original music. Over the years, we’ve had thousands of performers who are the essence and heart of the Montauk Music Festival!
On another note, we would be remiss without thanking all of the participating hotels who donate rooms, allowing artists who come from far the ability to experience the entire festival weekend while entertaining the crowds. Without their support there wouldn’t be a festival.
