Sag Harbor American Music Festival Back on the Beat

The Sag Harbor American Music Festival (SHAMF) is coming to town from September 28 to October 1. Back with its lineup of completely free outdoor concerts, SHAMF will add a “restaurant night” to this year’s events, and is bringing back the alley stage while continuing to provide eclectic, joyful musical experiences for all.

This year also brings a shift back to the festival’s prepandemic format, with Thursday night kickoff events featuring free live music in Sag Harbor Village, an opening night concert on Friday at the First Presbyterian (Old Whalers’) Church with Grammy-nominated nominated blues/roots artists Amythyst Kiah, free live music at featured village stages (Steinbeck Park, Marine Park and Alley Stage adjacent to The American Hotel) on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a special Saturday night concert at Bay Street Theater.

Get ready to celebrate the diversity of American music and explore how the blending of musical cultures created gospel, blues, jazz, folk, Americana and continues to evolve in popular music today. All these genres and more will be presented live over the course of the weekend featuring artists that span the globe and the regional community.

From the giant sailcloth tent at Marine Park to the all-weather stage at Steinbeck Park and the fan favorite alley stage next to The American Hotel, dozens of acts will be featured. Additional venues include the Civil War Monument at Main and Madison, shopfronts and restaurants. These performances are free and open to the public, with costs covered by sponsorships and donations. Purchase tickets and browse the latest updates at sagharbormusic.org. SHAMF is rain or shine.

The Schedule

Thursday, September 28:

Restaurant Night: Free

Celebrate the festival opening with performances between 5 and 9 p.m. at Sen, KPASA, Sag Pizza and El Taco Bar, capping off the night at Kidd Squid.

Featuring: Roy Wilson & the Buzzards, Lynn Blue Band, Annie Trezza, Rorie Kelly and Real East End Brass.

Friday, September 29:

Amythyst Kiah, 8 p.m. Old Whalers Church, 44 Union Street. $40 general admission

Kiah’s soul-stirring blues mark the glorious collision of two vastly different worlds: the iconoclastic alt-rock that first sparked her musical passion, and the roots/old-time-music scene where she’s found breakout success in recent years, including recognition from Rolling Stone as “one of Americana’s great up-and-coming secrets.”

The Chattanooga-bred singer-songwriter expands on the artistry she’s displayed as a member of Our Native Daughters — an all-women-of-color supergroup whose Kiah-penned standout “Black Myself” earned a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song and won Song of the Year at the Folk Alliance International Awards.

Saturday, September 30:

Sara Hartman featuring Joe Delia & Friends, 8 p.m. Bay Street Theater, Long Wharf

$30 in advance, $40 at the door

Free Outdoor Music

Saturday, September 30, Sag Harbor Village

10 a.m. – Escola de Samba Boom at Provisions Marine Park Tent

10:30 a.m. – Chloe Halpin at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

11:30 a.m. – Pete Mancini & the Hillside Airmen at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

Noon – Ada Rovatti & Friends at Provisions Marine Park Tent

12:30 p.m. – R.O. Shapiro at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

1 p.m. – The Belle Curves at Ryland’s green (Main and Madison Street)

1:30 p.m. – Foster Europe at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

2 p.m. – Born & Raised at Sag Harbor Inn, 45 West Water Street

2:30 p.m. – Mudflats String Band at Provisions Marine Park Tent

3 p.m. – Student Body at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

3:30 p.m. – Hinterlands at Provisions Natural Foods Market

4 p.m. – Nancy Atlas at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

5 p.m. – Kristina Koller at Provisions Marine Park Tent

5:30 p.m. – Inda Eaton at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

6:30 p.m. – The Alex Lucero Band at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

7 p.m. – Dante Mazzetti at Kidd Squid Brewing Co.

Sunday, October 1, Sag Harbor Village

10 a.m. Remy Kassimer – Out East at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

10:30 a.m. – Jake Lear at Provisions Marine Park Tent

11:30 a.m. – Julia King at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

Noon – Gene Casey & the Lonesharks at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

1 p.m. – Lauralys at Provisions Marine Park Tent

1:30 p.m. – Friday Night Traditional at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

2 p.m. – The Bodega Tall Boys at Baron’s Cove

2:30 p.m. – Raquel & the Wildflowers at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage

3 p.m. – Sara Gross at Provisions Marine Park Tent

4 p.m. – Certain Moves at Sag Harbor Express Alley Stage

5 p.m. – Hoo Doo Loungers at Provisions Marine Park Tent

6 p.m. – The Scofflaws at WLIW-FM Steinbeck Park Stage