Listening to live music on the Maine coast in early August – with a full belly and more full heart – is one of life’s true pleasures. We have put together a fantastic line-up this year of diverse musicians who are all at the top of their game. Our entertainment committee is composed of music junkies who find the best players for the best venue. The air is alive with tunes all day long, with sounds for every soul who attends the fair. We bet you are going to find your new favorite band here this summer. Let’s take a tour of who’s playing what, when, and where at the 2019 Maine Lobster Festival.
Wednesday
Paddy Mills kicks things off at noon on Friday in the Eating Tent, playing salty, funny, heartfelt folk songs. Don’t miss this charming local boy and his roguish acoustic guitar. The music continues in that venue closest to the ocean, with other singer-songwriters playing until 6 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., after the Sea Goddess Coronation, keep your seats at the Maine Stage for a performance by the Midcoast Music Academy, the brilliant music school right up on Rockland’s artsy Main Street. These kids (and their awesome teachers!) can REALLY play!
Thursday
Once again, the tunes begin at noon, with a classic country rock duo playing up on the big Maine Stage. Malinda’s voice has that sweet, poetic quality, filled with longing that will break your heart, while Billy’s guitar sings of sultry summer nights. At 1:45 p.m., steep yourself in Maine’s Franco-American heritage with the Don Roy Trio, playing lively, traditional dance music. We close out our second night with the super fun Hello Newman, everyone’s favorite 90s alternative band. You don’t have to be a Gen-Xer to love hearing their tight covers of classic tunes from your halcyon high school and college days, but it helps.
Friday
It’s all about tribute bands today, as these musicians play with a ton of skill and heart. From 3:15 to 5 p.m., Chris Fyfe celebrate the great country outlaw Merle Haggard. If you turned 21 in prison, you can’t miss this show. Then from 7:45 p.m. until the crowd is tired of crying and dancing in equal measure, Runnin’ Down on a Dream invokes the late, great Tom Petty, whom we lost too soon. There is no better way to pay your respect to these awesome musicians, whose art still feels so alive.
Saturday
The Monday Night Jazz Orchestra plays the Maine Stage at 2:30 p.m. with its big band sound influenced by Latin, funk, blues, and, of course, jazz. It is a totally entertaining experience for the whole family. Ukes Rock goes on at 4 p.m., and you will be truly delighted by the big tunes these little instruments can play. We are really rocking your Saturday night with Steelin Thunder, Midcoast Maine’s most popular (and only?) steel drum band. Wear your Hawaiian shirt and get ready for that chill island feel. The night closes with Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations rocking out with Motown and Memphis soul that will bring all you Baby Boomers to the front to get your groove on.
Sunday
The Festival’s last day features the Nikki Hunt band, famous for covers of the liveliest rock and pop songs, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Maine stage. It’s a family-friendly, get off your butt and dance kind of band. Let’s jam together this year at the rockin’ Maine Lobster Festival.
About the Maine Lobster Festival
Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to the Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. In recent years, the festival committee has given more than $500,000 to Midcoast Regional Child Development Services, Trekkers, Meals on Wheels, and many other organizations. The 2019 Festival will be held July 31-Aug. 4.
For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit the website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com and “like” them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter at @MELobsterFest.
