Free summer concerts roll out at Jones Beach Bandshell - Newsday
Seeing concerts at Jones Beach is a summer tradition on Long Island. But catching free concerts there is even better. The 2025 lineup at the Jones Beach Bandshell, presented by Catholic Health, at Field 4, has been announced starting Saturday with Long Island’s Pink Floyd tribute band Eclipse.
“We all grew up loving Pink Floyd; because of that passion for the music, we hone in on the details of recordings,” lead guitarist and band founder Doug Friedrich of Carle Place says. “People can see that intensity when we play.”
The two-hour set will consist of cuts from Floyd’s most famous albums — “Animals,” “Wish You Were Here,” “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall.” Laser lights will also be incorporated with the show.
“This music is timeless. Even today’s teenagers are listening to Pink Floyd,” Friedrich says. “The complexity of the music makes it evergreen. It’s almost like playing classical music. Each song has different sections.”
All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit: facebook.com/JonesBeachBandshell.

The crowd enjoys a free concert at the Jones Beach Bandshell. Credit: Howard Simmons
The July schedule features Simply Stapleton (Chris Stapleton tribute) on July 5, Barry Walker Acoustic Rock on July 10, All Revved Up (Meat Loaf tribute) on July 11 and Huntington rock band Ape Theory on July 12. For country music lovers, Southbound Writers Round Tour featuring Ian Flanigan, Jim Ranger and Randall Fowler plus Brooke Moriber performs July 18.
Yes fans can rejoice as Awaken takes the stage July 19 paying tribute to the legendary progressive rock band. The five-member group, which has been around for eight years, encompasses all eras of Yes music.
“We strive to give our fans the experience they had back in the day,” lead vocalist Ron Alonso of Port Jefferson says. “Many of them tell us if you close your eyes, you will swear you are listening to Yes.”
In fact, Awaken has been praised by original Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, who wrote them saying, “You’re DAMN good! Such dedication. Done with such reverence and musically spot on. Bravissimo to you all.”
Other shows in July include rock covers from the students at Center Stage Music Center of Westbury and Massapequa on July 24, the Janis Joplin Experience on July 25, Maxwell Peters’ Planet of Sound Sceneless Scene on July 26 and soul music from 1 Step Ahead on July 31.

Long Island’s Yes tribute band Awaken will perform at the Jones Beach Bandshell, presented by Catholic Health at Field 4, on July 19. Credit: Larry Blackburn Photography
Reggae band IRIEspect kicks off the month on Aug. 1, followed by Jackie Guma Equilibrium on Aug. 2, dance grooves with 20 Highview on Aug. 7, Scarecrow (John Cougar Mellencamp tribute) on Aug. 8, Listen Up! Long Island on Aug. 9, the Chris Ruben Band on Aug. 15 and Mark Newman & Friends on Aug. 16.
A Jones Beach Bandshell favorite returns as classic rock cover band Wonderous Stories performs on Aug. 22.
“We can go a lot of different directions,” lead singer-guitarist Kenny Forgione, of Merrick, says. “Our song catalog ranges from Yes, The Who, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Boston, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and the Allman Brothers to Elton John, Paul McCartney and Wings, Crosby Stills & Nash, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Simon, The Monkees and Stevie Wonder. Plus, we don’t just play the hits, we play the deeper cuts.”
Rounding out August will be hits from the '70s and '80s by Radio Flashback on Aug. 23, Half Step (Grateful Dead tribute) on Aug. 29 and Barometer Soup (Jimmy Buffett tribute) on Aug. 30.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.