Carlsbad music festival stages its comeback
Richard Schultz
City of Carlsbad
With new leadership and an autumn performance date, the Carlsbad Music Festival returns for its 18th annual season on Saturday, November 5, 2022. As a proud Carlsbad arts tradition, the Festival has gone through several incarnations over the years showcasing different locations, schedules and a diverse roster of musicians. The non-profit organization is based in Carlsbad Village and was founded in 2003 by former Artistic Director Matt McBane who is currently pursuing his music career on the East Coast. The City of Carlsbad has supported the Festival for years through its Community Arts Grants program.
This year’s one-day festival will be held at St. Michael’s by-the-Sea and will feature headliner Monophonics, the psychedelic soul, six-member band featuring lead singer, Kelly Finnigan. Here’s the spirited line-up featuring local musical favorites:
• 1pm-1:45pm: Son of Kane (Blues)
•
2:15pm-3pm: Chunky Hustle Brass Band (New Orleans Brass Band)
• 3:30pm-4:15pm: Whitney Shay (Blues)
•
4:45pm-5:30pm: Mitchum Yacoub (Afrobeat):
• 6pm-7pm: Sabrosas Latin Orquesta
•
7:30pm-9pm: Monophonics
(Psychedelic soul)
Current Carlsbad Music Festival Board President Bryan Meathe remarked, “Carlsbad Music Festival has been a treasured and integral part of the vibrant Carlsbad Village arts and cultural landscape for eighteen years. We look forward to its continued growth and momentum through more frequent live opportunities and engaging community outreach.”
The Festival also has a new Managing Director, Ahmed Dents, who is also the new Associate Artistic Director at the New
Village Arts theatre in Carlsbad. Dents is committed to contributing to the cultural impact in Carlsbad and commented, “It is an honor to be working in the City of Carlsbad and deeply involved in the music and arts scene here. I am very excited for the return of the festival this year and look forward to seeing the smiling faces of the residents of Carlsbad and surrounding communities come together and enjoy some “adventurous music by the sea” with the Carlsbad Music Festival’s sublime lineup of artists.”
Also newly joining the festival behind the scenes is veteran industry talent buyer, Steve Kader, “I’ve been a fan of Carlsbad Music Festival for many years and its eclectic and innovative programming. I’m happy to be on board.”
The outdoor festival performances are an all-ages ticketed event with children 12 and under admitted for free. The venue opens at 12 noon. There will be a VIP Lounge, beer garden, and food trucks available on site. For more info, visit: www.carlsbadmusicfestival.org