The first act of the day was none other than Darren Kiely, hailing from the small Irish town of Cork, with a bright and fantastic sound on a windy Connecticut afternoon. Kiely has been making his way as a beautiful up and coming folk artist, blending pop tunes with his early fiddle days and rich Irish traditions. Taking influence from artists like Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, and even Noah Kahan, Kiely adds his own special twist, constantly evolving the earthy tones with his raspy vocals in moments of pure bliss as the fast strummed acoustics meet a beautiful piano harmony. Songs like “Avalon,” “Lost and Found” and finally his top hit “Ocean,” perfectly rang through the festival grounds, building upon each act and gradually raising the audience to a full on cheer. Darren Kiely truly wowed with his amazing tone, beautiful sunrise imagery and promising future as he continues to shine through into the next season of his career.

Hurray for the Riff Raff has been steadily rising from club shows to major stages, taking their radical and legendary lifestyle and experience to each of their spectacular viewings. This Bronx-born Puerto Rican artist has been flooding the music scene, from the 70s underground punk to queer spaces, and has been hopping and hitchhiking across the country more times than the audience could count. Their soulful folk style paired well with the wandering country spirit, bringing forth an amalgamation of perfect harmony and thought provoking sounds. Songs like “Jealous Guy” were brought to major heights thanks to the beautiful vocal chops of Alynda Segarra, where the acoustic strums swam under perfectly like a scenic lake on a meadow field. Furthermore, their most hit, “Alibi,” completely stunned the crowd, as the catchy drum beat mixed with the acoustic and ambient sounds which went perfectly with the low tones and high switches of the vocals.

The War and Treaty have been gaining vast recognition in the past few years, being nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy. Their country and American roots style has sent them touring around the world and teaming up with legendary artists like Bon Jovi. Here, The War and Treaty, a band formed from the husband and wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, graced the lovely Soundside festival in their beautifully matching suave suit and dress style. The country tunes paired well with the soulful atmosphere and gorgeous vocals. Immense talent emanated from the stage as the crowd voiced their approval with heavy applause and cheers. The War and Treaty caught all the attention of festival goers and kept each audience member in a trance with the riffing vocals and beautiful country sound emanating from piano and guitars. The War and Treaty was definitely an encapsulating masterpiece of country eminence, and can’t wait to be heard beyond the Bridgeport stage.

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are another group of Nashville natives from the lineup. Their impressive career, having sold over 200,000 albums to date and performed over 2,500 concerts in 9 different countries, soon flooded the stage with their iconic Americana style. Definitely wearing their Bob Dylan and Tom Petty style on their sleeves, the heavy acoustic sound and dawning of an impressive band graced audiences with its iconic folky background and distinctive vocals. Promoting their latest release Strangers No More Vol. 2, their gorgeous set spanned everywhere from classics to new pieces, songs that have been televised on shows like How I Met Your Mother, to their main hits like “Find Your People.” The heavy drums, stomps, the distinct folky flashes of multiple acoustics, harmonicas, and even a banjo, added a beautiful complexion to the heavily dense and already folk country morning and afternoon. The roots revival kept playing anthems with its beautiful metaphors, gorgeous vocal tone, and distinctive style that makes Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors a sight worth seeing.

Gregory Alan Isakov built what could only be described as the perfect afternoon stroll to the best indie and folk style known to ever grace Seaside. Currently living in Colorado, originally born in Johannesburg South Africa, Isakov brought forth an eclectic style and array, from his over elegant and shimmery mirages of the Wild West from his new album— Appaloosa Bones— to the grandeur folk style of the past that has been played with symphonies and orchestras. The masterful lyrics and simple but hauntingly elegant voice brought a grandeur to the simple acoustic guitar and band that performed. Between the acoustic plucking, small strums, and momentary silences, layed an most uproar of passionate and captivating storytelling. From the banjo sound, humming in background, acoustic guitar, and steady beat, the already folk day turned to 11. It was truly an incredible experience, as the crowd cheered and gathered to hear hits like “Amsterdam” and “Big Black Car,” Isakov serenaded the venue with a larger to life acoustic strum and mellow hum.

Norah Jones, the first headliner for the night, brought forth the eloquent style that once turned her 2002 “moody little record,” into the stellar and nine- time Grammy winning artist we know today. With selling over 52 million albums, and billions of streams on Spotify, Jones entered the stage to meet the adoring and loving crowd she always knew. Between the gorgeous and almost ingenious vocal abilities, to the catchy and musically tasteful tunes like “Sunrise,” Jones swept the audience into a purely delightful and entertaining experience. Performing “Come Away with Me,” the original song that pushed forward her heavy and exceptional career, alongside other classic hits like “Those Sweet Words,” and “Don’t Know Why,” the pop world meeting the indie and slight jazz vibrant colors beamed with admiration. Her captivating vocal prowess, of up high to perfect pitch harmony, the soft glow of humming pianos, and the few but surely struck acoustic strings carried a new tune into the evening, one of immaculate standard and mode. The soft patter of drums and finger tapping really brought forth the elegantly emotional movement of Jones early 2000s style, granting her spots among the greatest of artists. It was then that the crowd fully became immersed and stunned by the greatness of Jones, building one of the fondest sets and making the most beautiful transition into the headlining artists.

Teddy Swims, the 66th most listened to artist in the world, debuted his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) in 2023, continuing his journey in a new album titled (Part 1.5) in 2024, and finally hinting at his release of his long awaited (Part 2) in 2025. With over 43 billion streams on Spotify, alongside numerous recognition and accolades, the audience jumped as Swims’ self reflective and honest music finally hit the stage. The thundering of Swims’ out of world style, competing against the powerful movement of his blaring vocals ripped apart the peaceful afternoon into a new evening. The gorgeous sound of the Georgia based artist, having blues influences into the pop world, rifting off the electronic beats, piano, and enticing drums have no match to his out of world vocal power and gifts. “Hammer to Heart,” carries an almost jazz and blues style found in James Bond themes; however, the metaphorical and deep expression of self forgiveness is the lyrical genius and honesty that set Swims different from the rest of the music industry. What cannot be denied is the spectacular sound and talent that is prevalent in all of Swims discography, especially the classical hits like “Hammer to Heart” and “Devil in a Dress.” Such titles bring forth this exciting talent in a new style and range, having the high tones flush alongside the bluesy and new jazz guitar, or the majestic hums over the small truth rhythmic taps. Alongside stellar hits like “Bad Dreams,” cam show stopping performances and the final acceleration of it all: the epitome of vocal prowess and heightened barreled screams— “Lose Control.” The crowd’s screams and frantic applause was unprecedented, and brought forth a new sense of awesomeness and vigor to the set. Finally, after the high notes finally cascaded from its heavenly screams, Swims excited in a wonderful fashion, leaving behind a cheering and frantic crowd to the next artist.

Bleachers, producing some of the most influential and beautiful indie art and rock masterpieces of this century, their long awaited performance echoed the festival spirit. The big band awaited, full of dazzling, talented and star studded musicians to classical style guitarist, entered in their alternative and indie fashion and garbs. The beautiful vocals echoed, the high tuned electric guitar zapped, the keys flourished, and the drums perched to the unforgettable sound that made Bleachers one of the leading indie rock groups of our generation. Songs like “I Wanna Get Better,” and “Modern Girl,” roared with their expertise and musical composition, slipping in between the melody and tunes to switch to screams, crescendos, and lofty riffs that elevated hipster to a new elegance. “Rollercoaster,” one of their main successes, carried a danceable upbeat tune that caused the audience to rock back and forth in pure bliss. Behind the electronic drone and many beautiful syncopated backup harmonies and melodies lies the focal point of the band, a marvelous and more upbeat electronic groove, indie and alternative spins, and blissful play with pop structure to create a genre defining sound and title. Bleachers carried from studio to stage an unforgettable performance, carrying with the purely playful tune and composition to a roaring set that left the crowd cheering. Overall, Bleachers proved once again how remarkable a sound can be, dancing upon their classic successes and new visions, and bringing forth an entire new world for the CT community to enjoy.

Greta Van Fleet, one of the most sought after guitar acts of this generation, brought forth their fire vocals that were reminiscent of the same power and intensity of the high end 80s loud and fragrant rock. With their ostentatious clothing, blues guitar riffing up and down in the background of the flux vocals, the crowd became enamored by their wonderful presence. With a stellar lineup of keyboards, guitar, vocals, bass, and drums, the full band material launches into an unforgettable mix— driving the sound fully to a heightened in person experience. Songs like “Black Smoke Rising,” highlights this with a beautiful scream and long vocal riff live, which left most in long applause stretch and awe at lead singer Josh Kiszka’s beautiful range and tone. Not to mention is the signature blues guitar sound, riffing back and forth and soloing in pure succession of mastery, a tone very common from their From the Fires album. Playing classics from the previous album to the most recent StarCatcher, bridging acoustic intros to purely rock induced expositions, the vocal cries and beautiful metaphorical lyrics kept the audience in full groove. Greta Van Fleet did not disappoint, bringing forth an intense energy and perfection in study, hitting each beautiful tone as if the album was playing directly from the speakers. The audience responded cordially, following in love the greatest moments in appraisal of pure rock & roll love.

Jack White sauntered in his normal blues inspired rock uniform, carrying a leather jacket and jeans with his awe inspiring gift for electric guitar. From the height of his time with White Stripes to the incredible blues and rock and roll he mastered solo, the crowd, excited for the final headliner of the night, was soon met with the beautiful scratchy vocal screams and pure rock intensity promised by White’s last-minute inclusion on the bill. The electric vibes flared back and forth in its blues fashion, playing hits like “Steady As She Goes,” and “Hotel Yorba.” The technical lighting blared upon the band on stage with Jack White continuously jumping in excitement. The continual clapping of the crowd to each beat fluttered among the hits, as White continued to solo his guitar in moments of improv and pure technical flattery. His vocals rang pure and true in rock and roll fashion as the illuminous blue lights fluttered in the front and back of the stage. With his moments of flinging the jacket off, and playing some of the most classic tracks of his discography, the crowd went into ecstatic uproar. “Seven Nation Army,” had the audience humming each note and riff, clapping to the steady drum beat in full motion. The screams as Jack White ran up and down the stage filled the atmosphere, creating a spectacular and jaw-dropping event. Soundside Festival roared in approval, and awaited for another night to end with a classic blues kick and rock and roll anthem.

Jack White Setlist
1. Old Scratch Blues
2. That’s How I’m Feeling
3. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
4. It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)
5. What’s the Rumpus?
6. Hotel Yorba
7. Love Interruption
8. We’re Going to Be Friends
9. Cannon
10. Give Me Back My Wig
11. Ball and Biscuit
12. Lazaretto
13. Steady, as She Goes
14. Icky Thump
15. I Think I Smell a Rat
16. Archbishop Harold Holmes
17. The Hardest Button to Button
18. Seven Nation Army

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat