Narrows Center Music Festival takes center stage at Fall River waterfront this month

FALL RIVER — The sun may slowly be setting on summer, but the celebration continues.

Looking for a chill night of great music, good vibes and fun with a view that can't be beat? Good news: the Narrows Center Music Festival returns later this month.

The free community event will feature a trio of performers Sunday, Aug. 27, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Thomas Norton City Pier on Davol Street.

First held in 2022 at the Gates of the City, the Narrows Center Music Festival is only in its second year. It's moved to what Patrick Norton, executive director of Narrows Center for the Arts, anticipates will be its new home at the recently opened Thomas Norton City Pier along the Taunton River.

"The location is fantastic, it's going to have a great sunset," Norton said. "We're trying to activate that space. People seem to really like it. It's big too."

The Narrows, along with the City of Fall River, Fall River Redevelopment Authority and Viva Fall River, is also involved with the summer-long Picnic Performances on the Pier series hosted at the same spot.

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With the city's long-awaited waterfront revitalization underway, Norton sees events like this upcoming musical festival and Picnic Performances on the Pier as a precursor to something bigger, setting the stage for Fall River's ultimate goal of reinventing itself as a tourist destination.

"This music festival is kind of a test drive to see what we can really get going down there I think," Norton said.

Last year's inaugural music fest drew about 1,000 folks from across the region to the Gates, and Norton is expecting the same this year.

What's the lineup at the Narrows Center Music Festival?

According to Norton, this year's festival bill features artists that are not new to the Narrows Center, but may be new to you.

"As Narrows continues to evolve — we've been doing so many classic bands over the years — this is an attempt to bring in some younger acts," he said.

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and chill by the water as you enjoy music from GA-20, Brian Dunne, and Ali McGuirk.

Providence-based GA-20 — made up of guitarist Matt Stubbs, guitarist/vocalist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman — has been described as a new traditional blues revival. "The dynamic, throwback blues trio are disciples of the place where traditional blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll intersect," the Narrows website states.

According to Norton, the second performer on the bill, Brian Dunne, is a fantastic singer-songwriter, "very Americana," and "a kid really on the move" who's been featured on CBS' Saturday Morning Sessions. Rolling Stone hailed “Chasing Down A Ghost” from his most recent album, 2020’s Selling Things, as “a stunner.”

The opener, Ali McGuirk, is "an artist you need to hear for sure... she's a very soulful singer with a hot band," Norton said.

According to the Narrows website, McGuirk has "made a career of captivating audiences with her powerful, buttery voice and heartfelt songwriting." In 2016, she was recognized by the Boston Globe as an "artist to hear," along with Haim and other notable names. And she took home Blues Artist of the Year at the 2018 Boston Music Awards.

Where can we grab a bite?

Food and beverages will be available to purchase. Food trucks rolling in to serve up a mix of sweet and savory offerings include Del's Lemonade, Nonos Ice Cream, Pops Pizza, Ja Patty, No Joke Smoke BBQ and Green Jar Cocina. Fall River's Party with Primo and Troy City Brewing will also be on hand with libations.

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What's the best way to get there?

While the festival's new waterfront setting is a definite plus, lack of parking for City Pier events remains an issue.

You could park along Davol Street or at the Battleship Cove parking lot and walk along the boardwalk to the event.

However, Norton says they will be running a shuttle all day starting at 3:30 p.m. from the Narrows Center parking lot, 16 Anawan St., to the Pier. They've also secured a second parking location at Executive Plaza on President Avenue, which will also offer shuttle service.

Is there a rain date?

With the wacky weather southeastern Massachusetts has experienced lately, it's always best to be prepared.

In the event of rain, Norton said the festival will move indoors to the Narrows Center for the Arts, though it can accommodate fewer people (about 430).

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Narrows Center Music Festival headed to the City Pier on Aug. 27