Bridgeport, Conn. –  One of the highlights of 2023 was the Sound on Sound Music Festival. The two day event offered unforgettable acts like Trey Anastasio of Phish and The Red Hot Chili Peppers on Day One. Seaside Park was filled with the sound of unforgettable music from the dates of Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and began an incredible month. 

2023 was the second year that Sound on Sound was able to hit the stage in Connecticut. Expectations were high as the first year featured acts such as Stevie Nicks, Noah Kahan, and The Lumineers. 

Unfortunately, multiple acts were cut this year due to heavy rain and inclement weather. One of them was Julai and the Serotones; however, the band was able to do a local show in another area after the cancellation.

Outside of the music, the venue also featured a ferris wheel along with many food options from different tracks. One of the highlights was having some of the best funnel cake sticks I’ve ever had. The venue was sure to offer you an experience that was enjoyable even between sets. 

The festival had also changed their setup from the previous year from two separate stages to one main stage that everybody could gather around. The setup went much more smoothly than what was reported last year, and accessibility-wise, it was also a great experience with the accessible platform options for people with any physical disability. The platform gave a clear view of the stage by being just off to the right next to the typical lawn. 

The artists who did perform made the best of the weather and put on a great show that was unforgettable. One of them was the Trey Anastasio Band. 

Trey Anastasio has a long history with music; after founding his band Phish in 1983, he went on to compose over 100 songs for the group. His solo band, however, has been around since 1998, and for good reason. The performer is also very familiar with New England as he grew up in the Vermont area.

This composer, vocalist, and guitarist has dominated the rock world with innovative changes to the standard sound of the genre. After seeing his performance at the festival, it is no surprise that Anastasio has become so popular and has even been a Grammy nominee. 

The group put on a show that brought together the audience in a way I hadn’t seen for the rest of the night. With long instrumentals that allowed you to get lost in the music, many of the audience members danced together in circles and laughed along to the music.

“Set Your Soul Free” filled the park as they took the stage. As the song says itself, the set allowed for the music to do the talking and even had a track dedicated to saxophonist James Casey, who had passed just weeks before the performance. 

During the time Phish was active, the group also had a reputation for great live performances that always kept listeners on their toes through a wide range of changes to the set list, and this solo performance was no exception. 

It takes strength to be able to get up on stage, especially after such a short time span between shows, and it just speaks to the dedicated showmanship that the Trey Anastasio Band members have improved immensely over the course of their careers. 

Anastasio has talked at length about his view on spirituality and bringing people together in interviews, and the performance that was given was proof of that dedication to the community. 

By the time the set had closed with the track “First Tube,” a Phish hit, I was enamored by the type of music they are able to engage people with, as it’s not typically a genre that I’m a fan of, and was able to grow in deep appreciation despite my lack of prior familiarity with the work of Anastasio. 

The performance offered a more laid-back feel for what was to come during the rest of the night in Seaside Park. It allowed time to not only hang with friends but also to enjoy the work of such refined individuals who really have a rhythm with each other. 

For those interested in seeing the Trey Anastasio Band, it is currently going on tour in May and can be found at multiple venues in areas such as California, Ohio, Michigan, various locales in New York including the Brooklyn Steel, and many more places.

Given that there was such incredible coverage of Sound on Sound in 2023, there is no question that 2024 will have Connecticut locals in store for a treat. For more information on the festival and details on upcoming events, you can check the website out. You can also see more coverage on the legendary performance by The Red Hot Chili Peppers here.