Great South Bay Fest pushed back to 2022, potential fall music event in the works

The Great South Bay Music Festival will not be able to take place this year and has been rescheduled to July 7-10, 2022.

“It’s hard to fathom that I would be sitting here, once again, with the news that I now have to share,” said festival producer Jim Faith, making the announcement with a heavy heart. “The disappointment that we feel, first losing the 2020 and now the 2021 festival to this pandemic, is maddening, but the health and safety of our attendees, artists, fest-workers and community is our top priority.”

Next year, the lineup will mostly be the same, with most headliners confirmed. The new dates are July 7 through 10, 2022 and will set up at its original home at Shorefront Park in Patchogue.

“We are excited to already have Tedeschi Trucks Band -Wheels of Soul Tour already in place and selling tickets,” Faith added.

Faith said they held off on the announcement as long as they could while continually monitoring the pandemic. Despite restrictions being lifted, he said, he also sees the numbers increasing, with inevitable closures. The decision also came being that it’s harder to postpone a festival rather than a concert with one artist; including possible artist cancellations in their travel and difficulties coordinating attendee purchases of food and beverage and even the use of bathroom facilities.

Also, the necessary changes to the space will limit the number of attendees, he said, which will also decrease income.

“The sad truth is that even if we were allowed to open in 2021, we would not be physically or financially able to safely produce this event, or provide the experience that you expect and deserve,” he added noting that being close together was the essence of the festival. “When we are able to return, we will be in a position to give you the best and safest Great South Bay Music Festival possible, rather than jumping into. something in the more immediate future because of a decision based on greed or impatience.”

However, the coordinators of the GSB Music Fest, if conditions allow, are planning a multi-day, re-imagined festival to take place on Oct. 1-2 at Shorefront Park called the “EBB-Fest.”

“Ebb” means to “recede,” to “fall away,” or to “retreat.” The plan is to present a few national acts, but, Faith said, they are more interested in supporting local artists.

“It will give us an opportunity to share live music and hopefully celebrate the death of this nightmare with our local community in the safest way possible,” he continued. “We must stress that we will only move forward if the numbers are favorable and guidelines allow.”

People who currently hold tickets from 2020 and 2021 GSB Music Festival can hold on to them with no further action necessary. However, for those who seek refunds, information will be forthcoming.

“I am hoping for the explosion of live entertainment that we’ve missed for almost two years,” he added. “I do believe next year will be fine.”