The series, dubbed the “2011 Summer of Music,” features acts that range from flamenco to prog-rock, from down-home country to Cuban percussion and Afro-Latin funk. There will be jazz, reggae, blues, and indie rock. And even the more standard fare – classic rock – will have a little twist as represented by the Classic Rock Cougars.
Event coordinator Victoria Corradi of the Redondo Beach Pier Association, which sponsors the series, said the intention was to mix things up a little bit from years past.
“The idea was to try to bring new music, both local artists and just a real variety – not just the typical classic rock or tribute band, or bands that play in the South Bay everywhere,” Corradi said. “That was the thought process.”
It’s a buyer’s market these days, in an evolving music industry largely bereft of recording revenue and increasingly reliant on non-stop touring. The pier concert series has benefited. Well over 200 acts submitted to take part in the series. The “Summer of Music” is the largest event of its kind locally, with a total of over 20 shows taking place every Thursday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend. The shows mainly take place from 6 to 8 p.m., though a daylong slate is scheduled to coincide with the Chalk Art Festival on Aug. 20.
This week’s shows are indicative of the diversity characterizing the series. Berklee College of Music grads Fallen Riviera – an anthem-driven rock band – play Thursday, and are followed by the 50 piece Air National Guard Band of the Southwest on Saturday. The Air National Guard Band gives audiences the rare opportunity to see a woodwind orchestra, one that only tours two weeks a year and has in the past played overseas and played large venues such as Disneyland.
Sgt. Jeff Gould said that most of its members are college-trained musicians who now congregate as reserves every summer and play everything from jazz standards to military marches.
“It’s a big variety of people,” Gould said. “Quite a few of us are educators, band directors, from all around the country, but also anything from law enforcement to plumbers and small business owners. All sorts of stuff.”
Future acts include the rising country stars Killin’ Floor, the popular local reggae band Arise, the Cuban multi-instrumentalist and singer Iliana Rose, and the Silverlake Music Conservatory’s roots reggae band Souls of Love.
And then, of course, there is the other unique aspect of the series – that is, the backdrop for the whole musical scene, perched at sunset at the end of the pier.
“That is key,” Corradi said. “I get emails and calls asking, ‘Where is the concert this week?’ Some people confuse it with the Veteran’s Park venue, which was cancelled…It’s at the end of the pier, over the water, overlooking incredible views of Palos Verdes and the Santa Monica Bay and Catalina. I think when people come the first time they are surprised, not only to hear great music, but to have incredible views and watch the sun set and the boats sail by and all that.”
For more information and a schedule, see www.redondopier.com. ER
