New York based alternative newsweekly The Village Voice has re-vamped their famed, wildly successful one-day summer music festival and moved it’s location. The Siren Music Fest is now 4Knots Music Fest, being held at the South Street Seaport on July 16th. Despite having moved from Brooklyn’s Coney Island to Manhattan’s Pier 17, it still holds the same draw for college kids and music-loving tourists alike: it’s free, all-ages, rain or shine – and it’s awesome.
There’s a great story behind the new name:
Running between every borough of New York City and culminating near the South Street Seaport, the East River runs at a speed of 4 knots. The Seaport and Pier 17 have a rich and diverse history as profound to New York City as Wall Street, Central Park or even Times Square. Historically, the lower portion of the East River has been one of the busiest and most important channels in the world. Beginning this summer, there will be a new reason for people to flock to the area, ironically which was once also known as the banks of the Sound River.
– The Village Voice
That’s not something we had any clue about until now, but it makes perfect sense. We’re psyched. Not only because there’s still a free festival out there that’s sure to showcase must-hear under-the-radar bands getting all the buzz this year, but also because the chosen new location is one of our favorites for New York and live music. Pier 17 is sure to be a tad cooler than Coney Island has been in recent summers. Plus there’s no sticky-hot sand to contend with.
So far, the line-up includes only three bands: psychedelic rock outfit The Black Angels, Puerto Rican garage-pop band Davila 666, and alternative indie-pop artist Oberhofer. As the next month floats on, we’re sure to hear about more additions. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you’re a New Yorker or will be in the area this summer, Village Voice has some suggestions for live music to check out from your favorite bands.
Will we see you at 4Knots? We better.
"About as professional as a troupe of monkeys trying to play instruments." Writer. Editor. Music enthusiast. (kAY-rock)
