MUSIC + EVENTS
Jamaica's legendary harmonic trio, The Meditations, perform at Bayside Bowl Saturday August 29th
ABOUT THE MEDITATIONS ( MEDITATIONSMUSIC.COM )
Known internationally as Jamaica’s legendary harmony trio. The Meditations have captured the hearts of Reggae fans globally. This led to collaborations with Lee Scratch Perry. Scratch, who were producing for Bob Marley And The Wailers at the time, asked them to do background vocals on Punky Reggae Party with Bob on lead vocals. Bob Marley was so pleased with their harmony that he went in search for the group to do more backing vocals for him. He requested harmony and background vocals on songs like Rastaman Live Up and Blackman Redemption. In fact, The Meditations’ harmonic vocals can be heard on some of your favorite tracks such as Bongo Man , Youths Them A Cry by Jimmy Cliff, and Mr. Cop by Gregory Isaacs to name a few.In 1983 Linval Thompson produced The Meditations fourth album titled No More Friend. Originally, this album was a solo project between Linval and Ansel Cridland. This was during the time that Ansel took a break from the band, prompted by a bad leg injury. He remained at home in Jamaica, while his band members Winston Watson and Danny Clarke resided in the United States, where they were touring and also working on an album of their own, titled For The Good Of Man. Linval convinced Ansel to get back in the studio and get focused on being a solo artist but Funny enough , upon the completion of the album , Ansel decided to release it under The Meditations instead ofunder his solo name of Ansel Meditations. He titled the album No More Friend, which became such a major success , it prompted the band to reunite once again, touring under The Meditations banner. It led to numerous tours throughout theUnited States and Europe, expanding their fanbase even more. However ,they were not completely united , they still had some internal issues to resolve. After some time had passed, Ansel decided to put the band back together officially. That decision led to the release of another masterpiece, titled Return Of The Meditations, produced by Ansel Cridland in 1993 on Heartbeat records. Ansel followed up by sitting in the producer's chair once again. Producing The Meditations Ghetto Knowledge on the Easy Star Label in 1999 and then producing Stand In Love in 2004 but this time on his own label, Meditations Music, on which he has released numerous singles over the years. In 2011 He collaborated with yet another great producer , Philip Smart. Together they produced an album titled Dangerous Society, which most definitely reflected the times that we’re living in. The Meditations are dedicated musicians, writers, and producers who have been rocking stages and venues for more than forty years and are still touring to this day.
Mainely Reggae Sundays | A Weekly Rooftop Reggae Party & Caribbean Cookout
DOORS & FOOD OPEN AT 5PM | $10 COVER OR ADV TICKET
INFO / TIX OR RESERVATIONS: eventbrite.com/e/mainely-reggae-sundays-a-weekly-rooftop-reggae-party-caribbean-cookout-tickets-1990786789879
Portland’s weekly rooftop reggae session is here.
Mainely Reggae Sundays brings together sound system culture, reggae, dancehall, and high-energy vibes at Bayside Bowl. This is more than a party — it’s a weekly gathering built around music, food, and community.
Pull up early for the Caribbean cookout, then ride the energy into the night as selectors take over the rooftop with nonstop reggae and dancehall.
Event Flow:
5PM – Caribbean Cookout
6PM – Sound System Warm Up
7PM – Reggae & Dancehall Party
Location:
Bayside Bowl Rooftop
58 Alder St, Portland, ME
Admission: $10 COVER OR ADV TICKET
Good food. Cold drinks. Real vibes.Every Sunday. 🌴🔥
Bayside Bowl presents the Rooftop Summer Concert Series | Grammy Winner Dave Gutter(Rustic Overtones) w/s/g Keenan Hendricks (Rigometrics) | September 3rd
TIX $15 ADV , $20 DOOR | 6PM | ALL-AGES
ABOUT DAVE GUTTER:
Dave Gutter is a Grammy Award winning songwriter, musician, singer and producer from Portland Maine. Gutter has co-written songs with Aaron Neville, David Bowie, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Imogen Heap, James Poyser, Questlove?, The Black Violin, Eric Krasno, Spose, Wax, Grammatik, Griz, Sydney Franklin and many more. As a Maine native, Gutter is a legend in his own right as frontman and primary songwriter for Rustic Overtones for more than 20 years. Rustic Overtones were signed by Clive Davis and made their debut label release with legendary collaborators Tony Visconti and David Bowie. Rustic Overtones has a large grassroots following in the northeast and still perform live. As a musician Dave Gutter has toured with Steel Pulse, De La Soul, Run Dmc, 311 and The Roots. In 2016 Gutter co-wrote the Aaron Neville album Apache which was an autobiographical collection of songs based on themes from Aaron Neville's poetry. In 2023 the song “Stompin Ground” co-written by Gutter as performed by Aaron Neville and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band won a Grammy as part of the soundtrack to New Orleans documentary “Take me to the River”.
Perfect Giddimani Presents | Burnhard Spliffington & FriendsMainely Reggae Finale Weekend – Night One
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Bayside Bowl – Portland, MaineDoors: 8:00 PM
Mainely Reggae closes out an unforgettable summer with the first night of the Finale Weekend, bringing an authentic Jamaican sound system dance party to Bayside Bowl.
Headlining the night is Perfect Giddimani performing his exclusive Burnhard Spliffington & Friends session. This is not a traditional reggae concert—it's a high-energy celebration built around heavyweight selections, booming bass, dancehall, reggae, dubplates, pull-ups, and nonstop vibes.
Joining the night is championship selector Jah Mikey One, delivering authentic sound system culture with exclusive selections and energy from start to finish. Hosting the evening are MCs Tuff Like Iron x Mr. Beachside, with special guest appearances throughout the night.
Expect a packed dance floor, surprise collaborations, and one of the biggest reggae parties of the year as Mainely Reggae transforms Bayside Bowl into a true Caribbean dancehall experience.
Featuring
Perfect Giddimani – Burnhard Spliffington & Friends
Championship Selector Jah Mikey One
MCs Tuff Like Iron x Mr. Beachside
Special Guest Performances
Mainely Reggae Sound System
Schedule
8:00 PM – Doors Open
8:30 PM – Sound System Session Begins
10:00 PM – Burnhard Spliffington & Friends
11:30 PM – Final Dance Session / Venue Closes
Advance Tickets: $20 Day of Show: $25
Continue the celebration on Sunday, September 6, at the Mainely Reggae Rooftop Finale, the final rooftop session of the summer featuring selectors, special guests, and one last sunset celebration overlooking Portland.
One Weekend. Two Unique Experiences. One Massive Finale.
Brass Roots Fest Pre-Party | Primo Cubano on the Bayside Bowl Rooftop | all-ages | $5 from each ticket goes to supporting Brass Roots Fest!
Primo Cubano peforms on SEPT. 10th on the Bayside Bowl Rooftop. The show serves as the Official Pre-Party for the Brass Roots Fest taking place August 13th in South Portland, ME at Bug Light Park. $5 from each advance ticket will go to support the cultural festival, which is in its inaugraul year. For more info on the fest please visit:
BRASSROOTSPRODUCTIONS.COM
ABOUT PRIMO CUBANO:
Primo Cubano plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience. For more info on Primo Cubano, please visit: facebook.com/primocubano
Bayside Bowl presents the Rooftop Summer Concert Series | Vapors of Morphine ft. Dana Colley of Morphine w/s/g Mister Rourke | September 12th | 6pm | all-ages
TIX $25 ADV, $30 DOOR
TIX @: eventbrite.com/e/vapors-of-morphine-ft-dana-colley-live-on-bayside-bowl-roof-all-ages-tickets-1986369140571
ABOUT VAPORS OF MORPHINE ( VAPORSOFMORPHINE.COM )
Vapors of Morphine are a power trio featuring electric baritone sax, drums, and 2 string slide bass (often guitar). Baritone saxophonist Dana Colley is the through-line between Vapors and “low rock” pioneers Morphine, whose leader Mark Sandman left this earth while performing onstage in Italy in 1999. VoM perform much of the Morphine repertoire, plus new material and original versions of selective covers. They expand on the ethereal, hypnotic sounds popularized by the group in the nineties, and dig into their influences, from African music to delta Blues.
Bayside Bowl presents the Rooftop Summer Concert Series | Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) | September 17th
TIX $15 ADV, $20 DOOR | 6PM | ALL-AGES
ABOUT PRIMAL SOUP:
Primal Soup is a Maine-based tribute to Phish.
Bayside Bowl presents the Closing Party for the Rooftop Summer Concert Series | Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew | September 24th | all-ages
TIX $25 ADV, $30 DOOR | 6PM | ALL-AGES
ABOUT GINA & THE RED EYE FLIGHT CREW ( GINAANDTHEREDEYEFLIGHTCREW.COM )
When Boston-based vocalist Gina Alibrio moved to Portland, Maine, she joined forces with members of Rustic Overtones, Jaw Gems, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds and Model Airplane to form "Gina And The Red Eye Flight Crew." Alibrio's vocals have been compared to the blues comprehension of Susan Tedeschi with a knack for songwriting aligned with the likes of a young Christine McVie. The energetic nine-piece collective tackles originals with a flair for the funky and seasoned professionalism.The Flight Crew is not your average dance event band. Their catalogue draws from a list of Pop, Soul, and R&B favorites that may surprise you, but most certainly will make you move.
Dead Strait (Grateful Dead & Dire Straits Mash Up Tribute) live at Bayside Bowl on Friday, SEPT. 25th | all-ages | 8pm
Dead Strait is an electrifying fusion band that seamlessly blends the improvisational spirit of Grateful Dead music with the storytelling prowess and melodic rock of Dire Straits. Formed by a group of passionate musicians, Dead Strait offers a unique sound experience that captivates audiences with its rich melodies, intricate guitar work, and heartfelt lyrics.
The band pays homage to the Grateful Dead’s iconic catalogue, infusing their performances with extended sections and spontaneous arrangements. At the same time, Dead Strait incorporates the sharp lyrical narratives and sharp instrumentation made famous by Dire Straits, creating a dynamic contrast that appeals to fans of both iconic bands.
With set lists that feature beloved classics from both legacies, (and more) Dead Strait delivers an unforgettable live experience. Their performances evoke nostalgia while also charting new musical territory, making them a must-see for fans of rock, jam bands, and everything in between.
Gorilla Finger, one of Maine's most renowned reggae acts, returns to Bayside Bowl, Friday OCT 2 | all-ages | 8pm | limited time use code 'ZEROG'=20% off adv.tix
ABOUT GORILLA FINGER (GORILLA FINGER DUB | GORILLAFINGERDUB.COM)
The idea of Gorilla Finger Dub sparked in the mind of Eric Dudevoir (bass) when he heard Chris Boivin (lead vocals, guitar) busking in the streets of downtown Portland, Maine. The idea started off as a weekly musical gathering of like-minded locals, and once each band member emerged and settled into their roles, the idea evolved into the band: Chris and Eric welcomed Samuel Belanger (drums, vocals), Steve Martin (lead guitar), Robbie Cooper (keys), and Mike Rice (percussion) into the collective.
After recording their debut album Cool It Down in 2011, the band hit the northeast regional scene showcasing an original sound and style known as soul-rock reggae, and pushing each performance to the edge with their live improvisations and jams. Naturally, the second album was recorded live. Live on 4/20 released in 2020. Each year Gorilla Finger has honored their biggest inspiration, Bob Marley, with a tribute show on his birthday – an annual event that has grown fast over the last 8 years, and has been enjoyed by thousands. Joining them each year on saxophone is Glen DaCosta of the original Bob Marley & The Wailers.
Gorilla Finger has shared the stage with many of their other inspirations; Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Ziggy Marley, Inner Circle, and Yellowman to name a few. Currently the band is working on their third studio album, which will no doubt expand on their signature soul-rock reggae sound. For more info please visit: GORILLAFINGERDUB.COM
Joe Samba returns to Portland, ME on October 10th to perform live at Bayside Bowl | BB, Mainely Reggae Presents | all-ages
ABOUT JOE SAMBA ( JOESAMBA.COM )
Joe Samba is a rising force in the reggae rock world. He blends island grooves, punk energy, hip hop flair and soulful songwriting into a sound that feels both fresh and unmistakably his. His third full length album Lifeline features collaborations with Wax, Mihali, JARV, Eric Krasno and Anthony Resta and showcases his most personal and ambitious work to date.
The Massachusetts born and New Hampshire based artist first broke out with his debut The Wrong Impression which reached number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart. He followed it with Far From Forever and a steady run of national touring with Dirty Heads, Ziggy Marley, Pepper, Shwayze and Sublime With Rome.
Lifeline captures the highs and lows of growth, fatherhood, relationships and self discovery. It is full of big melodies, honest lyrics and the genre mixing style that defines Joe’s voice as an artist.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds return to Portland, ME on OCT. 16th to perform at Bayside Bowl | all-ages
ABOUT SISTER SPARROW & THE DIRTY BIRDS ( SISTERSPARROW.COM )
For over a decade, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have been hailed for their explosive brand of modern soul, celebrated equally for their five studio albums and electrifying live performances. Arleigh Rose Kincheloe grew up in an intensely musical family in upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains, co-founding Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds with her brother Jackson at just 18. The band made Brooklyn its homebase and soon earned a reputation as one of the hardest working outfits anywhere in the world. Playing upwards of 150 shows each year, the group sold out residencies, top festivals, and tours along top acts including Allen Stone, Trombone Shorty, JJ Grey, The Revivalists and Anders Osborne. “Sister Sparrow, Arleigh Kincheloe’s nom de disque, is a soul queen,” raved The Washington Post, while NPR noted, “one of the biggest voices in rock music.”
Milk St. & Alma June & The Persian Cats perform live at Bayside Bowl in celebration of Milk St.'s new album 'Good Grief' | all-ages
ABOUT MILK ST. ( MILKST.BANDZOOGLE.COM )
Described As "A sonic tapestry of emo, Americana, and unbridled creativity” by TJLP Magazine, foundations of Milk St. date back to 2018, originally under the name Spaced. Officially Formed in 2022, by primary song writer Jonah Wakefield, Milk St. is a gritty blend of folk punk, indie rock, and open-hearted lyricism flagshipped under the banner “Hardcore Soft Rock.” Beginning in Maine’s DIY and house show scene, Wakefield alongside his long time friends Gabe Chambers on bass guitar, as well as Josh Whittemore on drums made a name for themselves with their original demo tapes that would become “Spaced,” a collection of songs written through the late 2010s. As the band started to tour around the northeast, Whittemore stepped down from his role on drums to focus more on the local scene and the band took in local drummer, Harry Burns, to form what we know now as Milk St. With his new line up, Wakefield dragged the boys around the country in his Dodge Grand Caravan totalling in over 150 shows in 2024, ranging from Maine, Over To Toronto, down to Florida, and back up the coast playing music off of their 2023 LP titled “V3RM0NT.” Throughout 2024 and 2025, the Milk Men would go on to release left over singles from their V3RM0NT recording sessions as splits with the new found friends on the road in the form of “Oscar Meyer Winners,” with Brooklyn based artist, Brook Pridemore in early 2024, as well as “Floral/Slide Off,” with Seattle band Sinking Season in late 2024. After the constant touring, bassist Gabe Chambers turned pages to focus on his other musical projects in the Maine scene, but not before recording an upcoming album titled “Good Grief.” This collection of 13 songs would be refined by Wakefield, Burns, as well as new touring bassist Jordan Kernan throughout 2025.
ABOUT ALMA JUNE & THE PERSIAN CATS
( ALMAJUNEANDTHEPERSIANCATS.COM )
Alma June and The Persian Cats is an eclectic blend of musical styles that breaks down rigid genre boundaries. Although it never sidesteps nostalgia, their inventive sound is difficult to compare. The six piece features jazz-influenced vocals; classical fingerstyle guitar; neo-romantic viola stylings that weave into free-flowing beats; and intricate upright bass lines juxtaposed with a mournful multi-phonic horn section.
Alma June has been writing songs since early childhood. A pivotal spark came when she was gifted an old classical guitar by one of her mom’s friends at age 10. Through brooding, rough and lonely teenage years, Alma found solace through moody classical guitar practice. An extraordinary teacher and friend exposed her to the emotionally charged sounds of artists like Francisco Tárrega, and Heitor Villa-Lobos, which colored the rest of her musical journey.
Weird Phishes, who perform Radiohead through the Lens of Phish, play live at Bayside Bowl on Saturday, OCT. 24th. This show is all-ages.
ABOUT WEIRD PHISHES (WEIRDPHISHES.COM)
Weird Phishes is exactly what it sounds like - the iconic melancholy rock songs of Radiohead completely reborn as danceable, crunchy jams. With full-album performances, unexpected mashups, and gluey funk-driven improvisation, their jam-heavy take on alt-rock classics has sparked an unexpected energy in audiences across the northeast. Cleverly avoiding the "tribute" trope, Weird Phishes continues to push the envelope of what a mashup band can be, delivering performances that need to be experienced in order to believe.
A quick glance at the band’s social media gives a glimpse into why this unlikely mashup proves worthwhile. “Bought tickets on a whim because I love both bands, had wanted to check out the club, and thought it would be amusing. I was not expecting such incredible musicianship and thought that had gone into their set...it was one of the best shows I’ve seen in years.” Said one user. “Clean, creative mashups of a favorite album and great Phish selections. Great energy.” says another. “Impossibly excellent show.”
In July 2019, Weird Phishes solidified their place in the New England jam community, playing back-to-back afterparties after Phish’s performances at Fenway Park. With a growing fanbase and an ever-changing setlist, the band continued their breakout year with a fall run to the midwest. In a weird bout of poetic justice, Weird Phishes was the last band to play at northeast jam-staple venue Nectar's before the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
When live music came back in 2021, Weird Phishes returned with a force. The band made its triumphant return with a headlining performance at the inaugural Safe and Soundz festival, and took a victory lap with appearances across the northeast at Circus of Life Festival and a sold-out performance to christen Boston's newest venue, Aeronaut Cannery.
A Very Jerry Halloween with Rose Alley (Jerry Garcia Band Tribute) at Bayside Bowl | all-ages | 8pm
ABOUT ROSE ALLEY ( FACEBOOK.COM/ROSEALLEYJGB )
Celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia, JGB and more! Based in southern Maine, Rose Alley features Aaron Nadeau on guitar and vocals, Kevin Roper on hammond organ, piano and vocals, Neil Carroll on drums and vocals and Drew Wyman on bass. Rose Alley toes the line of Garcia authenticity while re-creating and re-imagining the diverse song catalog he pulled from. High energy jams, rich instrumentation, exploratory improvisation and vocal harmonies bring this tribute to a new realm of the JGB experience that is bringing people back time and time again!
Renowned reggae group John Brown's Body return to Portland, ME to perform an all-ages show at Bayside Bowl on November 21st w/s/gs Royal Hammer.
(Bayside Bowl & Mainely Reggae & Zero Gravity Presents)
ABOUT JOHN BROWN'S BODY ( JOHNBROWNSBODYMUSIC.COM )
The torch has been relit! Featuring a group of long time JBB players, including founding members Kevin Kinsella, Tommy Benedetti, and Lee Hamilton, the undisputed OGs of the scene are fired up to hit the stage in 2025. This year, John Brown’s Body celebrates 30 years of making original roots reggae music around the world. They will be touring as well as releasing new music throughout 2025.
The group has been on sabbatical the past few years, taking a break from the road and studio. But family is always family, and in early 2023, with JBB still dormant, Kinsella reached out to Benedetti about getting together to play some of the classic era JBB music. The crew was assembled, featuring players from all different periods of JBB's history. After a handful of recent shows the embers were burning - the music was sounding better than ever and the time was right. So, with the support and blessing of Elliot Martin, the torch will be re-lit. In addition to Kinsella, Benedetti and Hamilton, the group features Nate Edgar (bass, 2006-2016), Jon Pentronzio (keys, 2009-2018), and TJ Schaper (trombone, 2015-2018), who collectively have decades of service with JBB. Van Gordon Martin (guitar – Skatalites, G Love, and more) has been in the family over fifteen years and joins the group for the first time on stage.
With a long and storied career on the scene covering three decades and multiple lineup changes, JBB was formed in 1996 by Kevin Kinsella and released its seminal album “All Time”, which achieved near mythical status and is credited with being a cornerstone of the US reggae scene. As the original lead singer and songwriter for JBB, Kinsella is responsible for bringing a vast body of original music to the scene, and across the first five JBB releases. From its breakout release on Itown Records ‘All Time’, to multiple releases on Shanachie Records, JBB cemented itself as a successful touring and recording outfit with an original voice. In 2005, JBB joined forces with the legends Easy Star Records, which would begin a lasting and fruitful relationship spanning over ten years and seven releases.
Hailed as “Future roots, reggae, and dub with an intricately balanced weaving of vocals, percussion, keyboard, bass, guitar, and stunning horn section that ties it all together” (WRUV), John Brown’s Body has built “a legacy that has inspired and carved a path for the now thriving contemporary American reggae scene” (Rudeboy Reggae). Formed in Ithaca, New York, in the mid 1990s, at a time when there wasn’t yet a far-reaching U.S. reggae scene, JBB was one of a small handful of U.S. reggae bands that began touring nationally. Since then, JBB has played an important role in helping define distinctly “American reggae.” JBB’s music is steeped in traditional vibes, but unapologetically incorporates elements from other genres.
Their unique approach resonated with the masses. The group’s 2008 full-length record, Amplify, hit #1 on the BillboardReggae Chart, 2012’s JBB In Dub EP reached #1 on iTunes’ Reggae Chart, and in 2013 Kings And Queens topped both Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts at #1. On stage, JBB finds a home across a host of genres and has toured the world extensively, performing alongside: Slightly Stoopid, Dave Matthews, Burning Spear, Gym Class Heroes, SOJA, and many more.
The 2025 live show will feature music from the first 5 classic era JBB records and the band looks forward to presenting this music, as well as brand new material, with a rejuvenated, electric vibe to the fans.
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