Wave Gathering 2008 Announces Schedule

With over 175 artists at more than 24 venues, the third annual Wave Gathering Emerging Music Festival continues to grow as it highlights the importance of Asbury’s Park legendary music scene to the city’s ongoing rebirth.

The festival will be held Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 at multiple venues throughout the city. Music industry panels, focusing on important issues affecting an ever-changing business, will again be part of the Wave Gathering in its third year. These panels will include artist managers, press & public relations, booking agents, record labels, producers, and national touring artists, all sharing their invaluable knowledge and insights on where the industry is headed.

Three-day passes for the Wave Gathering are $40 in advance; single-day passes are $25; and admission to individual venues for day or night performances varies. To purchase tickets, and to see the full schedule of performers, go to www.wavegathering.com.

Part of the Wave concept is to explore, discover and learn about new music through the website and this year promises a variety of treasures, including national artists L.P., The Kin, Val Emmich, The Ruling Party, Greg Trooper, Laura Warshauer, McRAD, City Riots, Fairmont, The Black and White Years, Marc Muller Trio, The Tall Pines, Glen Burtnik, Luke Brindley, Lisa Bouchelle, The Teenage Prayers, Lords of the Fjords, Paula Valstein, Pawn Shop Roses, Mario Spinetti and The Whirling Dervishes.

Wave’s emphasis, though, is on homegrown acts, and local favorites like Readymade Breakup, April Smith & the Great Picture Show, Rick Barry, The Mill Stone, Josh Moran (of Vie Perdu), Alex Brumel, Sikamor Rooney, Jerzy Jung, Anthony Fiumano, Matt O’Ree, The Crash Moderns, Turtle Soup, Woodfish, Arlan Feiles, Divine Sign, and many others who will be among dozens of locally-based performers who will take the stage over the festival’s three days.

Last year’s Wave Gathering was the largest organized music event ever held on the Jersey Shore, drawing more than 4,000 people, who watched more than 180 performances at 18 music venues. It showcased artists that have gone on to gain major national exposure like Ingrid Michaelson, Nicole Atkins & the Sea, deSol, Earl Greyhound, and Charlotte Sometimes. Organizers of this year’s Wave hope to exceed last year’s attendance, and continue to expand the festival.

What makes the festival unique, says Gordon Brown, one of Wave Gathering’s four co-founders & organizers, is it’s commitment to use music to help foster the rebirth of Asbury Park, a small seaside city with an oversized musical history. The continuing redevelopment of the city, and the rebirth of its beachfront area, has helped to add even more venues this year.

“As you come down to the Jersey Shore, you’ll go see an artist, dine in the restaurants and coffee shops, and be enticed to support all the new businesses that have opened all along Asbury’s downtown and boardwalk areas,’’ said Brown, who is a co-organizer of the festival, along with Scott Stamper and Adam Weisberg, co-owners of The Saint, an original live music venue in Asbury, and music business attorney Larry Katz.

Brown, co-founder of Writers In The Raw and a veteran of the Asbury music scene who was the main songwriter and guitar player for national touring and recording acts like Mr. Reality, Samhill and Highway Nine, now heads All Hour Entertainment, a production company team of affiliates dedicated to mentoring and developing the careers of young artists. Stamper and Weisberg have been bringing live, original music to fans at The Saint for 13 years and formerly owned the legendary T-Birds cafe prior to that.

Wave organizers believe a thriving music and arts scene are keys to the rebirth of Asbury Park.

“Supporting emerging music and artist development is what will keep the Jersey Shore music community thriving for a long time to come,’’ Brown says. “By supporting these artists who play and frequent these restaurants, stores, clubs and venues, we are also supporting the businesses that are just starting to come into their own.’’

WHAT: Wave Gathering, a celebration of music, buzz, culture and rebirth, featuring over 175 performers.

WHEN: Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22.

WHERE: Multiple venues in Asbury Park, including The Stone Pony, The Saint, Asbury Lanes, The Brickwall Annex, Market in the Middle, The Twisted Tree Café, America’s Cup, Mattison Park, Style Rocket, D&L Barbeque, Plan B, O’Toole’s, The Parthenon Lounge @ Synaxis, Carmine’s, Salt Water Beach Grille, among others

TICKETS: $40 for a three-day pass; $25 for single-day pass, and various pricing for single admission for one venue, during the day or at night. There are also many free venues.

TO BUY TICKETS OR SEE THE SCHEDULE OF ACTS: www.wavegathering.com. For more information, contact: info@wavegathering.com