Soundside Music Festival, Connecticut’s biggest music festival, returns to Seaside Park in Fairfield County this weekend: featuring 19 artists across two days of live music: all performing on the same stage.
Formerly known as Sound on Sound, the festival is still in its early years, launching back in 2022 with artists on its lineup like Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Nicks, and The Lumineers. The Staged Haze team experienced our first Sound on Sound Festival last year, covering artists like John Mayer, Hozier, and Alanis Morissette.
This year’s lineup features an impressive roster of musicians from all sorts of genres: proving that festival goers will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of music types. Noah Kahan closes night one of the weekend, following sets from artists like Fleet Foxes, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Boyz II Men. Sunday night will close with Foo Fighters, Bleachers, Norah Jones, and Teddy Swims.
We’ve compiled our list of artists to watch at this year’s Soundside Festival below. See you in the park!
In chronological order:
Madi Diaz, 12:40-1:10pm
RIYL: Kacey Musgraves, Waxahatchee, The Staves
The team at Staged Haze has been singing Madi Diaz’ praises for quite some time now, so it’s probably not very surprising to see her name on our artist highlights for this year’s Soundside Festival. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has been in the industry for many years, initially finding success as a songwriter but fully embracing her roots as a performer with the release of her 2021 album, History of A Feeling. Her most recent project, Weird Faith, has also made some waves commercially: she opened for Kacey Musgraves earlier this year and will play a string of shows in support of Rainbow Kitten Surprise later this fall.
Diaz’ vocal chops and lyrical prowess make her an artist to see on Saturday: be sure to get there early! – Kristin
Grace Potter, 4:05-4:50pm
RIYL: Brandi Carlisle, Elle King, ZZ Ward
Grace Potter is a force of nature on stage, and her Saturday set at Soundside Music Festival promises to be nothing short of electrifying. Known for her powerhouse vocals, dynamic range, and fearless rock spirit, Grace brings an undeniable energy to every performance. Whether she’s belting out hits like Stars or diving into the raw emotion of songs like Empty Heart, her live shows are a whirlwind of passion and talent. Backed by her tight band, her blend of rock, soul, and blues creates a soundscape that is both timeless and fresh, appealing to music lovers of all ages.
What sets Grace apart is her magnetic stage presence. She commands the crowd with effortless charisma, engaging the audience in a way that makes every person feel connected to the music. Whether she’s behind the mic, at the piano, or shredding on guitar, Grace’s versatility and emotional depth shine through. If you’re looking for a set that’s going to take you on a musical journey filled with high-energy moments and intimate ballads, don’t miss Grace Potter at Soundside Music Festival. Her show will be one of the highlights of the weekend! – Jesse
Fleet Foxes, 6:10-7:10pm
RIYL: Father John Misty, Local Natives, The National
Picture this: you’re enjoying the wonderful sights and sounds of Soundside Music Festival 2024: Day One as the sun is setting over the water. This couldn’t be a better scenario to experience a live performance from Fleet Foxes, in my humble opinion. The band, whose debut was released in 2008 (and later included in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Best Albums of the Decade), have become a household name in the indie community, praised immensely for their folk melodies, instrumentation, and vocal harmonies.
Lead singer Robin Pecknold is performing a handful of solo acoustic shows to close out the year, and Soundside is your last chance (as of now) to see a full band performance before 2025. Don’t miss out! – Kristin
Goo Goo Dolls: 7:20-8:20pm
RIYL: Matchbox Twenty, Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies
As I was scrolling through YouTube to find a song to feature for this section, I saw videos from over 14 years ago: a tell tale sign that the Goo Goo Dolls have been a staple in the alternative rock space since the early ’90s. I’ve never had the chance to see the Goo Goo Dolls live, but judging by the a quick glance at their Spotify profile and realizing just how many Goo Goo Dolls songs I know (and that have millions of streams), anyone who even knows one to two of their songs is guaranteed to have an enjoyable time at their set. – Kristin
The War And Treaty, 1:20-2:05pm
RIYL: Leon Bridges, Chris Stapleton
Do you want to see what true love looks like? Watch the way two time GRAMMY-nominated married duo, The War and Treaty look at each other while on stage this Sunday. Since their debut album in 2018, these two love birds have rocketed to the top of the American Roots scene with their unique blend of country, rock, gospel and R&B. Their powerful voices, and passionate songs about love, loyalty, and loss are sure to deliver a heartfelt performance that’s good for the soul. – Jody
Gregory Alan Isakov, 3:10-3:55pm
RIYL: Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, Fleet Foxes
Leading a night of heavy hitters is GRAMMY winning indie folk phenom, Gregory Alan Isakov. His lilting lyrics, haunting harmonies, and a voice as smooth as a suede wide-brimmed hat have been mainstays in the folk genre for over two decades. Currently, he’s on tour (with fellow singer/songwriter, Ray Lamontagne) promoting his first album in five years, Appaloosa Bones: a satisfying addition to an already iconic discography.
If you want to spend your Sunday afternoon feeling like the music is carrying you through a wheat field before the fall harvest, this is the musician to see.
– Jody
Teddy Swims, 5:25-6:25pm
RIYL: The Teskey Bothers, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton
If you’re heading to Soundside Music Festival on Sunday, make sure Teddy Swims is on your radar. With a voice that blends soul, R&B, and pop effortlessly, Teddy’s unique sound stands out in today’s music scene. Whether he’s covering classics like “You’re Still the One” or performing original hits like “Lose Control,” Teddy’s raw emotion and vocal power are unmatched. His ability to move between tender ballads and energetic anthems gives his live performances a dynamic feel that keeps audiences hooked from start to finish.
But it’s not just his voice that makes him a must-see—it’s the energy and authenticity he brings to every performance. Teddy Swims has a way of making every fan in the crowd feel connected to the music, whether you’re in the front row or way in the back. His down-to-earth persona and genuine passion for performing create an atmosphere that’s both electric and intimate. If you’re looking for a performance that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired, don’t miss Teddy Swims at Soundside Music Festival! – Jesse
Bleachers, 6:45-7:45pm
RIYL: HAIM, Coin, Bad Suns
I may be a bit biased because I’ve been a fan of Bleachers for over ten years at this point, but I think they’re one of the most incredible acts to see live (I am currently writing this after seeing them last night in LA: which was also the third time I’ve seen them this year).
Fresh off the release of their self-titled album earlier this year, Bleachers has been touring pretty extensively: they only have 3 more shows scheduled (as of today) for the rest of the calendar year: one being their performance at Soundside, one at All Things Go, and a sold out show at Madison Square Garden. If you’re a fan of full band performances, Bruce Springsteen, and generally, a boisterous time, definitely check out Bleachers before their run of shows come to a close. – Kristin
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