Friends of the Festival released the lineup for this year’s Riverfront Nights series. The free performances take place at the Riverbend site on Riverfront Parkway each Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m. The series will launch on July 2 and will conclude on Aug. 27.
Review for the performers:
July 2
Headliner: Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute
www.sailonsounds.com
https://youtu.be/KG73uEGkeLw
Performing over 80 shows a year, Sail On is the most booked Beach Boys Tribute band in the world. The band plays classic hits plus treasures from the band’s extended catalog, recreating the soundtrack to an Endless Summer completely live and in rich detail.
Opener: Fresh Mind
July 9:
Headliner: CBDB
www.cbdbmusic.com
https://youtu.be/oBsfg1LCMNA
Based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, CBDB is a progressive rock band with a strong presence of touring throughout the southeast. The band was founded in 2011 by Cy Simonton (vocals, guitar), Kris Gottlieb (lead guitar), and Glenn Dillard (saxophone, keyboards). Blake Gallant (bass) joined in 2018, followed by Chris Potocik (drums) in 2020. CBDB are the self-proclaimed purveyors of Joyfunk.
Opener: Killakeyz
July 16:
Headliner: Rubiks Groove
www.rubiksgroove.com
https://youtu.be/pYzJHXLTxlI
Rubiks Groove is an ‘80’s, ‘90’s and ‘00’s tribute band that brings high-energy, character-driven acts with 360-degree interactive experiences. Their music encompasses rock to hip hop and characters, costumes and videos to get the crowd on their feet.
The July 16th show is also the evening for ‘Chattanooga Unite’ an event marking the anniversary of the ‘Fallen Five’ service members killed by a terrorist attack on July 16, 2015. This show is sponsored by INFINITI of Chattanooga.
July 23:
Headliner: The Shindellas
www.weirdoworkshop.com
https://youtu.be/YZAyplS7hJU
One of this year’s break out groups at Riverbend was the Shindellas. This trio features lots of harmony, energetic stage presence and is often compared to the Supremes. The synchronized dance moves and harmonies combined with great back up provide for a not-to-be-missed appearance at Riverfront Nights.
Opener: Luke Simmons
July 30:
Headliner: The Nth Power
www.thenthpowermusic.com
https://youtu.be/Udm3KTyfLUI
Proving that soul music can be exponentially greater than the sum of its parts, The Nth Power is on a mission to share the light. Formed during an impromptu late-night ham at Jazz Fest 2012 in New Orleans, the relentlessly funky and soulful band believes in music as a higher power tapping into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance, groove or just stand there with goose bumps.
Opener: Rick Rushing
Aug. 6
Headliner: Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute
www.moremusicgroup.com
https://youtu.be/O_4e2p1Pzrg
Rumours is the Southeast’s premier Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Based in Atlanta, GA, Rumours captures the energy of Fleetwood Mac at the height of their career by blending perfect harmonies, precise instrumentation, and a visually engaging stage show. The six members of Rumours are professional musicians with experience across the spectrum of genre – folk, blues, country, rock, and everything in between. Rumours is Mekenzie Jackson (lead vocals), Doug Easterly (lead and backing vocals, guitar and percussion), Alex Thrift(lead guitar), Adrienne Cottrell (keyboards, lead and backing vocals), Jim Ramsdell (bass) and Daniel Morrison (drums).
Opener: The Afternooners
Aug. 13:
Headliner: Tennessee’s Dead
https://youtu.be/2P8VUUszjPk
Tennessee’s Dead was a favorite group from the 2021 season and is comprised of seven musicians from Chattanooga. A fan favorite, this group not only has quite a following but puts on a great show.
Opener: Oweda
Aug. 20:
Headliner: Shovels and Rope
www.shovelsandrope.com
https://youtu.be/ue9lsHpGKd4
Shovels & Rope is a folk duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Husband and wife Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst combine threads from their individual solo careers to blend traditional, folk, rock and roll and country rock throughout their performances. The band’s sixth album Manticore, released last February.
Aug. 27:
Headliner: Eric Gales
www.ericgales.com
https://youtu.be/PjtosbQC4_g
Gales picked up the guitar at age four. His older siblings, Eugene and Manuel (Little Jimmy King) taught him songs and licks when he was young, in the style of Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, B.B. King and others. On Oct. 21, 2021, Gales released the single "I Want My Crown," featuring Joe Bonamassa. The song serves as the lead single from his upcoming album Crown. Produced by Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the album was released on Jan. 28. Upon release, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Album chart, his second to do so.
Opener: Sweet Randi Love
Organizers noted, “We are thrilled with this years’ Riverbend experience and the outpouring of support we had for Chattanooga’s original music festival. As we move into the 15th year of Riverfront Nights, we’re equally excited to introduce Chattanooga to some new sounds while listening to bands that are area favorites. We look forward to seeing everyone on the banks of the Tennessee River beginning on July 2.”