As the Northern Hemisphere officially welcomed summer this past Saturday (June 21) with sweaty, outstretched arms, Brooklynites, with plenty of perspiration of their own, greeted throngs of musicians invading the streets in the name of musical education programs at local public schools.
After the Jump Fest, the main attraction and proponent behind the benefit for NYC schools’ music programs, provided performing acts on three stages. A stage erected outside on Williamsburg’s North 6th street served as the marquee spot, as auxiliary stages in venues Galapagos and the Music Hall of Williamsburg provided much-needed shade from the blistering sun and hosted numerous gigs throughout the day.
The DIY event, uniting “the voices of the indie music scene,” states the AFTJ website, offered a full day of free live music, as weekenders perused the streets sucking on popsicles, nonchalantly checking out bands. Of the many acts on the bill, highlights included classical-tinged balladeers Wakey! Wakey! dreamy popsters Chairlift, Baltimore-based spazz-outs Ponytail, NYC indie rockers the Forms, and Brooklyn’s own Pela, who capped the day with a hollering, energetic set on the main street stage.
But with the intersection of Make Music New York, an annual event with over 850 free concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks on the first day of summer, After the Jump Fest was hardly the only music source; the day literally exploded with live music, it could be heard emanating from each and every street corner.
Check out pics from SPIN.com shutterbug Jackie Roman, who hit the pavement and beat the heat, snapping away throughout the day.
Ponytail / Photo by Jackie Roman
Ponytail / Photo by Jackie Roman
Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears / Photo by Jackie Roman
Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears / Photo byJackie Roman
Chairlift / Photo by Jackie Roman
Chairlift / Photo by Jackie Roman
Cursillistas / Photo by Jackie Roman
ExHumans / Photo by Jackie Roman
ExHumans / Photo by Jackie Roman
Fiasco / Photo by Jackie Roman
HEALTH / Photo by Jackie Roman
Pela / Photo by Jackie Roman
Senryu / Photo by Jackie Roman
Stalkers / Photo by Jackie Roman
Stalkers / Photo by Jackie Roman
The Antlers / Photo by Jackie Roman
The Hunt / Photo by Jackie Roman
The Hunt / Photo by Jackie Roman
WakeyWakey / Photo by Jackie Roman
The Shackletons / Photo by Jackie Roman
The Forms / Photo by Jackie Roman