The Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) will once again throw the most popping party in the city and welcome some of Southern California’s finest musicians to take part in a three-stage, three-block festival to ring in 2016.
The celebration follows last year’s record-breaking New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebration, when 12,000 people packed Pine Avenue to attend the Fitz & the Tantrums concert and another 1,500 crowded closer to the waterfront for a spectacular view of the fireworks,
Headlining this year will be Saint Motel, ZZ Ward, Houndmouth and Vintage Trouble alongside guests such as OK Go’s Dan Konopka and Tim Nordwind’s project Xia Xia Technique, FMLYBND, Miles Tackett & The 3 Times and DJ Sovern-T.
“Last year brought an overwhelmingly great response—so we felt inclined to up our game this year and provide more than one big headliner,” said Gina Dartt, DLBA’s Special Events and Marketing Manager, in a statement. “With a festival-style setup, we’ll be able to have multiple countdown spots, each featuring incredible talent. Long Beach is unquestionably in for a solid treat.”
On board for the wild ride is once again Knitting Factory Entertainment, partner and talent booker for the NYE celebration.
“Downtown is unquestionably becoming the region’s hub for live music,” added Knitting Factory Entertainment’s CEO Morgan Margolis in a statement. “With this array of talent—from rock to soul, electronic to folk rock—we are honored to be a part of this incredible and unique New Year’s Eve celebration.”
ZZ Ward, the Los Angeles-based musician who rocked the alternative charts with her first single Put Down the Gun featuring her catchy bluesy vocals, has worked with the talented likes of Kendrick Lamar, has toured with Eric Clapton and wooed crowds at both Coachella and Bonnaroo.
Vintage Trouble will have you running like a river with their upbeat, American R&B sound. The band hails from Los Angeles and is set to bring their contagious rhythm to the Long Beach stage to satisfy your dancing needs.
Los Angeles-based Saint Motel’s My Type shot straight up the charts to become a Top 10 alt hit in the states. Their main stage performance at this year’s Coachella solidified the band’s reputation for their high-energy, yet dreamy music.
Houndmouth, the Louisville folk rock ensemble, will bring their chilled-out country attitude to the Pine Avenue backdrop. Sedona from their new album Little Neon Limelight has the good vibes that’ll last you ‘till your weary head hits the pillow in the wee hours of the new year.
DTLB’s New Year’s Eve Celebration will take place on Thursday, December 31 on Pine Avenue between First and Fourth Streets. For more information and tickets, click here.
Image courtesy of the DLBA.