NJ creates its own major music, arts festival this summer: 100+ acts in 3 cities

✨ North to Shore festival in Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Newark featuring 100+ acts

🎶 Initial headliners include big-name New Jersey natives

🎤 Gov. Phil Murphy says the NJ festival was inspired by South by Southwest in Austin

This summer, New Jersey will host its first-ever North to Shore festival with more than 100 events and acts planned in three cities — Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark.

Announcing the inaugural, statewide effort from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark late Monday morning were Gov. Phil Murphy, first kady Tammy Murphy, the host cities' mayors — Marty Small Sr. of Atlantic City, John Moor of Asbury Park and Ras Baraka of Newark and NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber.

Music headliners (including some New Jersey natives) have been announced so far as Halsey, Demi Lovato, The B-52s, The Smithereens with Marshall Crenshaw, Alanis Morrisette, Natalie Merchant, Santana, Southside Johnny, Brian Fallon, Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Calliat.

Comedians and other star performers include Stephen Colbert, Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan and Ross Matthews, NeNe Leaks of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" fame and more.

The governor and the other organizers vowed that more acts would continue to be added to the festival.

Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark take turns hosting North to Shore festival

North to Shore festival would launch in the Southern beach area of Atlantic City, moving up the coast to Asbury Park and then wrapping the inaugural festival in Newark, with the following dates given from the stage at NJPAC:

🎤 June 4-11 in Atlantic City
🎤 June 14-18 in Asbury Park
🎤 June 21-25 in Newark

As of Monday's launch, there were 27 venues across the three cities, first lady Tammy Murphy said, adding she was sure that would be near doubled by the time the festivities began.

She said there would also be New Jersey filmmakers featured and other performers destined to be the "headliners of tomorrow," taking part from the fields of art, music, film, comedy and technology.

Murphy says North to Shore is South by Southwest inspired

On Monday, Gov. Murphy said the festival was inspired in part by the longtime, buzz-worthy festival South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

“We looked at South by Southwest in Austin — and Austin is a great American city but, and I’m not gonna get political, it's a blue dot in a very red state,” Murphy said.

“I’ve got nothing against Austin but I’ve got a lot against the freedoms that Texas takes away from its residents. And we said, ‘you know what, the hell with that man, let’s do this in Jersey,’” he added.

From concerts, to comedy, to movies, to presentations from leaders in tech and business, North to Shore’s offers it all. Best of all, the festival will also feature New Jersey's homegrown talents who deliver their own brand of artistic excellence in the Garden State all year round.

Who is performing at North to Shore?

Halsey, Santana, the B52s, Remember Jones, Bill Burr, Jay Wheeler, Stephen Colbert with Jim Gaffigan, Alanis Morissette with Aimee Mann, Marisa Monte, Daymond John, Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, Natalie Merchant, The Smithereens, Brian Fallon, Southside Johnny and "dozens more," according to the festival organizers.

"The lineup highlights both New Jersey's own and those who know that our state is the place to be seen. More artists are being added to the Festival schedule daily," a written release said on Monday.

In addition to music and stand-up comedy shows, there were "conversations with leaders in business, technology and clean energy" and film screenings also planned for the three-weekend festival.

When do tickets go on-sale for North to Shore festival — and where?

Tickets for the North to Shore Festival were to go on sale Friday (March 17) online at NorthtoShore.com.

A North to Shore Film Pass would offer access to multiple screenings.

"Technology enthusiasts can use a Tech Pass to take in every one of the demonstrations of New Jersey’s newest inventions from its next generation of Edisons, with a focus on those developing sustainable, Earth-friendly new innovations," according to the festival organizers on Monday.

Who is helping put on/pay for the festival?

NJPAC was named as producer, in collaboration with partners including Montclair Film, Newark International Film Festival, Tech United/Propelify and MediaSense.

Local producers and art organizations in all three cities were invited to apply for funding to present events showcasing their city’s unique cultural community. Applications would be accepted through March 24 at njpac.submittable.com.

Presenting partners for music and comedy include Madison Marquette, SJ Presents, LiveNation, Platinum Productions and Absolutely Live! — with sponsorships by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, New Jersey Travel and Tourism, NJM Insurance, PSEG and RWJBarnabas Health.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

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