Jack Antonoff gears up for year two of Shadow of the City

Music fans in New Jersey have it tough when it comes to seeing their favorite national acts perform as they often get skipped as a touring stop — living in the “shadow of the city” of New York or Philadelphia. Luckily, NJ native and three-time Grammy winner, Jack Antonoff, wants to make summer even sweeter for music fans in his home state, with his second annual “Shadow of the City” Festival, taking place on Saturday, June 18th in Seaside Heights.

The lineup includes The 1975, Carly Rae Jepsen, BØRNS, frnkiero and the cellabration, Shamir, Hana and a set from Antonoff’s first band, Steel Train.

“I headlined with Bleachers last year so I didn’t want to repeat myself, but still wanted to be involved and I thought, ‘Wow. Steel Train hasn’t performed together in years.’ So I asked the guys and they were like, ‘yeah,’” says Antonoff.

And how about the rest of the lineup? With such an eclectic mix of performers, one can’t help but wonder the inspiration behind it. On choosing artists to perform Shadow of the City this year, he explains:

“If I could put two thousand people in a room, or the Boardwalk in this case, and have some bands I love play, who would it be? I love the 1975, they’re doing awesome stuff. Carly Rae Jepsen just made the best pop record right now, okay, awesome. Shamir is probably my favorite current band — it’s that simple.”

Now that the warmer weather is here, it’s easy to let go of things bringing you down. Antonoff confesses he chose to hold his festival at the Jersey Shore because of its connection to summer, freedom and time off.

“That’s a really special thing about the shore. It doesn’t carry any baggage there.”

So grab some funnel cake, put on your sunscreen and enjoy a full day of live music on the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights. With the prospect of playing carnival games in between sets, what more could you ask for?

If you go:

Shadow of the City Festival
Seaside Heights, NJ
Saturday, June 18
Starts at Noon
$65-$150
shadowofthe.city

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