Escape to Montauk music festival launches

Last year's first-ever Escape to New York Music Festival was a grand experiment, an event with all the ambition of Bonnaroo or Coachella.

For year two, this time called Escape to Montauk, organizers decided that less is better.

Instead of being hosted at the Shinnecock Indian Nation, with multiple acts playing on multiple stages, this year's event will be held over three days, beginning Friday at the more intimate Solé East, with a scaled-down performance schedule, including a DJ set by Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes.

"This year is a totally different kind of event," said Escape founder and producer Rocco Gardner. "We're not even calling it a festival. It's a boutique event, kind of like a little pop-up. The idea is to make it more of a day experience so that people can come hang out and bring their families."

Gardner said Escape has evolved into smaller events and he hopes to bring these petite parties to other cities -- plans are in the works for Las Vegas -- with the goal of providing unusual experiences while having less impact on local communities and avoiding the logistical nightmares that come with hosting major festivals.

For Escape to Montauk, Gardner said Solé East's plush surroundings are the ideal location. "It's kind of like a summer party in your garden. That's really what we're aiming for is a really nice, chill, happy vibe."

Here's a quick rundown of activities: