Why Long Islanders love Northwell at Jones Beach Theater concerts: The nostalgia, atmosphere, tailgating, much more

Tori Leckner is beaming with anticipation. The 43-year-old from South Setauket is excited about her favorite band Muse coming to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater this summer (July 25).

"Seeing them live is even better than listening to their records. It brings me back to the ‘90s when I was a teenager experimenting with music," she says. "I get to feel young again for an evening."

Meanwhile Karen Zvonick, 69, of Oakdale, is a self-proclaimed ‘80s girl who has tickets for Howard Jones (Aug. 20).

"The ’80s was a perfect time in my life," she says. "Going to these shows reminds me of when things were free and easier."

Both Leckner and Zvonick are riding the wave of nostalgia, which makes up the backbone of Jones Beach Theater’s 2026 concert roster. There are more concerts this year than ever (52 and counting) touching upon a wide range of music genres.

"This is a strong lineup. Jones Beach always comes through with big names," says Syke, WBLI’s (106.1 FM) weekday morning DJ. "What I love about the venue is it has a show for everybody — fans of pop, hip-hop, country, classic rock, you name it. I’m sure anyone could find two or three shows they want to go to."

If you look at the schedule, the concerts can be broken down by decades.  Fans of ’70s music can enjoy The Guess Who (July 10) or Deep Purple and Kansas (Aug. 12). If you are more of an ’80s person, check out Toto/Christopher Cross/The Romantics (July 19) or John Mellencamp (July 26). From the ’90s, there are acts like Dave Matthews Band (July 21) and TLC/Salt-N-Pepa/En Vogue (Sept. 15). Acts from the  2000s era include Jack Johnson (June 28) and The Fray (Aug. 22).

As for genres: Like country? Hit up Tim McGraw (July 24) or Chris Stapleton (Aug. 26). There are even comedy shows: Jeff Dunham/Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias (Aug. 7) and Sebastian Maniscalco (Aug. 14-15). And tribute acts are also featured: Yacht Rock Revue (June 19) and Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band (Aug. 6).

But nostalgia isn't the only reason Long Islanders love the Jones Beach experience.

IT'S THE ATMOSPHERE

Shows at the outdoor amphitheater in Wantagh are synonymous with the summer season for Long Islanders. People not only come for the music, but also for the atmosphere.

"I love just moving about the place. It’s part of the fabric of Long Island," says Joe Chiarelli, 56, of Massapequa, who is going to see country singer Riley Green (June 20) this year. "If you’re a beach kid, there’s nothing better because all of your passions are in one place."

Lindenhurst native Edward "JJ" Jones, 48, who bought tickets for Wu-Tang Clan (Sept. 13), adds, "Jones Beach gives off a good summer vibe. You get off work, cruise down Ocean Parkway, windows down with the music playing. Once you hit that parking lot, you are with people who share your interests. It fills my soul and it feels good."

MUSICIANS' FAVORITE 

Not only Long Islanders are hooked on Jones Beach, so are the musicians themselves.

Train has been performing at Jones Beach Theater regularly for the past 25 years and has become a crowd favorite. The band returns for their 11th show on July 18.

"You instantly fall in love with the venue," lead singer Pat Monahan says. "I’m originally from Pennsylvania so I feel this big connection with Long Island. We are similar in our personalities. For me it’s like coming home."

New wave star Howard Jones got familiar with Long Island when WLIR broke him on radio with his debut single, "New Song" in 1983. Jones has played Jones Beach for 40 years and will return this summer with his minifestival, the "Things Can Only Get Better Tour," which includes The English Beat, Wang Chung and Modern English.

"Ever since the WLIR days, I’ve had this really strong connection with Long Island," he says. "At every gig I do at Jones Beach, everyone knows every song. It’s just very special."

CONCERT CONNECTION

Familiarity is what Long Island concertgoers crave in order to make a connection with their favorite artists.

"What I love about the older acts is, you know every song as soon as they start playing," says Fran Gatto, 63, of Franklin Square, who has tickets to Styx and Chicago (July 23). "All the words come right out of your mouth and you sing along. As kids, we grew up listening to the radio so, these songs are embedded in us."

Gerry Brostek, 62, of Merrick, immediately bought tickets to see Mellencamp because the Indiana rocker was doing a greatest hits tour this year.

"Initially, Mellencamp was an artist who didn’t want to play the hits. But the seven words no concertgoer wants to hear is ‘Here’s a song from our new album!’ ," he says. "Those old songs are going to bring back tons of wonderful memories of summer evenings listening to WPLJ."

RAIN? FAR SEATS? NO PROBLEM

Even during inclement weather, Long Islanders have fond memories of concerts at the venue.

"I saw the Smashing Pumpkins at Jones Beach when the orchestra flooded up to my knees during a supermoon in 2023," Katie Sutherland, 43, of Yaphank says. "It was very memorable."

Jennifer Torchetti, 43, of North Babylon, caught Live and Collective Soul on a stormy night last year.

"We got upgraded and moved down to the floor while the rain was pouring on us as Live’s ‘Lightning Crashes’ played," she says. "It was a magical experience."

Many people don’t even mind sitting in the nosebleed seats; in fact, some even prefer it.

"The seats high up are fun because you get to see the whole picture of Ocean Parkway as well as a miraculous sunset," Gatto says. "I don’t care about sitting up close because just being there is special enough."

Jones adds, "I don’t mind sitting up top because at Jones Beach there are no bad seats."

TAILGATING IS PART OF THE SHOW

Part of the culture at Jones Beach is tailgating. Many people arrive early to set up camp in the parking lot hours before each concert.

Kevin Rosenberg, 49, of Ronkonkoma likes to arrive at 3 p.m. with his buddy before a show to set up a huge tent with a grill and a grass carpet so he can take off his shoes and walk around.

"We eat, drink and hang out. Over the years, we’ve established quite a community with the people we have met in the parking lot," Rosenberg says. "On the last show of the year, we always do a clambake with lobster tails, crab legs, shrimp, mussels and clams."

The tailgate has also become a social network where old friends reconnect over their passion for Jones Beach concerts.

"At Jones Beach I get to reunite with some of my pals from high school," Rachel Lugo, 55, of South Setauket, says. "We talk through Facebook and meet at Jones Beach shows. You pick up where you left off and keep going."

Of course, no tailgate can compare to the legendary Jimmy Buffett shows at Jones Beach that began early in the morning and ended hours after his annual concert.

John Barci, 66, of North Babylon, saw Buffett’s first Jones Beach concert on Aug. 27, 1985.

"Tickets were only $10," he recalls. "There was no orchestra area. The water was between the stadium seating and the stage."

Additionally, Barci took part in the Buffett tailgate scene for years.

"There was always food, drinks and music all day long before the show even happened. We’d get there starting at 8 a.m. in order to find a parking spot in Field 5," says Barci, who has tickets for Buffett’s group the Coral Reefer Band this year. "You would see things like a pirate ship as well as full beaches with Key West signs and ladies walking around in grass skirts and coconut bras. They were tiki bars everywhere. You could walk up, talk to somebody and they would just offer you a drink. There were blowup pools in the back of pickup trucks. Live bands like Captain Crunch and the Barnacles played nothing but Jimmy Buffett music all day long in the parking lot. That was the best part. The concert was almost an afterthought."

NEVER TOO YOUNG

Those who grew up going to concerts at Jones Beach and have continued the tradition as an adult are now taking their children.

"You’re seeing more and more parents bringing their kids to let them experience what they experienced when they were young," says Nick Graystone, 48, of Bellmore, who took his daughter to see Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie at Jones Beach in 2023. "It’s passing the torch."

Kristen Farrelly, 43, of Farmingdale brought her son, Timothy to his first concert, Imagine Dragons in 2024.

"It was an electric experience and hands-down, the most magical night of my concert life to see his favorite band at my favorite venue," Farrelly says. "We got T-shirts, had desserts and played cornhole plus met up with some of his friends."

CONCERTS AS A CURE

The overall concert experience is something to be shared among like-minded fans who want to soak in the live performance together.

"I’ve always loved live music, it’s an absolute buzz," Brostek says. "It’s almost like Communion to be with 10,000 people who are all enjoying the same song at the same time."

For Erin Casper, 49, who grew up in Smithtown, seeing shows at Jones Beach is an escape.
"I believe that music can heal people," she says. "Whether it’s the lyrics, the dancing or just being around a great group of people, there’s a feeling that comes over you at a concert that can change your life."