Jones Beach Bandshell 2026 free summer concert lineup

Going to Jones Beach in the summer to see a concert is a staple Long Island experience — but it can get pricey. Head over to Field 4 on the boardwalk where live concerts at the Bandshell are free (1 Ocean Pwky., Wantagh, 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov). Here are some upcoming shows to catch this season. 

Aug. 28: TOM PETTY NIGHT

Miss Tom Petty? The music of the late rocker gets revived at the bandshell on Aug. 28 with Tom Petty Night at 8 p.m.

"We go for more of a live vibe, based on what the Heartbreakers would do on stage as opposed to the studio versions," guitarist Rob Maresca says. "For the most part, it’s pretty traditional. We keep everything in the original keys."

The band focuses on classic bangers like "American Girl," "Breakdown," "Refugee," "Listen to Her Heart" and "Mary Jane’s Last Dance." However, they will also toss in a few for the die-hards.

"We have a list of over 75 Tom Petty songs in our repertoire so we can pull out some cuts from the later albums like ‘Mojo,’ ‘Echo’ and ‘The Last DJ,’ " Maresca says. "We’ve even play b-sides like ‘Straight into Darkness.’ "

Aug. 29: 2U

For 26 years, 2U has delivered the U2 catalog live on Long Island and they return to the bandshell on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.

"This year we are concentrating on the music from ‘Rattle and Hum.’ However, we do the earlier stuff like ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ and ‘I Will Follow’ up to ‘Vertigo,’ " guitarist Cumia says. "The set is all hits with one or two album tracks. We read the audience to see what they want."

The band does offer up the visuals by physically evoking U2 as well as sonically.

"The visual is almost as important as the music," Cumia says. "But we do concentrate on making the songs sound like the original recordings. Everyone in the band is on their game."