Matt and Luke Bonner, a pair of former pro-basketball playing brothers based in Concord, NH, founded the Rock on Foundation back in 2013, and every year since then, they’ve organized the city’s Rock On Fest. They’re pretty prominent local figures (Matt won two NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs) and the event celebrates the local community and showcases local art, business, and athletics. The two got the festival started due to a a musical void in the area. According to Luke, “We figured we’d bring something special to the community by combining two of our greatest passions, music and basketball, and make it accessible for everyone. Ultimately, we wanted to build something for the long term that would get people outside and active, expose them to new music and ideas, and build lifelong connections to the community.”

 

Now in its fifth iteration, this totally free fest will feature a full lineup of music from a spread of genres. Performers this year include Bostonians Cliff Notez, Photocomfort, and Lord Felix, as well as New York’s Baby FuzZ and New Hampshire musicians like Steven Chagnon, Homeschool Prom Queen, Something//Something, and DJ Red Mamba. On top of that, there is a full slate of basketball games between local teams and organizations. 

 

The fest is sponsored by a slew of local organizations and businesses. It has been a cross-section of Concord’s expanding community, as well as a shining example of how to bring a community together for a day of Summer fun. Luke adds, “There’s been a steady groundswell of support over time though, and we’re feeling really good about the direction everything is heading. It’s been pretty wild to see how much Concord has evolved as a town over the past five years alongside the fest.”  On top of the already stacked schedule of arts, sports, and local vendors, there’s even more planned: other activities include outdoor spinning and yoga classes, roller derby demonstrations, as well as an evening screening of the 80s classic Labyrinth. 

 

 

Rock On Fest is going down on Sunday, 8/4 on Main Street in Concord, getting started around 11:30 AM (early birds can get to that spin class at 8 AM!) and go well into the evening, with Labyrinth screening at 8:45 PM. If you’re based in Concord, Southern New Hampshire, Northeast Mass, or even willing to make the short drive up from Boston, be sure to add this to your weekend plans.