Music on the River Summer Concert Series begins July 13

The modern acoustic band On The Trail opens the 2026 Music on the River Concert Series July 13.

Submitted by the Parks and Recreation and Music on the River Committee

The parks and recreation department and the Music on the River committee warmly invite you to our 19^th annual Music on the River Concert Series.

Featuring evenings filled with the incredible sounds of award-winning artists, MOTR is one of East Haddam’s most cherished traditions. These FREE concerts take place on the lawn of Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main St. on Monday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the Goodspeed lot, as well as across the bridge at Eagle Landing State Park.

This summer the series takes on an extra layer of national pride as we celebrate America’s 250^th. To honor this milestone, the U.S. Coast Guard Guardian’s Big Band will take the stage on Aug. 3. Attendees can look forward to a patriotic evening filled with the infectious joy of swing, jazz, and timeless classics – making it the perfect riverfront salute to 250 years of American history and culture.

We are grateful to Goodspeed Musicals for sharing their picturesque setting and to the Gelston House Restaurant for hosting our bands and patrons. As a reminder, this event is made possible entirely through the generosity of local businesses and supporters like you. Please consider making a contribution today so we can bring another incredible summer of live music to our community. You can donate online via our website: www.musicontheriver.net or in person at the concerts.

July 13: On the Trail - On the Trail is a modern acoustic band that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs. The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. Their latest album “Where Do We Go From Here” is also available for streaming on all platforms.

July 20: Yarn - Yarn is an Americana, alt-country, rock and roll band founded in 2007. Yarn has charted repeatedly on the Americana Music Association album and singles charts, climbed as high as No. 4 and been featured heavily on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country. Their 2024 release, “Born Blessed, Grateful & Alive,” also spent weeks on Americana and Alt-Country radio and appeared on the Grammy ballot for award consideration. With their new release, “Saturday Night Sermon,” Yarn enters a bold new chapter, blending their ever-evolving sound and layered textures with the storytelling Americana fans have come to love.

July 27: The Love Dogs - Based out of Boston, this hard swinging septet just celebrated its 20^th year wowing audiences and critics alike with their combination of great musicianship and pure fun. The Dogs combine elements of Jump Blues, New Orleans R&B and early rock n' roll into their own powerhouse sound. Voted “Best New England Band” by Blues Audience magazine, The Love Dogs are part Rat Pack party, part 20^th century musical encyclopedia, and part revival meeting.

“It's important to us to have fun, and sometimes even we don't know what we're gonna do next,” says lead vocalist and songwriter Eddie Scheer, a former sideman of R&B legend Johnny Adams. “If this band doesn't put a smile on your face, check your pulse because you just might be dead.”

Aug. 3: U.S Coast Guard Big Band- The Guardians Big Band is a sixteen-piece jazz orchestra that brings the infectious joy and spirit of America’s original art form through sounds of swing, jazz, improvised solos, and classics from the Great American Songbook. Stationed at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, the members are drawn from the larger 55-piece Coast Guard Band. The Guardians feature prominently in the Coast Guard Band’s performance calendar, playing for public audiences, official military functions, and Coast Guard morale events.

Aug. 10: House of Hamill - Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the United States and on the country’s premier folk stages. Their original song “Banks of the Brandywine” was a grand prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” amassed over 16 million views on Facebook. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very start with their “Upcycled Celtic Folk” sound.

Aug. 17 Caravan of Thieves - Inspired by the big band swing era and early American folk music, Caravan of Thieves quickly took shape in the hearts and minds of Fuzz and Carrie. In early 2008, they wrote a handful of songs in this new style and began to fill out their sound with upright bass, violin, and an occasional accordion. By the end of their first year, they released their debut album, Bouquet (2009). They embraced their roles as show and album producers, songwriters and arrangers, and released four more albums. Their live performances now cover a wide dynamic range and appeal with each show flowing seamlessly from intimate acoustic duets to exciting junk percussion jams, as well as clap and sing-alongs.