By Henry Burnett
Intern
The WECT Sounds of Summer Concert Series will kick off its season at Wrightsville Beach Park Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. with Machine Gun. After June 18, a different band will play a free concert every Thursday until Aug. 6.
Meghan Donohue, WECT TV6 sales promotions coordinator, said Machine Gun covers famous songs that appeal to all kinds of people.
“When [Machine Gun] opened the season last year, it was the highest turnout in the history of Sounds of Summer,” Donohue said. “I personally think they’re great.”
Lead singer and guitarist Tommy Brothers and his band mates cover classic rock songs including “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynard, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi and “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac.
Though Machine Gun has played for the series before, Donohue said WECT tries to find a few new bands to play each year. Local musicians are invited to apply to perform in the Sounds of Summer series. Then, employees vote on which bands they would most like to see in concert. Donohue said care is taken to find bands that appeal to concert attendees of all kinds.
“Everybody, all walks and all ages, attends these concerts,” Donohue said. “We try to get the variety pack.”
The concerts depend on good weather, but a rain day is reserved for Aug. 13 in case any of the concerts is canceled.
Other bands in the Sounds of Summer Series include: Blivet, June 25; The Fury, July 2; Selah Dubb, July 16 and Bantum Rooster, July 30.
Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Katie Ryan said the concerts are free, and beverage coolers are welcome, but alcohol is not allowed. Attendees can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks. Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue will sell barbecue plates for $8 during the concerts June 18 and July 23. The money raised will support the WBOR’s travel to lifeguard competitions across the southeastern United States this summer.
More information about the concerts can be found online at www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com
