PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Evolving a nineteen-year event for the next generation, this year Captain Morgan's Jam on the River is more musically focused with two full days of Jam Bands. Headlining the festival are Ween, The Disco Biscuits, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Galactic. After months of planning, the talent line-up for Philadelphia's Original Jam band event was announced. Four of the ten bands featured this year are local including the Disco Biscuits, Townhall, 4 Way Street, and The Brakes. As the official kick-off to a summer fun in Philadelphia, Captain Morgan's Jam on the River kicks off an entire summer season of quality concerts and amazing musical events on the Great Plaza and Festival Pier at Penn's Landing.
Gates will open at 1pm on Saturday May 29, opening day of Captain Morgan's Jam on the River, hosted by WXPN. Philly's own The Brakes, a young, innovative soul quintet will be the first to take the stage, followed by XPN favorites 4 Way Street, a tribute band featuring the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The afternoon of jamming continues with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, an infectious blend of old school funk, acid jazz and fusion who, like many bands featured this weekend, have an amazingly loyal following. Sharing headliner duties are Big Head Todd and the Monsters, an alt-rock group familiar to many for their mid-90's hits 'Broken Hearted Savior' and 'Bittersweet', and The Disco Biscuits, local Jam-Rock favorites who return to Jam on the River for a second year. The Biscuits are scheduled to take the stage at 7:30pm on Saturday to close the first night of the event.
Sunday May 30, the second day and final day of the festival is hosted by Y100. A local favorite, Townhall, blends Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Funk Folk and Latin influences to start the day off jamming. Described as "hard-twang", "alternacountry" and "punkabily" Hank Williams III is not only a musical legacy but a rare performer who's grown up onstage. Next up are Southern-California based Particle. Known for their lengthy "funkatronic" style jams, the band have received attention from the New York Times, CNN and were recently featured in Rolling Stone magazine. New Orleans natives Galactic then take their own particular blend of jazz, funk and rock to the stage. The day winds up with the oddball nerd-rock of Ween, a Philly duo together for two decades, performing at 7:30pm on Sunday to end the festival.
"From the punk meets honkytonk experimentation of Hank Williams III to the eclectic song crafting of Ween to the sprawling dance music of Disco Biscuits," Joseph Brooks Acting President of the Penn's Landing Corporation continued, "I think we're presenting one of the most musically diverse and interesting Jams ever."
Jam on the River will also feature a wide variety of crafts from hand-painted wall hangings to tye-dyed clothing with images of rock icons from Not Fade Away Artworks and Over the Rainbow Crafts and Dyeworks. Hungry music lovers will find a wide variety of food available for purchase, from Philly favorites like cheesesteaks, Italian sausage and Dietz & Watson hot dogs to catfish and shrimp sandwiches, Cajun Chicken and Crawfish pasta. Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay Pina Coladas and Tiki Bar specialty drinks round out the extensive menu in the food vendor area.
This year there will be plenty of things to enjoy on your way into and out of the event. The NBA Rhythm 'N Rims Presented by Sprite Basketball and Music Tour will be just outside, where you can meet some of your favorite NBA and WNBA players. Earn bragging rights on the courts and catch live musical performances by Grammy-nominated hip hop group Nappy Roots and other hot performers. The NBA Rhythm 'N Rims presented by Sprite tour will be open Saturday and Sunday, May 29th and 30th from 2PM until 10PM, so you can catch the action on the way in or out of the show.
The fun doesn't stop there. The Super Soaker Stadium tour pulls up right alongside Captain Morgan's Jam on the River as well. Participate in Soakertag, the ultimate water survivor game. Try out the new Supersoaker Blasters as you face off in soakertag competitions in Soakertag Stadium.
Captain Morgan's Jam on the River at Penn's Landing is made possible by: Captain Morgan, US Airways, Independence Blue Cross, Commerce Bank, Pennsylvania Lottery, Dietz and Watson, Anheuser-Busch, NBA Rhythm and Rims, OFF! Zone, City Paper, WXPN and Y100.
Daily tickets for Captain Morgan's Jam on the River are only $20 for non-stop music and activity from 1pm until 9:30 p.m. on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, located between Market and Walnut Streets on Columbus Blvd. Parking is available along Columbus Boulevard with shuttle busses. Public transportation is easily accessible as well. For more information, call 215.922.2FUN or visit the official festival website at www.jamontheriver.com. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349