Located on the coast of Bridgeport Connecticut, the second annual Sound on Sound festival was a great way to end the 2023 festival season for me. Aside from the rain that hindered the festival grounds days prior, the folks who managed the festival made the best of a wet situation. Unfortunately it caused Saturday's lineup to have a few changes but by 3pm it was ready to go. as I was walking toward the site I could hear the sweet sounds of Joy Oladokun.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and Red Hot Chili Peppers were the two bands Saturday night that Secret Boston was able to capture and they both put on great sets. Rateliff and his band are always tight and compliment any festival that they are a part of. He may not run around the stage too much, but the energy Mark Shusterman, the Night Sweats' keyboard player brings makes for a fun show.

As for Red Hot Chili Peppers this may have been the smallest show they've played in a while, and it's not like Seaside Park is that small but it's not stadium sized either. For a band that has been rocking for nearly 40 years they never cease to bring their full energy and stomp and shred through a set.

Sunday was more of a full day's worth of music, the festivities started at noon but our day didn't start until 90s rockers Gin Blossoms graced the ocean side stage. The weather was perfect for an early fall day in New England. The Gin Blossoms played all their hits and then some, they said that it was the best show they had ever played early in the afternoon.

The day continued with the r&b sounds from Cautious Clay, aside from deafening bass, his multi-instrumental talent (Saxophone, flute, guitar) with great indie pop sensibilities was a great addition to the festival. It was a slightly different set up than the other artists on the bill. Singer songwriter Margo Price was next and she performed a great set of folk-inspired country soul tunes. Then. Mt. Joy brought their psychedelic influenced pop rock to the stage next. Full of songs that would inspire dancing as well as dazzling with some bright visuals on the screen behind them.

Hailing from Vermont the band Dispatch, hailing from Vermont brought their brand of reggae influenced rock. They were heavier than I remembered and also brought great and relaxed energy.

Up next was the Irish singer songwriter Hozier. He first hit the scene years ago with his hit "Take me to Church" but his set at Sound on Sound proved he is much more than that. During his set there were stunning visuals behind and on the screen next to him. He utilized the best of the technology and had the feel of a headliner of a set.

Although after him, 90s icon Alanis Morissette hit the stage. She's celebrating 25 years of her tremendous album "Jagged Little Pill." Her performance was spot on and brought some needed "girl power" for the weekend. Her voice is still as good as the late 90s and she has added maturity that makes the songs and meanings sound even better. Quite possibly my favorite set of the day, unfortunately I didn't get to photograph what I saw but if you're into her and haven't seen her yet I recommend it.

After Alanis Morissette, local boy John Mayer hit the stage, he asked the fans to refer to him as just "John." He was raised in Bridgeport, CT and kept the set intimate as I imagine his 2023 Solo shows have been. It was fitting to end with someone who had.a connection to the region. All in all a great festival. Hopefully next year it won't have flooding to deal with and overcome, and the third year of the festival will be a charm.