The scaled back 2024 version of the Peach Music Fest, renamed Peach at the Beach and moved to Atlantic City was full of music, waterslides, old school arcades, and a whole lot more fun on the New Jersey Boardwalk. Despite downsizing to a one day festival, the lineup was packed with talent from start to finish. Festival goers also had the option to use the Island Waterpark waterslides to cool off while still taking in the amazing music from the nearby stage.
Mykal Rose kicked off this year’s fest with a Jamaican infused reggae set. He was followed by Peach veteran Karina Rykman, whose career is skyrocketing after the release of her debut album Joyride in 2023. Her fourth Peach set served as another example of the diversity and power she brings to her live shows.
Allman Brothers Tribute Band Trouble No More fittingly performed the Brothers Eat a Peach album for their festival set. Both guitarists Taz Niederauer and Quinn Sullivan sent the energy level skyrocketing as they furiously traded licks the entire night. Taz’s brother and bassist Brandon along with keyboardist Peter Levin were lobbing in grooves the rest of the band constantly opened up around. Nikki Glaspie held the pace perfectly on drums while Lamar Williams Jr’s vocals were spot on reviving the classic Allman’s sound.
Another fast rising (and area favorite) band Dogs in A Pile stepped up and cranked out an exemplary set as well. Their vocal and improv driven set was a wake up call that it’s time to get the uber talented jam band on your radar. Offering a wide range of sound from funk to jazz to psychedelia, the band made an instant impact on those catching them for the first couple of times.
Jam band veterans Joe Russo’s Almost Dead wrapped up the festival with a long one set performance that featured some festival classics like Scarlet Begonias and Estimated Prophet, along with some “deeper” cuts like non Grateful Dead covers of Mercury Blues and Second That Emotion. Both Niederauer’s were spotted feverishly taking in the JRAD set in the Peach crowd. The band will hit the road in a couple of weeks and will make their annual California run later this year.
Below is a gallery of pictures from the 2024 Peach at the Beach.
