Summer on the South Fork means live music, much of it under sunny or starry skies, and the 2026 lineup does not disappoint, with something for everyone on a calendar bursting with bold-faced names. Following is an entirely subjective list of noteworthy artists heading our way.
Nearly 40 years after Peter Honerkamp led the acquisition of a storied watering hole on Amagansett's Main Street and made live music a focus of the intimate space, the Stephen Talkhouse remains the epicenter of entertainment in East Hampton Town. None other than Paul McCartney and the late Jimmy Buffett have made appearances on the Talkhouse stage, while Mick Jagger and many other musical luminaries have been seen in the audience.
This summer will see no shortage of leading lights at the venue, with Jamaica's Black Uhuru coming on Sunday for an 8 p.m. show ($109.58). The country rockers the Eli Young Band ("Crazy Girl") arrive on June 27 for a 7 p.m. performance ($200). Martin Sexton, a longtime Talkhouse regular, returns on July 19 at 7 p.m. ($90 to $105). Another favorite, the Bogmen, return on July 25 for an 8 p.m. show ($75). The Dawes Duo, featuring the founding brothers of Dawes ("All Your Favorite Bands"), Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, come to town for a two-night engagement, July 27 and 28, both at 8 p.m. ($210 and $230). Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, who are musical as well as life partners, take the stage on July 30 for a 7 p.m. show ($65 to $85).
August will be especially busy at the Talkhouse. Cimafunk, a Cuban singer, songwriter, and producer, returns on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. ($110). On Aug. 4, it's the North Mississippi All-Stars at 8 p.m. ($88.59). Joan Osborne, another returning artist, will perform on Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. ($110 to $130). Christone (Kingfish) Ingram, an electric blues guitarist who has revitalized the genre more than anyone else in recent years, is set for Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. ($214.54). A perennial favorite, Donavon Frankenreiter, plays on Aug. 17 and 18, both at 8 p.m. and both with Iris and the Shade ($70 to $80) as the supporting act.
The Record Company ("Off the Ground," "Baby I'm Broken") stops at the Talkhouse on Aug. 19 for an 8 p.m. performance ($88.59). The country/folk/activist Steve Earle, always a popular draw, is back on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. for a solo acoustic performance with Paul Burch ($200 to $220) as supporting artist. The actor and producer Hank Azaria, who has voiced many characters on "The Simpsons" for more than 35 years, brings the EZ Street Band, a celebration of the music of Bruce Springsteen, on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ($135.83). Back after a June 13 performance, Lez Zeppelin, four women who recreate the music and vibe of Led Zeppelin with uncanny accuracy, play on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. ($70). On Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. it's the onetime Black Crowe and Trigger Hippy guitarist, Jackie Greene ($75 to $95). Speaking of Springsteen, the E Street Band's drummer brings Max Weinberg's Jukebox to the Talkhouse on Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. ($120).
All prices for Talkhouse shows include service fees.
The Clubhouse in Wainscott has stepped up its lineup of big names this year. Lyle Lovett will perform on July 7 at 8 p.m. ($204.50 and up). On July 17 at 8 p.m., it's the reggae royalty Stephen Marley, son of Bob (starting at $137.91). The onetime Fugee Lauryn Hill will play an acoustic show on July 25 at 7 p.m. ($194.63 and up). Steel Pulse will take its Reggae Against Racism Tour to the Clubhouse on July 31 for a 7 p.m. performance (starting at $136.68). Formed in France in the 1970s, the flamenco artists Gipsy Kings will play on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. ($155.17 and up).
V.I.P. tables for four to 10 people are available for the above shows, and purchase of a parking pass is required if driving to the venue.
A highlight of the summer season has been the annual benefit for the Montauk Lighthouse. Last year, Norah Jones dazzled a sold-out crowd well into the night. This year at the Lighthouse, Brandi Carlile will perform on July 23 at 8 p.m. (gold and platinum tier tickets are $441.43 and $693.23; silver tier tickets are sold out).
The Arts Center at Duck Creek in Springs is offering a number of shows this summer, starting tomorrow when the Luke Bergman Trio performs from 6 to 8 p.m. The Kayvon Gordon Sextet plays on July 23, and the Devon Gates Large Ensemble comes to town on July 30, with a rain date of July 31. The Tim Watson Trio is on the schedule for Aug. 6, while the Minnie Jordan Sextet will debut an original suite of songs on Aug. 27. In store for Sept. 3 is the Caracas Trio, with Yilmar Vivas as special guest. All performances are from 6 to 8 p.m.
"This year's program at Duck Creek is exciting, and new, and in some ways a bit of a departure from our normal offerings," Peter Watrous, curator and founder of the art and music series and a former New York Times music critic, said in a statement. "We're trying to do something special, and to that end we've commissioned some larger works, larger in terms of the size of the groups, and in the ambition we will hear from the stage."
The Surf Lodge may snarl traffic on Edgemere Street in Montauk like never before. The venue on Fort Pond Bay will see a July 4 performance by the rapper and cannabis enthusiast/entrepreneur Snoop Dogg at 4 p.m. Deck tickets are sold out, and a beach table, with access for up to 10 but not including wristbands required to access the deck during the concert, costs $7,500. G. Love will appear on July 16 at 5 p.m. (deck tickets are $57, a beach table $3,000, and a deck table adjacent to the stage $5,000). Prior to his August performances at the Talkhouse, Donavon Frankenreiter will return to the Surf Lodge on Aug. 3 ($57, deck tickets $113, beach table $3,000, deck table $5,000).
Speaking of traffic, for those willing to brave it, 10,000 Maniacs, with Mary Ramsey as lead singer, will perform at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. ($86 to $126). Finally, Amagansett's own G.E. Smith, a frequent guest on the Talkhouse stage, will play at the Suffolk with the blues guitar virtuoso Samantha Fish on Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. ($50 to $120).
Fans of live music can also find it at venues of all sorts across the South Fork — think Main Beach in East Hampton, Kidd Squid in Sag Harbor, and Inlet Seafood in Montauk to name just a few — where local bands make their contribution to the soundtrack of summer.
