Downtown Alive

Free Downtown Alive concerts, which are held in the 500 block of Penn Street in downtown Reading, have a festival atmosphere and include food trucks and beer and wine for sale. A “kids play zone” is also set up and features a variety of activities for children.

May 29 – Kicking off this year’s Downtown Alive free outdoor concert series is fan favorite Go Go Gadjet, along with internationally acclaimed DJ duo Black Caviar. Go Go Gadjet, which has strong local roots, opened the 2018 season and was such a huge success that it only made sense to bring them back again. It just so happens that the band has close ties with Black Caviar, which also has local ties. The DJ duo was involved with the award-winning soundtrack for the latest “Spiderman” movie – Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, and travels around the world entertaining thousands.

June 19 – A Flock of Seagulls made music history as one of the trailblazing bands during the ‘80s new wave era. With hit singles such as “I Ran” and “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You”), the group was started by Mike Score (lead vocals and keyboards) in 1980 in Liverpool, England. He was joined by his brother, Ali (drums), and Frank Mausley (bass), and guitarist Paul Reynolds was added a few months later. Opening for A Flock of Seagulls will be local band Sloth Love Chunk, an ‘80s cover group.

July 17 – Local H, an alt-rock duo known for its blistering live shows and pioneering two-piece band setup. Frontman Scott Lucas, who covers both guitar and bass (through an extra pick up in his guitar), and drummer Ryan Harding teamed up more than two decades ago and have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, buoyed by global touring along with the release of some of their most critically acclaimed work to date. Opening for Local H will be local alt-rock band Anthrophobia, which will be appearing with Local H at other shows on multiple dates this summer.

Aug 14 – Prince’s former band, The Revolution, comprised of Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z, BrownMark, and Dr. Fink. The band merges funk, rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues, pop, and psychedelia genres. The Revolution have achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Purple Rain and Around the World in a Day), multiple top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and have won numerous awards, including three Grammys and three American Music Awards. The band officially disbanded in late 1986. Following Prince’s death in April 2016, The Revolution reunited to honor the musical genius that he instilled in them and upon the world. The band continues to pay tribute to Prince in the best way possible – playing the music they helped create with him.