fbpx

For the 9th year in a row Long Beach’s ultimate summer-long free concert series, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s (DLBA) Summer and Music (SAM) is back and better than ever. SAM will kick off its ninth season with the reinvention of the fan favorite skate event FKA 720 at The Streets (FKA City Place) on June 24th, this will be followed by Punk Rock Prom on the Promenade on July 29, culminating with the annual Buskerfest in the East Village Arts District on August 19.

The name, FKA 720, is a shout out to the ever-popular 720° Pine Summer and Music concert and will continue in its legacy as the premiere music and skate culture event in Long Beach. FKA 720 is dedicated to the intersection of skate and cool. Skateboard culture, particularly in Long Beach, has a rich attachment to music that embraced and helped define the sport—which is specifically why this event will showcase some of the best musicians from Long Beach and beyond.

Taking place at the former City Place (or “FKA” City Place) on Waite Court between 3rd and 4th Streets, FKA 720 will be begin at 1 p.m. and as always, it is a free, all-ages, community-oriented event.

Headlining FKA 720 will be SoCal native, singer-songwriter Matt Costa. A former skateboarder on the verge of going pro himself, Costa is no stranger to skate culture. Earlier in the evening, Pinky Pinky, popular 3-piece Proto-Prog inspired rock band out of Los Angeles, will get the crowd pumped up before dancing the night away to tunes from DJ Bardo (of Chicano Batman), Rudy de Anda, and DJ Tuandigglz.

“The idea behind this event stems from my love of music having grown out of skateboarding,” said SAM Co-Founder Justin Hectus. “I was never good enough to be more than an athletic supporter, but skateboarding, music, and Long Beach are connected in a way that always brings me back to my favorite moments growing up.”

The skate park will be open throughout the event, prior to the start of the event, the streets will be used by ASkate Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps children with autism learn to use skateboarding as a social tool as well as occupational therapy.

Throughout the event, attendees will enjoy bites from local eateries and drinks from DTLB favorite, Beachwood Brewery. FKA 720 takes place on Saturday, June 24, from 1PM to 10PM, with live music beginning at 5PM on Waite Court between 3rd and 4th Streets in DTLB. For more information, visit www.summerandmusic.com.

Full lineup below:

 

Matt Costa

Rudy de Anda

DJ Bardo (of Chicano Batman)

Pinky Pinky

DJ Tuandigglz