Most New York indie rockers think of Williamsburg when they hear the name Jelly NYC. For five years, the company put on some of the summer's most popular pool parties at McCarren Park and then along the Williamsburg waterfront. But this year, Jelly is putting bands onstage where New York’s first municipal airport was located: at the Aviator Sport Complex at Floyd Bennett Field, a hop, skip and a jump away from Fort Tilden Beach.
The six-concert festival, which Jelly is promoting along with the English fashion company Topman, also has a new name: Rockbeach. It kicks off on Saturday with a concert featuring Penguin Prison, Wild Yaks, Janka Nabay and The Bubu Gang and Monogold. The concert runs from 2 to 8 P.M. and festival-goers can also have a go at slip 'n slides, play a dodgeball or beach volleyball game, or take a dip in an ice-cold swimming pool.
The last three Rockbeach concerts on Aug. 20, Sept. 3, and Sept. 10 feature the option to camp in Floyd Bennett Field.
Although admission to the festival is free, concert-goers are asked to R.S.V.P. Shuttle buses picking up passengers in Manhattan and in Williamsburg will run to Floyd Bennett Field; round-trips cost $20. Those who RSVP will also be entered into lotteries for free shuttle bus tickets.
Although only the band list for the July 9 show has been finalized, other bands who will perform throughout the festival include Death Grips, Pictureplane, Danny Brown, The Death Set, Cerebral Ballzy, White Hills, Action Bronson, Bass Drum of Death, The Sosoglos, Delicate Steve, Wise Blood, Miracles Club, DYX, The Psychic Paramount, Night Manager, Party Supplies, Dirtyfinger, Maffew Ragazino, Selebrities, Hunters, CSC Funk Band and Moon Dudes.
Here's a preview of what to expect at a Rockbeach show: