As the region’s only alternative rock option on the FM dial, The Shark will make its first big foray into mid-scale music events on May 29, throwing an all-day indie-rock party featuring Young the Giant, Joywave, Bear Hands, JR JR, The Strumbellas, and Finish Ticket.
Here are some of the highlights from our conversation.
On how next week's Undertow Jam at Revolution Live came together.
John O’Connell: A couple months back we had spoken about putting something together to kick off summer. We thought maybe we could put something together that was a low-dough affordable show, invite some quality bands that are climbing the charts. So we took a look at a few bands out there, five or six, and just made this a real quality show. There hasn’t been a real radio show in a few years. Let’s see if we can drive some of these bands that wouldn’t normally tour together and put them in one show.
On why it's being held at Revolution.
When we were looking for a venue, we wanted to make it small, we wanted to make it intimate, we wanted to make it exclusive. We thought 2,000 or
On their expectations for the inaugural event.
What we’d like to do is keep it every Memorial Day weekend. See if we can keep the same theme: quality bands for low money.
On keeping radio relevant in 2016.
If you’re talking about stuff like iTunes or Pandora, yes, there’s always going to be some form of competition... Our main goal here is to stay local, be local, and they can’t do that. Sending out jocks and saying hello and shaking hands with people, none of those other services can do that.
On staying local.
We actually have local bands appearing on another stage. We’re working with Revolution to bring in a couple of other bands to play a little bit earlier on an outdoor stage that’s free for everyone.
104.3 The Shark's Undertow Jam
With Young the Giant, the Strumbellas, Joywave, Bear Hands, and JR JR. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $23 plus fees via ticketmaster.com.
