Sublime at the new ParkStage in Freehold Township NJ
Sublime at opening night of ParkStage venue on Friday, June 19, 2026. ParkStage is located at the East Freehold Showgrounds in Freehold Township
The new ParkStage concert venue in Freehold Township became BarkStage for its Friday, June 19 opening night.
The California ska-punk band Sublime had two giant inflatable dogs on stage with them, representing Lou Dog, the Dalmatian of original late frontman Bradley Nowell. Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell, is now the frontman for the band, which rocked the 8,500 in the audience with their reggae riddims and punk excursions.
Jakob delivered a dedication to his dad on the ParkStage show. Sublime first played the area with a show at the former Saint nightclub in Asbury Park in 1995.
“We’re from California and the band has been going for a long time and not a day goes by when we don’t miss our original singer, Bradley Nowell, we do,” Jakob said “I know a lot you guys have lost people too and you tell me how much the music has helped you cope and come through with that loss. We’re one big family, these are our lives, these are our memories and I promise you as long as you have that memory of them in your heart, they’re still here.”
The band then played “Badfish,” written by Bradley Nowell and associated with his passing. The elder Nowell died of a heroin overdose at the age of 28 in 1996.
The Movement, Pepper and Codefendants also performed Friday at ParkStage. The show was part of the North to Shore festival, which has events in Asbury Park, Newark and Atlantic City through June 28.
More than 2,700 showed up on June 3 for the venue’s free “Family and Friends” preview, which featured performances by Jersey cover bands the Cliffs and the Sensational Soul Cruisers with Eddie Testa.
ParkStage, located at the East Freehold Showgrounds, is a collaboration between the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Monmouth County Tourism. The venue is part of the Basie Center’s centennial celebration.
Pets are prohibited but registered service animals are welcome.
The stage faces the east and the grass concert grounds and is surrounded by leafy oak trees. Two 16-by-13-foot video screens are on the sides of the stage and there’s a 29½-by-16-foot screen on the rear of the stage. There are two elevated VIP platforms on the sides of the ground and an upfront VIP pit section.
Upcoming shows at ParkStage include Dark Star Orchestra on Saturday, June 20 and the celebratory MonmouthNJ 250: The Concert with Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, Low Cut Connie and Weeklings on July 3.
Concert lineup at ParkStage, Freehold Township
- Sublime, June 19
- Dark Star Orchestra, June 20
- Umphrey’s McGee, Moe, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Lotus, June 21
- The Head and the Heart with Wilderado, June 26
- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, Low Cut Connie, Weeklings, July 3
- America’s Wonders, July 10
- B-52s and English Beat, July 11
- Brantley Gilbert, July 30
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with Patty Griffin, July 31
- Lake Street Dive, Aug. 1
- Andy Grammer, Aug. 22
- Almost Queen, Sept. 4
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected]
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.app.com ’
