Gathering Of The Vibes

The annual music festival known as the Gathering of the Vibes (GOTV) grew out of the need by many to fill the void that was left due to the death of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead in 1995. Initially named Deadhead Heaven—A Gathering of the Tribe in 1996, the festival name was changed the following year to the “Gathering of the Vibes.”

Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut, served as the host of the GOTV festival for eleven of the twenty years of the festival’s existence (GOTV was not held in 2017).

The GOTV festival has always been well attended, attracting up to twenty- five thousand people each year for this four-day event. Wavy Gravy (of Woodstock fame) has served as master of ceremonies for this festival since 2002. Many major world-class artists such as the Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills, and Nash, The Tom Tom Club (featuring Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz), Weezer, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Grace Potter, Neville Brothers, Greg Allman, The Black Crows, Jaimoe, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Max Creek and Deep Banana Blackout have performed at these events over the years. The festival also showcases many talented local bands in and around Connecticut.

(by Anthony Renzoni)

Author of Connecticut Rock “N” Roll