Long Beach Announces Summer Concerts At Airport

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach is putting on a series of free family-friendly concerts at its airport this summer, city officials announced Tuesday.

The Airwaves: Summer Concerts kick off Saturday, July 12, with a headlining performance from The Delfonics Experience, a soul, R&B and doo wop group. Maria Sanchez & Midnight Groove and Tony Greene will also perform that day, city officials said.

“Music is the cultural heartbeat of Long Beach, and I’m thrilled that we’re bringing this unique concert experience to such a historic and unique venue,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement Tuesday. “Airwaves: Summer Concerts at LGB is open to all and celebrates everything that makes Long Beach special—great music, local flavor and shared moments with friends and family—right here at our award-winning Airport.”

Each outdoor concert will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the pre-security plaza just north of the Historic Terminal, according to city officials. Reservations are required to attend.

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The event will also include activities for children, food trucks and guided tours of the Historic Terminal, which reopened last year following extensive renovations.

The Airwaves: Summer Concert is an addition to the LGB Live! experience, where airport officials put on multiple special programs each month for travelers. The events usually take place after travelers get past security, but this one will be before the check-in.

“Long Beach Airport is proud to offer a new way for our community to engage with the Airport’s iconic space,” Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said in a statement. “Airwaves: Summer Concerts brings people together in a relaxed, welcoming environment that showcases the spirit of Long Beach, celebrates our live music scene, and contributes to the City’s rich legacy of arts and entertainment—all set against the backdrop of our Historic Terminal.”

Anyone looking to attend should prepare for outdoor conditions, according to city officials, who said that for everyone's safety, bags larger than 12 by 12 inches and coolers are not permitted. All bags will be subject to inspection, city officials said.

Here is the full schedule for the concerts:

July 12 — Sweet Soul: The Deflonics Experience, Maria Sanchez & Midnight Groove and Tony Greene

Aug. 16 — Rocksteady: Symarip, Western Standard Time and the Trojanites (laid back rythms with a fusion of jazz, Caribbean, African and R&B influences)

Sept. 20 — Latin Jazz Funk: Artists TBA

Free four-hour parking will be available at structure B.

To reserve a spot for the concert, click here.