Bleachers Headlines Antonoff’s Shadow of the City Festival

The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park will host the seventh annual Shadow of the City Festival on June 28, 2025, featuring Jack Antonoff’s indie pop band Bleachers as the headliner. Beginning at 2:00 PM, this day-long celebration of music will showcase a diverse lineup including Joyce Manor, Dora Jar, comedian Mike Birbiglia, Ben Kweller, Small Crusher, and Cassandra Coleman, according to North to Shore Festival organizers.

The event, which has become a staple of New Jersey’s summer music scene, continues Antonoff’s tradition of blending established and emerging artists while maintaining strong connections to his home state. One dollar from each ticket purchased will be donated to the Ally Coalition, supporting their work with LGBTQ+ youth.

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Jack Antonoff’s Jersey Shore Tradition Evolves

Since its inception, Shadow of the City has been Antonoff’s love letter to his New Jersey roots. The festival, now in its seventh year, has established itself as a significant cultural event for the region, with Antonoff consistently using his influence to showcase both established acts and emerging talent with connections to the Garden State, according to Brooklyn Vegan.

This year marks a significant expansion for the festival, which will hold its first-ever West Coast edition in Irvine, California, on October 25, 2025. Despite this growth, Antonoff has maintained his commitment to the original Asbury Park location that has been the festival’s home since its beginning.

“After every year, I think, ‘What can be better and what can we do to move forward?'” Antonoff has said of his approach to curating the festival, revealing his dedication to evolving the event while honoring its New Jersey roots. This philosophy has guided the festival’s development from a single-day concert into a multifaceted cultural experience.

Diverse Lineup Spans Genres

The 2025 edition continues Shadow of the City’s tradition of eclectic programming that crosses genre boundaries. Headliner Bleachers, Antonoff’s own band, brings their anthemic indie pop sound that has earned them a devoted following and critical acclaim since their 2014 debut album “Strange Desire.”

Supporting acts represent a diverse cross-section of contemporary music. Punk band Joyce Manor brings their energetic, emotionally charged performances that have made them standard-bearers in the genre. Rising star Dora Jar offers her unique blend of alternative pop that has been gaining significant attention in recent years.

The inclusion of comedian Mike Birbiglia adds a non-musical element to the lineup, continuing the festival’s history of incorporating diverse entertainment forms. Veteran singer-songwriter Ben Kweller, indie act Small Crusher, and American Idol alum Cassandra Coleman round out a bill that offers something for nearly every musical taste.

The Stone Pony: Historic Venue for Modern Festival

The choice of The Stone Pony Summer Stage as the festival venue connects Shadow of the City to Asbury Park’s rich musical heritage. The Stone Pony, which opened in 1974, has played a crucial role in the careers of numerous musicians, most notably Bruce Springsteen, and has become synonymous with the Jersey Shore music scene, as Northern Transmissions notes in their coverage of the festival announcement.

The outdoor Summer Stage expands the venue’s capacity while maintaining its intimate connection to the boardwalk and ocean, creating a quintessentially Jersey Shore concert experience. This setting enhances the festival’s celebration of New Jersey culture and provides a picturesque backdrop for the performances.

Previous editions of Shadow of the City at this venue have featured not only music but also activities that celebrate New Jersey culture, including charity dunk tanks, video game tournaments, and food vendors showcasing local cuisine. The 2025 festival is expected to continue this tradition of creating a comprehensive experience that extends beyond the music.

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Through Music

Shadow of the City maintains its commitment to social causes through its continued partnership with the Ally Coalition, an organization co-founded by Jack and his sister Rachel Antonoff that works to support LGBTQ+ youth and end discrimination. One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to the coalition’s initiatives.

This philanthropic element has been a consistent feature of the festival throughout its history. In previous years, the event has included specific charity-focused activities like dunk tanks and special merchandise with proceeds benefiting the Ally Coalition’s work with homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.

The partnership reflects Antonoff’s broader commitment to using his platform for social change, integrating entertainment with advocacy in ways that engage audiences while supporting vulnerable communities.

Part of North to Shore Festival

Shadow of the City’s inclusion in the broader Prudential North to Shore Festival positions it within a larger celebration of New Jersey’s cultural offerings spanning Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City throughout June 2025. This association amplifies the festival’s reach while connecting it to the state’s diverse artistic landscape.

The timing of Shadow of the City near the conclusion of the North to Shore Festival period makes it a fitting capstone to the month-long celebration, bringing one of New Jersey’s most successful contemporary musicians back to his home state for a day of music and community.

General admission tickets for the event are priced at $99, with VIP options available for $150. Given the festival’s history of strong attendance and Bleachers’ growing popularity, organizers encourage early ticket purchases for what promises to be a memorable day of music on the Jersey Shore.

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