Jax River Jams free concert series returns Thursday with Bishop Briggs, others
The free Jax River Jams concert series returns to the banks of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville on Thursday nights through April.
The series started in 2021 as a way to get people back downtown after the pandemic and to give downtown workers a reason to stick around after office hours. The free shows were held at Riverfront Plaza for the first three years, but will move this year to Ford on Bay, a riverfront lot just up the street, due to ongoing construction.
The series, which started last week with a show by country singer Rodney Atkins, continues Thursday evening with Bishop Briggs and openers Future Joy, Kenzie’s Place with Kale that Raps and Coyboi.
Here's what you should know before heading to the show.
Who is Bishop Briggs?
Bishop Briggs is actually Sarah Grace McLaughlin, who was born in London, raised in Tokyo and Hong Kong and educated in Los Angeles. She's played the Coachella music fest, had a song in a Vin Diesel movie and a Netflix series, has 1.2 million subscribers for her YouTube channel and won Season 9 of "The Masked Singer." She's released two albums and three EPs and was featured on singles by Cold War Kids and Moby Rich.
What songs might I know from Bishop Briggs?
"Wild Horses" was Briggs' first hit, thanks to its inclusion in an Acura commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. "River" is her biggest hit, going double-platinum in 2016.
What time does Bishop Briggs play at Jax River Jams?
Briggs is scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Who else is playing with Bishop Briggs at Jax River Jams?
Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Jacksonville indie duo Coyboi opens the show at 5 p.m.
Kenzie’s Place, which won a 2022 UNF Battle of the Bands, is scheduled to play at 6 p.m., joined onstage by Kale that Raps.
Denver-based "future funk hybrid duo" Future Joy is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Where is Jax River Jams?
The free concerts will be at Ford on Bay, a riverfront lot on Bay Street between Newnan and Liberty streets near the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Why did Jax River Jams move to a new location?
Previous shows were held at Riverfront Plaza, the former site of the Jacksonville Landing. Construction is underway on a new park at the plaza, so the concerts were moved down the street to Ford on Bay.
What other shows are in the Jax River Jams series?
April 18: Hip hop duo Earthgang, with L.O.V.E. Culture featuring Ebonique, Wahid & Mr. Al Pete; Jeff Skigh featuring BayBro, Figga Da Kid, King Ca$hes and Twicee; and Full Plate Fam
April 25: Pop singer Andy Grammer, with Let’s Ride Brass Band, The Apostle Floyd Encounter and Madison Hughes
How much are tickets for Jax River Jams shows?
The shows are free.
What is Ford on Bay like?
It's the former site of the Duval County Courthouse and now sits as an open field behind the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The stage will be on the Liberty Street side of the site.
Where can I park for Jax River Jams?
There are thousands of parking spaces in downtown Jacksonville, on the streets and in public lots and garages. Note that parking fees are enforced until 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Will there be food trucks at Jax River Jams?
Nine local food trucks are scheduled to be at the Jax River Jams shows: Chinchilla’s Eats on the Streets, Crown Majestic Kitchen, Eat Happy Jax, Freddy Fingers Chicken, Rad Ringo’s Mini Donuts, Mitchell’s Boiled Peanuts, Mother Truckin Pizza, Alexander & Sons Shrimp Co. and Jammas Jax.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jax River Jams hosts Bishop Briggs in concert on April 11
