Summer Concert Series Launches at Tech Center on July 3
Newport News events spotlight music, food trucks, and nationally recognized performers at Drillfield Plaza
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — The Tech Center Research Park will launch its 2025 Summer Concert Series on July 3, transforming the Drillfield Plaza into a high-energy gathering place for music lovers and the broader Newport News community. All concerts take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and will feature local food trucks to round out the experience.
Located adjacent to the Jefferson Lab Particle Accelerator, the Tech Center is a decades-long plan for apartments, research buildings, retail, and office spaces—with ten buildings planned for future development. The Drillfield Plaza, a 1.5-acre park built for concerts and festivals, includes a stage pavilion, built-in infrastructure for events, and the striking “Starfinder” sculpture by Owen Morrell, symbolizing Newport News’ shipbuilding and aerospace history. The event series is a signature part of the Tech Center Research Park’s mission to create a vibrant community where people live, work, play, and innovate.
The opening concert will feature Pressing Strings, a critically acclaimed trio from Annapolis, Maryland, known for their emotionally rich blend of folk, rock, and soul. Formed in 2006, the group—made up of Jordan Sokel (guitar/vocals), Nick Welker (bass/vocals), and Justin Kruger (drums/vocals)—draws inspiration from music legends like Bob Dylan, Bill Withers, Al Green, and Led Zeppelin. Pressing Strings has shared the stage with The Beach Boys and Government Mule and has appeared at major festivals including Firefly and Peachfest. Their upcoming album, And I For You, is expected to be their most complete work to date.
On July 31, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Cristina Vane will take the stage, bringing her globe-spanning influences and genre-bending sound to the Drillfield. Born in Italy and raised across Europe, Vane blends classic rock and indie with pre-war blues, old-time Americana, and bluegrass. Her third album, Hear My Call, showcases her touring band along with guest features by Molly Tuttle and JD Simo. Vane is a self-taught slide guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has shared bills with artists like Bob Weir, Wynonna Judd, and Molly Tuttle. Rolling Stone has praised her early single “Badlands” as “evocative of a young Bonnie Raitt and early PJ Harvey… entrancing stuff.”
Closing out the series on August 14 is Yam Yam, a five-member band from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, celebrated for their high-energy performances and dynamic fusion of jazz, funk, gospel, and jam influences. The group—Michael Dempsey (piano/organ), Xander Moppin (bass), Jason Mescia (saxophone), Tom Fuller (guitar), and Tyler Fuller (drums)—will bring their psychedelic grooves to Newport News. They are currently working on new music following their third studio album, Slurp Slurp, released in August 2024.
A Newport News Daily contributor produced this post with AI and these sources:
https://innovateattechcenterva.com/drillfield/
https://innovateattechcenterva.com/event/tech-center-summer-concert-series-pressing-strings/
https://innovateattechcenterva.com/event/tech-center-summer-concert-series-yam-yam/
https://innovateattechcenterva.com/event/tech-center-summer-concert-series-cristina-vane/
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