The drive-in show is the new entertainment trend in the time of coronavirus restrictions, and this weekend -- one of New Jersey's music greats, Southside Johnny, is performing.

 

Southside Johnny has played more gigs than he can count in his five-decade career, but none like he is about to do.

"But this one, playing to automobiles, I have no idea what to expect,” says Southside Johnny. “It's just another great adventure."

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Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will play a drive-in concert Saturday at Monmouth Park grandstand parking lot, where 1,000 vehicles will be on hand, with concert goers having to stay in their cars. The show is sold out.

"It just was a chance to play, and for our fans, the chance to see us live,” says Southide Johnny. “They haven't seen us in four months. I know they're dying to get out of the house."

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The performance will benefit the Count Basie Center for the Arts, the nonprofit facing financial hardship due to the shutdown. Saturday's show will be Southside Johnny's first live performance since tour dates were canceled beginning in March due to the outbreak. He believes music is something people need right now.

“Music has gotten me through everything, and my job is to get people through things through my music,” says Southside Johnny. “If it works, great, then I feel completely fulfilled."


He hopes the audience gets as much joy seeing live music again as he will playing it.