Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Johnny P performs at Music in the Park in June. Johnny P is one of nine performers scheduled to participate in Band Aid Warren 2021 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10.

In 2020, local musicians lost many of their performance outlets.

Establishments that might host a musical group turned into carry-out restaurants or closed the doors entirely.

In order to practice their craft and perform in front of people, the musicians had to think of something else.

“The idea for Band Aid Warren was born when, like so many other bands, the local band Tune in Tokyo needed to cancel their shows for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Marc Hensens said. “As local establishments had to close their doors or convert to restaurants with no ability to provide live entertainment, it became clear to the band that our only option would be to organize a free outdoor concert ourselves.”

“This would allow the band to present themselves and give our audience an option to come out and enjoy live rock music,” Hensens said. “Thomas Malone, the singer and leader of Tune in Tokyo, is the driving force behind the idea and reached out to other bands. He found several willing and available to offer up their time to participate in what has now become a festival.”

“One thing led to another, and with Tom’s endless enthusiasm, he spoke with the City of Warren, who supported the idea and brought him in contact with several other organizations who all helped organize sponsors for a stage, tent, barriers, port-a-potties and more,” he said. “What started out as an idea to ‘maybe use the gazebo at the river’ became an almost full-time job to organize this event.”

The second annual Band Aid Warren will run from about 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10, on Liberty Street between Second and Third avenues.

Vendors will open first, then the music will start around noon.

“It was a great success in 2020 and it goes without saying that the event will once again follow state guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and Tune in Tokyo is committed to making this a socially responsible festival,” Hensens said. “We are extremely excited that we’re able to host the second festival, with even more bands, and are very thankful to everyone who makes this event possible.”

The performers include: Johnny P, Nathan Fiscus, Dark Rhythm, Kallie Williams, Knuckle Down, Hallow Society, Radioactive, Wang Dang Doodle, and, closing the event, Tune in Tokyo.

Local stand-up comedian Kyng will host the event.