Line Up

2013 Line Up information coming soon

About The Festival

The inaugural Catalpa Festival is coming to New York City on July 28th + 29th 2012 from 1pm to 11pm and is lining up to be the year’s most unique and original music and lifestyle event. Taking place on the remarkable Randall’s Island, just to the Eastern side of Manhattan, the festival is set beautifully to the backdrop of the world’s most famous skyline.

Catalpa is about creating a truly authentic, fresh and unique musical experience featuring over 50 artists that traverse many styles and genres from rock and indie to hip-hop, reggae and the world of electronic music.

For Frisky as event producers, creating an enhanced setting and original event experience far beyond the standard is the basis of how we operate. We strive to provide not only the very best of the basic elements but also to create a visual and aesthetic overload that further enhances this already stunning setting by developing thought provoking art installations, bespoke event structures and enough unique elements to transform people out of the city and into a world more fantastic.

This is Catalpa, a festival experience that music fans can appreciate for its genuine diversity, uniqueness and style.

Catalpa NYC Music Festival Line Up - 2012
The Black Keys, Snoop Dogg , araabMUZIK, ASAP Rocky, City and Colour, Cold War Kids, Felix da Housecat, Fort Atlantic, Girl Talk, Hercules And Love Affair, Hook N’ Sling, Matisyahu, Matt and Kim, The Big Pink, The Dirty Heads, The Sheepdogs, TV on the Radio, Umphrey's McGee, Zola Jesus

Directions

Randall’s Island is located along the East River between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.

Subway Directions to Randall’s Island via Public Transportation
Public Transportation to Randall’s Island is available via the X80 express bus, which runs from Lexington Avenue between 125th and 126th streets directly to the festival entrance. To get to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue, you can take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to 125th street. We recommend using Google Maps to get personalized directions to 125th and Lex.

Please note that organisers are working closely with the MTA to ensure that an appropriate number of buses are added for show days and that lines are kept to an absolute minimum. Please also note that the X80 express bus collects a $5.50 round-trip fare when you board the bus, but if you have come from the subway only $3.25 is deducted.

Ferry Directions to Randall’s Island via Manhattan Ferry
Special Event Ferries will be traveling to and from Randall’s Island for both days of the festival, throughout the day. Departures will take place from East 35th Street Ferry Landing located at the intersection of East 35th Street at the FDR Drive, with ferries running approximately every 15 minutes, starting at 11:30am. Ferries to the island will stop at 9pm and ferries from the island will not stop until all ferry ticket buyers are off the island.

This is without a doubt the easiest way to get to/from the show, plus there will be music playing on the speakers and there is a full bar on most boats. There are only a limited number of ferry tickets available, so get ‘em while you can. Purchase information is available on our Tickets page.

Directions to Randall’s Island via Williamsburg Shuttle
Festival shuttle buses will be traveling to and from Randall’s Island for both days of the festival, throughout the day. Shuttles will pick up in Williamsburg at a TBD location around McCarren Park, every hour starting at 11am until 6pm before dropping off at the festival site. Shuttle bus tickets can and should be purchased in advance.

This is also an incredibly easy and comfortable way to get to/from the show, plus there will be music playing on the speakers and beverages are welcome. There are only a limited number of shuttle tickets available, so get ‘em while you can. Purchase information is available on our Tickets page.

Directions to Randall’s Island via Car
Parking on Randall’s Island will be very limited – if you plan on driving, you need to purchase a parking pass in advance. These are available for purchase on our Tickets page. You will only need 1 parking pass per vehicle – you do not need a parking pass for each person in your vehicle.
There is NO OVERNIGHT PARKING and NO TAILGATING allowed on Randall’s Island

From Manhattan - Get on the RFK Bridge at East 125th Street or Exit 18 from FDR Drive (left exit from northbound or right hand exit from southbound Harlem River Drive). Once on the RFK Bridge, E-Z Pass users should stay left for the exit to Randall’s Island Park, immediately after the toll plaza. Those paying cash at the toll should stay to the right and take the entrance ramp to Randall’s Island Park located about a half-mile past the toll plaza on the right hand side.
From Long Island - Get on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge from the Grand Central Parkway. Stay right for the exit to Randall’s Island, immediately after the toll plaza.
From The Bronx - Take the Major Deegan or Bruckner Expressway to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. Once on the RFK Bridge continue toward Queens. After the Queens toll plaza, bear right for the Randall’s Island exit (about 200 yards).
From Brooklyn - Take the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. Stay right for the exit to Randall’s Island Park, immediately after the toll plaza.
From Queens - Get on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge from the Grand Central Parkway. Stay right for the exit to Randall’s Island Park, immediately after the toll plaza.
From New Jersey - From I-80 or the New Jersey Turnpike, get on the George Washington Bridge. Follow signs for “Through Traffic” (on the upper level, stay to the left, on the lower level, stay to the right) to get onto the Cross Bronx Expressway, then take the Harlem River Drive/Amsterdam Avenue exit. Keep left onto the Harlem River Drive, then stay straight to take FDR Drive South to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. On the Bridge, E-Z Pass users should stay left for the exit to Randall’s Island Park, immediately after the toll plaza. Those paying cash at the toll should stay to the right and take the entrance ramp to Randall’s Island Park located about a half-mile past the toll plaza on the right hand side.
From Westchester - Take I-87 (New York State Thruway) southbound. I-87 will turn into the Major Deegan Expressway. Follow signs to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, pass through the tollbooth, and stay to the right. Take the exit for Randall’s Island.

Footbridge Directions to Randall’s Island via Bike/Foot
Pedestrians can walk across the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge from Manhattan/125th street (about 15 minutes), Queens (about 30 minutes), or the Bronx (about 15 minutes). We recommend you check out google maps to navigate walking to the festival. We are right next to Icahn stadium and you will see directional signage for us!

You can also walk across the footbridge from E. 103rd St. in Manhattan onto Randall’s Island Park during summer daylight hours (6am – 9pm). It takes about 20-25 minutes to walk from the Manhattan side of the footbridge to the festival entrance. Please note that this bridge closes at 9pm and folks will NOT be able to use it after the show.

CYCLISTS PLEASE NOTE: Bikes are NOT allowed on the ferry or buses. Bike parking is South of the RFK Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, near the Ferry Landing on Randall’s Island. Follow signs from the main festival entrance. Please also note that bikes will not be protected or guarded so lock them up at your own risk!

Directions to Randall’s Island via Philadelphia Shuttle
Festival shuttle buses from Philadelphia will be traveling to and from Randall’s Island for both days of the festival, throughout the day. Shuttles will pick up in Philadelphia at Lombard & S. 2nd Street, at 9:30am and Noon, and will drop off folks right at the festival. Shuttle bus tickets can and should be purchased in advance.

This is also an incredibly easy and comfortable way to get to/from the show, plus there will be music playing on the speakers and beverages are welcome. There are only a limited number of shuttle tickets available, so get ‘em while you can. Purchase information is available on our Tickets page.