At BAMS Fest, local music and community thrive

Friends sprinted across the field to embrace each other, strangers competed in skilled dance battles and children hit small tambourines to the beat of the music.

“We at the family reunion, the cookout and the concert,” said BAMS Fest host Courtney Boston to a sea of eager music fans, from babies to grandparents.

She had it exactly right. The sixth annual Boston Art & Music Soul Festival felt like a homecoming — a gathering of old friends and family members coming together to celebrate their community.

The R&B, funk, soul, hip-hop and house music festival showcasing local and national Black and brown artists took place at the Franklin Park Playstead on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. BAMS Fest describes itself as a “cultural movement led by Greater Boston Black and Brown artists, culture makers and creative entrepreneurs who are on the front lines of racial equity, spatial justice, and economic empowerment.”

I attended the festival on Saturday. It was an overcast and breezy day, but that didn’t stop festival organizers and talent from bringing the sunshine.

I caught part of rock ensemble Beware of Denise’s set at Kidchella, a small stage set up for the first time this year to showcase talented young artists. The band is a part of Zumix, a nonprofit based in East Boston that provides music and creative technology programming for youths.

Next door was the Beat Feet tent, a kid-friendly space complete with stroller parking, board games, hula hooping and balloon animals. Chanel Thompson, also known as Ms. 5678, ran a dance workshop there, leading dancers of all skill levels through carnival, salsa, merengue, hip-hop and Afrobeat moves. She directed participants to grab a scarf to dance with. Young children and adults moved to the music in her low-stress, follow-the-leader style class, waving colorful fabrics and rolling their hips.

Across the green space was a vendor village curated by Black Owned Bos., a business services and consulting agency dedicated to showcasing Black-owned businesses. DLachae, a clothing brand by designer Dennelle Mattier, caught my eye. The five-time BAMS Fest attendee sews different patterned and textured fabrics — like denim onto tops and sweatshirts — to create the silhouette of Black women’s faces. “I wanted to celebrate Black culture, so I started with art pieces and realized I can actually make wearable art,” she told me.

For lunch, I headed to Soul Food Row, which was mildly disappointing. I expected a long procession of food trucks, but there were only six vendors — Nan Xiang Express, Trolley Dogs & Craft Lemonade, Gourmet Kreyòl, Exodus Bagels, Richie’s Italian Ice, and Tipping Cow Ice Cream. Haitian food truck Gourmet Kreyòl had the longest line, so I knew it would be good. I ordered the halal stew chicken port au prince bowl, which was filled with tender pulled chicken, fresh onion and green peppers, beans, rice, fried plantains and tomato gravy. It definitely lived up to the soul food name; it was a very comforting meal to enjoy on a cloudy day.

Back on the main stage, Latin and R&B singer-songwriter Bia Javier was a stand-out performer. “I’m honored to be here, so I hope you guys rock out with us,” the Lawrence-based artist said. This was her first time playing the BAMS Fest stage and she opened with her fiery 2020 release “Mine.” Javier commanded the mic in a slicked-back ponytail, gold hoops and a black office siren dress, singing about self-reclamation. Her powerful belting left audience members shaking their heads in admiration.

Xavier Omär, an R&B artist from San Antonio, brought warm, floating harmonies and an impressively clean falsetto. He looked effortlessly cool in a black vest and shorts, pouring emotion into his 2017 song “Afraid.” Boston, the festival host, briefly interviewed him after his set, and he stressed the importance of festivals like BAMS Fest. “There are cities that don’t do this, there’s not enough support, so I wanted to be a part of this,” he said.

Brooklyn-based DJ Mell Starr got seated audience members on their feet, dancing at the front of the stage. And Grammy-nominated rapper Rapsody ended the night with clever lyricism about not seeing herself in the music industry and working to take her rightful spot. “I tell everybody, this is one of my favorite places to perform in because y’all always show me love,” the North Carolina native said of Boston.

Dani Shelton watched the performances from a picnic blanket with her daughter Amani Shelton and two granddaughters. Shelton said this was her granddaughters’ first time at a music festival. “I like that added aspect of it being family-friendly. It’s like a family reunion,” she said.

I appreciated the laid-back, judgment-free vibes of this festival. Audience members of all ages lounged on the grass, sat in chairs chatting with friends, and danced in front of the stage. There was no shoving or people sardined into a small section, a welcome change from other festivals I’ve experienced.

In between performances Saturday, Boston’s Director of Nightlife Economy Corean Reynolds presented a proclamation from Mayor Michelle Wu announcing that Sept. 30 is now officially BAMS Fest Day in the city. Reynolds confirmed on a phone call that the date was originally supposed to be June 30, but the proclamation had a typo stating Sept. 30. Since this date was read out to the public, the city is recognizing it.

BAMS Fest Founder Catherine T. Morris addressed the crowd to express her gratitude to everyone involved. “It’s been six years, six long years, COVID, and you know what y’all did? Y’all showed up,” said Morris, reflecting on the festival’s history. “Keep coming back every year because it’s only going to get bigger.”