Music on the Square

these summer concerts and art affairs are so much fun! the weather is beautiful and so are all the artisan made goodies! downtown rwc is quite the destination especially during the summer. and don’t forget the late july PAL blues festival– it rocks!

i had no idea that this had its own business entry on Unilocal until very recently! i have been coming to courthouse square for their weekly friday evening music concerts for a couple of years and i thoroughly enjoy these live performances by local bands/​musicians. folks typically bring their own folding chairs, tables, umbrellas, etc and set up wherever they can, in front of the stage, and chill out for a couple of hours while enjoying FREE music and entertainment. i usually just stroll over and stand for a couple of sets, rather than bring extra furniture with me. these are great for folks of all ages, and children, and pets. i love these free events and will continue to take advantage of them this season. note that these free concerts only take place in the summertime, every friday between memorial day and labour day (i.e. last friday in may til first friday in september). thanks rwc, for giving us something to look forward to at the end of each work week!

Music on the square makes it fun to live in Redwood City!
I have to give 5 stars even if I’m not as jazzed about the lineup this year, and it’s no offense to the performers but I feel like there’s not enough pop or rock this year. Just a note to whoever set it up this year… it’d be nice if you could mix it up a little more the next time. Having Jazz one week, blues the next week, and then a Santana tribute band the week makes me feel like… hey let’s have some rock no roll! I don’t have anything against Jazz, blues or Santana and I know they are all different but I think a lot of people like to hear pop and rock so it’d be nice if you could throw that in, every other week maybe? I don’t know how many other people would agree with this but… I’m just sayin. I wish you could throw Pride and Joy or the Michael Jackson tribute band a little sooner in the lineup. That’s all.
I do really appreciate the people who’ve put this together because I know it’s FREE so I can’t exactly complain about it. Overall it’s still awesome.

One of my favorite places to start off the weekend when I’m in town. The ambiance is always filled with a diverse mix of people just enjoying the scene, and families with kids splashing in the fountains. People bring picnics and have their spots where they’ve been meeting for years. It’s a sweet laid back community scene and the music is always really good.
Plus, they have some fantastic fast food places on Theatre Way just up the block, where you can eat outside and still hear the music.

This is a nice way to kick off your weekend. The music is always good and always different. This is also a people watching heaven as most of the music played here caters to everyone.
The shows usually start about 6 or 6:30. However, people have their seats reserved with fold up chairs a couple hours prior. The city has done a good job with keeping pathways open to get around the area as many try to encroach on the boundaries once the place is packed.
This is a fun place to hang with your friends, bring an icebox of snacks, wine or beer and enjoy live music. If you’re looking for a more posh experience, Fox Theatre seats people outside their entrance and will serve cocktails, spirits and food. This is how I’ve done it the last few times. This way you’re out of the sun too and still get a good view of the stage.

Man I love music on the square good place to hang out and even meet new people local to the area. Definitely takes the dead out of redwood city.

Super fun to check out!
Tip: Bring a folding/​collapsible chair because all the good seats fill up an hour or two before the show starts, plus all the surrounding chairs get filled too.
They have some good bands and they’re all different, so they have a concert for every taste in music.
If you do go to Music in the Park, it’s really awesome to help out the local businesses and buy dinner somewhere nearby before/​after the show. The local businesses can make SO much money in one evening when everyone comes out to the concert and buys something. It’s such a great boost for the local economy.

I applaud Redwood City for trying to invigorate their downtown and provide a sense of community. However it is kinda strange to have a Steely Dan cover band playing to families. How do the parents explain to their kids what «ChaseThe Dragon» means exactly?

I love people watching!
Since I have kids, I’m always on the lookout for fun, easy to get to, inexpensive, and safe venues where I can hang out with my friends and my son can hang out with his. I have tried several of the music in the park type venues, but many of them have no escape strategy in place which means you can not flee if the music is bad. Not so with Redwood City’s «Music on the Square». Around the square, there are restaurants and coffee houses galore. If the band insists on doing ABBA covers, you can be the hero and do the coffee run for the group. There is also a nice, large fountain that you can sit next to or on and pretend that you’re at a secluded waterfall swimming hole away from yet another classic rock tribute band. If all else fails, they sell beer and wine and who knows after a couple of drinks you too might be waving your glass around and shouting out Freebird!
Really, all sarcasm aside, some of the music has been pretty good. I love the setting; enjoy the crowd, crave the comfortable weather; and really dig the range of things to do before, during and after the event.

A free community event from 6pm-​8pm on Friday’s from June 1^st until Sep 28^th. Bands play music in the new courthouse area and there are several tables with umbrellas and chairs for the first arrivals. Be warned, people start taking p positions by 5pm. Its a great place to meet with friends and enjoy live music while enjoying food and alcohol from home or restaurants/​stores. There are hundreds of people there relaxing, dancing and having a great time!