Escape To New York Festival Coming Next Weekend

When people think of the East End music scene, it’s not typically stadium rock that comes right to mind.

The Psychedelic Furs bass guitarist Tim Butler, for one, said he didn’t think a party-inspired festival like “Escape to New York” would ever be allowed to be held in the Hamptons.

“I thought maybe they’d give everybody headphones,” Mr. Butler joked during a phone interview on Thursday. “Try to keep it down for the neighbors.”

Fortunately, the “Escape to New York” team has built a relationship with the owners of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation and that’s exactly where the eclectic inaugural music festival will be held from Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7.

Freddy Fellowes is the man behind the madness that is “Escape to New York,” or “E2NY.” And according to Pam Workman of Workman Entertainment & Public Relations, the concept for the upcoming Hamptons music festival derived from the widely popular “Secret Garden Party” that Mr. Fellowes has held in the United Kingdom since 2004.

Mr. Fellowes began collaborating with his friend, Rocco Gardener, to bring his “E2NY” vision to life. After the pair introduced the idea to Shinnecock Indian Nation tribe members, and built a relationship of trust with them, “E2NY” became a reality.

When gathering bands to perform for the festival, Ms. Workman said that Mr. Fellowes thought about what would sound really cool in a field. Bouncing off of that concept, the “E2NY” lineup of 21 bands was born.

The Psychedelic Furs, a well-known alternative rock band, made that list

and will play on Saturday, August 6. The band got together in England’s emerging punk scene in 1977 and has been performing all over the world ever since.

According to Mr. Butler, the band members love playing in the New York area. He added that it’s great to be able to spend some time in the Hamptons.

One of the cool things about the festival is that there are lots of musicians that the other rockers want to hear, Mr. Butler said.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Patti Smith,” he said. “I’m a big fan of hers, I like that her music is free-form, it’s so different from what I’ve been hearing on other records.”

Joining The Psychedelic Furs on Saturday, August 6, is New York natives female trio, Au Revoir Simone. Group member Annie Hart called the band’s music dreamy, electronic, indie-keyboard pop during a phone interview on Friday. She added that she and her bandmates never intended to actually become a real group.

“Originally, Erika played in a band with my husband and eventually we started playing together,” Ms. Hart said. “We were doing it in secret, sort of as a keyboard club but it just felt like magic when we started, we really clicked, especially musically. People kept asking us to play, and the rest is history.”

The secret behind the creation of the band’s dream-like music? Bicycles. Ms. Hart said some of their best songs actually come to her and her bandmates during bicycle rides.

“We ride bikes all the time in New York,” she said, laughing. “When you’re alone on your bike, you get into a rhythm and it leads to some sort of melody.”

The women have played at “The Secret Garden Party” in the UK twice. Ms. Hart said that the group members were thrilled to be asked to play in the Hamptons version of the festival.

“I’m so looking forward to every band,” Ms. Hart said. “I’m really excited to enjoy festival life.”

Another headlining band that will appear to rock out with the “E2NY” audience is the group of Montreal. According to bassist Davey Pierce, of Montreal’s music is constantly changing but can fit under the R&B, pop and funk genre categories.

“We’re kind of all over the place as far as structure goes,” he said, laughing. “But it’s fun, danceable, sort of good time music with some really dark moments thrown in there.”

Mr. Pierce said that he and his bandmates were really excited to be included in the concert lineup. Especially since the music festival is set here on the East End.

“The festival seems really awesome,” he said. “It’s probably the best way to experience the Hamptons for the first time.”

But according to Ms. Workman, “E2NY” can’t really be called just a festival because it is so much more than that.

“We have amazing music, but we also have very special high-end cuisine, unique cocktail experiences, funky vendors and incredible art on display,” she said.

The art installations that will be peppered throughout the festival are curated by Winkel & Balktick and range from visually inspiring to playful and interactive.

The high-end culinary experience is being prepared by SilkStone, the group behind The Fat Radish on the Lower East Side and Ruschmeyer’s in Montauk. More than 12 different New York-based restaurants are on board to satisfy the taste buds of festivalgoers.

But according to Ms. Workman, perhaps the most exciting and unique feature of the upcoming festival is the development of “glamping,” a mix of glamour and camping. Imported teepees and safari tents customized with high-end linens and lounge furniture suitable for day camping will be set up close to the stages on the festival grounds, affording a secure place to rest and regroup during a long day of listening to music and taking part in other festival activities.

“Glampers” will retire for the night at luxury camping accommodations on the grounds at the Elks Lodge, just a few miles down the road, Ms. Workman said. Amenities include having a free shuttle service to and from the festival, toilets and showers as well as access to bellboys and concierge services, such as masseuses and makeovers.

“It isn’t mandatory to have a tent,” Ms. Workman explained. “But it’s a nice option; we wanted to offer ‘E2NY’ guests a different kind of festival experience in every way.”

There will also be a “Think Camp” tent at the festival, where science meets pop culture to challenge the misconception that science is mundane and boring.

“It’s really, really funky stuff,” Ms. Workman said. “Unique eclecticism is what we are all about.”

“E2NY” is just not a typical summertime concert she said, adding that the Hamptons are not the typical place to live and vacation either.

“The Hamptons supports the art, the outdoors and fabulous summer experiences overall,” Ms. Workman said. “That’s why it is the perfect fit for this event.”

Tickets start at $100 for a one-day pass or $275 for the three-day package. For more information about “Escape to New York,” or to buy tickets, visit escapetony.com.