Surfer Joe Summer Festival 2023

The Surfer Joe Summer Festival is the largest gathering of surf music fans in the world. It is a great occasion for those who share the love for this unique music to meet new and old friends from all over the planet.

This is a 4-day immersion into the world of instrumental surf music with an intense program of concerts, seminars and various attractions, all happening mere steps away from the Mediterranean Sea along the beautiful coast of Tuscany.

Since 2003 there have been 14 editions of the festival without any musical compromise. The SJSF proudly keeps things authentic and offers a screenshot of the global surf music scene by showcasing many of its best bands.

12.00 / GARDEN STAGE
Matinee show THE UNDERCURRENTS (Romania)
13.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
THE A-MEN (USA/Denmark)
14.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
STORIES FROM SHAMEHILL (The Netherlands)

15.00 / GARDEN
Fender Stratocaster, the Most Iconic Guitar in Modern Music
Symposium by Flavio Camorani (Italy)
Flavio owns the greatest and most complete collection of Fender instruments in the world including everything that the Californian brand has produced in series between 1951 and 1974, plus a few pieces from even before that time. For many years he as studied the construction secrets and unveiled building procedures and techniques, sometimes scratching old guitars to see what was under the paint! His knowledge about these instruments is immense. So participate to his seminar about the Stratocaster and you will know all the details about the most famous guitar ever made.

17.00 / GARDEN
The Role of Bass Guitar in Surf Music
Symposium by Jonpaul Balak (USA)
Join one of the most active professional surf bass players of the international scene as he returns to Livorno to discuss frequently asked questions regarding what it means to play "surf" bass. Learn about the history, techniques and tones that come together to create an important role in instrumental surf music. Catch Jonpaul performing at the festival with The A-Men, The Scimitars and Lords Of Atlantis.

15.00 / TERRAZZA BAR
Italian Cocktails
Symposium by Cristian Giaccotto (Italy)
As an expert mixology bartender and a collaborator of the Surfer Joe Diner, Cristian will introduce a selection of the most famous and influential Italian cocktails which, through their history and variations, have gained the title of "legends". He will explain the use of the ingredients and discuss the various choices and options, while showing the correct preparation of those drinks and invite all attendees for tasting.

15.00 - 17.00 / ACQUARIO DI LIVORNO for kids and families
Pesca il Pesce Giusto
Every 30 minutes € 4 per kid (max 20 kids per slot). Does not include the entrance ticket to the Acquarium which is not requested to participate.
Kids will become part of the "fishing business line" simulating to be fishermans, vendors or chefs, learning to choose the correct fish to use based on size and season, arriving to cook only the "right fish".

18.00 / GARDEN STAGE
HUMANGA DANGA (Belgium)

19.00 / GARDEN STAGE
THE GREASY GILLS (USA)

20.00 / GARDEN STAGE
EL ZEB (France / Belgium)

21.00 / GARDEN STAGE rotation set
THE GUANTANAMOS (Italy)
21.00 / MAIN STAGE
THE MANAKOORAS (USA)

22.00 / MAIN STAGE
THE KILAUEAS (Germany)

23.00 / MAIN STAGE
EL RAY (Denmark)

0.00 / MAIN STAGE
JIMMY DALE (USA)

1.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Afterparty show THE KILAUEAS (Germany)

1.00 / GARDEN
DJ Set MARTIN HEMMEL (Germany) + MISTY LANE (Italy)

11.00 / GARDEN STAGE
Sharks: An Animal at Risk of Extinction
Symposium by specialized personnel from the Acquario di Livorno
Due to their bad reputation, only related to their role of predators in nature, people usually don't like sharks, but their number is decreasing rapidly. Finning business and the use of parts of their bodies for medical or cosmetic purposes are the main causes of the damage, considering sharks have to wait until they are 10 years old before reproduction while giving birth to very few babies. Discover how to become friends with the sharks and know more about their life!
12.00 / GARDEN STAGE
UNKLE KOOK (Italy)
Matinee show

12.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Brunch & Fun
A nice occasion to meet with friends of the surf community and share ideas

13.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
SURFNADO TIKI SQUAD (Italy)
14.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
EL SANDEMAN & THE SUNDOWNS (USA)

15.00 / GARDEN
The Sound of Dick Dale
Symposium by Jimmy Dale (USA), Ron Eglit (USA) and El Zeb (France)
We have the pleasure and the honour to have Jimmy and Ron with us this year, two musicians who know "a little bit" about the sound of our musical father Dick Dale! Jimmy grew up with the sound of waves and lions in his ears, learnt to play guitar like his father and played drums for him; Ron has been on stage with Dick for 20+ years and was a fundamental part of the creation of Dick's trio sound. They will try to reveal some of the secrets of the original surf sound the way Dick Dale created it at the end of the 50s, what amps and gear he used and how he used it. Sebastian El Zeb will join the conversation giving his precious inputs since he loved the man so much he learnt to play his guitar strings upside down! This is going to be absolutely epic!

16.00 / GARDEN
Big Wednesday
Symposium by legendary surfers and co-author Denny Aaberg (USA), Franz of Surfer's Den (Milano)
This is truly a magical moment, one of those things destined to remain in our memory forever. In facts we will have Denny Aaberg from California talking about something that he co-wrote many years ago, a little movie that has become a cult for all of us and for which he even composed some music. This movie is called BIG WEDNESDAY (1978). This story has inspired many people, has represented a life lesson and someone even wrote books about it, like Franz, surfer and writer, who will present, next to Denny, the second edition of his work "SURF, un Mercoledi da leoni 40 anni dopo".
15.00 / TERRAZZA BAR
Tiki Cocktails
Symposium by Marie King (USA)
Once again it’s a pleasure to have Marie, recognized as one of the top bartenders in USA and certainly the Tiki Queen. Her constant work throughout the years gave her an incredible knowledge about mixing and serving cocktails, exploring new ways and researching the most obscure and sophisticated flavors, but also paying the greatest attention to the traditions and the original recipes. Marie will present the preparation of some cocktails and will let you try the results, whether you are a professional or a fan of tiki cocktails!

15.00-17.00 / ACQUARIO DI LIVORNO for kids and families
Oggi Cacciucco Io
Every 30 minutes € 4 per kid (max 20 kids per slot). Does not include the entrance ticket to the Acquarium which is not requested to participate.
In this laboratory the kids will learn to cook the "traditional cacciucco" (the famous fish soup from Livorno) in a sustainable way. They will understand what ingredients are necessary and select the correct fishes, but also learn the importance of protecting the marine environment and its inhabitants.

18.00 / GARDEN STAGE
THE STRINGS AFLAME (Mexico)

18.00 / SURF COVE AREA
Skate and Rolla Contest
Skateboarding contest organized by Contamined Skate Shop. Please get in touch with contaminedskate@yahoo.com to get further information and to participate! The contest is open to everyone, kids and adults.

19.00 / GARDEN STAGE
THE BABALOONEYS (Canada)

20.00 / GARDEN STAGE
THE BRADIPOS IV (Italy)

21.00 / GARDEN STAGE rotation set
THE SCIMITARS (USA)
21.00 / MAIN STAGE
SURFER JOE (Italy)

22.00 / MAIN STAGE
LES AGAMEMNONZ (France)

23.00 / MAIN STAGE
SATAN'S PILGRIMS (USA)

0.00 / MAIN STAGE
THE SURFARIS (USA)

1.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Afterparty show THE GREASY GILLS (USA)

1.00 / GARDEN
DJ Set ZOMBIERELLA (Russia) + BUDDY (Italy)

11.00 / GARDEN STAGE
THE MANAKOORAS (USA)
Matinee show

12.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Brunch & Fun
A nice occasion to meet with friends of the surf community and share ideas

12.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
LES AGAMEMNONZ (France)

13.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Sound of the Surf
Projection of the movie by Thomas Duncan (USA)

15.00 / GARDEN
The Surfaris, History of the Band and the First Wave of Surf Music
Symposium by Bob Berryhill (one of the original Surfaris members, USA)
How did the Surfaris started? How the surf music craze began? Who and what inspired those teenagers to create those sounds? A few questions we have to ask Bob who is coming to celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of the most popular tunes of all times that he co-wrote in 1963: WIPEOUT. We will take the chance to explore the history of surf music through the memories of someone who lived it all and became worldwide famous.

17.00 / GARDEN
Fuzz, All About It
Symposium by Garrett Immel (USA), Surfy Industries, Kuro Custom Audio

18.00 / GARDEN
Chuck Sperry
Meet & greet with the legendary artist
Like we did in other occasions, it will be a pleasure to have a world renowned artist to talk about his story and his life achievements. Chuck Sperry has done it all... and for many years his drawings and prints have been exhibited wherever punk rock, alternative or political protest art were on showcase. From the psychedelic Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco down to the Surfer Joe Summer Festival in Livorno, Chuck will guide the attendees through his creative process and how he puts his ideas onto paper. Chuck will also have some of his limited prints for sale.

19.00 / GARDEN STAGE
DR. TRITON (Mexico)

20.00 / GARDEN STAGE
STORIES FROM SHAMEHILL (The Netherlands)

21.00 / GARDEN STAGE rotation set
DAVE & THE PUSSIES (Austria)

21.00 / MAIN STAGE
LORDS OF ATLANTIS (USA)

22.00 / MAIN STAGE
THE VOLCANICS (USA)

23.00 / MAIN STAGE
MESSER CHUPS (Russia)

0.00 / VIP ONLY TIKI ROOM
Afterparty show THE GUANTANAMOS present: SURF JAM!

0.00 / GARDEN
DJ Set NO CLASS CREW (Italy)

Let's say something here. We have been surf music fans since we were kids, we grew up in the 90s with the amazing post Pulp Fiction surf revival and we have seen a lot of surf bands.

But if someone 20 years ago would have told us "you are going to create the largest surf music festival ever and one day you will have THE SURFARIS to play for you" we would have just had a big laugh.

I mean... THE Surfaris, the band who wrote the song Surfer Joe from which we took our very name, the ones who wrote Wipeout ("aahahhahhhahha..... wipeout!", yes that one!). And not only that: Bob Berryhill, one of the original members and co-founders, is going to share some time with us telling stories about how this whole thing started out in the early 60s.

Insane! But true. It's going to happen next June!

It's such a pleasure to have with us in 2023 a person who certainly knows more than anyone else the secrets of the original surf sound, because he learnt from the man who invented it - our god and musical father, the one & only Dick Dale - and he comes to show us how it's done: JIMMY DALE.

Since he was a kid Jimmy has performed with his father, joining him on second guitar or drums, becoming pretty quickly an amazing musician. He will certainly bring us a set based on the Dick Dale's classics we all know, so we expect power, volume and incredible energy. We have a Double Showman ready...

Sharing the stage with Jimmy Dale there will be the legendary RON EGLIT on bass (worked with Dick Dale for 20+ years) and Pieter Dedoncker on drums.

Thanks to VIP guests we CAN make the Surfer Joe Summer Festival happen.

They are the TRUE surf music fans, the ones who care the most, the ones who really want to be part of the event, attend to all shows, be able to talk & share with the artists. VIPs are our first and most important sponsor and whoever knows us at Surfer Joe Music is aware of the spirit and passion that have been driving us for years to produce this incredible festival.

Sorry - VIP tickets are currently SOLD OUT

WHAT YOU GET AS A VIP
There are only 200 VIP tickets available which give EXCLUSIVE access to the Tiki Room upstairs the Surfer Joe Diner. Yes you got it right, the whole Tiki Room is reserved for you!
But its' not over...

Admission to All Shows and Activities - this is obvious

Private Bar Open All Day & Night - never wait in line to get that beer or your favourite cocktail

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - a tradition of the festival to meet surf friends and enjoy the afternoon show

Private Exclusive Shows - nobody else can access to those

Meet & Greet - ask questions, get to know more and meet your heroes after symposium

Relax - well... if you want to escape for a moment :-) the Tiki Room is all yours...

oh and don't forget... the Official Festival T-Shirt is included in the price!

A great artist from Japan, involved in the Tiki world as designer of any kind of product and merchandise. His style is unique, taking inspiration from the tradition, but often introducing original elements of fantasy and fun.

We met Mookie at Tiki Oasis and it was instant love for his work! So we proposed him to help us with this year's artwork and he responded with great pleasure.

Mookie has realized the poster, which is available as merchandise item, and the artwork of t-shirts and mugs.