Friday Night Live is a family-friendly, outdoor concert series, back every Friday, now through Aug. 24, 2018, except June 1 due to Herndon Festival. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
Herndon’s free outdoor concert series, Friday Night Live! (FNL!) is back every Friday now through Aug. 24, 2018.
FNL! Is held on the Town Green in Herndon, which is located behind the Herndon Municipal Center at 777 Lynn Street and adjacent to W&OD Trail and the town library. Festivities run from 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
FNL! Is produced by the Herndon Chamber of Commerce and presented by Volkswagen Group of America, the title sponsor. FNL will not take place on June 1 due to Herndon Festival.
FNL! features popular local bands from up and down the east coast. They play rock and roll covers, from classic to modern with some country and original music thrown in.
The band '2U + Big Al’s Truck' kicked off the FNL! 2018 Schedule as they faithfully recreated a 'U2' live show to a crowd of more than 1,000 patrons.
DOUG DOWNER is founder and chair of the Herndon Friday Night Live! Concert series. "We are looking forward to another great season. We have some new bands that haven't been here in a long time,” Downer said. “We also have some new food with Egg Karne joining us, and this month, some new beer, a pale ale called Whale's Tale from Cisco Brewers in Nantucket."
As for food, concertgoers should come hungry. Each week, Domino’s Pizza and locally based TurCuisine, a Mediterranean restaurant, will provide an assortment of food possibilities while the local Dairy Queen offers a selection of desserts and the Herndon High School Boosters sell fresh popcorn.
Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern and Egg Karne will rotate weeks to help diversify menu selections.
Beverage vendors include Bud Light, Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager, and Stella Artois, along with one other specially chosen Beer of the Month. The May 2018 Beer of the Month is Cisco Brewers Whale’s Tale Pale Ale. There is also a selection of wines available, as well as Spiked Seltzer. Sodas and water are available at the food vendor stalls. Alcohol sales and concessions end promptly at 9:30 p.m. A portion of tip money from alcohol sales goes to benefit the Herndon High School After-Prom and All-Night alcohol-free Grad Parties.
FNL! Concert organizers have the production of the 4 1/2 hour event down to a science. Entirely volunteer-driven, FNL! is supported each evening by 98 volunteers who do it all, from checking IDs, being trained ABC managers, marshaling and cleaning up the Town Green after each concert. FNL! is family-friendly. All entrances and exits are strictly staffed, and there is a police presence.
As for possible weather cancellations, according to FNL!, a concert "is almost always held unless actual rain forces us to cancel. We almost never cancel based on a forecast. More often than not, the rain forecasted is falling somewhere else, and our concerts are on. In the event of obvious inclement weather (raining all day in Herndon and not predicted to stop), we try to make a call as early as we can be sure, but generally, it is made late in the afternoon... (Visit) Facebook page and Twitter."
Other rules state: "No pets are allowed at Friday Night Live!... and no alcoholic beverages may be taken outside of the Friday Night Live! Concert area... Everyone must present a valid ID and obtain a wristband before purchase and to consume alcoholic beverages. "We card everyone--regardless of age.”
UPCOMING on the 2018 Concert Schedule for May 11 is Gonzo’s Nose. They will perform a special reunion show playing hits from the '80s. LauraLea & Tripp Fabulous follow on May 18, noted for "her excellent vocals, charming personality.”