Growing up in mid-2000’s Doylestown, Joe Montone fell in love with the local live music scene and its thrilling mix of art, community, and connection.
He fondly remembers attending shows every weekend, seeing major touring acts and local bands including The Wonder Years and Balance & Composure. He remembers sadly-departed venues such as Moose Lodge and RAT Gallery which offered a “blissed out glimpse at having a member supported DIY space for music and art built by a multi-generational community.” Montone’s passion for pushing the scene forward has led to a successful, storied career in producing and promoting concerts, including starting Picnics on Pine – a beloved all-ages block-party series.
Joe Montone introduces Ceramic Animal at Picnics On Pine | photo by Adam Barabas
Over the years, Montone has developed a keen understanding of the holes in the business and its room for growth. He believes Bucks County represents a uniquely challenging place to organize shows, lacking many traditional venues and a city-size concert-going population. Yet these difficulties have only further inspired him to help expand the scope and success of the local scene.
Enter Stage United, a promising non-profit Montone is set to launch this spring. The organization will work to create a more sustainable live music scene in the Doylestown community through booking dynamic, diverse bills that deepen relationships between audiences and artists. “This is such an exciting next chapter because it encourages us to work even closer together in creating lasting memories at venues unique to our town,” Monotone said in a press release. It’s a promising proposition, offering support and infrastructure for local artists and exciting concerts for the local community.
Little Flowers at Picnics On Pine – September 2022 | photo by Adam Barabas
Stage United will launch with Picnics on Pine, which begins its fifth season on Saturday May, 11th with a top-notch lineup featuring the rising local artists Moustapha Noumbissi and CLOVER. Their sounds are totally different but equally enticing; Noumbissi makes psychedelic rock and soul fusion, while CLOVER crafts deeply personal indie-pop.
Montone tells WXPN he picked the artists for their “truthful and moving” art and its exploration of “so many spaces still with a mega-dose of soul.” Head to 84 East Oakland Avenue in Doylestown for the music and so much more, including a market full of local vendors and a fun picnic-inspired menu offered by Simply Delicious By Tina.
As its big launch approaches, a world of possibilities awaits Stage United. Montone plans to feature a huge range of artists, partner with various venues, and connect to the live music community outside of Doylestown. He’s already plotting a packed fall, with plans to work with concert venues such as PUCK + TileWorks.
Before then, Picnics on Pine is scheduled for select Saturdays during May and June, including an exciting collaboration with Doylestown Pride. The partnership will present Pride Music Day, featuring returning Doylestown favorite Froggy, along with recent Key Studio Session stars Mandy Valentine and indie jazz folk fusion outfit The Side Chicks. Visit stageunited.org and picnicsonpine.com for more information on all upcoming events.