March 4, 2025 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber, Prudential Financial CEO Charles Lowrey, and Asbury Park Mayor John Moor announced the lineup of performers for the third season of “Prudential North to Shore,” at a New Jersey Performing Arts Center press conference today.

This annual event brings a galaxy of first-class musical and comedy entertainers to star at venues across Newark and Asbury Park in June. This year’s lineup will include George Clinton; Gregory Porter, Jack Manequinn, Pete Davidson, John Mulaney, Jon Stewart, String Cheese Incident, Stone Temple Pilots, Slightly Stoopid, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Natasha Bedingfield, Natalia LaFourcade, Lawrence, and many others.

“Newark is long known to be a powerhouse of creativity, teeming with artistic expression – and exactly the kind of city perfect for hosting ‘Prudential North to Shore,’” said Mayor Baraka. “I am so excited about the incredible lineup coming here this year, and I look forward to celebrating this festival with neighbors who already love our city and visitors who soon will!”

In addition, two much-anticipated concerts – “HOT 97 Summer Jam, the beloved annual celebration of hip-hop and R&B, and Rock the Bells” – will be part of the “Prudential North to Shore Festival” this season.

Conceived by Governor Murphy and First Lady Murphy in 2023, this year’s festival returns with “Laughs and Jams,” a special focus on comedy and music.

In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows in 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City, making it New Jersey’s largest summer arts festival.

“Now more than ever, we celebrate the qualities that make New Jersey one of America’s greatest centers of diversity, creativity and innovation,” said Governor Murphy. “Prudential North to Shore is really more than a festival – it’s a showcase of everything that makes this state so unique, so welcoming and such fertile ground for the arts.”

Following the kick off, for two consecutive weeks, comedians of all stripes and musical acts including Bleachers, Stone Temple Pilots, Third Eye Blind, and more, will perform in venues across Asbury Park and Newark. At the same time, free community events will welcome festivalgoers with a taste of the rich and varied arts and culture scene that thrives in each city.

“In just three short years, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ has become the premier showcase of our state’s incredible depth of talent,” said First Lady Murphy. “I cannot wait to enjoy all the festival has to offer alongside visitors from around the region and from all over the country.”

A portion of all “North to Shore” ticket sales will directly benefit Growing Healthy Pantries – a partnership between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, FoodBank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, Norwescap and Feeding America, which addresses food security statewide and supports 1,000 food pantries across the state’s 21 counties.

The lineup was unveiled today during a press conference at NJPAC’s iconic Prudential Hall, where festival organizers, supporters and arts and entertainment fans gathered to learn more about this year’s format.

“The breadth of experiences ‘Prudential North to Shore’ offers is unlike that of any other festival in the nation,” said President Schreiber. “We’re excited to offer something this year that is focused, bold and more Jersey than ever. Laughs and jams – comedy and music – will provide fans with unforgettable, life-enhancing experiences and the kind of joy we all need and deserve.”

This year, “Prudential North to Shore” has again collaborated with advisory groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and Newark to provide Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards. Through this program, the festival awards local artists, arts organizations, nonprofits and small businesses with up to $10,000 each to self-produce performing and visual arts eventsduring the festival. A full list of thePrudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards recipients can be viewed here.

Additionally, select Community Arts Awards winners will be offered the opportunity to perform as opening acts for headliners appearing at mainstage and club venues in Asbury Park and Newark, giving them an unprecedented opportunity to connect with new fans.

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with NJPAC and return as the title sponsor of the Prudential North to Shore Festival,” said Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and chair of The Prudential Foundation. “For 150 years, Prudential has been a rock for millions of people around the world, helping them build financial security and live better lives longer. That path starts in our local communities, and we’re excited to help bring North to Shore’s economic engine and boost to the creative economy back to our hometown of Newark and across New Jersey.”

The “2025 Prudential North to Shore Festival” is also supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

“The NJEDA is proud to once again partner with ‘Prudential North to Shore,’” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Not only does the festival bring communities together through arts, but it has become an economic engine that supports local restaurants, businesses, hotels and main streets during the heart of the summer season.”

NJPAC is producing this multi-city celebration with leadership support from Prudential Financial, the festival’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Arts Center is also collaborating with partners NJEDA, CRDA, Outfront Media Group, NJM Insurance Group, United Airlines, and Mosaic – from NJ.com, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health.

“Beyond just providing emergency food to feed our neighbors in need for today, New Jersey’s food banks are also working to address the long-term causes and consequences of food insecurity, including lack of access to healthy options,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Growing Healthy Pantries is one critical way that we’re promoting nutrition, choice, and dignity at pantries across the state to address hunger as a health issue. We’re so grateful to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, NJPAC, and the Prudential North to Shore festival for their continued commitment to our shared mission.”

“Music and the arts are woven into the very DNA of Asbury Park, and ‘Prudential North to Shore’ is the ultimate celebration of that artistry and spirit,” said Mayor Moor. “This festival not only spotlights the incredible talent that thrives here but also reinforces Asbury Park’s legacy as a cultural and economic engine in New Jersey.”

This year, in Atlantic City, “Prudential North to Shore” community events will be produced throughout the year, extending the celebration’s impact on creatives and community groups.

About Prudential North to Shore Festival

The Prudential North to Shore Festival, launched in 2023, features all the talent, diversity and creativity that New Jersey has to offer, packed into two extraordinary weeks of performances, parties, and conversations in three of the state’s most iconic cities. Hosted by Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark, the Prudential North to Shore Festival brings together events at more than 100 venues for an over-the-top showcase of Jersey excellence, aligned with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision of a celebration worthy of the Garden State’s long legacy of innovation and excellence in the arts. For the latest updates and new concert listings, visit northtoshore.com.

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for 150 years. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.

About NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 12 million visitors (including more than 2 million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org for more information.

For photographs, click here.

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