315 Thursdays is back again with August and September concert series in both Hannover Square and the Westcott areas, to rock the block in Syracuse this summer. After winning the 2025 SAMMYS Community Spirit Award , the committee has put together another fun, eclectic and community-engaging series. We caught up with founder, promoter extradainare, DJ/MC and host Joe Driscoll.
315 Music: What was winning the SAMMY like this past year, what did that mean to your group?
Joe Driscoll: Man, absolutely flooded my heart to win the Community Spirit award. That’s been our intent with this series; it’s about more than just music and art, it’s about civic pride, and getting people to engage in their communities, feel excited and proud about their neighborhoods.
315 Music: With the renaming of your project to 315 Thursdays and the addition of Westocott to the Hannover series, how else do you plan to grow the music and community it touches?
JD: From the beginning of this effort, we’d always hoped this would something we could scale up. I’ve worked in music and in politics, and I’ve always believed these are the kind of events that help build the social fabric. We’re taking it one day at a time, but we’re putting it out there. We’d love to see this model expanded throughout CNY. It’s organized by a crew of people who are driven by equal parts music/arts enthusiasm and civic pride. We hope to connect with more like-minded folks to bring this to more and more areas.
315 Music: Why do you believe music is important in today’s society?
JD: One of the biggest reasons I pursued music was my fascination with how music transcends barriers. Music can bypass language barriers, race, ethnicity, culture…it has the power to bring people of all different backgrounds together. I think our country has never been more divided. A lot of that has to do with social media. Bringing all these people out, in the real world, dancing, smiling, it’s the medicine this country and our community needs right now, more than ever.
315 Music: What other collaborations are you looking forward to as you move forward with your series? Any shout outs you want to give?
JD: I used to run a series in the UK called ‘Local Posse’ that brought different musicians together to improv, and create shows that were one offs. We’ve talked about trying to incorporate more of that as we grow. Shout out to the SAMMYS crew for doing so much for the scene, and shouts to the Hamilton scene! Y’all have been spreading great vibes!
315 Music: If you could time travel to any musical moment in history to participate in or just be a fly on the wall, what would you choose and why?
JD: Man, tough – so many moments! I think I’d have to say Bob Marley in concert. The most influential artist in my life. I would have given my life savings to go see the Smile Jamaica concert! For those that don’t know what I’m talking about search YouTube, Bob Marley Caribbean Nights special! Forever the GOAT!
August 7, 2025
The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams w/s/g Pat Tato & The Baked Potatoes
August 14, 2025
Mighty Mystic w/s/g Akuma Roots
August 21, 2025
Joe Whiting Band w/s/g The Blacklites R&B Band
August 28, 2025
Gentlemen Brawlers w/s/g Brownskin Band
The 315 Thursdays crew & our beloved community concert series returns this summer for their 4th year, bringing live music, local flavor, and community connection to the streets of Syracuse!
Join us every Thursday in August near Hanover Square and every Thursday in September in Westcott for evenings filled with music, good vibes, and neighborhood celebration.
Each week features live performances, food and drink from familiar vendors and new spotlights on friends, neighbors and organizations, all outdoors and open to the public.
To be together, enjoy great jams, great company and great vibes!!
Interested in becoming a vendor? Visit – Wildflowers and McCarthy Mercantile
@315Thursdays
Website 315Thursdays.com
