Some songs are recognizable from the first few notes: one of ABBA’s greatest hits, “Dancing Queen,” is known for its iconic piano intro and use of synthesizer, evoking nostalgia from any disco pop lover. Good music, regardless of where it came from, has the power to connect vast audiences.
This summer, local bands will bring hits from all over the world to Pines Theater at Look Park for Northampton Arts Council’s 35th Transformance festival, Aug. 19, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. This year, the theme is “Immigrant Song.”
“Transformance is not only a Valley staple, but it’s part of what makes our valley special,” said Steve Sanderson, the arts events producer at Northampton Arts Council. “It’s a homegrown idea.”
Transformance began in 1991 as “Transperformance” to raise money for local schools that lost significant arts funding. Today, the event raises funds to support the arts in Northampton Public Schools and local Parent Teacher Organizations. A portion of profits from food vendors also goes to funding local PTOs, specifically arts projects, according to Sanderson.
“The message there is: come hungry and thirsty,” Sanderson said with a laugh.
Each year for Transformance, local musicians choose to perform as, or interpret the work of, a world-famous band that fits under the banner of that year’s specific theme. This year’s theme, “Immigrant Song,” stands out because it recognizes the immigrants who built America, according to Sanderson.
According to a statement from the Northampton Arts Council, the festival “honors the movement of people across the globe — past, present, and future — with performances inspired by global superstars and non-American bands.” Nineteen bands will perform music from artists like Kate Bush, Björk and Daft Punk, among many others.
“The bands take the themes very seriously, and they come ready to play,” said Sanderson. “Sometimes you think you are actually watching the band that they’re transforming into. It’s a night where all these amazing original artists from around western Mass. can pretend to be somebody else and … raise money for our public schools.”
Frank Padellaro, who plays acoustic guitar in Northampton’s King Radio, has played at the festival for the last 20 years and looks forward to reuniting with fellow artists every year.
King Radio will be performing as the Hollies, a British rock and pop band, for this year’s Transformance festival. Padellaro says that he chose the Hollies because they incorporated a large mix of sounds over the years and had unique songwriting.
“We’ll be playing a couple of songs that are acidly accurate to what’s going on in the country right now,” he said.
Padellaro added that he has a personal connection to the immigrant community: “The people in this area who I call friends [are] some of the most giving people I’ve ever been around, and that includes people who are undocumented, immigrants or first generation, green card holders and citizens of this country,” he said.
Padellaro’s own grandparents were immigrants and worked in the textile mills in Lawrence in the late 1800s, building the foundation for a better life for his father and him.
“If it wasn’t for immigration, I wouldn’t be here,” Padellaro said.
The veteran Transformance artist said that he also looks forward to seeing younger musicians and new bands play at the festival, as it reminds him of when he started and was watching the “old timers” play.
Ciarra Fragale is one artist new to the Transformance stage. Originally from the Hudson Valley, Fragale moved to Northampton in 2019 and looks forward to making her first Pines Theater appearance. She will perform music by Kate Bush, a British singer-songwriter.
Fragale said performing Kate Bush’s music feels “almost overwhelming” because Bush is one of her favorite artists, but she is excited to perform some hits and some lesser-known gems.
“I think that her music is incredibly evocative, and [her songs are] mini novellas, really,” Fragale said. “She’s iconic in so many ways.”
Citing Bush’s ability to touch people across demographics and societal classes, Fragale said, “I think the theme of ‘Immigrant Song’ is, you know, music that really brings people together because we’re all visitors here on this planet, and I think music has the opportunity to be the great unifier.”
Both Padellaro and Fragale said they were excited to reunite with fellow musicians and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
“One of my favorite things to do as a musician is play festivals … just because it’s an opportunity to be able to see so many of my other friends who, you know, are also playing shows a lot, but for one weekend or day, we get to all be in community together,” Fragale said.
Padellaro calls the festival a “rite of passage” for those living in the Valley and encourages people to bring lawn chairs and family to watch the show and support the community.
“It’s a great show every year and for people who are new to the community, it’s an awesome way to jump right into the middle of it,” he said.
“It’s a reunion of all of these local artists and their fans and their friends and our local organizations,” said Sanderson. “It’s got an incredible vibe that you can only experience live. Ninety-nine percent of the time, once you go, you never miss it again.”
The full lineup for Transformance, food options and more information about the festival is available at northamptonartscouncil.com.