‘American Idol’ star set to perform this summer

Season 18 “American Idol” contestant Shannon Gibbons is scheduled to perform at multiple venues in her hometown of Bellport this summer.

Gibbons kicked off her summer performance slate at the 15th annual Montauk Music Festival last month.

“Since the Montauk Music Festival, that was like my introduction back into live performance again,” Gibbons said. “My original music is really sacred to me, and I got to perform it for the first time on a bunch of cool venues and even the main stage, right in the middle of town, it was really cool.”

Gibbons’s next gig will be at The Bellport Bandshell, an outdoor performance venue located at the Bellport Marina, on Friday, July 3, with band Dirt Soup.“I am doing a few songs with my best friend’s band; they’re a band of all my old members,” Gibbons said. “It means a ton.”

Following her performance at The Bellport Bandshell, Gibbons’s first official solo gig will be at Cafe Castello, an Italian restaurant located in the heart of the village, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.

This performance will be especially special for Gibbons, as Cafe Castello was the venue of her first gig at the age of 16.

“It’s the first place I’ve ever gigged as a band,” Gibbons said. “I’m coming back there for a fun time; it’s going to be an outdoor show.”

Additionally, Gibbons will be continuing her work at the Gateway Playhouse, a professional regional theatre located in Bellport, with an appearance in a  series of fundraising cabaret events later this summer.

Gibbons has been gigging in her hometown since she was only 16 years old and says these local shows mean everything to her.

“I’ve been gigging since I was 16 years old, a couple times a month or almost every weekend,” Gibbons said. “What life is about is to sing in your hometown, like it’s the most amazing feeling because of the people.”

Gibbons is excited for her shows this summer and hopes to add more performances to her schedule in the upcoming months.

“It’s going to be super special,” Gibbons said. “Hopefully, a lot more gigs to come.”