On the first day of Music Under the Stars, a communal concert held every summer, a local band “Don’t Call Me Francis” took the stage at 7:15 p.m. Before they took the stage, a band made up of Cherry Hill Public School students played at 6:30 following up to Mayor Chuck Cahn giving a kick-off speech to start the main band and concert over the next few weeks. Music Under the Stars will be happening once every week this July at the Barclay Farmstead with different bands and music genres playing each time.

As many Cherry Hill residents sat on blankets and lawn chairs while enjoying the performance by Don’t Call Me Francis, children had access to a moon bounce and the playground while others could watch the show, dance and walk in the nature trail next to the farmstead. Between the crowd and playground was a huge field where kids were playing football, Frisbee and catch. The Barclay Farmstead also had food concession stands and permitted dogs to be in the concert which made the atmosphere more convenient for families who did not bring food or had pets. Overall, there was a lot to do at the concert, however most people sat to watch the show.

The main event, Don’t Call Me Francis, played a mix of both older and newer songs ranging from Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove” to “Moves like Jagger” by Maroon 5, however they usually played music from the 1940’s. Halfway through the concert, some people in the audience got up and danced in front of the stage.

Every instrument in the band played a large role in one song or another. No instrument was used too much or too little, and the overall product was leveled out in sound, though at some parts the instruments overpowered the lead singer.

This ten-member band consisted of vocals, percussion, guitars, keyboards, trombones, trumpets and saxophones which made some songs, like “Love Train” by The O’Jays, sound extremely professional. Before ending the first concert of Music Under the Stars 2014, Don’t Call Me Francis played “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Every Tuesday at the Barclay Farmstead until July 29, different local bands will be performing at the Music Under the Stars concert starting at 6:30 p.m. The following bands after Don’t Call Me Francis includes The Kootz, The Mango Men and classic rock and country music from 1970 and earlier.