Local Music Takes Over Fullerton in 10th Annual Day of Music Festival

By Mateo Sauceda, photos by Gaston Castellanos on June 24, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

The city of Fullerton celebrated a decade of local music on Saturday, June 21st, with the tenth rendition of its popular Day of Music Festival. The event was part of the larger Make Music Day, an effort to inspire musicians in over two thousandcities worldwide to share their art freely and passionately throughout their communities. Fullerton takes great pride in hosting the largest Make Music Day celebration in all of Southern California, and this year proved no different: over 60 venues citywide, ranging from bars and restaurants to libraries and barber shops, presented free, diverse music from more than 200 local artists and bands all day.

Some of the most notable performances of the day occurred at the historic Fox Theatre, which honored the 50th anniversary of renowned rock pop band Queen’s hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with a roster of cover performances from a diverse selection of groups. Additionally, pop singer/songwriter Bianca Franco held performances at many venues throughout the day, such as the Salon Technique and the Hopscotch Tavern. Indie-folk artist SANCHEZ BY THE SEA*, who has garnered many listeners on Spotify, also performed on Saturday at The Axe Lair.

While some venues hosted gigs of all sorts of genres, others remained exclusive to just one. For instance, the Big Bowl at Hillcrest Park held a great selection of blues groups throughout much of the afternoon. The venue saw a hefty crowd turnout, with attendance climbing into the hundreds as the day progressed. Performers from the day included the Chris Anderson Group, who captivated the audience with their rock undertones and elaborate drumming, as well as the Mark Fitchett and Michelle McBride Band, whose unique use of the harmonica paired well with their raspy vocals and twangy guitar to establish more of a country vibe within the Bowl. One of the highlights of the afternoon came from the LA-based band Saints of Sinners, who brought the house down (both figuratively and literally) with an electrifying combo of original songs and covers from famous performers such as KISS and Black Sabbath. Despite being one of the youngest groups of the event, with each of its members under 20 years of age, they did not disappoint at all. Lead singer and guitarist Joel Soto shocked the crowd by putting a speaker up in smoke and out of commission with his wide range of vocals and energetic strumming, which were supported well by Jett Bizon’s hardcore drumming and Justin Aragon’s deep bass.

Fullerton’s 10th annual Day of Music Festival gave music lovers all over the city a unique opportunity to support southern California’s local musicians from morning to midnight. By offering these performers a platform to present their passion for the community to hear, the event highlights the unmatched music presence that exists right here in Fullerton.Ultimately, it is events like the Day of Music Festival that allow for the survival of Fullerton’s rich history of music, keeping our musical spirit alive for years and years to come.