Inside Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Drummer Alex Gator Petropulos

In episode 32— the final Music Festivals Podcast episode of Season 2— I talk with Alex "Gator" Petropoulos, Drummer for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. 

Alex shares the fascinating story of how he joined the band in 2015, bridging the gap from his roots in New Hampshire and his early music ventures in New England to becoming a core member of the group. He elaborates on the musical influences he brings to the band, particularly his love for Latin, Afrobeat, and heavy music, which have blended into the band's diverse improvisational jams.

The episode also gets behind the scene of the band's meticulous approach to improvisational jams, highlighting the dynamic creativity that characterizes their live performances. Alex provides insight into their unique recording process, explaining how they strive to capture the energy of their live shows in studio albums, including their latest release, "Day and Time". He discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing the spontaneous nature of live performances with the structured environment of the studio, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process.

We touch on the history and significance of DomeFest, the band's self-hosted music festival, which is moving to New River Gorge this year. He discusses the festival's roots, its evolution, and the vibrant community it fosters. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the special relationship Pigeons Playing Ping Pong maintains with their dedicated fan base, The Flock, describing it as a community of familiar faces and shared experiences that bolster the band's performances and growth.

Last Chance to Enter: Win Passes to CaveJam 2025

Neighbors have until midnight on February 28th, 2025 to enter our drawing to win 2 FREE 2-Day GA Passes with Early Entry Car Camping valued at $286 per pass!  Our thanks goes out to the festival producers at The Caverns for making this opportunity available to our subscribes to The Neighboorhood weekly email newsletter.

Don't miss your chance to experience incredible performances on the outdoor Amphitheater stage and the underground cave stage that makes The Caverns one of a best festival venues in the U.S.A.

CaveJam 2025 will be held at The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, over Memorial Day weekend from May 24th–25th, with headliners including The String Cheese Incident, The Infamous Stringdusters, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Armchair Boogie and many more regional and local artists.

The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Saturday, March 1st, 2025 and their names will be added to the CaveJam 2025 guest list at the gate. You have until midnight on Friday, February 28th, 2025 to submit your entries.

To enter to win, simply click the button below and complete the form by following some social media profiles and dropping in your basic information — Good luck, Neighbors! 😎

Up Next Week: WinterWonderGrass Festival 2025 Recap

Next week on the Music Festivals Podcast, I recap last week's trip the very bouchée festival accommodations of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and the very unique WinterWondergrass Festival that happened from February 27th – March 2nd.

Photocredit: @neighborN8 - Kitchen Dwellers, Friday 9/28

This niche ski mountain bluegrass festival brought together an incredible lineup of bluegrass, jamgrass, and roots music set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, and blends world-class live music with outdoor adventure, offering attendees a chance to ski and board the legendary slopes of Steamboat Resort by day and enjoy intimate, high-energy performances by night.

Photocredit: @neighborN8 - Cousin Curtis, Thursday 9/27

This year’s lineup features Trampled by Turtles, The California Honeydrops, Kitchen Dwellers, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, and more, with late-night Grass After Dark sets keeping the party going. Steamboat Springs, known for its natural hot springs, vibrant ski culture, and breathtaking alpine scenery, provides the perfect setting for this unforgettable winter music experience. With its small-town charm and deep-rooted Western heritage, Steamboat makes WinterWonderGrass more than just a festival—it’s a destination.

Win 2025 Festival Passes for You and a Neighbor

If you found this website for the first time on a Google Search, I’d love to have you join The Neighborhood. That's our official email newsletter

Neighborhood subscribes get exclusive content that's not published on the website or channels as well as chances to enter drawings for ticket giveaways to festivals all over the U.S. Subscribers also get access to discount codes and deals from our growing list of supporting partners.  

Make sure to visit the homepage and sign up to Join the Neighborhood with your email address. You'll get no more than one email each week as we roll into the spring and summer festival seasons. See you on the inside. 👋

Festival Performance of the Week 

This weeks festival performance of the week shows the last full set performance from Domefest, held at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio in 2023.  This iconic venue ​was established in 1978, and is a historic outdoor concert venue located in Thornville, Ohio, approximately two miles from Buckeye Lake.

Originally known as the Buckeye Lake Music Center, this 230-acre site has hosted a myriad of legendary artists over the decades, including The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Bon Jovi, and Jimmy Buffett. The venue's evolution from its grassroots beginnings to a premier music destination has solidified its status as a cornerstone of Central Ohio's live music scene. Today, Legend Valley continues to attract thousands of visitors annually, hosting prominent events such as the Lost Lands Music Festival, Dark Star Jubilee hosted by All Good Presents and, and even Insane Clown Posse's annual Gathering of the Juggalos.