Sea.Hear.Now continues its winning streak, once again delivering a jam-packed weekend of music, surf, and local flavor. Maybe it’s the beachside setting or the golden end-of-summer weather, but there’s truly no other festival with vibes this chill. Even with a sizable crowd, the layout never feels cramped. The food is delicious and served by local vendors, while the shops and artists maintain an authentic, homegrown feel—a refreshing contrast to the usual corporate booths at other major festivals. The event’s co-founder Danny Clinch also had his annual gallery of photography and art commissioned from the festival lineup, which included everything from artist polaroids to Public Enemy surfboards.
Last year’s high-water mark was the return of hometown hero Bruce Springsteen. Rather than try to top that this year with sheer star power, though, organizers curated yet another eclectic lineup that balanced legacy acts with fresh talent. Hozier had no trouble closing out night one with a crowd that stretched across the sand. blink-182 followed on night two, drawing die-hard fans for a blast of pop-punk nostalgia. Hozier wasn’t the only Irishman on the bill, as Inhaler ignited the Park Stage crowd—a swarm of screaming fans—on Saturday early in the day, helping to maintain momentum that lasted all weekend.
Hip-hop icons Public Enemy were another standout, with Flavor Flav and Chuck D bounding around the stage with youthful energy. De La Soul also kept the Sand Stage crowd on their feet, delivering a set full of their trademark boom-bap bounce. 4 Non Blondes aren’t festival regulars, but Linda Perry looked right at home as her powerful voice and tight band surprised and impressed with a set mixing covers and classics.
Public Enemy
The always-reliable Spoon delivered a sharp set of fan favorites (along with some new tracks that have been lighting up local radio in recent weeks), while Remi Wolf bounded onstage like a technicolor whirlwind, exuding wonder and pure joy. Grace Bowers showed off some serious guitar chops, and TV on the Radio turned up the heat with a politically charged, high-voltage set, dropping musical bombs and launching chants of “Free Palestine” with fearless urgency while putting ICE on notice for “stealing your neighbors.”
Alabama Shakes made a triumphant return after a long hiatus. Brittany Howard took the stage with swagger, unleashing intense vocals one moment and soulful serenity the next. Her guitar work? Simply mesmerizing. One of the undisputed highlights of the weekend was LCD Soundsystem. Making their Sea.Hear.Now debut, James Murphy and crew delivered a thunderous set of dance-punk brilliance. At one point, the bass hit so hard it felt like it was rearranging our internal organs. If this show was any preview, their upcoming NYC residency is going to be unmissable.
All in all, the organizers should be proud. Sea.Hear.Now has firmly established itself as a can’t-miss annual event—one that’s become a true highlight of the year for music lovers, beach bums, and surf fans alike.
Alabama Shakes
Remi Wolf
Remi Wolf
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
Mannequin Pussy
Spoon
Spoon
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
Inhaler
Inhaler
Inhaler
Hozier
Hozier
Grace Bowers
Grace Bowers
Gigi Perez
ZZ Top
4 Non Blondes
