Why Sea.Hear.Now Is So Much More Than A Music Festival
As a New Jersey shore native, born and raised, there was something so cathartic about coming down to the coast from New York that immediately brought back the memories of summer on the beach (even with the less-than-stellar weather). Hopping off the train, I started my trek to the festival alongside hordes of other guests. Stationed along the boardwalk, I passed many bustling boutiques and restaurants on the walk over as I looked around for a needed souvenir. With the sheer number of people walking about, you could easily forget that it wasn’t summer anymore.
After scanning in, I immediately went to grab some band merch but was swept away by the Transparent Clinch Gallery Pop-Up Art Tent, which carried pieces made by this year’s lineup. I was even lucky enough to catch an intimate The Goo Goo Dolls performance on Day 2! Walking through, I got a pleasant surprise of artwork and talent I never would have known about otherwise.
The festival doesn’t try to build around the town, but rather builds with it, utilizing open local businesses as food stalls and transforming the Grand Arcade into a decked-out mini mall. After grabbing some dearly missed fried Oreos, I sat and watched the surf competition from the boardwalk while enjoying the music in the background. The vibe was nothing short of amazing as I made friends with the locals while touring the brand booths. There was always something to observe; on my way to grab a bag for Rock & Recycle, I came across a makeshift Dolly Parton statue with the traveling Ocean Avenue Stompers playing around her. While picking up trash for my free shirt (shoutout to Rock & Recycle!), I found the NJ Lottery booth, and although I didn’t win on my scratch-off, I ended up with a free bandana and bag, so I more than won in my book. The Park Stage VIP area was such a lifesaver and became my new home whenever I needed to sit down and relax between sets or buy items without waiting in long lines.
There wasn’t the usual anxiety about showing up hours before doors open for the barricade or waiting 10 hours just to hold your spot. Although everyone was equally excited to be there, there wasn’t a desperate fight to be the first person through the gates. Day 1 consisted of an older, laid-back crowd prioritizing the overall experience over proximity to the stage. Getting there an hour before doors opened on Saturday, I’d say there was a group of 40 people max at the Surf Stage entrance. This was so refreshing compared to fighting hundreds for the same spot, but it makes sense for this kind of festival. It doesn’t ask you to stay in one spot all day, but rather turns the entire experience into a coastal vacation. Knowing I’d be standing near them for the next 10 hours, I was quick to befriend the early birds around me. Most of the group had seen the artists in the past and were using this festival to relive the magic once again. I even ran into fellow Columbia students who were locals and long-time festivalgoers. We talked about how you don’t get this type of harmony between a festival and its location anywhere else, and how the day’s lineup was easily one of the best (even if the rain tried to stop it). Between sets, we had hour-long breaks to chat, grab food, and swap concert stories as if we’d known each other our whole lives, which I think speaks to the crowd Sea.Hear.Now attracts. A woman who had seen The Goo Goo Dolls seven times this year brought us free food to share, and another fan snagged a setlist for someone nearby. We even switched places so shorter fans could enjoy their favorite acts. At every festival, the crowd can make or break the experience, but the friends I made easily made this the best festival I’ve ever attended. With a 30-minute walk and a 2-hour train ride back in the pouring rain, I’m fortunate I didn’t have to suffer solo through the trek!
Fitz and the Tantrums were a blinding ray of good vibes, bringing new music to show that they can still write a classic like my new personal favorite, “King Kong.” The lawn became a hivemind of clapping hands, sing-alongs, and dancing on the grass. The band’s stage presence was unmatched, using every single moment to warm up the crowd.
Over the two days, I learned that you never truly know a band until you see them live. I watched the lead singer of The All-American Rejects sign a girl’s forehead right in front of me—a silly request that turned into a hilarious standoff between him and security until he challenged the pushback by reminding them whose name was on the ticket. Although I managed to miss their previous secret backyard shows, the eccentric, barefoot singer still brought that same raw energy, calling out anyone not matching his level.
Armed with clapsticks and a didgeridoo, Yolngu surf-rock icons King Stingray immediately hooked me from the very second they took the stage. Their infectious energy and seamless blend of Indigenous Australian heritage with high-octane riffs created a mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind experience. Setting a high bar for Day 2, they perfectly captured the true heart of the weekend despite traveling halfway across the world. Packed with soaring sing-alongs, the crowd was completely swept away by their sound.
My personal must-see, Fontaines D.C., delivered an unforgettable, jolting hour from start to finish, even playing a new song, “Six Shot Morning,” alongside their all-time best. A map of Ireland and explicit support for Palestine were front and center, as they always make sure the audience knows that art is political. Frontman Grian Chatten utilized every inch of the stage, even hopping off to sing atop the barricade boxes and standing on the speakers. Mosh pits formed and my vocal cords were shot as the show went on, making me dread the end of the set. The person next to me bought a ticket for their NYC show the next day immediately after the set ended, stating, “Money is temporary, but my love for Fontaines is forever”—which couldn’t be truer. The fight for the setlists was brutal, with crowds pushing to the front, though security opted to walk them away instead. I never give up, though, so while everyone returned to normal, I tracked down a guard with the papers and quietly convinced him to hand one over.
With the rain coming down, everyone with enough Goo Goo Dolls knowledge was hyping up their famous 2004 “Iris” performance from Buffalo, NY, hoping for a repeat. Although we weren’t blessed with a full downpour, we were taken aback by the sheer star power of the band, turning me from a casual listener into someone actively trying to figure out how to go to Ocean’s Calling the following week. I was even one of the lucky few who got to interact with the lead singer during his electrifying walkdown through the crowd. After their performance, we successfully snagged two setlists for the fans behind us and were even featured on the official Instagram page!
With the crowd showing no end in sight as you looked behind you, and some fans humorously yelling “Stroke It!” toward the stage, the shadowy figures of The Strokes emerged to “Lonely in the Future.” The shared consensus that their newest album, Reality Awaits, sounds even better live was proven true throughout the performance. The light show was a masterclass in itself, enhancing the futuristic vibe of the music. Between songs, Julian Casablancas took time to crack jokes and banter about how much he talks during sets. After a fakeout encore, we were treated to the perfect trinity of “12:51,” “Ode to the Mets,” and “Last Nite.” The battle for setlists afterward was ruthless amidst the downpour, but I successfully set my sights on a guitar pick that I’ll now treasure on a necklace. Others around me managed to get a setlist after persistent begging, where we discovered that “Is This It” and “Selfless” were tragically cut for time.
Almost every band delivered a message of hope and love for humanity that felt deeply meaningful in these times. The crowd was a perfect symbol of that community, and I haven’t been able to stop talking about the experience since. If you’re hesitating to come down to see your favorite band or discover new music along the beach, Sea.Hear.Now has cracked the code on creating the perfect festival experience. I can’t wait to return next year under sunnier skies!