Ocean City, MD—After a rain-soaked start to Day 1, the second day of the Oceans Calling Festival welcomed festivalgoers with sunshine and clear skies, setting the stage for a perfect day of music and entertainment along the Ocean City boardwalk. With performances spread across three stages and special events, Day 2 delivered on its promise of beachside fun and unforgettable moments.
The day kicked off at 12:30 p.m. on the Sea Bright Stage with indie-rock band Glom, based in Brooklyn, NY by way of Washington, DC. Their sound combines the anthemic choruses of 90s alternative rock, the rich textures of shoegaze, and the tight rhythms of late 80s post-punk to create a new yet nostalgic experience. Their energetic performance set a lively tone for the day as they captivated early festivalgoers. “The sunshine makes all the difference,” said Kelly Donovan, 28, from Brooklyn, New York. “Yesterday was good despite the rain, but today’s weather feels like a proper beach festival.”
Meanwhile, over at the Carousel Stage, celebrity chef Robert Irvine teamed up with actor Jason Biggs for a crowd-pleasing cooking demonstration, where the duo prepared oat and fruit pancakes in front of an enthusiastic audience. “It was so much fun watching Chef Irvine and Jason Biggs joke around while making pancakes,” said Hannah Bell, 31, from Richmond, Virginia. “It’s definitely one of the more unique festival experiences I’ve had.”
At 1:15 p.m., singer-songwriter Katelyn Tarver took the Rockville Stage and treated the crowd not only to her heartfelt tracks like “Quitter” “Ignorance is Bliss” and “Parallel Universe,” but also a humorous travel mishap. Tarver shared a story about her arrival in Maryland, where she accidentally grabbed the wrong luggage at BWI Airport on Friday. “Two hours later, I realized it wasn’t mine and had to drive back to get it,” she told the crowd, laughing. “Always look at your luggage tag!” The audience erupted in laughter, enjoying the personal and relatable moment. “I came for the bigger acts, but Katelyn Tarver’s set was a real standout for me,” said Jacob Lee, 24, from Boston, Massachusetts. “She’s got such a powerful voice and relatable stories.”
Over on the Sea Bright Stage, Trevor Hall performed at 2:00 p.m., bringing a soothing mix of folk and reggae to the crowd. His setlist included songs that matched the beach atmosphere, creating a relaxed, laid-back vibe. “His music is perfect for chilling by the ocean,” said Chris Matthews, 26, from Virginia Beach, Virginia. “I felt like I was floating.”
At the same time, the Carousel Stage was home to The Samples, whose reggae-rock sound fit the beachside festival perfectly. Their performance provided a mellow backdrop for festivalgoers who were soaking in the sun and music. “This is the perfect spot for this kind of music,” said Sarah Winters, 34, from Charleston, South Carolina. “It’s a great way to enjoy the day.”
Back at the Rockville Stage, Switchfoot delivered a dynamic and unforgettable performance at 2:45 p.m. Lead singer Jon Foreman took crowd interaction to a new level, walking along the barricades and singing directly to the fans. At one point, Foreman laid back into the crowd, who held him up as he continued to sing, creating a powerful connection with the audience. The band’s set, which included hits like “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live,” had the audience fully engaged from start to finish. “Jon Foreman is such a great performer,” said Alex Johnson, 22, from Newark, Delaware. “Seeing him connect with the crowd like that was amazing.”
At 3:30 p.m., The Beaches, an all-female rock band from Canada, took the Sea Bright Stage by storm, delivering a high-energy performance that had the crowd dancing. Their set opened with the infectious “Fascination,” immediately capturing the crowd’s attention with its upbeat tempo. As they moved through tracks like “Me & Me” and the playful “Shower Beer,” the band’s dynamic energy fueled the crowd. Mid-set, the lively “Takes One to Know One” and the punchy “Jocelyn” kept the momentum going. The band slowed things down with “Everything Is Boring,” offering a more introspective moment, before closing their set with the catchy anthem “Blame Brett,” which had festivalgoers singing along to its memorable chorus. Their catchy tunes and infectious energy created a lively atmosphere on the beach. “I didn’t know much about The Beaches before, but now I’m a fan,” said Lauren Fischer, 27, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “They were so much fun!”
Simultaneously, on the Carousel Stage, folk-pop artist Brett Dennen delivered a laid-back set that allowed the audience to relax and unwind. His soothing tunes and mellow performance were a nice contrast to the more high-energy acts. “Brett Dennen’s voice is just so calming,” said Robert Ellison, 35, from Raleigh, North Carolina. “It was a great way to chill out before the evening acts.”
As the afternoon progressed, The Hives electrified the Rockville Stage with their intense, high-octane performance at 4:15 p.m. Their fast-paced garage rock sound had the crowd jumping and dancing along. “The Hives brought so much energy—it was crazy!” said Dave Miller, 29, from Trenton, New Jersey. “They were definitely one of my favorite acts of the day.”
At 5:15 p.m., indie-rock band Young the Giant took the Sea Bright Stage, drawing a large crowd with their introspective lyrics and powerful stage presence. Their set featured fan favorites like “Cough Syrup” and “Mind Over Matter,” captivating the audience from start to finish. “Young the Giant was incredible,” said Maria Lopez, 23, from Baltimore, Maryland. “Their live performance was everything I hoped for.”
On the Carousel Stage, indie-pop group Grouplove kept the energy high with their 5:15 p.m. set, featuring upbeat tracks like “Tongue Tied” that had the crowd singing and dancing along. Their playful performance was a crowd favorite. “They’re such a fun band to watch,” said Anna Sullivan, 30, from Arlington, Virginia. “Their energy is contagious!”
As the sun began to set, Rebelution brought their signature reggae sound to the Rockville Stage at 6:15 p.m., creating a relaxed and beachy atmosphere. Their chilled-out vibe fit the festival’s setting perfectly, as fans swayed to the rhythm of their laid-back tunes. “Rebelution was just what I needed to unwind,” said Michael Taylor, 33, from Wilmington, North Carolina. “Their music just works so well with the beach.”
At 7:15 p.m., a multi-generational crowd gathered at the Sea Bright Stage for one of the most highly anticipated acts of the day: The Beach Boys. The iconic surf rockers performed a set packed with classic hits, starting with “Do It Again” and rolling into crowd-pleasers like “Surfin’ Safari,” “Catch a Wave,” and “Surfin’ U.S.A.” The nostalgia was thick in the air as the crowd sang along to every word. Later in the set, the Beach Boys performed beloved ballads like “Surfer Girl” and “Don’t Worry Baby,” before launching into high-energy tunes like “Little Deuce Coupe,” “409,” and “I Get Around.” The emotional high point came with the timeless “God Only Knows,” followed by a cover of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas, and closing out with classics “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Barbara Ann.” “Hearing the Beach Boys live at the beach is something I’ll never forget,” said Jessica Richards, 44, from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “It was like stepping back in time.”
All-American Rejects Rock the Carousel Stage
At 7:15 p.m., The All-American Rejects brought their signature pop-punk sound to the Carousel Stage, giving festivalgoers another option for some high-energy rock. Opening with fan favorite hits like “Swing, Swing” and “Dirty Little Secret,” the band had the crowd singing along right from the start. Lead singer Tyson Ritter’s charismatic stage presence was on full display as he interacted with fans, keeping the energy high. They kept the momentum going with tracks like “Move Along” and “Gives You Hell,” bringing a sense of nostalgia to longtime fans while engaging new listeners. “I’ve been waiting to see them for years,” said Emma Carson, 30, from New Jersey. “Their set was everything I hoped it would be and more.”
As The Beach Boys wrapped up their set, punk rock veterans The Offspring took the Rockville Stage at 8:15 p.m., delivering a high-energy set filled with their iconic punk anthems like “The Kids Aren’t Alright” and “Self Esteem.” The crowd responded with mosh pits and enthusiastic singalongs. “The Offspring were everything I wanted them to be,” said Ethan Greene, 31, from Albany, New York. “They were a definite highlight of the day.”
Finally, as the night reached its climax, The Killers took the Sea Bright Stage at 9:30 p.m., delivering an electrifying performance that had the entire audience on their feet. Opening with the explosive “Somebody Told Me,” they immediately ignited the crowd. Their set continued with a mix of fan favorites and deeper cuts, including “When You Were Young,” “Spaceman,” and “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine.” The band also threw in their newest track, “boy,” along with a surprise cover of Tom Petty’s “American Girl”, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Other highlights included emotional renditions of “Smile Like You Mean It,” “All These Things That I’ve Done,” and “Human.” The night culminated with their most iconic track, “Mr. Brightside,” played in a 50/50 remix style that had the entire audience singing every word. “The Killers were the perfect way to end the day,” said Megan.
