The stage was set for an extraordinary weekend in Asbury Park, New Jersey as the Sea.Hear.Now Festival returned to the Jersey Shore on September 14-15, 2024. This year’s festival geared up to be one for the history books, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlining Sunday night, marking the first time the legendary rockers performed on the beach in Asbury Park.
Day 1
A sea of fans gathered to enjoy an eclectic mix of notable rock and country bands on day one of the festival. Headlining the night were Noah Kahan, The Black Crowes, 311, The Revivalists, and many more artists and bands as well. Performances took place at three stages the Park Stage, Sand Stage and the main Surf Stage.
Sierra Ferrell
The country singer and songwriter, Sierra Ferrell, came on stage with a captivating, beautiful outfit while kicking off her set playing the fiddle. Her strong twangy voice was paired perfectly with the band’s instruments, including an electric guitar and a viola. She skillfully played a violin and acoustic guitar throughout the performance as well. Her and her band’s talent really shined through during the songs, “Oh Jeremiah” and “Lighthouse.” The strong instrumentation in both tracks created an astounding performance. It offered a unique experience to watch the band collaborate using a variety of instruments.
Guster
Continuing the day was alternative rock band, Guster. The three band members that played were Ryan Miller, the guitarist and lead vocalist, Adam Gardner, the guitarist and backing vocalist and Brian Rosenworcel, the drummer. Miller expressed his shock and gratefulness for how big the turnout was for their performance in the beginning of the set. For how good their performance was the band should keep expecting big crowds. Their set was also fun, the crowd was laughing due to Miller’s jokes and bubbly personality.
The Revivalists
Adding on, one of the headliners for day one, The Revivalists, continued with the alternative rock music representation. Their performance was outstanding thanks to the multitude of different elements they included. David Shaw, the lead singer also added to the success of the performance due to his amazing stage presence. The band member, Rob Ingraham also stole the show with his saxophone solos throughout the performance. During songs, like, “Good Ol Days,” the electric guitar and drums were also very prominent all working together to create a fantastic show.
The Hives
The Hives from Sweden also charged up the day, and we're not talking about their lightning bolt-themed black-and-white matching suits. Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist's herky-jerky moves and constant motion complimented the band's garage rock riffs quite well.
311
311 delivered a robust set of their reggae rock. The Omaha band is marking 34 years together, and they were popular in the city right from the start. They seemed to have planted their reggae rock seeds deep into Asbury Park, as the music is a constant hit on city stages.
Grace Potter
The head bobbing and dancing continued with Grace Potter’s performance. She opened her performance by playing her electric guitar which was complimented by her high energy; the crowd knew they were about to experience something great. Her supporting band included a bassist, guitarist and a drummer whose chemistry was palpable, letting their superb musicianship take center stage. All of them playing together created an amazing sound, especially during songs, “Mother Road” and “Something I Want.” Potter’s stage presence also helped contribute to a successful performance. Throughout the set, Potter was dancing on stage and enjoying herself which, in turn, made the set fun and memorable.
The Black Crowes
The American rock band, The Black Crowes was next up to play. What’s a rock band without an electric guitar and drums? So, of course, The Black Crowes had band members playing the two instruments which made for a great performance. The two instruments were very prominent during their set. Chris Robinson, the lead singer, let his passion shine as he danced and delivered powerful vocals.
Noah Kahan
Lastly closing day one of Sea Hear Now, was the highly anticipated headliner, Noah Kahan. Before he stepped on stage the crowd was chanting “Noah.” The excitement in the air overshadowed the salty beach breeze as the crowd eagerly prepared to see Kahan. Screams filled Asbury Park as he walked on stage, playing his acoustic guitar alongside his backing band. As he prepared to sing the first word of “Dial Drunk,” the crowd joined in, singing every word with him. He even stopped singing at times and the audience harmonized to keep the song going. Kahan expressed his shock to be headlining the same festival as Bruce Springsteen and also mentioned how he wore an all-denim outfit on purpose to fit the part. The little jokes he made throughout his set added a lighthearted touch, while his emotional songs tugged at the crowd’s heartstrings. His set included fan favorites “New Perspective,” “False Confidence” and “Growing Sideways” which had the audience mesmerized by his talent and down to earth musicianship. There were tears, smiles and laughter. Before each song, Kahan shared a little backstory, which were both sweet and heartwarming. Kahan was a fantastic way to conclude the day.
Day 2
Pent-up anticipation was a theme going into Sunday’s final musical offerings at Sea.Hear.Now. The thrill of a stacked list of talent–which included funk/soul masters Kool & the Gang, soft and breathy vocals from Norah Jones, and later on, final sets from Trey Anastasio Band, The Gaslight Anthem, and Bruce Springsteen–culled folks to select stages, eager for live entertainment.
As a musical representative from The Garden State, Springsteen made rounds before his event closing delivery, sitting in with Trey Anastasio and, later, The Gaslight Anthem.
Trey Anastasio Band
For the Boss’s initial advent, Trey Anastasio preluded his arrival by telling the story of his first time seeing the legendary rock and roller perform, mentioning his New Jersey upbringing, adding one of his first concerts was Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s performance on Nov. 1, 1978. Following up after “Push On ‘Till the Day” by addressing the audience. Anastasio said, “So if you’re wondering where I got the idea to play like we were just playing, the whole show was like that. And I am incredibly honored right now. When we were backstage, we asked Bruce if he would come out and play with us, and he said ‘yes.’”
To be expected, a wail of elongated “Bruuuuce” came from the audience as Springsteen himself arrived on stage. With smiles spread across their faces, Springsteen gave an obligatory “How we doing,” at which point Anastasio’s joy could not be contained, revealing a full-spread Cheshire cat smile. The two guitarists, backed by TAB, delivered one from The Boss’ archive, pulling “Kitty’s Back” from his second album, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle.
The Gaslight Anthem
After closing his time with Trey Anastasio Band , Springsteen kept the sit-in rolling. He showed up to The Gaslight Anthem’ set performing their opening numbers, the title track off their 2023 LP, History Books, and follow-up “American Slang.” Later on, bassist Karina Rykman sat in with The Gaslight Anthem. In a similar move to Summerstage in late August, she added a take on Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” and ensuing number, “The ‘59 Sound.”
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Following a plethora of warm-ups, Springsteen, now joined by his own E Street Band, arrived for their Sea.Hear.Now. frame featured special moments such as the first “Blinded by the Light” and “Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street” since 2017.
The group also dusted off “Thundercrack,” last played in 2016, and the same vein as the aptly titled “4th of July, Ashbury Park (Sandy),” another that had not been played for nearly eight years. Later, Springsteen’s wife and member of the band, Patti Scialfa, made her first on-stage appearance since receiving a cancer diagnosis and stepping away from the stage, turning up for a fitting take on “Tougher Than The Rest.”
Blessed with perfect weather, the Sea.Hear.Now Festival featured a diverse lineup of artists, musicians, and surfers, drawing thousands to Asbury Park's sandy shores. The weekend celebration, which has become a staple for music lovers, saw a surge in energy and excitement, capped by Springsteen's electrifying performance.
With another successful year in the books, fans are already buzzing with anticipation about how festival promoters, including Asbury Park's own Danny Clinch, will aim to top this year's unforgettable experience in September 2025.
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