Maryland is a hotspot for music festivals, with some major events in the DMV: All Things Go, HFStival, Country Calling, and of course, Oceans Calling.
The lineup was revealed in the spring of this year, and tickets quickly sold out within the hour. The second year of the festival includes a mix of the biggest names in rock, reggae, and folk.
O.A.R., a reggae-rock group helps put on the festival with C3 Presents. Not only do they help curate the lineup, they also perform two sets during the weekend: a full 60-minute set, and a special 75-minute “O.A.R. & Friends” set, which features some of the biggest names as guests during the show.
Here are the things you need to know for Oceans Calling this weekend in Ocean City, Maryland:
Activate Your Wristband
If you’re going and have received your wristband in the mail, it’s important to activate it before heading in. By doing this, you can link your name to it, as well as your credit card on file. The festival is cashless (though some vendors allow cash tips), so you’ll need a card anyway, but adding a card on file to your wristband makes the process a little easier.
Bag Policy
Make sure you know what you can and can’t bring into the festival. The Oceans Calling bag policy is similar to other festivals around the country.
Bags will be searched upon entry, which won’t take long if you arrive early. You’re allowed one-pocket clear bags, clear and empty hydration packs, and small fanny-packs or purses that are one pocket.
The hydration packs can be filled up for free at one of the hydration stations.
Box Office
Don’t have your tickets yet? You’ll need to pick them up at will call at the box office. The office is open during the following hours:
Friday, September 27th: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, September 28th: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday, September 29th: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
If you lose or cut your wristband, you’ll also need to get it replaced at the box office or guest services. This will cost you $20 as a replacement fee.
Locker Rental
Need to store your belongings during the day? You can rent a locker ahead of time or at the festival. Each locker is also equipped with a charging station for your phone.
General Admission lockers are $25 each day, or $60 for all three days.
Lost & Found
Lost an item? Check out the lost and found, which is available after the festival on Monday, October 2nd. You can also check guest relations, who may have your items during the festival if found.
Map
Below is the map of the festival.
The festival has implemented a “no blanket or towel zone” in front of the Sea Bright Stage, which is the main stage. This was added after Sea.Hear.Now first added it for this year.
The shops on the boardwalk will remain, as well as the Jolly Roger at the Pier, so don’t be afraid to check those out!
The Carousel Tent and Rockville Stage are on opposite parts of the festival grounds over the Sea Bright Stage, but are close to each other. Most of the food vendors and activations are near the Carousel Tent.
Schedule
Lastly, check out the schedule to figure out who you want to see at the festival. Read our full schedule article here. Bolded names are NJ Music Festivals Staff recommendations.
Doors open at 12:00 pm for each day, with a curfew at 11:00 pm.
Friday:
| Sea Bright Stage | Rockville Stage | Carousel Tent |
| 12:30 – 1:00: Stolen Gin | ||
| 1:00 – 1:45: Vincent Lima | ||
| 1:45 – 2:30: Winona Fighter | 1:45 – 2:30: Chef Marc Murphy | |
| 2:30 – 3:15: Phillip Phillips | ||
| 3:15 – 4:15: Larkin Poe | 3:15 – 4:15: Tonic | |
| 4:15 – 5:15: The Darkness | ||
| 5:15 – 6:15: O.A.R. | 5:15 – 6:15: Sugar Ray | |
| 6:15 – 7:15: 311 | ||
| 7:15 – 8:15: Cage the Elephant | 7:15 – 8:15: The Revivalists | |
| 8:15 – 9:30: Sublime | ||
| 9:30 – 11:00: blink-182 |
NJ Music Festivals Staff Recommendations
- 1:45 – 2:30: Winona Fighter – The band is a female-fronted, Nashville-based punk group who brings a ton of energy to the festival stage.
- 1:45 – 2:30: Chef Marc Murphy – This is not a musical performance, but a cooking show. Murphy is a well-known chef and a Food Network personality, and it’s something you don’t want to miss. The sets often have special guests to help cook as well.
- 3:15 – 4:15: Larkin Poe – Two sisters come together for their own unique Southern Rock sound in Larkin Poe. It’s refreshing, and it’s a great set for the beach.
- 5:15 – 6:15: O.A.R. – Even if you’re not the biggest reggae fan or O.A.R. fan in general, you should check them out. It’s their festival, so it’s a good way to give back to them, other than giving them your money for the tickets.
- 6:15 – 7:15: 311 – A legendary ’90s rock, reggae, and hip-hop group all mixed into one. The band has a new record, “Full Bloom” releasing this year.
- 7:15 – 8:15: The Revivalists – The Carousel Tent is fun to check out, and even more fun when a distinguished band is playing there. The Revivalists are more than that – with hits like “Wish I Knew You” and their newest track, “Kid,” they’ll put on a great set.
- 7:15 – 8:15: Cage the Elephant – A tough conflict between Cage and The Revivalists, but Cage the Elephant are one of the better bands you can see live now. Even with lead singer Matt Schultz’ injury, requiring him to perform on a scooter, it’s still energetic. Their new record, “Neon Pill” is out now.
- 8:15 – 9:30: Sublime – That’s right! The original Sublime is back, featuring Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell, and other original members. Check out some clips from their set at Coachella to see what you’re in for.
- 9:30 – 11:00: blink-182 – There aren’t many people who skip the headliners at festivals. Blink has a ton of energy and have risen back to fame since their reunion world tour in 2023. Just be ready for some not-so-safe-for-work jokes mixed in.
Saturday
| Sea Bright Stage | Rockville Stage | Carousel Tent |
| 12:30 – 1:15: Glom | 12:30 – 1:15: Chef Robert Irvine | |
| 1:15 – 2:00: Katelyn Tarver | ||
| 2:00 – 2:45: Trevor Hall | 2:00 – 2:45: The Samples | |
| 2:45 – 3:30: Switchfoot | ||
| 3:30 – 4:15: The Beaches | 3:15 – 4:15: Brett Dennen | |
| 4:15 – 5:15: The Hives | ||
| 5:15 – 6:15: Young the Giant | 5:15 – 6:15: Grouplove | |
| 6:15 – 7:15: Rebelution | ||
| 7:15 – 8:15: The Beach Boys | 7:15 – 8:15: The All-American Rejects | |
| 8:15 – 9:30: The Offspring | ||
| 9:30 – 11:00: The Killers |
NJ Music Festivals Staff Recommendations
- 12:30 – 1:15: Chef Robert Irvine – Again, this is a fun set. Another Food Network personality who has been seen on your favorite shows. Check it out!
- 3:30 – 4:15: The Beaches – A fully-female fronted alt-rock group, and one that is very good. Just listen to “Blame Brett” and you’ll be hooked!
- 4:15 – 5:15: The Hives – Maybe the best live band right now. The Hives shows at festivals are designed for people who don’t know them or have never seen them, so if that applies to you, it’ll be a fun time.
- 6:15 – 7:15: Rebelution – A solid, classic reggae band who is a household name in the genre. It’s pretty chill.
- 7:15 – 8:15: The Beach Boys – The band, which consists of like, 30 members on stage, is a fun time. They’ll play all their hits and then some. Lead singer Mike Love has taken control of the band, and John Stamos may show up!
- 7:15 – 8:15: The All-American Rejects – Not many C3 Festivals get a hold of this pop-punk group, so this will bring you back to Warped Tour times.
- 8:15 – 9:30: The Offspring – Remember what I said about The Hives? Yeah, just copy and paste that here. The Offspring have completely revamped their reputation and live act since the pandemic in 2020. Their new record, “SUPERCHARGED” comes out later this year.
- 9:30 – 11:00: The Killers – One of the most underrated headliners in music festivals. Yes, that’s a thing.
Sunday
| Sea Bright Stage | Rockville Stage | Carousel Tent |
| 12:30 – 1:15: Stephen Kellogg | ||
| 1:15 – 2:00: Jade Bird | 1:15 – 2:00: Chef Amanda Freitag | |
| 2:00 – 3:00 Big Head Todd & the Monsters | ||
| 2:45 – 3:45: Guster | 2:45 – 3:45: Lisa Loeb | |
| 3:45 – 4:45: Blues Traveler* | ||
| 4:45 – 5:45: Barnaked Ladies | 4:45 – 5:45: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong | |
| 5:45 – 6:45: O.A.R. & Friends | ||
| 6:45 – 7:45: Mt. Joy | 6:45 – 7:45: Boyz II Men | |
| 7:45 – 9:00: Counting Crows | ||
| 9:00 – 11:00: Dave Matthews Band |
NJ Music Festivals Staff Recommendations
- 1:15 – 2:00: Chef Amanda Freitag – Read above.
- 1:15 – 2:00: Jade Bird – The British singer is coming to Ocean City for an early afternoon set. It’s something that even if you don’t love the genre, you can still enjoy.
- 2:45 – 3:45: Guster – It’s something we can’t recommend enough. The band was popular in the ’90s, but have made a comeback this year with some festival sets and their new record.
- *Special Set: 3:45 – 4:45: Blues Traveler – The band has been around forever, and they’re playing one of their records, “Four” in full.
- O.A.R. & Friends: 5:45 – 6:45 – Like we mentioned earlier, this set is super fun. It’s mostly covers with special guests, and there are often some historic moments.
- Mt. Joy: 6:45 – 7:45 – The band made it big with their hit “Silver Lining” in 2018, and have been on the rise ever since, even headlining Madison Square Garden and opening for Noah Kahan at Fenway Park.
- Dave Matthews Band: 9:00 – 11:00 – DMB is a band that people either love or hate. They’re fun, and it’s a cool thing to see at least once. Plus, it’s two hours long, so you can leave early if you’re not a huge fan and beat the traffic!
If you’re going, enjoy, and don’t forget to tag @NJMusicFestivals in your Instagram stories and reels.
Header image: Ismael Quintanilla III
NJ Music Festivals 