2025 has begun and tours, lineups, and more music news have already been announced.
Below is a list of 25 predictions for the New Jersey music scene in 2025. Each one relates to New Jersey or our coverage.
Sea.Hear.Now features most NJ locals on lineup
Sea.Hear.Now saw more locals in the 2024 lineup than ever, with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Kool & the Gang, The Gaslight Anthem, Sunshine Spazz, Sonic Blume, and many more. 2025 will top that.
Fall Out Boy headlines Sea.Hear.Now, Governors Ball, and Oceans Calling
Fall Out Boy are making their rounds as a can’t-miss rock act in the C3 Presents circuit. They are a must-book act this year.
A new major festival is announced in New Jersey
In 2023, we saw a brand new pop-punk festival, Adjacent, produced by Live Nation, along with the return of Bamboozle. Since, it’s been quiet. It’s time for a Memorial Day Weekend festival in the Garden State.
Bruce Springsteen plays homecoming show at Prudential Center
Bruce’s return to Prudential Center in Newark a few years ago was an experience that is tough to beat. The MetLife Stadium run was cool, but arenas will always be better than stadium shows.
Phish returns to NJ
Phish hasn’t been back to New Jersey since their festival in Atlantic City in 2022. It would be cool for them to return. Plus, Trey Anastasio has been around.
Sea.Hear.Now gets its first repeat artist
When signing its initial contract, Sea.Hear.Now wasn’t allowed to book the same artist twice. Now, they could be in the clear. We might see the return of an artist we’ve already seen on the lineup – there’s been so many!
Barefoot Country sells most tickets in festival history
Barefoot Country Music Fest’s fifth anniversary lineup is one of their strongest yet and will certainly move tickets in Wildwood. How many, though?
Billy Joel likes New Jersey and announces another show for 2026
We love Billy Joel, but he’s got to get out of New York! He’ll be in New Jersey for the first time in a while this year with Stevie Nicks, and maybe he’ll like it.
Soundside Festival returns with Neil Young
Soundside’s journey as a festival has been rocky, but has continued to be successful. Its return would be welcomed in 2025, and Neil Young seems like a fitting headliner.
Snacktime plays their biggest show to date
Philadelphia’s favorite band, Snacktime, have had a record year in 2024, touring with Portugal. the Man, playing festivals, and playing with Jason Kelce. I think we’ll see their biggest year and biggest shows in 2025.
Joker’s Republic makes a return to Starland Ballroom
New Jersey ska will be represented well by Joker’s Republic with their return to Starland Ballroom. Maybe we’ll even get another Skanksgiving!
Sunshine Spazz sees new record and Stone Pony Summer Stage appearence
Everyone’s talking about Sunshine Spazz, and their latest record was one of the best you’ll hear in a while. With a record coming out soon, can we see them at another opening slot at the Stone Pony Summer Stage?
Bruce Springsteen appears at random set in New Jersey
Yes, more Bruce. He’s appeared in many sets over the years, most notably during John Mellencamp and The Gaslight Anthem’s in 2024.
Comedy scene in New Jersey continues to thrive with big names at Prudential Center
The comedy scene in Jersey has been questionable over the years. The state gets good shows here and there and has a great club in New Brunswick, but I think it can only go up.
The Black Keys finally return to the area from their canceled ‘International Players’ date
The Black Keys were supposed to headline Madison Square Garden on the ‘International Players’ in support of ‘Ohio Players,’ but the tour was canceled and their management was fired. Maybe a return in 2025?
Olivia Rodrigo headlines GovBall
Pretty self-explanatory. Give her a headlining slot!
Oasis’ MetLife show is most attended weekend in New Jersey
Taylor Swift and Metallica can sell a lot of tickets, but with Oasis’ stage setup, we can see lots more being sold.
We get word on Convention Hall’s renovation progress
Convention Hall shut down with hopes of renovation, but we heard nothing more. Anything would be appreciated, Asbury.
Sea.Hear.Now is the most affordable major festival in the area
The festival will continue it’s reputation as one of the most affordable C3 Presents festivals.
Country begins to slowly creep into non-country festivals
With Luke Combs being added to Boston Calling, who knows at this point. I’m all for it.
No canceled festivals in New Jersey this year
New Jersey has unfortunately been plagued with canceled festivals. In 2023, we saw 1234Fest and Bamboozle canceled, we saw a no-show from Adjacent in 2024 along with the AC Beer Fest: Summer Session canceled. I think we’ll have a clean year.
The Atlantic City casino market will continue to book better and better artists over the year
The AC Casino shows seem to fly under the radar for many, but they book some of the best acts in the state.
Joe P headlines two shows at the Pony rather than one
Joe P headlined a show on the ‘Garden State Vampire’ tour at Asbury’s Stone Pony. Why not do two this year?
Bruce Springsteen features on a New Jersey-native’s song
Bruce featured on The Gaslight Anthem’s ‘History Books’ and songs from Bleachers in recent memory. Many artists are due for new records in the Garden State, and the Boss should be available.
Crossroads in Garwood sees more intimate secret shows from big-time artists
Finally, I think we’ll continue the great “secret shows” at Crossroads. A truly underrated venue.
What do you think will happen in 2025?
NJ Music Festivals 