Sea.Hear.Now opened its 2025 edition with a little bit of everything: locals, reggae throwbacks, hip-hop legends, and a main stage finale from one of the biggest names in modern music.
Day one of the Asbury Park festival proved once again that this seaside gathering isn’t just about headliners–it’s about coming together as a community to enjoy a full day of music, and that was proven with today’s energy within the crowd.
Local trio Phoneboy had one of the strongest openings in festival memory, kicking off the Sand Stage at 12:20 p.m. to a packed crowd despite the early slot.
The band, young and fresh off growing national buzz, clearly had a core fanbase in the audience to support them. Fans sang along to nearly every track off of their new record.
Later, they surprised the crowd with an acoustic pop-up set inside the Transparent Clinch Gallery Art Tent, showing versatility beyond their plugged-in performance.
Following them, Noy Yer Baby brought scrappy fun to the day. The Park Stage openers had infectious energy, even if they still felt like a local outfit finding their footing. For a festival that thrives on discovery, though, they were a welcome shot of youthful spirit.
If Phoneboy lit the spark, Bumpin’ Uglies brought the flames. The band’s reggae-rock energy turned the Surf Stage into a party, complete with t-shirt cannons blasting throughout the entire set.
“We like to bring a monster truck energy to our shows,” lead singer Brandon Hardesty said. This was proven to be true as the set went on.
The band even slipped in a surprise snippet of “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind, as they aimed to “take it back to 1997.” But what really got the crowd roaring was a track of their own, “Island Time,” which turned into the anthem of the early afternoon.
Back in the park, Inhaler may have been the highlight of the entire day. The Dublin alternative band performed a full hour of hits as the band has now released three albums of music. Led by Bono’s son, the band’s energy was strong and the music was even better.
Later, UB40 leaned into nostalgia with an easy, crowd-pleasing set. The British reggae-pop veterans stuck to the hits, and the audience responded in kind. From “Red Red Wine” to “Kingston Town,” their main stage slot was less about surprise and more about uniting generations.
Sea.Hear.Now always has room for classic rock, and ZZ Top delivered with swagger. Their set was tight, polished, and timeless, highlighted by a back-to-back run of “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” After decades on the road, the Texas trio showed they can still kick it with authority.
On the other side of the sand, De La Soul’s set was pure joy. The hip-hop pioneers commanded the Sand Stage with boundless energy, turning the beach into one giant call-and-response. Crowd participation was near-universal—hands shot into the air whenever requested, and even the security guards joined in after a little bit of convincing. It was one of the most engaging moments of the day and a reminder of the group’s unmatched charisma.
One of the most anticipated sets of the day was Alabama Shakes. A recently reunited group full of soul was equal parts sharp musicianship and emotional release. The band looked thrilled to be back together, tearing through a career-spanning set in front of a crowd that spanned longtime fans and younger Hozier diehards. The stage design, complete with foliage and atmospheric soundscapes before the band walked out, set a dramatic mood.
Once they hit the stage, Brittany Howard’s voice erased any doubts in the crowd.
As night fell, LCD Soundsystem transformed Bradley Park into a full-on dance floor. James Murphy’s minimal stage presence only amplified the music, letting the 75-minute set of club music speak for itself. From front rail to the very back of the park, the entire crowd bounced in unison, making it one of the most kinetic sets Sea.Hear.Now has seen.
The night, however, belonged to Hozier, who capped off day one with a sweeping main stage performance. The Irish singer-songwriter drew the day’s biggest crowd, delivering both his chart-topping “Too Sweet” and longtime favorite “Take Me to Church.”
Familiar, confident, and warmly received, Hozier gave the festival the kind of headlining moment it thrives on.
Sea.Hear.Now’s first day had it all: locals, surprises, and nostalgia. The festival will conclude Sunday with the likes of blink-182, Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, and Public Enemy.
Header image: Ismael Quintanilla III on Sept. 14, 2024
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