Ocean's Calling 2023 Recap

    The first Ocean’s Calling Festival took place September 29th to October 1st in Ocean City, MD. The event was a complete success with an estimated 50,000 people in attendance. 

 

    The first couple days may have been soggy but it didn’t stop the festival goers from enjoying the sights and sounds of the grounds. Day one performers included OAR, Third Eye Blind, Alanis Morissette, Jack Johnson and Slightly Stoopid. 

 

    Saturday included performances from the Gin Blossoms, who played many of their well known hits, such as “Hey Jealousy”, “Until I Hear It From You” and “Allison Road”. Meanwhile on The Carousel stage, friends of the Gin Blossoms, White Reaper performed. Succeeding Gin Blossoms on the Sea Bright stage were the bands former label mate Sheryl Crow. Crow still brought her musical energy in the steadily falling rain.

 

    For those who wanted to seek shelter from the weather, there were plenty of boardwalk businesses available within the festival grounds to check out. The Purple Moose Saloon was the hot spot for indoor adult beverages with DJ’s taking the stage all day long. 

 

    Later in the night, the festival presented a stellar performance from Incubus and closed out with John Mayer. 

 

    Those seeking some after party action did not have to venture far. Several blocks away at Pickles Pub, festival attendees flocked through the door to catch two-thirds of the band Higher Education. 

    

    The final day of Ocean’s Calling brought picture perfect weather conditions to Ocean City. You never would have thought it was October with the sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. 

 

    The Dirty Heads and The Wallflowers brought the early evening vibes on Sunday. The performance of the night was OAR and friends. OAR brought DMC from Run-DMC and G Love on stage to pay tribute to Betty White and MCA from the Beastie Boys. The set was nothing short of amazing as fans cheered and watched the sunset at the Rockville stage for this epic show! OAR and friends closed out with a cameo appearance from Richie Sambora. OAR and Sambora performed the Bon Jovi hits “Wanted” and “Livin’ on a Prayer”. 

 

    Grace Potter kept the energy flowing on The Carousel stage. Potter mentioned during her set that taking the 1pm slot at festivals is the reason why she’s playing the night time slot and thanked the fans for their support. The Lumineers closed out the Ocean’s Calling festival.

 

    Overall, the festival organizers got it right on the first try. After many years of covering festivals, this is one that did not have any major complaints directed toward it. In fact, Ocean’s Calling drew large revenue to Ocean City and left fans leaving happier than when they walked in. It feels safe to say that Ocean’s Calling will return in 2024.