50,000 Voices by the Sea: Inside the Third Annual Ocean’s Calling Music Festival

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

For the third year in a row, Ocean’s Calling Music Festival unfolded on the sands and boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland and for three unforgettable days, the iconic boardwalk transformed into a nostalgic music time machine. Another legendary lineup packed with 1990s and 2000s hitmakers turned the weekend into a multi-generational singalong, proving once again why Ocean’s Calling has quickly become an annual must-attend for millennial music fans across the country.

The festival opened under bright skies on Friday, setting the tone with an energy that built from early afternoon all the way until Green Day’s headlining set. Izzy Escobar kicked off the festival followed by Bel and Letters to Cleo making it was clear the weekend was going to be something special. The crowd filled the inlet area early, spilling onto the beach and boardwalk as Spin Doctors and Fountains of Wayne unleashed crowd-pleasing sets that had fans shouting every word.

The afternoon brought performances from Live and Nelly setting off the first surge of explosive crowd energy. Nelly’s early-2000s hits turned the festival into one massive summer block party, “Hot in Here” and “Ride Wit Me” echoed from the Sea Bright stage as fans waved their hands and danced barefoot in the sand. This was easily one of the high-points of the entire Friday lineup. The impact of two decades of Nelly’s music was palpable as every person was singing.

The Fray followed with a more emotional tone, their piano-driven anthems like “How to Save a Life” drawing thousands of voices into a hauntingly beautiful chorus. Soon after, hometown heroes, O.A.R. took the Rockville stage with the kind of ease and warmth that only a Maryland band raised on the East Coast can bring. Love and Memories, Shattered, and Hey Girl were in full sing-along mode as the sunset engaged and turned the late afternoon into a sun-drenched beach celebration.

In the twilight of the first day, The Black Crowes, Cake, and Lenny Kravitz raised the energy as the crowd continued to fil in even after a full day of music. The Black Crowes electrified the crowd with rock and roll with favorites like Hard to Handle and She Talks to Angels at the Sea Bright stage while Kravitz, with his signature swagger and soulful rock vocals, primed the crowd at the Carousel Stage for the night’s highly anticipated headliner.

By nightfall the festival site swelled to over 50,000 people, the largest turnout of the weekend. Green Day fans could be seen all day throughout the festival wearing t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and other testaments to the legendary band. Opening with “American Idiot,” the punk icons ignited a firestorm of chanting, headbanging, and cathartic singalongs. Billie Joe Armstrong’s rallying cries were met with deafening cheers, as the band powered through hits like “Basket Case,” “Holiday,” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” Fireworks cracked over the ocean as the final chords rang out, closing Friday with a spectacle that festivalgoers will be talking about for years.

Writer’s Note: This was one of the best performances I’ve ever witnessed as a music photojournalist. The first album I ever purchased was “Dookie” by Green Day in 1994. I’ve been listening to Green Day for over 30 years and it was my first time seeing them live. These guys inject every possible ounce of energy into their show and keep the pulse up the entire time. 10-year-old Nate could have never imagined the opportunity to photograph the band who’s album was the first he ever bought.

If Friday was defined by sunset Nelly-based sing-a-longs in the sand and Green Day punk nostalgia, Saturday, was a test of grit and love for live music. By mid-morning, a steady rain began to fall over Ocean City. By the afternoon, it had turned into an off and on downpour. But if the weather dampened the grounds, it didn’t dampen the spirit.

Ponchos became the unofficial uniform of the day as fans crowded under storefront overhangs, boardwalk awnings, and VIP tents. Some huddled together in the locker room areas near the beach, sharing stories and snacks between sets. Others danced defiantly in the rain, determined to make the most of the experience.

Rachel Ana Dobken and Bumpin Uglies kicked off the day followed by Wheatus with a spirited set — their hit “Teenage Dirtbag” turned the soggy crowd into a unified choir. Natasha Bedingfield followed in the fog, her voice cutting through the mist-filled breeze as she delivered empowering anthems like “Unwritten” that made the dreary skies feel a little brighter as the crowd ‘soaked’ it all in.

On the Carousel stage, DJ Jazzy Jeff dropped a nostalgic hip-hop set of cascading classics with masterful scratching that had even drenched fans bouncing in unison. As the afternoon went on, the beach became soggier and Modest Mouse took the Sea Bright stage and brought their gritty indie-rock sound to a soaked but loyal crowd.

The evening lineup stacked nostalgia with power: another special jam-packed set from O.A.R. and friends featuring band members from all over the Ocean’s Calling line up. Pop-punk favorites Good Charlotte and indie legends Vampire Weekend set the tone before a heartfelt and soggy closing performance by Noah Kahan with the crowd singing together in the rain.

Lightning flickered far offshore, and rain pooled around the festival grounds while thousands of fans sang along to Kahan’s “Stick Season,” voices echoing through the night. Saturday might not have had fireworks, but it shows a level of love for music that only comes with a festival like this. The crowd found a way to turn a rainy day into a legendary experience with so many other music die-hards.

Sunday owned its namesake and washed away the clouds after a rainy Saturday. Festivalgoers emerged from hotels, motels and Airbnbs with renewed energy. The boardwalk gleamed, the ocean shimmered, the last of the puddles disappeared and the boardwalk filled in faster than on any previous morning.

Early acts included the alt-rock of Blind Melon, their signature sound bringing an edgy start to the day at the Carousel stage. Ziggy Marley soon took over the reins of the festival at The Rockville stage with a reggae set that had the crowd swaying to a timeless catalog of familiar rhythms, his message of love and unity floating over the shoreline, channeling his father Bob Marley’s legacy.

One of the day’s biggest surprises was the return of Devo, who charged the crowd with their quirky legendary 80’s jams, red energy dome hats and all. By midafternoon, O.A.R. and friends returned for yet another unforgettable set — their third of the weekend maintaining their place as festival ambassadors.

As the sun dipped lower, Weezer took the Sea Bright stage and blasted through their undeniable catalog of power-anthems. “Buddy Holly” and “Island in the Sun” became communal singalongs during sunset of the last day of the festival. Vance Joy and Train kept the feel-good vibes flowing, their melodies and crowd interactions were a perfect match for the final hours of the festival.

Then came the grand finale: Fall Out Boy. With a full pyrotechnic setup, intricate light design, and a setlist stacked with hits, the band transformed the beach into a rock spectacle. Explosions of flame and fireworks lit up the night as “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and “Thanks for the Memories” turned the inlet into a massive, jubilant singalong. It was a closing set that matched the scale and spirit of Green Day’s Friday night headlining performance and ultimately felt like the perfect bookend.

Now a staple on the Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean’s Calling has become a cultural homecoming for millennials who grew up on alternative rock, punk, hip-hop, and early-2000s anthems. Many in the crowd traveled from up and down the East Coast, often with friends they share the same music love with. The festival’s location plays no small part in its magic. Ocean City’s iconic history, with its mix of carnival nostalgia and ocean views, sets a distinctly one-of-a-kind tone. After three years it has managed to retain its identity, a beach weekend where old songs sound new again.

The third year of Ocean’s Calling proved why the festival has quickly climbed the ranks of the East Coast’s premier music events. It’s delivered massive headliners like Green Day, Blink 182, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Noah Kahan and embraced local legend fan-favorite acts like O.A.R., and sprinkled in surprises across genres and decades. Saturday’s relentless rain didn’t break the spirit, if anything, it added to the lore. For many, it was the kind of weekend that will be remembered not just for the music, but for the shared moments like singing and dancing in the rain, hugging old friends, watching fireworks over the ocean after three days of amazing music.

Oceans Calling Website

2025 Ocean's Calling Music Festival | Ocean City, Maryland | Nate Payne Photography | Pit-Dweller Media

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