Sea.Hear.Now 2025: A Perfect Weekend of Music, Surf, and Art on the Asbury Park Beach
There’s something truly magical about a weekend where the ocean meets a wall of sound. Sea.Hear.Now 2025, held on September 13 and 14 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, delivered exactly that, a rare and beautiful harmony of live music, surf culture, visual art, and coastal community. Set across the sunlit beaches and historic boardwalk, this year's festival brought together an extraordinary lineup that spanned generations and genres, anchored by Hozier on Saturday and Blink-182 on Sunday. And once again, the weather was absolute perfection, with sun-drenched skies and sea breezes keeping energy high and spirits lifted all weekend long.
Hozier
Blink-182
Saturday’s lineup was an eclectic dream. LCD Soundsystem brought synth-laced grooves that pulsed into the Atlantic air, while Alabama Shakes delivered soulful southern rock that resonated with depth and grit. ZZ Top, still sharp-dressed and road-tight, proved legends never fade. The beach pulsed with funk, roots, and global rhythm thanks to Remi Wolf, De La Soul, and UB40, each bringing a distinct sonic flavor. Inhaler, Trombone Shorty, and more filled out a strong afternoon of high-energy performances.
Alabama Shakes
ZZ Top
But the weekend’s true showstoppers came from artists you might not have expected, and they made lasting impressions. Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge were, without question, one of the most exciting acts of the entire festival. Just 19 years old and completely self-taught, Bowers played like a seasoned blues and rock veteran, wielding her guitar with jaw-dropping skill. Her set was both technically brilliant and emotionally charged. When Flavor Flav jumped on stage for a surprise guest spot, the crowd erupted. Grace isn’t just one to watch, she’s already arrived.
Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge
On the punk side, Mannequin Pussy delivered what may have been the most powerful sonic experience of the weekend. Their set was a visceral rush of raw emotion, distortion, and unfiltered intensity. The band's command of the stage placed them squarely in the breakout category for 2025.
Mannequin Pussy
On Saturday evening, Lenny Kravitz took the Surf Stage as the sun dipped below the horizon, turning his set into a full-blown rock-and-roll spectacle. Performing with power and polish, Kravitz moved seamlessly through decades of hits while the fading light and crashing waves created a moment that felt almost cinematic. It was a perfect fusion of time, place, and sound—a visual and emotional high point of the entire weekend.
Equally unforgettable was Public Enemy, with Chuck D and Flavor Flav leading a politically charged, crowd-commanding performance that reminded everyone why this group remains so essential. Flavor Flav seemed to be everywhere this weekend — on stage, in the crowd, and even holding court inside the Transparent Clinch Tent. But the real spark came when Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC joined them for explosive renditions of “Walk This Way” and “Tricky.” The moment bridged hip-hop generations and left the Surf Stage crowd stunned and roaring.
Public Enemy
Sea.Hear.Now has always taken pride in elevating local talent, and this year was no exception. NOT YER BABY opened the festival on Saturday with a fiery Park Stage set that packed in early crowds and gave the day a strong jolt of indie-punk energy. On Sunday, Surfing for Daisy, Asbury Park’s own hometown heroes, started the day with a joyful, heartfelt performance that felt like a celebration of the city itself. Fans were out in full force, singing along to every word. Danny Clinch stepped on stage to join them on harmonica, it became one of those uniquely Sea.Hear.Now moments—unplanned, intimate, and entirely unforgettable.
NOT YER BABY
Surfing for Daisy
This year also marked an exciting change. The festival grounds expanded beyond the Grand Arcade’s south end, offering more space and flow for fans to explore. The Transparent Clinch Tent, now nestled in that expanded footprint, became a haven for pop-up performances, curated art, and some of the most intimate musical moments of the weekend. It remains a hidden gem within the larger chaos, a place where you can see artists stripped down and spontaneous.
More than just a music festival, Sea.Hear.Now continues to stand as a vibrant celebration of the Jersey Shore's soul. With proceeds supporting ocean-focused charities and a culture rooted in artistry and sustainability, it’s a rare example of a large-scale event that still feels deeply personal. If you missed it, you missed something truly special, but don’t worry. We captured it all, from the sunlit surf sessions to the late-night set closers.
Check out our full photo galleries for every unforgettable moment.
