Slightly Stoopid Lights Up Asbury Park—A North to Shore Highlight
On a sweltering June Sunday, The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park radiated with more than just heat it pulsed with the laid-back intensity only Slightly Stoopid can summon. As part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, the long-running Ocean Beach band delivered a wide-ranging, euphoric set that proved just how far they've come since their early days in San Diego backyard parties.
The afternoon started strong with opening sets from Little Stranger and Iration, drawing a growing crowd under the setting sun. But by the time Slightly Stoopid took the stage, joined immediately by the booming voice of hip hop legend Chali 2na, the packed house had morphed into something closer to a full-on beach party. They kicked things off with “Niceness” and “Wicked Rebel,” easing into their signature groove before diving into “Del Roy / 2 AM” and the fan-favorite “This Joint,” setting the tone for a set that zigzagged effortlessly between genres.
Their cover choices, from Sublime’s “Slow Ride” to Wyclef Jean’s “Perfect Gentleman” and Snoop’s “Young Wild & Free” reminded everyone just how deep the band’s musical roots run. By the time they closed with “Young Wild & Free,” Asbury felt far from Jersey somewhere suspended between beach smoke and stage lights, where genre lines blur and summer never quite ends.
Iration Brings Island Rhythm and SoCal Cool to Asbury Park
As the sun began to dip over the Jersey Shore, Iration brought a wave of West Coast energy to the stage. Originally formed in Isla Vista, California, the band’s island roots and reggae-rock fusion felt right at home in the salty summer air.
The seven-member group—Micah Pueschel (vocals, guitar), Adam Taylor (bass), Cayson Peterson (keys), Joseph “The D” Dickens (drums), Micah Brown (lead guitar, vocals), Drake Peterson (trumpet), and Tony Rinaldi (trombone) delivered a vibrant, tightly executed set that had the crowd swaying from the first song to the last. Their sound, a polished blend of reggae grooves, pop hooks, and soulful musicianship, was both smooth and energetic.
With nearly 20 years on the road together, Iration’s chemistry was unmistakable. Their performance felt less like a setlist and more like a shared vibe—one that fit with Slightly Stoopid and the festival’s atmosphere perfectly.
Little Stranger Kicks Off with Charm, Chaos, and Indie Hip-Hop Energy
Little Stranger opened Sunday’s show with an infectious, offbeat energy that set the tone for the day. The Philly-born, Charleston-based duo, Kevin Shields and John Shields brought a genre-bending blend of hip-hop, funk, and indie rock that immediately caught the crowd’s attention.
Their chemistry was undeniable: Kevin’s quick, charismatic flow bounced effortlessly off John’s melodic hooks and guitar lines, creating a groove that was as danceable as it was unpredictable. As they like to say, think Beck meets Gorillaz, filtered through a DIY basement party.
Even in the afternoon, their stage presence was magnetic part performance, part-controlled chaos complete with crowd interaction, and sharp wit. Little Stranger didn’t just warm up the crowd; they jumpstarted the day. It’s clear they’re not just opening acts anymore—they’re headliners in waiting.
