Returning to the iconic musical shore town for its seventh year, the Sea. Hear. Now. Festival brought over 30 talented acts to Asbury Park. While the festival leans heavily into rock — a fitting choice given the town’s deep classic rock roots — it also made space for other genres. A few pop and reggae artists took to one of the three stages scattered along the boardwalk and beach, adding diversity to the lineup.
The entire weekend felt like a musical feast. Standout sets from Lenny Kravitz and Hozier captured the spirit of the event, delivering high-energy shows that embodied the big instrumentations and shredding guitars that are a huge part of the festival. The weekend was full of sunshine and great weather (temperatures between the high 70s and low 80s), making it a wonderful event to close off the summer season.
With the waves roaring in the background and shore vibes all around, it was the perfect setting for fans to enjoy their favorite artists’ songs. While festivals like Coachella use the desert as their natural backdrop, the Jersey Shore proves to be almost as idyllic as a place, especially with the fiery and stunning sunset that graced festival goers Sunday evening.
It was especially powerful to see several queer artists featured in this year’s lineup. That kind of representation brought a unique energy to New Jersey’s premier gay-friendly town. Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes proudly embraced her identity on stage, even joking that if she were on a dating app today, her bio would read “aging rock star looking for a sugar momma — but I don’t have much to give in return.”
4 Non Blondes lit up the Surf Stage — the festival’s largest — with a high-energy set that had the crowd roaring, especially during their iconic hit “What’s Up.” Perry’s soulful, commanding voice led the performance, reminding fans why the band remains such a memorable and influential act since emerging into the mainstream with their music in the early ’90s.
Rising lesbian pop star from Hackensack Gigi Perez stunned festival goers with her powerful and unique voice on the Park Stage. Recently she has achieved massive commercial success with her hit “Sailor Song.” Bringing a more pop energy to the festival, she could be compared to artists such as Lana Del Rey. Gigi is a talent that, while having some true mainstream appeal, is still able to bring her own distinct alternative sound that allows for more creative expression. She is a great blend of an acoustic driven singer-songwriter with the star factor.
Strong lesbian representation added something truly special to an already standout music festival. At a time when more female artists are proudly owning their queerness — like Chappell Roan, who’s finding massive success while being unapologetically out — it felt like the perfect moment for artists like Gigi Perez and Linda Perry to take the stage. Both delivered unforgettable sets, with their distinct voices pulling in the crowd and offering a rich, emotional listening experience.
As the festival continues to grow in momentum and popularity, it’ll be exciting to see where it goes next. With more out-of-state visitors attending each year, Sea. Hear. Now is inching closer to establishing itself as a cultural force — perhaps even rivaling iconic events like Chicago’s Lollapalooza.
