Photos and review by Amanda Daubert – Oceans Calling kicked off yesterday for its second first year! After Hurricane Ian forced the festival to cancel its inaugural event in 2022, this year’s festival is a long awaited redemption story over 2 years in the making. Set in Ocean City, Maryland, with the ocean on one side and the infamous boardwalk on the other, there was no better place to prepare for 3 incredible days of music with over 35 performances!
Welcoming the crowd with the first set of the festival was the soulful singer-songwriter Devon Gilfillian. With his smooth vocals and powerful sound, reminiscent of Gary Clark Jr, Gilfillian was just the man to set the tone for an amazing day ahead. Up next was another artist on the rise, Calder Allen. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Allen is no stranger to festivals. Last year, in addition to releasing his debut album, Allen enchanted hundreds of thousands of fans at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Sea Hear Now and more. The warm and natural delivery of his beautiful lyrics was beyond enjoyable to witness. We had a moment to catch up with Allen to chat about the festival line-up and what’s in store for him. Allen was most excited to see Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs set, he also shared that he’ll have a few new singles coming out this year and a new album dropping at the beginning of next year. So be on the lookout for all that’s to come from Calder Allen!
Ready to turn up the energy, festival goers welcomed Jason Singer, better known as Michigander. With a blend of pop and indie-rock, this multi-talented singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer is truly the whole package. The lyrical storytelling, passionate delivery, and exceptional musicianship truly make for a fantastic fan experience. Fans enjoyed favorites like “Misery” and “Super Glue” then finished with “Let Down” featuring what Singer referred to as “The Ocean City Choir” singing backup.
Later in the day festival goers were transported back to the 90’s. First up in the flashback block was alternative high school band turned rock stars, Toad the Wet Sprocket. With chart topping singles like “All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean” and “Something’s Always Wrong,” their set turned into a fun 90’s crowd singalong. We caught up with bassist and founding member, Dean Dinning, to chat about the festival and what’s next for the band. When asked about how they prepare for a performance of this size Dinning shared “The main thing you have to realize is that many of the people in the audience are fans of other bands on the festival, and you can’t assume they’re all going to know your songs like they do when you are playing your own show. We try to start with a bang and pull something out that was on the radio. That usually does the trick.” Next, we wanted to know what’s on the horizon for the band, to which Dinning commented “Next for Toad the Wet Sprocket is another four weeks on the road, then a couple of tracking sessions when we get home for a new recording project,” so be on the lookout for some good things coming your way!
Making their way over to the main stage, festival goers were ready for a high energy feel good set from San Diego, California’s self-described folk, rock, reggae, blues, hip-hop, funk, metal, punk band – Slightly Stoopid. With a genre blending, west coast meets east coast set, fans couldn’t help but feel the groove of the drums and the horns which provided a perfectly fitting beach vibe. Singers Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald felt like the hosts of one of the best beachside parties you’ve ever been to!
Deep into our flashback block was a 90’s breakout band that never seems to slow down, Third Eye Blind. Ever since their debut self-titled album with iconic smash hits like “Semi-Charmed Life” and “Graduate,” the band has put out album after album of contemporary rock hits that never shy too far from their 90’s rock roots. Finishing our flashback block was the 90’s Canadian-American rock icon, Alanis Morissette. With a laundry list of incredible awards and honors, and an endless list of career highlights over her four decades, Morissette still hit the stage with the energy and passion as if it was 1995 all over again!
Headlining the Rockville Stage were your Oceans Calling partners, O.A.R. Hailing from Rockville, MD, these hometown heroes have been performing together since middle school, which might be one of the reasons why their live performances are truly a sight to see. Referencing areas locals know all too well, these homegrown rock stars were like watching your childhood best friends as they lived out their dream. Their set, which couldn’t even be cooled by the rain, included the first song of theirs they ever heard on the radio “Hey Girl,” along with fan favorite “Shatter.”
Ending night one was the incredibly talented artist who couldn’t be more perfect for a beach night singalong, the one and only, Jack Johnson. With his smooth vocals and laid-back grooves, his set was the perfect soundtrack for the cinematic backdrop. Johnson played fan favorites like “Upside Down” and “Flake.” The set also featured special appearances by members of Slightly Stoopid along with Michael Franti. You couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the night.
As the crowd filed out they left an excitement in the air, a mixture of saltwater, ocean breeze, scents of boardwalk culinary favorites, and echoes of all the day’s best performances, ready to pick up right where they left off tomorrow.
COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY DAY 1
