Everyone was pumped up and ready for the first day of the second annual Ocean’s Calling Festival 2024 in Ocean City, Maryland. Last year was the first time a large musical event was held in our small beach down and it was unanimous- we wanted more!
Three stages were erected earlier this week, one near North Division Street (Sea Bright Stage), one outside of Trimper’s Haunted House (Carousel Stage), and the last (Rockville Stage) at the very end of the inlet parking lot facing the famous Ocean City Ferris Wheel on the Jolly Roger Pier. This year’s line up promised bigger and better. Here are the top 10 highlights from opening night of Ocean’s Calling 2024 in Ocean City, Maryland
1OAR: Crazy Game of Poker Cards
From Rockville Maryland, OAR performed again this year gracing us with their unique voices, stellar trumpet playing, and middle school nostalgia that only us 35-45 year old would understand. When their last song came on, That Was a Crazy Game of Poker, the poker cards began to fly- a tradition that concert goers began years ago.
2Winona Fighter: Even Stars Have Parents in the Crowd
The lead singer of Winona Fighter, Coco Kinnon, wowed the crowd earlier in the day on the Sea Bright Stage. Her powerhouse voice and carefree outlook on life clear as she got the crowd going. But the most heart felt part of their set was when Coco gave a shout out to her parents in the crowd for always supporting her dream of being in a punk band. The camera panned over to her mom and dad, her number one supporters. They waved back and mouthed “I love you.”
3The Darkness: Bringing Up Recent Ocean City, MD News
At 4:15 at the Rockville Stage, The Darkness, gave an electrifying performance that can only be described as high energy and vibrant. But at one point, lead singer, British musician Justin Hawkins brought up recent Ocean City news. Chatting with the crowd in between songs, Hawkins mentioned the recent drug paraphernalia washing up on shore of our beautiful beaches. Trying to lighten the mood on the situation, Hawkins joked, “I heard that you guys had recently had some drug paraphernalia washing up on shore. To be honest, I was hoping to see some of it- it would remind me of my childhood.” Giving the crowd a laugh, Hawking continued to take the stage and make it his own- at one point doing a head stand and even a high jump that Simone Biles would have trouble doing!
4Yes Chef!
Towards the beginning of the day, Jason Biggs, lead actor in the hysterically funny American Pie movies series, emcees the festival. He came out joking with the crowd as he introduced newbee to Ocean’s Calling Exectutive Chef Marc Murphy. Murphy, a star chef on The Food Network, demoed delicious food on The Carousel Stage as fans ooed and aahed! I wonder which restaurants he’s eaten at in Ocean City, MD. What would you recommend?
5Where’s Blink 182???
The headliner of Friday’s concert was Blink 182 and let’s be honest, most of Friday’s attendees were there to see Mark, Travis, and Tom. But as their time slot approached, so did the rain…and more rain…and even more rain. Their set was supposed to start at 9:30. Photographers were ushered towards the back tent area to their places and there they waited, and waited, and waited. The crowds were antsy, soaked, and by that point buzzed. Stage hands began to cover electronics as crowds booed since they’d all been standing there for over 30 minutes with no updates about the start time. Rain pelted even harder but lightened up at one point. Around 10:20, Blink 182 took the stage and crowds were thrilled- until the sound was almost non-existent at certain areas of the beach. We made our way towards the back where the sound was way better but the rain had gotten so bad that the vibe was gone. By that time, I had decided to leave knowing that we still had to walk 23 blocks back home. Better luck next time, Blink.
The line up for day 2 of Ocean’s Calling promises to be full of incredible music! By biggest decision of the day though…Do I go to see The Beach Boys or The All American Rejects???
