On September 15 a sunny warm day welcomed day two of the Sea. Hear. Now festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The final day included headliners The Gaslight Anthem, Trey Anastasio Band, Norah Jones, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band along with other multiple noble rock, country, and pop artists and bands. 

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Joy Oldadokun’s soulful melodies serenaded the crowd to begin the festival’s musical activities. At the beginning of her set, she jokingly expressed how she would call herself the black Bruce Springsteen. Her bubbly personality and crowd control added to the success of her performance. The enjoyment throughout the crowd was palpable as they bobbed their heads to her electric guitar and the bass of the drums. She also performed new songs, “Drugs” and “I’d Miss The Birds,” off her upcoming album Observations From A Crowded Room. The heartfelt stories behind the songs teach lessons to the listeners. The lyrics throughout “Drugs” remind listeners there are different ways to deal with life’s challenges besides drugs. Then “I’d Miss The Birds” expresses how racism in the South makes it difficult for Oldadokun, and those who can relate, to enjoy living there.  

Next up was the American indie folk band Wilderado, whose dynamic performance brought a refreshing energy to the festival. The four-member group — Max Rainer (lead vocals and guitarist), Tyler Wimpee (vocals and guitarist), Colton Dearing (bass guitar and vocals) and Justin Kila (drummer), quickly connected with the audience through their harmonious blend of folk, rock and indie influences. Rainer’s twangy vocals carried the band’s introspective lyrics, while Wimpee’s and Dearing’s harmonies added depth and richness to the sound. Kila’s drumming provided a steady, driving rhythm that kept the energy high throughout their set.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for the class of 2024, Kool & The Gang, brought the funk and energy to Sea Hear Now with an electrifying set. The legendary R&B group, known for blending soul, jazz and disco, had the crowd on their feet from the first note. Their impeccable instrumentation featured vibrant trumpet blasts, smooth saxophone melodies, rhythmic guitar grooves and powerful drums, creating the infectious, feel-good music that has defined their sound for decades. Performing a mix of their timeless hits, including “Fresh,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Get Down On It,” and the iconic “Celebration,” the band had the audience dancing and singing along to every beat.

The group’s charismatic stage presence and masterful crowd control played a huge role in energizing the fans, guiding them through sing-alongs and dance moments, making sure the groove never stopped. Their interactions with the crowd brought a lively, personal touch to the performance, elevating the already joyous atmosphere. 

The festival continued and towels were laid on the grass, as people eagerly pushed through to secure a good view of the next headliner, the soulful singer-songwriter Norah Jones. Known for her genre-blending sound that fuses jazz, pop and country influences. Jones captivated the crowd with her delicate yet commanding presence. Seated behind the piano and switching to electric guitar throughout the performance, she surrendered fully to the moment, enveloping the audience in her soothing vocals. Her slow-tempo ballads, including “Come Away With Me” and “Sunrise,” created a calming ambiance. The crowd was entranced by her signature smooth voice and fluid transitions between keys, particularly during “Don’t Know Why,” where she showcased her impressive vocal range. Jones’ setlist also featured more upbeat moments with songs like “Happy Pills” and “I Just Wanna Dance,” giving the performance a dynamic balance between reflective and playful moods.

The next headliner performing was one of the most successful and innovative rock bands, Grammy nominee the Trey Anastasio Band. They began their set with an infectiously high-energy opening with “Mozambique.” The fast tempo beat of the songs performed, the trumpet integrated with the saxophone and drums, mixed with Trey Anastasio’s vocals made for a fantastic performance. The instrumentation was phenomenal throughout the whole set but shined through during the songs, “Cayman Review” and “The Moma Dance.” Before playing the fourth song of their set Anastasio told the crowd that the first concert he attended was a Bruce Springsteen concert at 14 years old. He then welcomed Springsteen on stage to play a song with him, “Kitty’s Back.” The crowd applauded and roared with excitement. Springsteen and Anastasio sang together and shared guitar riffs as they joyfully performed. It was a great experience — Anastasio expressed how honored and grateful he was. 

Next jumping on the stage with huge expressions of excitement, ready to perform was the American punk rock band, Gogol Bordello. Their amazing stage presence and distinctive style made the performance enjoyable to watch. The instruments played throughout their set included an accordion, violin, drums, electric and bass guitar. The high-tempo instrumentation influenced people throughout the crowd to jump and down to the beat of their songs, “Immigrant Punk,” “Wonderlust King,” “From Boyarka To Boyaca” and five other songs. The laughter and smiles throughout the audience were a testament to how enjoyable Gogol Bordello was to see. 

Lastly, the highly anticipated headliner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band closed out the festival with a bang by performing a solid three-hour set. The crowd erupted in chants of “Bruce” as he kicked off the set with “Lonesome Day.” From the start, the production was exceptional, with lighting synced to the beat and a rich blend of instruments, including violin, saxophone, guitars, piano and drums, along with powerful backing vocals. Springsteen himself played the guitar while delivering his signature vocals, adding to the electrifying atmosphere. The saxophone, played by Jake Clemons, nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, The E Street Band’s iconic saxophonist, added a soulful jazz touch to the rock and roll performance. Jake Clemons delivered incredible solos throughout the 21-song set, honoring his uncle’s legacy.

Springsteen also debuted several songs for the first time in 10 years at Sea Hear Now, including “Blinded by the Light,” “Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street,” “Thundercrack,” “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),” “Local Hero,” “Meeting Across the River,” and “Jungleland.” Many of these tracks are steeped in stories about his home state of New Jersey, making their debut especially meaningful for the local crowd.

During the fourth song, “Growin’ Up,” the screen malfunctioned, leaving those further from the stage unable to see the performance. Despite this, Springsteen and The E Street Band carried on with grace and the crowd stayed fully engaged. By the time they hit the fifth song, “The Promised Land,” the screen was back up and the audience roared with excitement. Later in the set, Springsteen invited American singer-songwriter and guitarist Patti Scialfa on stage to perform “Tougher Than The Rest” with him, creating a memorable moment.

As the night drew to a close, Springsteen’s encore included eight powerful songs, each performed with heart and soul. A particularly heartfelt moment came during “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” when the screens displayed a montage of pictures of his late bandmates, Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici. As the images appeared, Springsteen pointed to the screens and remarked, “This part is important,” underscoring the emotional weight of the tribute.

The performance concluded with “Twist and Shout,” during which Springsteen jokingly asked the crowd if they could outlast him and The E Street Band after 50 years of performing. The crowd enthusiastically shouted “no,” to which Springsteen playfully disagreed. As the audience shouted for more, Springsteen delivered one final song, “Jersey Girl,” a tour debut, bringing the festival to a fitting close. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band were the perfect finale for Sea Hear Now, leaving the crowd with an unforgettable experience.