Sea Hear Now 2021 just gave us a whole lot to look forward to for next year.
It was a massive bummer that Sea Hear Now 2020 was canceled/postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, headlining acts Pearl Jam and The Avett Brothers were able to be retained for Sea Hear Now 2021, but acts such as Phoebe Bridgers and The Beach Boys could not make the date.
Luckily, Sea Hear Now 2021 just dropped the info on who’ll be joining the festival next year and it’s pretty massive. Alternative icons Smashing Pumpkins, shoegaze country sensation Orville Peck, classic rock legend Patti Smith, E Street’s Patti Scialfa, Matt & Kim (who were scheduled for the 2019 SHN but cancelled due to injuries sustained by Kim), reggae outfit Tank and The Bangas, NOLA’s Soul Rebels, and Hawaii’s Ron Artis II and The Truth (discovered by SHN alum G. Love) have all been added to the show.
They joined a lineup consisting of: Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers, Billy Idol, Lord Huron, The Growlers, Dr. Dog, Ani DiFranco, Reignwolf, Dirty Heads, Grouplove, The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campell, Briston Maroney, Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears, Hirie, Liz Cooper and the Stampede along with Jersey bands Remember Jones, Jackson Pines, American Trappist and Black Flamingos.
The “expression session” surf competition will be back with a full complement and cavalcade of local and renowned surfers. According to press release:
“Sea.Hear.Now’s surf programming also returns with another world-class lineup of surfers including Cassidy McClain, Cory Lopez, Sam Hammer, Brett Barley, Balaram Stack and more, who will compete in the daily North Beach Expression Sessions. Each surfer will be grouped into a heat of five and have 30 minutes to catch as many waves as the ocean provides, with points awarded for style and creativity. Fans will also be able to watch board shapers craft surfboards made of wood with today’s cutting-edge technology.”
According to press release, the environment and sustainability elements of the festival will return:
“Sea.Hear.Now remains committed to raising awareness about issues facing our environment, including the global plastic waste crisis and climate change. In 2019, the festival partnered with Surfrider Foundation to host our flagship greening program, Rock & Recycle, where over 580 fans participated in on-site recycling. Hydration Stations helped to save close to 52,000 bottles from the ocean and landfill and the festival ensured surplus food found a home post event, donating approximately 2,000 pounds to The Center in Asbury Park. Stay tuned for details on next year’s sustainability initiatives and ways you can get involved at the festival and after.”
Tickets (including VIP, GA and Two-Day) are on sale now for Sea Hear Now 2021 at www.seahearnowfestival.com.
Story Cover Photo Credit: Patrick Gilrane/ThePopBreak.com
