BeachLife continued for it’s third and final day with great weather, delicious food and drink fare, and some legendary musicians.
The sun was shining and festival goers took full advantage of the nice weather, day drinking at the various bars, checking out the many local art installations set up and even doing some shopping at the pop-up boutiques set up in the Artsy area next to the Low Tide stage.
Blues Traveler was a great daytime set, and one of the acts that sounded just as good as you remembered them. They put on the perfect feel-good show and many attendees enjoyed the tunes from the comfort of a blanket set up on the astroturf.
Grace Potter was a favorite set of the day. Despite a 4:45pm start time, Potter came on stage with the presence of a rockstar ready to party all night long. Though some attendees may not have been as familiar with her discography, they were captivated by her stage presence in no time and the entire crowd was grooving. Potter was positively beaming with energy and brought the overall crowd energy way, way up.
Ziggy Marley on the Low Tide stage was exactly what you’d expect of a Marley – the set was relaxing, enjoyable, and all around good vibes. This set was a perfect one to listen to from the BodyGlove Bar nearby, or to listen to while chowing down on some of the great food vendors: Roberta’s Pizza, Stay Cheesy Grilled Cheese, Afters Ice Cream, and more.
As with previous nights, the Side Stage experience was booked up. Lucky attendees who scored a reservation got to dine next to the main stage at either a 5pm or 7pm seating and enjoy an upscale culinary experience in a festival atmosphere. Chefs for each day’s Side Stage experience were: Michael Cimarusti of Connie and Teds and Providence, Tin Vuong of Little Sister, and Chef/Owner David LeFevre of M.B. Post.
The big treat of Sunday’s lineup was the legend himself, Willie Nelson. Willie Nelson and Family took the stage a bit late, but the fans did not mind one bit. The festival grounds were packed and 86-year-old Willie played a full and energetic set. Willie rocked the outlaw-country songs like “Beer for My Horses” and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Sons Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and he ventured into the slower, sentimental tunes as well.
Willie was clad in pants and a shirt, along with a straw cowboy hat, which seemed to have his signature across the front. The signature made a bit more sense when, midway through the set, he took the hat off, and tossed it to a fan.
Onstage with Willie were a number of band members, including his youngest son who goes by Particle Kid, and Willie’s sister – who he affectionally referred to as “Little Sister” throughout the set, and who absolutely slayed her piano solos.
Willie Nelson’s set was the perfect way to end a festival all about the California lifestyle. The crowd sang along contentedly to his iconic discography of songs under a cotton candy colored sunset with the cool beach breeze wafting in from the shore. The evening was the epitome of the beach life, indeed.
