Returning to Our Beach Roots
After a memorable inaugural blast in 2019, your Blank News crew made its way back to the familiar sands of Redondo Beach for the annual BeachLife Festival. As we stepped onto the festival grounds, it felt like coming home—everything was as beautiful and easy to navigate as we remembered, albeit with a few exciting changes. The Riptide stage, sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, was swapped with the food booths and water station. Adding to the festival’s charm was an additional, cozy stage tucked away at the back of the festival grounds, offering a speakeasy-style music experience. Here, festival-goers could enjoy intimate sessions with artists like Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, Paul Oakenfold, or Chase Petra, amongst others.
This year, families found delights in the expanded Kids Zone, ensuring fun for all ages. Additionally, the areas for VIP guests and Captain’s Pass holders had grown, offering more exclusive experiences and comfort than ever before. Navigating the grounds was a breeze, with everything from stages to chill spots just a short stroll away, all marked by clear signage. BeachLife remains true to the spirit of its coastal locale—laid-back, carefree, and endlessly fun. Amidst a sea of predominantly Gen Xers and Boomers (at least on day 1), the festival also welcomed families with small kids, all soaking up the sun and sounds. And for those looking to relax, there were comfy spots to lounge, shaded areas to cool off, and freebies like Yerba Mate, Gelato Water, and Hippeas chickpea puffs to enjoy.
Now on to the most important part: the music! As soon as we set foot inside the festival, Abraham Alexander’s melodies immediately swept us off our feet. Talk about a show-stopper! With a voice that could only be described as intoxicating and a stage presence echoing the sultry vibes of the ’70s, Alexander’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. His tunes, bearing a resemblance to the soulful echoes of Michael Kiwanuka, plunged us right into the heart of the festival spirit.
Invigorated by the music, our next venture was a casual stroll around the grounds in pursuit of some much-needed refreshments. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves at the Speakeasy stage, where Warren Fitzgerald was serving up a set filled with his uniquely dark humor—giggles were inevitable. Adjacent to his stage, the arts area offered a fascinating glimpse at visual art pieces, many crafted by musicians themselves. It was a perfect blend of auditory and visual art, available for both admiration and purchase.
As the sun shone brightly, we made our way to the Lowtide stage to catch the serene tunes of City and Colour. Finally, a chance to get our toes in the sand and really dive into those beach vibes. “Let’s get emotional,” said front-man Dallas Green, upon stepping onto the stage. And emotional we got. Their sound, reminiscent of Fleet Foxes or Local Natives, set the perfect mood for the afternoon. One couldn’t help but sway along to those powerful yet breezy falsetto vocals. The band even covered “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains, a song Dallas Green called “one of the best songs ever written.” Nothing hits the feels of melancholy quite like a ’90s grunge song – at least for me. But the performance hit its peak in the final moments, as the guitar and bass players joined forces for a powerful, rock-out finale to “Bow Down to Love.”
Next, the scene shifted to the Hightide stage with Seal. Despite some sound issues, his voice remained a beacon of timeless beauty…although some might argue that his lengthy talks on personal rediscoveries slightly overshadowed the music. Still, his rendition of “Crazy,” performed amidst the crowd with fans all around holding up their phones hoping to forever capture the moment, was a festival highlight.
The energy skyrocketed as Dirty Heads exploded onto the Lowtide stage. Formed in 2001 by punk rocker Dustin Bushnell (aka Duddy B) and rapper Jared Watson (aka Dirty J), their unique fusion of hip-hop, reggae, and rock truly electrified the crowd. Wowzers. The vibe was dynamic and the audience, perhaps the most age-diverse of the day, really let loose. It was the high-energy jolt everyone needed on a Friday night. Their set was packed with stamina, fun brass instruments, and a great light show, making it THE standout performance of the day.
Finally, Sting closed out the night, nothing short of legendary. His timeless voice carried through hit after hit. Beyond his musical prowess, Sting showcased his kind nature by highlighting his band members. He gave his backup singers a chance to shine with solo performances and lauded his harmonica player’s skills, comparing them to Stevie Wonder’s. It was a masterful performance that not only celebrated his hits but also the collective talent on stage.
Needless to say, day 1 of BeachLife set a high bar for the days to follow, promising more unforgettable musical moments.
