High Winds and High Spirits
We managed to get to the festival grounds early on day 3, and thankfully so, as high winds later led to the unfortunate cancellation of the evening’s performances. However, the day was not without its highlights. It was a beautiful Cinco de Mayo, sunny despite the wind, perfect for celebrating at a festival.
Right upon entering, we were greeted by a wall of sound – no literally, the band is called “Wall of Sound” – at the Riptide stage. This jam band with their jazzy tunes and Phish-like vibes was an excellent teaser for Trey Anastasio’s later-expected set, which was sadly canceled.
Our next stop was Sugar Ray at the Lowtide stage. The frontman lavished praise on the festival, almost as if he were a stakeholder. It’s undeniable, though; Sugar Ray truly embodies the ultimate beach music vibe. The band delivered a high-energy performance that got everyone’s dance muscles going, despite our tired legs on this third festival day. Perhaps we should have stopped at the Beauty at the Bay vendor booth for an IV drip to revive our bodies. We were certainly tempted by the promise of a convenient, rejuvenating reboot.
We also wandered over to catch Tito Puente Jr. at the Riptide stage. Playing his father’s hits, he and his very sizable band celebrated Cinco de Mayo with vibrant Latin rhythms, or “Salsa, like at the restaurant,” as he joked. His performance was filled with energy and Latin flair, drawing everyone into the festive spirit.
Halfway through, we hurried back to the Lowtide stage to catch the latter part of Margo Price’s set. If City and Colour evoked teenage nostalgia, Margo Price stirred a longing for my Nashville days with her deeply resonant country sounds. She even took a turn on the drums during Cocaine Cowboys and charmed the audience by handing out red roses at the end of her set.
The perhaps best, but unexpected final set we saw on Sunday, was Courtney Barnett at the Hightide stage, who, as always, performed with a blend of lyrical genius and crazy cool guitar riffs, representing millennial angst and artistic prowess like no other. She’s no stranger to festivals, as she has been playing them around the globe for nearly a decade. Being a rockstar to the core, the Australian female powerhouse consistently surprises and delights with her robust performances. What a show to end the day!
Sadly, strong winds forced an early end to the day. The festival organizers announced, “It is with great sadness that we must cancel our programming at BeachLife this Sunday evening due to a serious wind event that put the general public at risk. […] we put safety first.” This statement came as part of the decision to cancel much-anticipated performances by Fleet Foxes, Trey Anastasio and Classic Tab, and My Morning Jacket.
Despite the abrupt end, day 3 of BeachLife was a whirlwind of music, festivity, and spirited celebrations. With promises of exciting future developments like the BeachLife Restaurant and the CA Surf Club, we’re already looking forward to what 2025 will bring!
