The 2024 Beachlife Festival came to an unfortunately unceremonious end on day three. High winds took over the beachside festival making it unsafe to continue on. What started as an announcement interrupting the last quarter of ZZ Tops set on the main stage urging fans to leave the festival grounds due to public safety concerns caused by the high winds. Confusion took over the festival grounds initially as the wind didn’t feel as bad; however, walking by the stage and seeing the sway being caused by the wind made things much clearer. The pause was initially meant to last an hour, but it quickly became apparent that it would last longer than that.
While the situation wasn’t ideal, Beachlife Festival acted fast and responsibly, following and protecting the crowd amidst public safety concerns. The scheduled acts for Fleet Foxes, Trey Anastasio, and My Morning Jacket were the ones that were interrupted. Many were disappointed by this, but ultimately, despite the cancellations, day three at Beachlife was a strong day without the three final headlining acts.
The popular Australian alternative group Atlas Genius made their first return to North America in four years at Beachlife Festival in preparation for their upcoming album. The group joined the list of the impressively curated lineup that felt perfect for listening to beachside amidst the ocean breeze. Atlas Genius has an incredible sound and set the tone for a great final day of the festival.
Sugar Ray continues to be a regular at Beachlife Festival and played a great Sunday set. Mark McGrath had a moving moment expressing his love for the band and their music in general. It was my first opportunity that I had to see the band that I grew up listening to in the car rides to and from practices in my mom’s car and the venue and location couldn’t have been better for the first viewing. Hit after hit the band didn’t leave a song off the setlist for an overall vibey afternoon performance at the festival.
One of my all-time favorite groups, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, was one of the final acts I was able to see. The group consistently brings unmatched energy and vocals to their live performances. Hearing Paul Janeway’s voice soared across the beach was a pleasure. The band continues to be on my list of can’t miss live acts and it was a pleasure to get a mid-afternoon festival set from the group that always creates a groovy afternoon.
The final and interrupted set was that of ZZ Top, with a banner celebrating their 50th Anniversary tour behind them their iconic hair and beards flowed in the ocean breeze which later turned into the high winds that brought the festival to a halt. However, before that screeching halt fans were able to hear the legendary ZZ Top songs that they surrounded the stage for including ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ ‘Legs,’ ‘Gimme All Your Lovin,’ and more.
Beachlife festival was an experience to be remembered. The weekend didn’t get the end that it deserved after an incredibly well run and curated festival of music across genres and generations in one of the best festival locations.
