Sea.Hear.Now is returning to Asbury Park for its 7th year on September 13 and 14 with a stacked lineup, featuring headliners Hozier and Blink-182, sub-headliners LCD Soundsystem, Alabama Shakes, Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, and 23 other amazing artists ranging from hardcore groups to jam bands. Along with the music, Sea.Hear.Now celebrates Jersey Shore culture with a professional surf competition, featuring Landon McNamara (who seems to be performing on a stage this year as well!), Cam Richards, Balaram Stack, Sam Hammer, and more. 

In 2023, the festival received backlash from concertgoers and media over technical sound issues, overcrowded spaces, and a sense of negligence from hired security. Still, the festival responded to criticism by opening a discussion form and allowing attendees to voice their opinions. The following year, Sea.Hear.Now made changes prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of the crowds, including banning blankets from being put down near the stage and upping security. 

“I’d also like to give a shout out to the security team at Sea Hear Now…There were multiple instances of fights, people passing out from dehydration, or just simply being too drunk. However, I always felt safe as the security team was quick and efficient with dealing with all these incidents. People in the audience would put their phone flashlights on to show where the incident was, and immediately security would be on their way to help. I had heard previously of security not being the greatest at events like this, but Sea Hear Now was clearly prepared and ready for anything,” Sophia Nigro from Halftone Mag wrote in 2024. 

Festival grounds will host a variety of food trucks and stations from spots around New Jersey, NYC, Philadelphia, and beyond, as well as art exhibits made by performing artists and local artists. Last year, artwork by Bruce Springsteen was displayed at the Transparent Clinch Gallery pop-up tent.

Tickets go on presale Friday, March 21 at 10 AM ET and can be purchased here.

Additionally, an in-person sale for Asbury Park residents is set for 10am to 7pm, Thursday, March 20, at the Grand Arcade Inside Convention Hall at 1300 Ocean Ave. Residents must be able to prove place of residence with an ID, utility bill, or other form of identification.