There’s something magnetic about Ohana Fest 2025 — the way the salty sea breeze carries the echo of guitars, how palm trees sway to the rhythm of pure rock energy, and how the golden late-September sun casts that signature Southern California glow over the crowd. Held at the picturesque Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, this year’s festival pulsed with attitude, emotion, and electric performances that defined alt-rock and punk rebellion.
People came from all over — from Las Vegas to New York to Monterey Bay — and every generation showed up, from toddlers to Gen X. Some spread out their beach towels, soaking up the sun, great food, and good vibes, while others camped out for over twelve hours just to claim a spot at the barricade. I thought this year’s crowd was one of the best yet — friendly, chill, and full of that true “Ohana” spirit. People were literally sharing food; someone next to me offered me pizza (for free!), and another guy handed out carbonated drinks to anyone nearby.
At one point, I went to grab a lemonade — and when I made my way back through the crowd, I said, “Sorry, just going back to my spot,” and someone smiled and replied, “Don’t be sorry, you’re good.” That’s what I love about Ohana Fest — even with all the noise, heat, and chaos of live music, there’s this incredible sense of community. Of course, no alt-rock festival would be complete without a few mosh pits and some epic crowd surfing, but here, it all feels safe — because it’s “Ohana,” which means family.
Ohana Fest Fan Moments
Among the sea of music lovers, some fans had traveled thousands of miles to be part of the Ohana Fest experience. Danielle and Joseph Kilmer from Owego, New York, shared their excitement and reflections on the unforgettable weekend:
“When we saw that all of our favorite bands were going to be on the same stage at Ohana Fest, we knew that we had to be there! We flew in from upstate NY to find great weather, welcoming people, and amazing music. We enjoyed the performers we were already familiar with – Eddie Vedder brought out Pearl Jam’s ‘Just Breathe’ in a duet with Lukas Nelson before completing a set showcasing his solo music on day one (and then a surprise collaborative set with Glen Hansard on day three under the pseudonym ‘Amanda Reckonwith’) — while Cage the Elephant was electrifying and energetic, and Green Day brought down the house with amazing hits and wild antics.
We also discovered some dynamic and lively bands that had escaped our notice over the years, including Garbage and James, as well as great up-and-comers like Skating Polly, Lambrini Girls, High Vis, Royel Otis, and David Duchovny (of The X-Files fame), all of whom brought incredible energy to the stage. It was an amazing trip — one we will surely repeat in the future.” – Joseph and Danielle Kilmer, Owego, NY.
Another attendee, Danielle Van Kampen, and her family flew down from the Bay Area to join local friends and experience Ohana Fest for the first time. Their list of must-see acts included The Chats, Wet Leg, Cage the Elephant, and Green Day — and they weren’t disappointed.
“The artists we came to see were The Chats, Wet Leg, Cage the Elephant, and Green Day — great performances from everyone!”
As a first-timer, Danielle was just as impressed by the festival’s setup as she was by the music:
“Amazing venue right on the water — beautiful palm trees and lighting — and I love how two stages are going back and forth with little downtime in between… You don’t have to worry about missing an artist, as with many other multi-stage venues.”
From Shirley Manson’s fierce, unapologetic presence to Hozier’s soulful power under the stars, the weekend struck a perfect balance of grit and grace. Cage the Elephant brought wild energy with Matt Shultz’s nonstop motion — a photographer’s dream of rock-star madness — while Green Day closed the weekend with an explosive, nostalgic finale that united generations of fans.
It wasn’t just a festival — it was a celebration of grit, passion, and rock ‘n’ roll spirit, wrapped in the warmth of a California evening by the ocean.
Plaid, Power, and Pure Rock: Shirley Manson of Garbage at Ohana Fest
I’ve been a fan of Shirley Manson and her band Garbage since they first exploded onto the alternative rock scene in the ’90s. As a true alt-rock enthusiast, finally seeing them live had been on my bucket list for years—so when I saw they were performing on the first day of Ohana Fest, it was a no-brainer. I had to be there.
Let’s talk about Shirley’s style for a moment because her stage look was nothing short of iconic. Shirley Manson, the fierce frontwoman of Garbage, commanded the Ohana Fest stage with unapologetic power and presence. She arrived with pure rock ‘n’ roll attitude, proudly nodding to her Scottish roots in a belted plaid skirt layered with edgy straps and metallic accents—a modern twist on traditional tartan that caught the spotlight instantly. Paired with a sleek black top, bold gold accessories, and knee-high combat boots, her outfit radiated confidence and strength.
Her platinum blonde hair was slicked back, drawing attention to her striking eyeliner and fearless expression. The combination of heritage and punk energy perfectly set the tone for the electrifying performance that followed.
Shirley addressed the crowd with heartfelt emotion, saying, “At last, we made it! We’re all here together, and it’s such a thrill to be part of this incredible festival. First of all, we have to give a huge shoutout to the great Eddie Vedder. I’m assuming most of you know, but for those who don’t—Garbage, the band you’re watching tonight, emerged in the ’90s. Back then, Eddie Vedder was king… and he’s remained king ever since. There are very few male rock stars who have distinguished themselves the way he has. It’s an enormous privilege to be here, and I don’t say that lightly.”
The band powered through their biggest hits, each one sparking cheers and sing-alongs from the crowd. Shirley’s storytelling between songs added a nostalgic touch—mentioning which tunes marked their early days in the ’90s and even pointing out their track featured in the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. The audience was fully locked in, dancing and singing their hearts out to anthems like “Stupid Girl” and “I’m Only Happy When It Rains.”
Watching Shirley Manson up close, owning the stage with raw charisma and authenticity, was a thrill I’ll never forget. Her set was a perfect blend of attitude, nostalgia, and pure rock energy—an unforgettable highlight of Ohana Fest.
Hozier’s Soulful Night Under the Stars at Ohana Festival 2025
Hozier headlined Day 2 of the Ohana Festival 2025 in Dana Point with his signature effortless charm, perfectly matched to the dreamy coastal evening. Dressed in a sleek black tailored suit, he exuded understated elegance, letting his soulful presence command attention.
As he performed under the starlit sky, the ocean breeze swept through his voluminous, wavy hair, creating a cinematic, almost ethereal moment. His rich, powerful voice was solid throughout the set, perfectly accompanied by his seven-plus–member band, adding depth and texture to every song.
Behind me were groups of young women in their late teens and early twenties, many experiencing Ohana for the first time just to see Hozier. Their excitement and energy mirrored the electric atmosphere around the stage.
After performing a few songs, Hozier paused to address the crowd with heartfelt words that perfectly captured the festival’s spirit:
“You still feeling good? I’m so great—I’m doing good. Thank you so much. I’ve also been informed that ‘Ohana’ means family. It’s beautiful. There’s a beautiful atmosphere here. I’ve got to say, it’s rare among festivals to come and experience a vibe like this. Thank you. It’s a testament to the organizers that it truly captures the spirit of the festival. I know they’re doing some great work supporting important causes, and it’s just a pleasure to be here and be among you.”
The crowd sang along to every song, their faces lighting up with emotion as Hozier’s soulful vocals filled the night air. You could see the connection in their expressions—a mix of joy, nostalgia, and pure admiration. At one point, Hozier reflected on the band’s journey, mentioning their first recording and the year it was released, a moment that drew cheers from longtime fans.
During the second half of the concert, Hozier surprised the audience by leaving the main stage and walking toward a platform set up in the center of the crowd, closer to the beach. The audience erupted in excitement as he got nearer, creating a more intimate and special vibe. He smiled and said, “Nice to get a bit closer. I’m from the east coast of Ireland, and I live very close to the sea. So it’s so good to be in a kind of salt air, you know what I mean? It’s very rare for a festival to experience this. There’s always a feeling about the ocean, you know. This is absolutely beautiful.”
When Hozier performed his recent hit “Too Sweet,” the crowd began to dance and sway together, the festival grounds turning into a sea of movement under the night sky. And for his final song, the one that started it all—“Take Me to Church”—fans erupted, shouting every lyric with passion. It was a powerful, unifying moment that closed out his set on an unforgettable high.
As the night came to an end, the energy lingered in the salty air, and the crowd slowly dispersed under the stars, still buzzing from the experience. Hozier’s performance wasn’t just a festival set—it was a soulful, communal moment that perfectly captured the spirit of Ohana: family, music, and connection by the sea.
Cage the Elephant Ignites Ohana Fest 2025 with Electrifying Energy
I have to admit—Cage the Elephant has long been one of my favorite alternative rock bands. Their sound is irresistibly catchy, the kind of music that fills you with so much energy you can’t resist moving to the beat. And when Matt Shultz, the band’s magnetic frontman, stormed the stage at Ohana Fest 2025 in Dana Point, the crowd erupted. The air buzzed with anticipation as fans jumped, shouted, and raised their hands high, ready for an unforgettable night of pure rock energy.
Starting promptly at 6:25 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, Cage the Elephant wasted no time setting the night ablaze. The energy was pure adrenaline — Matt Shultz was a live wire, darting across the stage with high-octane charisma that fed straight into the crowd. His every move was unpredictable — jumping, twisting, and interacting with fans — the kind of kinetic performance that turns a concert into a photographer’s dream, full of thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime shots.
Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant brought his unmistakable flair to Ohana Fest 2025, blending rock-star energy with vintage cool. He wore a bold blue-and-black striped cardigan over a white tee, striking the perfect balance between casual and electric. His dark aviator shades and layered accessories — a chunky silver chain, bracelets, and a studded choker — amped up his rebellious edge. The look was pure Shultz: unpredictable, fearless, and effortlessly stylish, perfectly matching the band’s high-voltage performance.
After a few songs, Shultz took a pause, flashing a grin before addressing the sea of fans:
“It’s an absolute pleasure, joy, and a tremendous blessing to be here with you all tonight on this fine, beautiful night. We are Cage the Elephant, and we want to formally welcome everyone as part of the Cage the Elephant family.”
The crowd roared as he tossed off his cardigan, revealing just his white shirt — and from that moment on, the energy only grew. The band tore through hits like “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” (a crowd favorite that had everyone singing every word), “Trouble,” and “Come a Little Closer.”
Midway through the set, Shultz hyped up the crowd again, shouting with a grin:
“How we feeling tonight? How we feeling? I feel like we’re getting off to a good start. You know, it’s only just begun.”
Fans waved their arms, jumped in unison, and danced under the open sky — the perfect rock festival scene. The atmosphere was wild yet joyful, pure and unfiltered.
By the end of the set, it wasn’t just a performance — it was an experience. Cage the Elephant didn’t just play music that night; they set the beach on fire with sound, sweat, and spirit. Definitely my kind of jam.
Green Day Brings Punk Rock Mayhem to Close Out Ohana Fest 2025
Green Day closed the final night of Ohana Fest 2025 on Sunday, September 29, delivering a raucous, high-energy finale that had the crowd singing, shouting, and jumping in unison. Generations of fans — from Gen X diehards to Gen Alpha newcomers — packed the coastal venue, ready for a night of pure punk rock nostalgia and rebellion.
Before Green Day even hit the stage, the crowd was already on their feet, roaring with anticipation as a bunny mascot bounded out under the spotlight. Dressed in frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s signature outfit — a black shirt with a bold red tie — the mischievous mascot immediately stole the show. Channeling pure punk energy, the bunny danced, jumped, and hyped up the audience to the Ramones’ staple anthem “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Fans erupted in cheers as the bunny took things to the next level — diving into the sea of people and crowd surfing across the ecstatic audience. With fists pumping and voices echoing “Hey! Ho! Let’s go!”, the moment perfectly captured Green Day’s playful punk spirit. It was a wild, hilarious, and unforgettable pre-show spectacle that set the tone for the explosive night ahead.
When the lights dimmed and the opening chords of “American Idiot” ripped through the speakers, the crowd erupted. Billie Joe and the band stormed onto the stage, instantly commanding the audience with their signature mix of rebellion and infectious energy. Fans sang along to every word, waving their arms and dancing as confetti cannons burst overhead, showering the crowd in color. Many paid tribute to the band by wearing black shirts and red ties, mirroring Billie Joe’s iconic look.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Billie Joe spotted a fan in the crowd wearing a sash that read “Birthday Girl.” Without hesitation, he invited her on stage, gave her a warm hug, and shared a few laughs with the audience — a genuine reminder of how down-to-earth and connected he remains to his fans, even after decades in the spotlight.
Midway through the set, Billie Joe turned to the crowd with his trademark grin and shouted,
“When I say 1, 2—1, 2, 3, 4! I want to see everybody waving, dancing, and singing! Are you ready?”
The audience roared back, jumping and clapping in rhythm as the band launched into another high-voltage anthem.
Later in the show, Billie Joe paused and said, “This goes to all LGBTQ people out there — mi amigas, mi amigos,” before launching into “Bobby Sox.” The dedication drew cheers from across the venue, turning the festival into a celebration of unity and love through music.
From the timeless fury of “Basket Case” to the anthemic “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”, Green Day’s set was a full-blown punk rock spectacle — raw, nostalgic, and unapologetically fun. As the final notes echoed under the stars and ocean breeze, Ohana Fest 2025 closed on the kind of high only Green Day could deliver — loud, electrifying, and unforgettable. It was the kind of energy I love — pure, contagious, and exhilarating — and I enjoyed every bit of it.
So far, this has been the best Ohana Fest yet. From the incredible lineup to the electric crowd and the good vibes all around, every moment felt like a true celebration of music, community, and coastal energy. I truly enjoyed the experience — the atmosphere, the performances, and the people who made it all so memorable. I’ll see you in 2026 for another unforgettable weekend of music and memories at Ohana Fest!
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