BeachLife Festival: Songs in the Sand in LA's South Bay

BeachLife Festival delighted the South Bay in its 6th year, from May 2–4, 2025, in Redondo Beach, California. An eclectic festival right by the water, BeachLife 2025 featured notable artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, The Beach Boys with John Stamos, and Alanis Morissette, as well as a slew of other fantastic bands. Festival-goers enjoyed the great tunes and salty air, with music on four different stages across three days.

BeachLife—especially this year—is a festival that has a little bit of everything, particularly for those who love seagulls, good vibrations, and (on Sunday) warm sunshine. The stages featured a mix of grass, pavement, and even sand, where music lovers could sink their feet in at the festival’s Low Tide Stage. There’s a family-oriented, fun feeling to BeachLife, with music fans of all ages and interests—much like heading to Hermosa, Manhattan, or Redondo Beach on the weekend. There was never a dull moment, with fun games like bean bag toss courtesy of Herradura Tequila, an arcade claw machine from Tito’s Vodka, and plenty of spin-the-wheel giveaways. Food options ranged from beef bulgogi dumplings to Dave’s Killer Bread bagel samples—there was truly something for everyone.

Lenny Kravitz absolutely electrified the stage on opening night, delivering a powerful range of hits and new songs that could likely be heard all the way from LAX. Playing funky openers like “Bring It On,” the crowd was already dancing by the time his groovy new track “TK421” came on. Between his signature mic-stand grinding and dreadlock-banging, Kravitz is a showman I’d recommend to absolutely everyone. The huge lightboxes above the stage, the afroed drummer and guitarist, and the cowboy bassist all made for a visual masterpiece. Kravitz closed the set with fan favorites: “Fly Away,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” and kept the encore simple with the uplifting “Let Love Rule.” If you enjoy dancing and bass-heavy funky beats, Lenny Kravitz is a must-see for your bucket list.

Sublime took the stage on Day 2, fronted by Jakob, son of the band’s late founder, Bradley Nowell. On what was undoubtedly the most packed day of the festival, the Long Beach natives drew the largest crowd. Jakob came on stage part-ringmaster, part-toddler, exuding joyful, childlike energy from the start. He kicked off his shoes and sprinted down the catwalk to greet the audience. The band opened with “Date Rape,” a crowd favorite, then launched into deeper cuts like their cover of “The Ballad of Johnny Butt” and “Garden Grove.” The crowd sang along to every word. Jakob Nowell’s voice brought a fresh flavor to Sublime’s classics—sometimes channeling Bradley’s sound, other times offering a lucid reimagining. Sublime with Jakob was a delightful return to the roots at BeachLife.

John Stamos with The Beach Boys *(Andrew Marshall)*

On Sunday, The Beach Boys—featuring Mike Love and John Stamos—took the Low Tide Stage by storm—or should I say, sunshine. The weekend had been mostly overcast, keeping the festival cool, but the sun broke through just in time for their set. Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray brought the hype, John Stamos brought the style, and Mike Love brought the charm. With Stamos on guitar, the legendary band cruised through “Do It Again,” “Surfin’ Safari,” and even a cover of The Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach.” Stamos then moved to drums for several songs, impressing with stylish fills and flair. The trio of frontmen, backed by an extraordinary lineup of musicians, complemented each other exceptionally well. Sweetly, Mike Love danced with his wife of 30 years, Jacqueline, during one song. The Beach Boys brought sunshine, surprises, and “Good Vibrations” to BeachLife, closing out the weekend on a high note.

One of the most memorable performances was Aloe Blacc’s set on the High Tide Stage on Friday. He’s one of those artists where every song makes you think, “That’s a great cover”—but he actually wrote or co-wrote it. Dressed in a sharp black suit and fedora, Blacc and his diverse band delivered soul to the masses. With singers, saxophone, trumpet, and more, they kicked off with “I Need a Dollar,” given a reggae twist to heat things up. The songs were extended, showcasing the exceptional musicianship on stage. They closed the set with a soulful cover of “California Dreamin’” and the Avicii collaboration “Wake Me Up.” Aloe Blacc is an absolute must-see and left the crowd wanting more to kick off BeachLife.

Friday, the festival’s first day, featured a beautiful sunset and an eager crowd. The Struts from the UK took the High Tide Stage like a shot of espresso. Luke Spiller danced and sang his heart out, performing fan favorites like “Body Talks,” “Could Have Been Me,” and a request, “Pretty Vicious.” Milo Aukerman of The Descendents gave an intimate, ukulele-driven solo set at the Grillo’s Pickle Stage. O.A.R. impressed a dedicated afternoon crowd with the reflective “Black Rock” and their classic “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker.” Train followed with a golden-hour show, with a playful Pat Monahan snapping selfies with fans. Before Lenny Kravitz, SULLVN wowed the Riptide Stage with a perfect Friday night vibe—colorful, groovy soul-reggae. I’m excited to see this 10-piece band on a bigger stage—they brought big sound and even bigger heart.

Saturday, the festival’s busiest day, brought a reggae-heavy lineup and some fun surprises. Sitting on Saturn played one of the few pop-punk/reggae sets of the weekend on the Riptide Stage. They drew a diverse crowd, including John Stamos himself, who stopped by to check them out. Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray stormed the stage, joking that it “still smelled like Lenny Kravitz.” Their set was full of energy and laughs. Susanna Hoffs brought a charming, bashful performance to the main stage. Her beautiful voice reminded us just how many hits she and The Bangles have given us. Skip Marley, grandson of Bob Marley, graced the LowTide Stage, several years after his uncles did the same.

Sunday offered the most relaxed vibe of the weekend, with lots of intimate moments. Donovan Frankenreiter, one of the hardest-working men in surf rock, drew the biggest crowd to the Grillo’s Pickles Stage. It was a rare chance for fans to see him up close, as he usually headlines bigger stages. A meet-and-greet with John Stamos, Mike Love, and Mark McGrath drew a crowd of its own—fans craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Uncle Jesse at the Club Kokomo Spirits booth (Mike Love’s brand). Mt. Joy delivered a gorgeous golden-hour indie rock set on the main stage, their live performance highlighting the relatability of their lyrics.

Mark McGrath, Mike Love, John Stamos (Andrew Marshall)

For my first time at BeachLife, I can confidently say it won’t be my last. The festival was incredibly dynamic—something more California and Nevada festivals could learn from. Each day had its own mood, its own intention, and I was more than happy to ride that wave. There are so many reasons to love BeachLife—from the sand-and-grass audience areas to the delicious food and the genuinely pleasant crowd. 2025 was definitely a successful year for BeachLife, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings.