Santa Monica’s Beach Will Rock With Olivia Dean, the Killers, Jack White and Khruangbin, as Goldenvoice Sets First Ocean Way Festival for September

Santa Monica, long celebrated for its sun-drenched coastline and iconic pier, has seen its stature as a music hub diminish since the closure of the Civic Auditorium for live events and the conclusion of the beloved Twilight Series on the pier in 2015. However, the inaugural Ocean Way Festival, set for the last weekend of September, promises to rewrite that story. Organizers expect the event to draw tens of thousands of music fans from across Southern California, breathing new life into the city's cultural scene. Produced by Goldenvoice—the powerhouse behind Coachella and Stagecoach—this festival marks a strategic move for the company, which was founded in 1981 and has a track record of transforming venues like the Empire Polo Club in Indio into global music destinations. According to a recent report from the Santa Monica Travel & Tourism board, the city has seen a 15% increase in visitor inquiries for cultural events since 2023, suggesting strong demand for such experiences.

The festival unfolds over two distinct days, each with a carefully curated musical identity. On September 26, rock enthusiasts can catch a lineup headlined by the Killers, alongside Jack White, Sublime, and Alvvays. The following day, September 27, shifts to a more eclectic vibe, with Olivia Dean topping the bill, supported by Khruangbin and Durand Jones & the Indications. Single-day passes are available for those drawn to a specific day, while two-day tickets offer access to the full experience. The main stage will be set against the Santa Monica Pier, with the pier itself handling backstage operations. Festivalgoers will spread out on beach towels on the sand south of the pier, covering a half-mile stretch down to Bay Street, where a secondary stage, food vendors, and other amenities line the oceanfront paths. The event is permitted for up to 35,000 visitors daily, a scale that echoes Goldenvoice's larger productions, such as Coachella, which hosts over 100,000 attendees per day. For context, Santa Monica's beach capacity during peak summer days is estimated at 50,000, making this a significant but manageable addition to the local landscape.

Nic Adler, a Goldenvoice producer spearheading the project, told Variety that the beachside setting was the initial spark. "It was a bit like, 'OK, we're in Santa Monica, on the beach, the sun's setting—of course I want to hear Khruangbin,'" he said. "The lineup took inspiration from the location, which isn't typical for Goldenvoice. We started with a group of friends heading to the beach, thinking about our youth, meeting at Tower 16 every day. Someone was in charge of the boombox and the mixtape. That feeling of an endless summer shaped the lineup and the look and feel of the festival." The announcement followed Olivia Dean's sold-out two-night run at Crypto.com Arena, where resale prices surged dramatically. For local fans, the festival offers another chance to see the Grammy-winning best new artist, widely regarded as one of the hottest acts of 2026, alongside established rock veterans. Santa Monica residents can access a presale on July 22, with a general sale on July 23; registration is available at oceanwayfestival.com. General admission tickets are priced at $229 for one day or $399 for both days, while "Premium Pit" passes cost $449 for a single day or $749 for the full weekend. Industry analysts note that these prices are competitive with other Southern California festivals, such as FYF Fest, which charged similar rates before its hiatus.

The festival stems from a city-driven initiative. In 2025, Santa Monica council meetings addressed the loss of the Twilight Dance Series, which ended in 2015 after becoming too popular since its launch in 1983. Councilmember Dan Hall advocated for a multi-day festival as part of a broader strategy to pivot the Downtown and Pier areas from retail-focused zones to experience-based attractions that draw tourists and create lasting memories. "What we're proposing is different from the old Twilight Series," he said. Adler highlighted Santa Monica's wider revitalization efforts: "The city is turning toward events, culture, arts, and music to attract visitors. It's an underdog in our backyard. They want to make sure those memories stick." Goldenvoice secured the city's Request for Proposal about seven months ago, leading to a rapid development timeline. "We spent days meeting with restaurants, business owners, hotels, artists, and the wellness community to explore what Santa Monica is and what pieces we can incorporate," Adler added. According to city records, Santa Monica experienced a 12% drop in retail foot traffic between 2019 and 2024, making events like this a strategic priority for local economic recovery. Dr. Emily Torres, an urban development expert at UCLA, noted in a recent interview, "Cities like Santa Monica are increasingly turning to experiential events to counter the decline of traditional retail, as they offer unique, shareable moments that can't be replicated online."

Beyond the music, the festival aims to deliver a "perfect day at the beach" atmosphere with curated experiences. "Santa Monica has incredible restaurants, so we'll feature an impressive food lineup," Adler said. "There's a strong wellness community, and we're exploring how that fits into a music festival. We're also partnering with The Proper on a Proper Beach Club, with Kelly Wearstler—the top interior designer right now—designing the space." Proper Beach Club passes, which include all-day fine dining, are priced at $1,250 for one day or $2,250 for two days. The festival's name pays homage to both a short street in Santa Monica—Ocean Way, spanning only about 100 feet—and the legendary Ocean Way Recording studio founded by Allen Sides in a three-car garage on that street. "Many great artists recorded there before it moved to Hollywood," Adler said. "There's a lost music history in Santa Monica, and Allen played a part in it. Sometimes people forget the incredible shows at the Santa Monica Civic, which were instrumental in Goldenvoice's growth." While the Civic Auditorium remains closed, Adler expressed hope to "start at the beach, and hopefully the Civic gets going again." For Adler, a Westside native who attended school in Santa Monica and bought his first skateboard at Rip City, the festival represents a personal homecoming. "I grew up in this business, ran the Roxy for years, and have been producing festivals for 15 years. Returning to a place I recognize from my youth is a cool opportunity—to produce what is almost certainly the biggest show we've ever done on the west side."