The South Bay’s annual music beach party is rocking again.
A sold-out first day of the 2026 BeachLife Festival set off another weekend of stars performing on the sand for droves of music-lovers. The entry line curved down Harbor Drive on Friday, May 1, as many people entering the festival at Seaside Lagoon were geared up to see British legends Duran Duran headline the first night.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the popular Redondo Beach festival throughout the weekend, with organizers saying this year’s BeachLife could see record crowds. Last year’s festival currently boasts the largest attendance in BeachLife’s six-year history, with 35,000 concert-goers.
Friday hinted that last year’s record could be in danger, with day one selling out earlier in the week.
Concertgoer Kathleen Waterson, who waited in line for about 30 minutes to get on the grounds, said she was excited to see the first act, Jeremy Buck, but was concerned about getting inside in time to catch his set. The line was at a standstill until 2 p.m., when the show was set to go on.
In the previous years she attended, Waterson said, the doors opened well ahead of the first performance.
“There’s a band playing in 20 minutes,” Waterson said, referring to Buck. “How many people won’t see it? They’re charging prices close to Coachella, but the service doesn’t match.”
Waterson’s friend, Kari Adams, tagged along with her boyfriend, Clyde Smith; it was the couple’s first time experiencing BeachLife. Friday was the only day the trio planned on attending, so they were eager to get in and enjoy the eight hours of music, food, drinks and fun.
Adams agreed about the long wait to get in, saying it would be nice to have more time to get a drink and settle in before their favorite artists take the stage.
But that didn’t damper the sunny day the trio was ready to bask in.
“I’m still looking forward to the concert,” Waterson said, with a smile on her face.
Smith, meanwhile, said he was excited to see the Chainsmokers, adding that it was nice to be able to attend an event like this in his own backyard of Redondo Beach.
Ozzie Ahmed, meanwhile, came all the way from Florida on Thursday just to see Duran Duran perform after finding out about the festival online.
He traveled solo to Los Angeles for the three-day festival, and said he was excited to see the band for the second time after about 15 years.
It was difficult for him to find the entrance, he said. But once inside, Ahmed said, he was set to see his favorite band and then hang out all weekend until it’s time to head back home on Monday.
As Buck kicked off Friday afternoon’s lineup, attendees laid out blankets and blew up inflatable chairs to save preferred spots on the turf.
The rest of the weekend is also packed, with local punk stars The Offspring rocking the stage as the Saturday, May 2, headliners, while Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor and his All-Star Band will close out the festival on Sunday. Other performers will include Joan Jett on Saturday and My Morning Jacket on Sunday.
A smaller stage, called Riptide, was home to the all-youth led band The Only Bay on opening day. The kids rocked the stage with covers of familiar songs by artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Temptations.
Since its inception in 2019, BeachLife has brought great music to the South Bay annually, from legends to local favorites.
During BeachLife’s previous six years, multiple superstars have performed, including Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Incubus, Gwen Stefani, John Fogerty, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, Weezer, Sheryl Crow, Smashing Pumpkins, the Steve Miller Band, Jane’s Addiction and Counting Crows, among others.
Crow is set to take the stage this year too, on Sunday.
Throughout the grounds on Friday, visitors enjoyed myriad food vendors, bar booths and more — including a Jack Daniel’s karaoke bar.
Mitzy Ostrick was among them. Ostrick drove from Orange County with a friend who had been to the festival three years prior. The duo said they were looking forward to seeing the Chainsmokers and Group Love on Friday.
Later Friday night, attendees were set to dance on the sand to Duran Duran’s “Rio” and other hits.