Celebrating more than six decades of music, Mike Love brought The Beach Boys to the historic Ocean City Music Pier for four shows Aug. 5-6, 2024.
It is led by founding member Mike Love. It includes longtime member Bruce Johnson, musical director and guitarist Brian Eichenberger, guitarist and singer Christian Love, keyboardist Tim Bonhomme, drummer Jon Bolton, bassist Keith Hubacher, saxophonist Randy Leago, and guitarist John Wedemeyer.
Performing to a sold-out crowd on the Jersey Shore, the legendary surf rockers treated fans to a setlist packed with their signature blend of sun, surf, and harmony 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5.
The show kicked off with a nostalgic video montage showcasing the band’s younger days, and clips from various movies and TV shows that have featured their timeless music. The screen faded to black as the band took the stage, launching into “Do It Again,” immediately transporting the crowd back to the heyday of surf music.
As always, “Surfin’ Safari” had the crowd singing along, and soon enough, everyone was swept up in the joyful sound of “Catch a Wave.”
At 83 years old, Love showed no signs of slowing down throughout the hour-and-a-half first show. He kept the energy high with his classic quips and showmanship, joking with the audience about the band playing what he humorously called their “breakfast show.”
One of the night’s fun surprises was their cover of the Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach.” While the Ramones’ East Coast punk-rock origins might seem at odds with the laid-back, surf-infused vibe of the Beach Boys, the tribute was both heartfelt and wildly fun, nodding to their shared love of sunny beaches. Love said it was recorded in response to their cover of “Surfin’ Safari.”
“It’s great to look out and see the atmosphere of what we sang about in the early days. We’re still singing about it,” Love said.
The nostalgia only grew deeper as the band seamlessly moved from one hit to the next, including “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Hawaii,” and “Don’t Back Down.” The crowd’s energy was undeniable during “I Get Around,” as the entire pier stood up, clapping and swaying to the rhythm.
Throughout the evening, the show’s highlight came from the back of the stage with Bolton making faces and twirling sticks as he stood up behind the skins.
Showing that he still had his legendary charm Love introduced the song “Surfer Girl,” dedicating it to all the ladies in attendance.
“I Get Around” had the audience up and dancing, to which Love quipped, “That’s enough cardio.”
The touching moments didn’t stop there. The band paid tribute to their late bandmates, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson. The tribute was most potent during “God Only Knows,” with Christian’s soft vocals filled the room, blending with the timeless harmonies that defined the Beach Boys’ sound. Love spoke about losing Carl to lung cancer and how much his son, Christian, helps carry on his legacy.
The energy kicked back up for “California Girls” and “Good Vibrations,” reminding everyone why the Beach Boys’ music remains an essential part of American culture. The band even included a cover of “California Dreamin’,” originally by The Mamas & The Papas, sung beautifully by the drummer, adding another layer of 60s nostalgia to the night.
As the show neared its end, the band brought out their crowd-pleasers: “Barbara Ann” and “Help Me, Rhonda,” sparking massive sing-alongs. And of course, they couldn’t leave without taking the crowd on a musical trip to “Kokomo,” before finally closing with “Fun, Fun, Fun” and the unmistakable “Good Vibrations.”
Performing at the Ocean City Music Pier, the Beach Boys played to their strengths, delivering a performance that paid tribute to their roots while honoring their legacy. Mike Love took a moment to thank the crowd and reminisce about how the sights and sounds of the shore have always inspired the Beach Boys’ music.
Love seemed genuine throughout the show. After “Good Vibrations,” he said, “Thank you for coming out to see the Berach Boys,” before the band launched into their final songs of the night.
Afterward, as “Gonna Fly Now,” Bill Conti’s theme from “Rocky,” Love stood at the foot of the stage and signed autographs and shook hands with as many people as he could before a manager came and told him to get ready for the 8 p.m. show.
At 6 p.m. sharp, the Beach Boys had taken the stage. Two hours and 36 songs later, they had taken their fans on an epic journey, reminding everyone why their songs of summer, surf, and nostalgia will forever remain timeless.
See The Beach Boys on the Endless Summer Gold tour on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland, and Sunday, Sept. 29, at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
Setlist The Beach Boys 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2024
Intro Video
Do It Again
Surfin’ Safari
Catch a Wave
Hawaii
Don’t Back Down
Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover)
Surfin’ U.S.A.
Surfer Girl
Sum Sum Summer (Christian Love cover)
Getcha Back
Darlin’
When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)
Be True to Your School
In My Room
Don’t Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
Little Honda
I Get Around
God Only Knows
California Dreamin’ (The Mamas & the Papas cover)
Sloop John B (traditional cover)
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
California Girls
Dance, Dance, Dance
I Can Hear Music (The Ronettes cover)
Barbara Ann (The Regents cover)
Help Me, Rhonda
Kokomo
Good Vibrations
Fun, Fun, Fun
