Ohana Festival 2026 Review feat. Pearl Jam, Billy Idol, Fontaines D.C., Pixies, more

Ismael Quintanilla III for Ohana

When Ohana Festival, curated by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder (pictured) and his team, returned for the 10^th edition in Dana Point, Calif. last Friday, the question of who would be behind the band’s drum kit for its first 2026 gig as Sunday headliner was a leading topic among fans.

Turns out longtime Paul McCartney touring musician - and studio contributor to Vedder’s 2022 album Earthling - Abe Laboriel Jr. handled rhythm duties on Friday (a surprise Pearl Jam set billed as Eddie Vedder & Friends) and Sunday.  

Onstage Sunday night, Vedder thanked the Beatle for allowing them to “borrow” Laboriel, citing “an old music adage that…you cannot be a great band without a great drummer,” and then dedicated “Better Man” to Laboriel (Vedder’s official Instagram post on Monday also appreciated the drummer for “sitting in” with them over the weekend).  

George A. Paul

Drawing an estimated 15,000 people daily and hosting nearly three dozen acts over three days, Ohana stands apart from other local music festivals. There’s a more laid-back atmosphere, an emphasis on beach culture and just two stages where performances are staggered so attendees don’t have to miss anyone. Ohana also allows people to purchase single day tickets (a commendable rarity).

Merch lines were long throughout the weekend because Pearl Jam fans absolutely must have the limited-edition skateboard decks, posters and more than one t-shirt, from which they had plenty to choose from.

Over at the Storytellers stage at The Cove area, talks about oceans, environmental justice, activism, art, community and indigenous voices were done by Pearl Jam members, renowned conservationist Capt. Paul Watson and others. The Cove Gallery contained an impressive array of live photos of past and present Ohana performers, beach-themed artwork and beyond for sale.

As Vedder welcomed the Day 1 crowd at the Ohana Stage, he said that while looking over the gallery, someone anonymously gifted him a photo that he was seen admiring. Vedder held up what seemed to be a backstage pass to possibly determine the benefactor.  

Then he expressed gratitude his music festival could still take place considering ones in New York City and Maryland (CBGB Festival, Global Citizen, All Things Go, Oceans Calling) were called off last week due to inclement weather. Vedder proceeded to play and sing The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” acoustically on ukelele.

Here is a selected rundown of the festivities:

FRIDAY

Eddie Vedder & Friends’ five song set saw Billy Idol turn up for a version of The Who’s “I’m One,” and Vedder paid tribute to the late Glen Hansard (The Frames, Swell Season) by covering his “Song of Good Hope.” Then Pearl Jam appeared to do a surprise 15-song performance including “Corduroy,” “Wish List,” “Do the Evolution,” “I Got ID,” covers of Dead Boys’ “Sonic Reducer,” The Who’s “Baba O’Riley,” and more.

Judging by daily chatter and t-shirts, veteran Mexican rock band Mana was a big draw. 

Dusana Karam for Ohana

Nowadays, Billy Idol (pictured) seems to be everywhere. Dream Into It, the English rocker’s solid first album in over a decade arrived last year. The well-received documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead is currently streaming. Idol did some nifty U.S. Open promos amid the televised match coverage and of course will finally be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soon.

Looking and sounding great, Idol, 70, took the Ohana stage wearing a studded leather jacket (the first of several clothing changes). He immediately stood on a platform, did those trademark sneers and fist pumps to a rousing “Still Dancing.” Longtime sideman Steve Stevens constantly raised the set’s excitement level with his guitar pyrotechnics. “Cradle of Love” and “Flesh for Fantasy” remained strong as Idol engaged with his two leather clad female background singers.

Colorful videogame-styled cityscapes (and classic Idol music video clips) were used to good effect. Before the sumptuous ballad “Eyes Without a Face,” Stevens briefly sat down for a short flamenco-type intro. The ladies did a humorous tug of war for Idol’s affections on a spirited “Mony Mony.” For the racing “Blue Highway,” the guitarist segued into a bit of his “Anthem” theme from “Top Gun.”

Later, Idol told the story about how he came up with the title “Rebel Yell” after partying with the Rolling Stones in New York. That signature ‘80s song, along with “Dancing with Myself” and “White Wedding” proved there’s still plenty of life left in the veteran rocker.

Melodic hardcore mainstay Bad Religion arrived to an eerie synth sound before going full bore into the title track to 1993’s Recipe for Hate. The frequently short songs flew by at a dizzying pace. “21^st Century (Digital Boy)” and other 1990s/2000s alt-radio staples like “Infected” and “Sorrow” prompted occasional crowd surfing. 

Bassist Jay Bentley was smiling ear to ear, while studious frontman Greg Graffin (who has a PhD and has lectured at universities) barked the thought-provoking lyrics. He remarked how “1989 was a hell of a year” before going into a hard hitting “No Control.” The harrowing and still applicable closer “American Jesus,” which explores the dangers of nationalism, was a standout made even better by Eddie Vedder joining for the chant ending.

Aussie indie rocker Courtney Barnett and her two-piece band thrilled Ohana watchers from the get-go with a hard charging “Stay in Your Lane,” a recent top 10 Triple A radio hit from her terrific new fifth album Creature of Habit.

“One Thing at a Time,” with her blazing guitar solo, and the dreamy “Mantis” from that release also were impressive. Three older tunes from the 2010s – the spacey “Avant Gardener,” an insistent, noisy “Pedestrian at Best,” and kick-out-the-jams finish of “History Eraser” were riveting, at times recalling early Pretenders.

Ismael Quintanilla III for Ohana

This past spring’s live reunion of Sugar (pictured) singer/guitarist Bob Mould’s short-lived noisy Nineties alt-rock band, has been drawing raves. A mini-documentary just debuted on YouTube, and the Minneapolis trio has several U.S. shows scheduled through October.

In a taut, satisfying set, Mould’s guitarwork was still totally abrasive, while his harmonies with bassist Dave Barbe (who also took two lead turns) were seamless. They really meshed well on “Changes,” where Mould played the life out of his guitar and did a Pete Townshend-type windmill, the jangly old MTV “120 Minutes” staple “If I Can’t Change Your Mind,” “Helpless” (a top 5 modern rock radio hit) and cascading “Gee Angel.”

Hailing from Mexico, Midnight Generation’s brand of electro-pop and funk defined “fun,” especially on the aptly named “Energy” and “Don’t Wait Up” off latest album Tender Love (think: Daft Punk-meets-Zapp, with bits of Chic and Kraftwerk thrown in). 

All five members wore matching white attire, a few sang in falsetto. They did synchronised moves at one point and the singer/guitarist engaged in plenty of talk box action. A few attendees near me marveled when one member used a coffee cup as percussion.

LA-based male singer Muttlee followed with some aggressive Rage Against the Machine-inspired alt-rock such as “Let the Metal Sing” and a cover of Fontaines D.C.’s “Boys in the Better Land.”

Mereba, a female singer from Alabama, opened the Tiki Stage with soul and rap-inflected tunes including a nice cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.”

SATURDAY

Americana singer/songwriter Tyler Childers headlined and surprisingly didn’t play his biggest country single – 2023’s platinum-selling “In Your Love.” The bill also included Alabama Shakes, Jon Batiste, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Men I Trust, among others. One late addition was female Irish indie rock band Florence Road which had its gear stolen, couldn’t perform Friday, but ended up with a primo Saturday slot instead. Eddie Vedder generously lent his instruments. 

SUNDAY

A touching video tribute to Glen Hansard prefaced Pearl Jam’s powerful 18-song headline set. The montage showed the Irish singer/songwriter’s frequent regular and guest appearances at Ohana. Pearl Jam followed it by playing “Long Road.”

Many well-known Pearl Jam hits were offered up in vigorous fashion, including “Given to Fly,” an extended “Daughter” (plus bits of U2’s “Bad” and Hansard’s “Down on Our Knees”), “Even Flow” (Vedder admitted, “We started out pretty good as a band; then we got better”), the brawny “Jeremy” (Mike McCready and Stone Gossard played side-by-side), “Black” (McCready pulled out all the stops on a psychedelic solo) and set closer “Alive.” Another standout was the thoughtful, more recent “Wreckage.”

Eddie Vedder heeded first verse vocal duties for “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” to guest Billy Strings, the award-winning Americana/bluegrass artist and Ohana ’22 alum. They played it on acoustic guitars after Vedder recounted how Strings won his elementary school talent show with the same song. The Pearl Jam singer pointed out a harvest moon overhead and said, “We’re thinking about our Uncle Neil (Young). Maybe we can get him out here next year.”

Strings and the band covered “Throw Your Hatred Down,” off 1995’s Neil Young with Pearl Jam album Mirror Ball and the lyrics really hit home considering current world events. McCready and Strings did some fine tandem electric guitar work together. Later, in the encore, Strings returned for Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

George A. Paul

Fontaines D.C. turned in a captivating sunset performance that affirmed why it is one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge from Ireland in a long time. The Dublin post-punk quintet previewed its exceptional upcoming James Ford-produced fifth album Dopamine Chamber (due Oct. 16) with a haunting synth-laden “Six Shot Morning,” sung by frontman Grian Chatten (pictured) in his lower register, and the keening wonder “Marianne.”

Launching the set with “Nabokov,” they provided a claustrophobic sonic sheen as Chatten, clad in a Dropkick Murphys shirt, hunched over a monitor. He veered from aloofness (saying “you don’t want to get to know me”) to urging fans to sing along by holding out the microphone at various points during the performance.

The frantic “Boys in the Better Land” was an adrenaline rush; so was “Jackie Down the Line.” But the best moments came as the guitarists and keyboardists - extended to a six-piece in concert - combined chiming and jangle textures that evoked The Smiths during “It’s Amazing to Be Young” and “Favourite” (both off the deluxe edition of 2024’s Romance).

Bassist Conor Deegan added prominent backing vocals throughout. Chatten frequently paced the stage, gestured and raised his hands in the air, adding dramatic emphasis. Prior to the lead singer’s passionate delivery on a stirring “In the Modern World,” he said “Free Palestine.”

Ismael Quintanilla III for Ohana

Vedder introduced Pixies (pictured) by saying that the ocean’s high tides stopping at 9:30 a.m. must have been a sign of “good karma” and how this band was a favorite. Early in the set, Vedder proved it by joining the musicians for “Wave of Mutilation.”

Black Francis was manic as ever, caterwauling through popular live and alt-radio selections like the ominous “Gouge Away,” “Debaser,” and “Where is My Mind” (often still synched for TV, movies and commercial use). Pixies got really loud crowd responses for big alt-rock radio hits “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” ‘Here Comes Your Man,” and a ferocious “Head On.” Guitarist Joey Santiago’s influence was proved time and again, especially when he took the guitar jack out and made quivering sounds.

In 2025, Rilo Kiley reunited after 15+ years apart. The LA indie pop band still sounded tight onstage. Sporting a leopard print dress, classy singer Jenny Lewis, moved between bass and keyboards. She mostly let the music do the talking. Lewis’ gorgeous vocals shined most during “Spectacular Views,” a seductive “The Moneymaker,” the throwback pop stylings of “I Never” and snappy “Silver Lining.” Unfortunately, a crowd emergency cut the set short, but Rilo Kiley did get to close with endearing, xylophone-accented gem “With Arms Outstretched.”

Dusana Karam for Ohana

Another welcome indie rock reunion from the 2000s came via Arizona’s The Format (pictured), which put out Boycott Heaven, its first studio album in 20 years last January. Gregarious singer Nate Ruess (ex-fun.) projected a genuine, vulnerable presence onstage. He and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means, plus three touring musicians fared best on a joyous, yet anguished “Tie the Rope,” the acoustic guitar-driven “The First Single (You Know Me),” and the music hall dynamic of “Dog Problems.”

All three newer tunes – a high flying “Holy Roller” - recently top 20 at alt-radio – the totally relevant “Leave it Alone” (key lyric: “when all the kids in Gaza are dying to go home”) and direct title track were highlights.

Villanelle, led by Gene Gallagher, kicked off Sunday’s Ohana stage proceedings with some cool grunge/heavy alternative rock-leaning tunes that recalled Nirvana and Foo Fighters, especially during “Hinge” and “Measly Means.” Gallagher’s delivery bore traces of his famous father Liam’s penchant for drawing out vowels. The melodic “Squeeze” was a highlight.

Photos courtesy of Ohana Fest/C3 Presents.

U2 Head to the 'Carnaval De Luz' on New Album Feat. Dolly Parton Slated for November

'Carnaval De Luz,' the first full-length album of new material from U2 in nine years, will be released via Interscope Records on November 13. The new track “Silencio” is available now, accompanied by a music video. Listen HERE. Watch HERE.

Produced by longtime collaborator Jacknife Lee, the roots of Carnaval De Luz can be traced directly to U2’s two surprise-released and critically acclaimed six-track EPs earlier this year, recorded during the same creative period as the new album. 

Those releases, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, followed the liturgical calendar, and so Carnaval De Luz sits, stands, and dances before them in timeline. The song connecting the album and two EPs is the final track on the new album, “Torn,” a duet between Bono and Dolly Parton, in what is her last recorded vocal performance. Co-written by U2, Parton, and Johnny McDaid, it details broken family ties. 

Carnaval De Luz is released in the band’s 50th year, 2026, one in which U2 will have released 24 new songs. The album also sees collaborations from Brian Eno (co-writing and synthesizers on “Go (Carnaval De Luz),” “The Greatest Show on Earth,” and “Can’t Stop Us Now”), Martin Garrix (co-writing on “Glorify”), and Daniel Lanois (playing pedal steel on “Torn”); with additional production from Ryan Tedder on “Silencio.”

The Edge said - “It’s a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs — and features the first-ever use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording. Just saying.”

Bono said - “Roll up, roll up, roll up! Bring your purple socks, your broken hearts, your rose-tinted naivety… oh be amazed in the hall of mirrors. There will be loud guitars, deep bass, some ecstatic rhythms and, yes, some silver tears will make an appearance! 'Cause in the near distance just outside our carnival of light there are all kinds of creatures… the same imagination that brings us our creativity can also bring us monsters. So we make the drums louder. We build a bigger fire. We make our stories wilder and funnier. We make the melodies sweeter and the songs, they better shine, because if the world is in darkness we better not be.”

A music video for “Silencio” was shot in Mexico City earlier this year. “Street of Dreams,” the first song to be taken from the new album, was released in July. Listen to “Street of Dreams” HERE, watch HERE.

Carnaval De Luz will be available in formats including: Limited Edition Deluxe Vinyl & CD Boxsets, Various Limited Edition Coloured & Bespoke Vinyl variants, Standard CD, Standard Vinyl, Digital Download. Pre-order, pre-save HERE.

Track listing:

Go (Carnaval De Luz)
La Reina
Street Of Dreams
The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)
Superficiality
If The World Is At War We Better Not Be
Silencio
The Greatest Show On Earth
Glorify
Midnight Sunshine
Can’t Stop Us Now
Torn (Feat. Dolly Parton)

Ohana Festival '26 News: Storytellers stage lineup

Ohana Festival 2026 takes place Sept. 25-27 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif.

The lineup includes Pearl Jam, Tyler Childers, Eddie Vedder & Friends, Fontaines D.C., Pixies, Billy Idol, Bad Religion, Alabama Shakes, Jon Batiste, Sugar, Rilo Kiley and others. 

Limited tickets are still available for Day 1 and 2 through www.ohanafest.com/tickets.

In addition to the music, the event - celebrating its 10th Anniversary - has a Storytellers area devoted to moderated conversations and interactive panels with environmentalists, artists, musicians, scientists, activists, surfers, photographers, filmmakers, and Indigenous voices. 

Hosted by Rosy Hodge and held on a stage within The Cove, Storytellers honors Ohana’s philanthropic pillars of ocean health, activism, environmental justice, art, community, Indigenous voices, and more. 

Some of the Ohana’s 2026 Storytellers include:

ADELIA SANDOVAL, Ceremonial Healer
Adelia Sandoval is a lineal descendant of the Acjachemen people and serves as Spiritual Overseer and Cultural Director for the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians/Acjachemen Nation. She shares her culture through storytelling, art, music, ceremony, and traditional healing practices. An ordained minister, she founded Song of the Earth, a Native American healing ministry rooted in outdoor sanctuaries. Adelia also served on the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative and is Village Elder for The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.

AMBER CARTER, PHD, Social-Ecological Marine Scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Dr. Amber Carter is a marine scientist whose research explores the intersection of ocean conservation and coastal communities. She combines science, filmmaking, and storytelling to make research more inclusive and accessible while amplifying local voices. Her work focuses on small-scale fisheries and the social dimensions of environmental change. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

BARRY AMENT, Co-Founder, Ames Bros
Barry Ament co-founded Seattle design studio Ames Bros and has spent more than 30 years creating work for brands including Pearl Jam, Nike, the Seattle Seahawks, and TOPPS. As Pearl Jam's longtime designer, he has created hundreds of concert posters, album artwork, and merchandise designs. His lifelong creative partnership with his brother Jeff Ament continues to inspire collaborative projects today.

CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON
Marine Wildlife Conservationist

Captain Paul Watson is a marine wildlife conservationist, environmental activist, master mariner, acclaimed author, and renowned public speaker whose life has been dedicated to defending the world’s oceans. He was one of the founding members and directors of Greenpeace before leaving the organization in 1977 to establish the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an organization he led for decades before resigning in 2022 to co-found the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. Throughout his lifelong commitment to marine conservation, Captain Watson has become one of the most recognized figures in environmental activism, earning numerous international honors and awards. In 1998, he received the Genesis Award for Lifetime Achievement. 

In 2000, Time Magazine named him one of the Top 20 Environmental Heroes of the 20th Century, and in 2002 he was inducted into the U.S. Animal Rights Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. In 2007, he was awarded the Amazon Peace Prize by the President of Ecuador. In 2012, Captain Watson became only the second person, after Captain Jacques Cousteau, to receive the prestigious Jules Verne Award, honoring environmentalists and adventurers. Today, through the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, Captain Watson continues his unwavering fight to protect marine wildlife and defend the oceans for future generations.

CHRIS BURKARD, Photographer & Director
Chris Burkard is an internationally recognized photographer, filmmaker, author, and explorer whose work celebrates wild landscapes and humanity's connection to nature. His storytelling has earned him millions of followers, TED appearances, bestselling books, and collaborations with major global brands. Based on California's Central Coast, he continues to produce award-winning creative work that promotes conservation and adventure.

CHRIS BENCHETLER, Artist & Professional Skier
Chris Benchetler is a professional skier and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, film, music, design, and outdoor adventure. His creative vision is deeply inspired by nature, blending art and movement into a unique form of expression. Beyond his artistic pursuits, he is committed to family, community, and environmental stewardship. His work continues to influence both the outdoor and creative worlds.

CLIFF KAPONO, PHD. Professional Surfer & Co-Founder, MEGA Lab
Dr. Cliff Kapono is a professional surfer, scientist, professor, and filmmaker whose career bridges surfing, molecular bioscience, and Indigenous storytelling. His work explores ocean conservation, food security, and environmental justice through both research and award-winning films. Based in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, he balances laboratory research with a lifelong pursuit of waves.

DARREN CROFT, PHD, Executive Director, Centre for Whale Research
Dr. Darren Croft is Executive Director of the Center for Whale Research and Professor of Animal Behavior at the University of Exeter. His research has transformed our understanding of killer whale societies through more than 150 scientific publications. He now leads the world's longest-running study of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales while advancing marine conservation through science and public engagement.

EVAN MARKS, Co-Founder, The Ecology Center
Evan Marks founded The Ecology Center in 2008 after studying agroecology and working alongside Indigenous farming communities around the world. His work focuses on rebuilding healthy food systems through regenerative agriculture and education. He continues to lead innovative solutions that reconnect people with food, farming, and the natural world.

FORREST SHEARER, Professional Snowboarder, Filmmaker & Environmental Advocate

Forrest Shearer is a professional snowboarder and filmmaker known for first descents, expeditions, and environmental storytelling. His career has taken him from Denali to the Andes, while his work now focuses on conservation, creative filmmaking, and outdoor advocacy. Based between Ojai and California's Eastern Sierra, he also hosts the On Knowing On Going podcast.

GREG LONG, Professional Surfer & Activist
Greg Long is one of the most accomplished big-wave surfers of his generation, earning multiple World Surf League titles and Global Big Wave Awards. Beyond competition, he is a respected ocean safety educator and environmental advocate. Through his work with conservation organizations and the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group, he promotes both ocean protection and surf rescue training worldwide.

HUGO TAGHOLM, Executive Director, Oceana UK
Hugo Tagholm is a surfer, environmental campaigner, and Executive Director of Oceana UK. He previously led Surfers Against Sewage, helping launch major campaigns addressing plastic pollution, sewage contamination, and ocean health. An award-winning environmental leader, he regularly speaks internationally on marine conservation and climate action.

JEFF AMENT, Bass Guitarist & Founding Member of Pearl Jam
Jeff Ament is a founding member of Pearl Jam and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee whose career spans music, visual art, and design. Beyond his work with Pearl Jam and numerous side projects, he has earned two GRAMMY Awards for album packaging. Through Montana Pool Service, he has helped build more than forty skateparks across the American West, creating opportunities for young people in underserved communities.

KAHI PACARRO, Environmental Leader
Kahi Pacarro co-founded Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi before leading Parley for the Oceans' Hawaiʻi initiatives focused on ending plastic pollution. His work has taken him around the world collaborating with governments and the United Nations on environmental solutions. He is currently bringing that experience into public service as a candidate for the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives.

KATIE MCCONNELL, Big-Wave Surfer, Marine Biologist & Activist
Katie McConnell is an award-winning big-wave surfer and marine biologist whose career combines elite performance with ocean conservation. A National Geographic Explorer, her scientific work has taken her from Patagonia to Antarctica while her surfing has earned international recognition. She actively supports marine protected areas and conservation organizations around the world.

KEITH MALLOY, Filmmaker & Surfer
Keith Malloy is a filmmaker and lifelong surfer whose award-winning documentaries explore humanity's relationship with the ocean. His films, including Come Hell or High Water, Fishpeople, and First In, Last Out, celebrate adventure, conservation, and meaningful human stories. Through Bimarian Films, he continues to produce projects that inspire deeper connections with the natural world.

KIMI WERNER, Freediver, Ocean Conservationist & Author
Raised off the grid on Maui, Kimi Werner developed a lifelong relationship with the ocean through subsistence fishing and freediving. She went on to become the U.S. National Spearfishing Champion while building a career centered on conservation, sustainability, writing, and public speaking. Her work encourages a respectful, balanced relationship between people and the sea.

KIMMY FASANI, Professional Snowboarder, Entrepreneur & Advocate
Kimmy Fasani is one of snowboarding's most influential athletes, known for becoming the first woman to land a double backflip in a terrain park. She has championed greater opportunities for women and mothers in action sports while continuing to push creative and athletic boundaries. Following her recovery from breast cancer, she co-founded the Benchetler Fasani Foundation to help people reconnect with nature through healing and resilience.

MAGGIE BAIRD, Founder & President, Support+Feed. Climate Kitchen Creator, Producer and Host. Music Industry Sustainability Advocate

Maggie Baird is an actor, teacher, climate activist, and mother of multiple Grammy and 
Academy Award-winning artists Billie Eilish and FINNEAS. A lifelong vegetarian turned vegan,
she has emerged as a thought leader around the environmental impacts of our global food
system, and is a frequent speaker and panelist on food and sustainability within music, catering, and climate spaces. In 2020, Baird founded Support+Feed, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to nourishing plant-based food while driving systemic change toward a more sustainable global food system; since launch, Support+Feed has provided over 2.2M plant-based meals and pantry items and related education. In 2024, Baird was featured in Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list, and was honored as one of Glamour’s Women of the Year. In 2025, she received the Superhero for Earth award from the Captain Planet Foundation, and in 2026, she received the inaugural MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Award for an individual. Baird’s series, Climate Kitchen , is premiering on public media nationwide in 2027

MARK CUNNINGHAM, Waterman
Mark Cunningham has spent more than six decades in the ocean as a lifeguard, bodysurfer, ocean safety pioneer, and artist. He helped shape modern surf rescue techniques while mentoring generations of Hawaiian lifeguards and founding Hawaiʻi's first Junior Lifeguard program. A member of multiple halls of fame, he continues to share his deep knowledge of the ocean through art, storytelling, and conservation.

MAX LOWE, Director & Photographer
Max Lowe is a filmmaker and photographer known for emotionally powerful documentaries exploring family, adventure, and resilience. His acclaimed films include Torn, Camp Courage, and Learning to Fly, with his latest feature Kind Ones currently in production. His work has been recognized by Telluride, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and the Academy Awards shortlist.

MIKE LEVIN, U.S. Representative, California's 49th District
Congressman Mike Levin has built his career around climate action, environmental protection, and clean energy policy. Before entering Congress, he worked as an environmental attorney and co-founded Sustain OC. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, he continues to advance legislation supporting a sustainable future.

SERGE DEDINA, PHD, Executive Director, WILDCOAST
Dr. Serge Dedina co-founded WILDCOAST and has led landmark conservation efforts across California and Mexico for more than two decades. His work has helped protect gray whales, sea turtles, marine protected areas, and vulnerable coastlines while earning numerous national conservation honors. A former ocean lifeguard and mayor of Imperial Beach, he is also an accomplished author and internationally recognized environmental leader.

STATE OF LOVE & TRUST PODCAST, Paul Ghiglieri & Jason Kerepesi
Hosted by Paul Ghiglieri and Jason Kerepesi, the State of Love & Trust podcast explores the lasting cultural impact of Pearl Jam and the music that shapes our lives. Each episode connects music with larger conversations about activism, identity, resilience, and community. At its core, the podcast asks what music can teach us about being human.

TODD GLASER, Photographer
Todd Glaser is an internationally respected surf photographer whose career has documented the world's greatest surfers and waves for more than two decades. His work has appeared in leading publications including SURFER, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and GQ, and is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection. He is also the author of Proximity and Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves.

Read the full list of speakers at ohanafest.com. 

Additionally, fans help make a difference with a portion of proceeds from Ohana also going to Vitalogy Foundation for Doheny State Beach Foundation and the San Onofre Parks Foundation, in addition to participating charities like Unidos South OC, Inc. Life Rolls On Foundation, Surfer's Healing Foundation Inc., Surfrider, and more.

ABOUT OHANA: 

Founded by Eddie Vedder in 2016, and a four-time Music Festival of the Year (Global, under 30K attendance) recipient by Pollstar, awarded most recently in 2026, Ohana Festival is a leader in sustainability and conservation by combining the power of music and activism. The Cove, a one-of-a-kind area within the grounds, brings the festival’s core pillars to life: Oceans, Activism, Conservation, Indigenous Voices, Art, and Community Action. Leading the charge, the Storytellers Stage shines a light through its thought-provoking panels led by renowned environmentalists, researchers, activists, professional surfers, and more. The Cove Gallery, curated by Charles R. Adler, showcases hundreds of works celebrating the intersection of music, surf, skate, street culture, and environmental activism. Artwork is available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Ohana's nonprofit partners through the Vitalogy Foundation.

Album reviews: Soft Cell, the Black Watch

Soft Cell

Danceteria

(Republic of Music)

The influential English new wave duo, best known here for the iconic top 10 cover of "Tainted Love" from 1982, release their swan song Danceteria digitally on Friday (LP/CD out Oct. 9). Named after the renowned NYC nightclub where Madonna got discovered, it's among Soft Cell's strongest studio albums and was completed shortly before co-founding multi-instrumentalist/producer Dave Ball died last fall. Singer Marc Almond, always an astute chronicler of life's seedier side, describes the collection as a love letter to early '80s New York. Clocking in at just over an hour, Almond's lyrics are fascinating snapshots of the period. Standouts include the infectious hi-NRG title track that namechecks Madge; a supremely soulful "In Heaven (When I Dance with You)," "Wave to America," and "Times Square"; the stately reminiscence "The Rainbow Room" as Almond recalls the Twin Towers view from high atop the Rockefeller Plaza restaurant; and a flute-accented "Crackland." Bringing everything full circle is a spunky take on 1981 club hit "Out Come the Freaks" by Was (Not Was), where Almond friskily trades vocals with Labelle's Nona Hendrix. Purchase: amazon.com

The Black Watch

The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop

(Atom)

Led by singer/guitarist John Andrew Fredrick, The Black Watch creates music at a dizzying pace that rivals Guided by Voices. Due Oct. 2, the critically acclaimed LA indie rock band's 27th album since the late '80s adeptly delves into shoegaze, jangle pop, and beyond with alluring results. Frederick sought to make songs which would immediately prompt repeated listens and definitely succeeded. Driven by fuzztone guitar and a piccolo trumpet that nods to Magical Mystery Tour, "Never You Mind" is a blissful standout; so is The Cure-styled "The Merry Kind," with its careening guitars and melodic keyboards. Lollipop's warmly inviting title track (whose name is a Marilyn Monroe reference from "Some Like it Hot") adds a little My Bloody Valentine guitar danger at the end. Shimmering wonder "Falter, Splutter, Fall" describes how words can fail us. A chorale evoking Primal Scream's "Come Together" informs "Sorrow's Crown" (co-written by Fredrick's bandmate son Chandler), plus the cool bonus dance mix on CD/digital formats. "In Generalities” - inspired by a Robyn Hitchcock lyric - dips into psychedelia with prodigious use of mellotron. The album's back half features some nice Beach Boys-styled backing harmonies too. Purchase: bandcamp.com

New Lineup of Rock Band Asia Sets 'Indigo' Album for November

On Nov. 6, Asia will release a new studio album, “Indigo,” via Frontiers. New single and official video, “The Traveller (Into The Light),” is available below. The Eighties AOR band, best known for the worldwide hit "Heat of the Moment" now has a new lineup, with co-founding member/keyboardist Geoff Downes leading the way.

Downes - joined by drummer Virgil Donati, guitarist John Mitchell, and vocalist/bassist Harry Whitley - commented in a press release: 

“The first track off the album is a high power energy piece, with a few elements of prog trickery but retaining the accessible chorus block, which was always a signature of Asia’s music from the very beginning. Harry and I started working on this as one of the early ideas that seemed to come together very organically. Virgil’s dynamic and innovative drums parts drive the piece along, while John’s soaring guitars keep the momentum. Harry’s vocals are commanding and my keyboard parts hold the wall of sound together. It’s a song of great optimism, mainly about looking forward to the future and travelling ‘into the light’. Play it loud!”

Watch the official video for “The Traveller (Into The Light)” HERE

Pre-Order “Indigo” HERE

Downes added on the genesis of the album: 

“The initial writing period began in 2015, following the release of our previous album “Gravitas” in 2014. [Former singer] John Wetton and I started putting our ideas together, aiming to get into the studio once more. It was with great sadness that John became seriously ill, during this time, and we had put on hold our plans, and sadly John passed away before we could continue and complete it. So, it was always in my mind that at some point it would be a shame not to finish off some of these songs and finally release them as part of an Asia album.

"In 2023, when the tribute concert for John took place, I was so encouraged by the response to Asia’s music that I viewed this as the perfect opportunity to re-establish not only the band, but also to reunite with our long-time supportive label, Frontiers, paving the way for us to get back in the studio,” he continued.

Downes also said: 

“So, Asia was back in the room, so to speak, and we were very fortunate to have recruited Virgil Donati and John Mitchell, both of whom had worked extensively with John before, as well as our new vocalist and bassist, Harry Whitley. The tours followed to great success throughout 2024 and 2025, and finally we sat down towards the end of last year to record the album. Working with these fine musicians was a great privilege and the music just seemed to flow.

“The album was really a joy to make. I forged a close writing relationship with Harry, and I felt how great was to be working with someone who had very similar musical influences and taste once again, just as I did with John. I feel that this is one of our best albums to date. The songs are deep in musicality, with a powerful and original performance, dynamics and strong lyrical undertones – it’s an album that hopefully our fans will widely appreciate, and support our cause to put Asia back on the map. Enjoy the ride!”

It was recorded throughout 2025 and produced by Downes and the band, with mixing and mastering handled by Mitchell.

Indigo includes some of the final compositions written by the late John Wetton - “Tattoo Indigo (Parts 2 & 3)” and “Chesapeake Bay.”

There are special guest appearances by Steve Howe (Asia, Yes), who contributes acoustic guitar to “Chesapeake Bay,” while Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) adds to the bonus track “Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)."

Track listing:

The Traveller (Into The Light)
Change Of Heart
Arcadia
Is This The Life?
Tattoo Indigo (Part 1)
Tattoo Indigo (Part 2)
Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)
Life In The Sun
Hymn For The Fallen
Night And Day
Valencia (The Ghost Ship)
An Elegy
Chesapeake Bay (Featuring Steve Howe)
On A Winters Night
Echo Of You
Tattoo Indigo (Part 3) (featuring Mike Portnoy) (Bonus Track)

Bad Company 'Live in London' album, with final Mick Ralphs appearance, slated for November

Bad Company will release 'Live in London' on November 13. The previously unreleased recording arrives soon after the 10th anniversary of the band’s October 29, 2016 performance at London’s O2 Arena. 

It serves as a tribute to founding guitarist Mick Ralphs, whose appearance that evening would be his final live performance with Bad Company. Formats include blue LP, CD, and digital. 

Fans can pre-order now, alongside the release of “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy (Live: O2 Arena, London – October 29, 2016)” and its accompanying official music video.

Of the recording, which was captured directly from the soundboard, Paul Rodgers said in a statement:

"Both the fans and the band were in great form that night in London. The rapport with the audience was deeply felt, and they sang their hearts out. Thinking back to that evening in retrospect, Mick's song 'Ready for Love' was particularly moving, singing ‘Walking down this rocky road wondering where my life is leading’; little did we know that Mick would suffer a stroke just four days after this concert.”

Drummer Simon Kirke added:

“When Bad Company last played in London, it was at the O2 Arena. We had enjoyed a great tour of England, and it would culminate in this final show. We were all in good spirits. Paul performed brilliantly every night, and Mick was playing with his usual taste and panache… It was the last time I ever played with Mick…had I known that at the time, I would have hugged him a little tighter and a little longer.”

Track listing:

Live for the Music
Gone, Gone, Gone
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Electricland
Burnin’ Sky
Run With the Pack
Ready for Love
Crazy Circles
Troubleshooter
Movin’ On
Shooting Star
Can’t Get Enough
Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy
Bad Company
Seagull

Out now: David Byrne's 'Who Is The Sky? (Deluxe),' new book on the way, Talking Heads limited run SiriusXM channel in October

David Byrne, the musician, performer, writer, multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of Talking Heads, has released a deluxe digital edition of his latest album 'Who Is The Sky?' with four bonus tracks, including new single "My Madness." Watch the visualizer: https://youtu.be/tmRW4e-uZvw

With a shuffling beat, "T Shirt" is a good song addition, where Byrne sings, "listen to my t shirt 'cause every word is true" and fits with the album's flow. "My Madness," bolstered by horns, strings and a festive atmosphere, contains lyrics ("my madness really helps me out") that many people can probably find relatable. "What and Where," also has a string section, back-and-forth waltz time signature and full-on chorus. There's a theatrical vibe to it. "Cual es la Razon" an interesting revamp of the album's "What is the Reason for it" now has new Spanish female duet vocals and instrumentation, bringing to mind some of Byrne's 1990s work. The deluxe edition is highly recommended for fans.    

In a press release, David Byrne talked about the expanded edition and definition of an album...

Good question. Vinyl fans and crate diggers have a sense of an album as fixed thing- a set of songs on a physical object- in a specific order that presumably the artist thinks makes for a cohesive listening experience.

But streaming and downloads turned all that on its head. Albums can be super long, super short, and the songs can change over time. The only consistent thing might be that the songs were composed and recorded around a similar time - so they speak to that time and place and have some sort of sonic continuity.

So, here's my most recent album now expanded with 2 songs that were cut, not because they weren't good (I hope) but to give the initial album a nice variety of grooves and subjects. 'My Madness' - this is one of my personal favorites- the singer imagines their "madness" as a separate entity from themselves, one that they come to love, understand and respect. There's a reconciliation. There's an old song ('T Shirt') that we added to our set list with images of statements folks wear on their T Shirts. And a wonderful reimagining of 'What is The Reason for It' created by Mexican Institute of Sound and co-written and sung by Natalia Lafoucade. Enjoy

Last month, Byrne announced that he would bring his world tour to the big screen. Filmed over multiple nights at the famed Hippodrome in Byrne’s hometown of Baltimore, the film captures the production that has played to audiences for over 150 shows across four continents. It was shot on 70mm by Brady Corbet, director of the Academy Award®-winning film The Brutalist. The film is in postproduction now, with distribution and release details to be announced.

David Byrne's new book Sleeping Beauties: Why Good Ideas Go Dormant and How They Wake Up is scheduled for release on October 6 in North America by Penguin Press, and on October 8 in the UK (with a UK hardcover release by Canongate on November 2). See below for a rundown of book tour dates in both North America and the UK and pre-order the book here.

Who Is the Sky? is Byrne’s first album since releasing the acclaimed 2018 American Utopia, which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and HBO film. It was produced by the Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), while its 12 songs were arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Guests include Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner.

“At my age, at least for me, there's a ‘don't give a shit about what people think’ attitude that kicks in,” Byrne says about the spirit behind Who Is the Sky? “I can step outside my comfort zone with the knowledge that I kind of know who I am by now and sort of know what I'm doing. That said, every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure. There's always a bit of, ‘how do I work this?’ I've found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it's because I'm able to clearly impart what it is I'm trying to do. They hopefully get that, and as a result, we're now joined together heading to the same unknown place.”

Who Is the Sky? Digital Deluxe track list:

Everybody Laughs
When We Are Singing
My Apartment Is My Friend
A Door Called No
What Is the Reason for It?
I Met The Buddha at a Downtown Party
Don't Be Like That
The Avant Garde
Moisturizing Thing
I'm an Outside
She Explains Things to Me
The Truth
T Shirt
My Madness
What and Where
¿Cuál Es La Razón?

SLEEPING BEAUTIES BOOK TOUR DATES:

North America:

Oct 6 — New York, NY — Riverside Church (presented by McNally Jackson)
Oct 10 — Toronto, ON — Koerner Hall (presented by TIFA and Type Books)
Oct 11 — San Francisco, CA — Sydney Goldstein Theater (presented by City Arts & Lectures)
Oct 13 — Los Angeles, CA — Robert Frost Auditorium (presented by Live Talks Los Angeles)
Oct 14 — Seattle, WA — Meany Center for the Performing Arts (Town Hall Seattle & Elliott Bay Book Company)
Oct 15 — Chicago, IL — Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago Humanities and Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture)

In related news:

SiriusXM announced that Talking Heads will launch Talking Heads Radio, an exclusive pop-up channel available to subscribers in their cars on channel 145 from October 1-22 and on the SiriusXM app from October 1-31.

Celebrating over 50 years of music from Talking Heads, Talking Heads Radio will feature music and exclusive true stories from David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth. Listeners will hear the band’s favorite tracks and deep cuts from their legendary catalog alongside curated guest DJ sets from Adam Clayton, Nate Mendel, The Linda Lindas, Tunde Adebimpe, Trey Anastasio and more, as well as special commentary from some of the band’s influences, the latest on upcoming projects and more.

In celebration of the new channel, all four members of Talking Heads will make a rare appearance together to sit down in front of a live audience at SiriusXM’s New York City studios for an exclusive Front Row Q&A event hosted by Este Haim, bass guitarist and vocalist from the band Haim, on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 pm ET. 

The full conversation will air on Talking Heads Radio on launch day, Thursday, October 1, at 12:00 pm ET and will be available anytime on the SiriusXM app. 

“We’re excited to sit down together for the SiriusXM Front Row,” said Talking Heads. “We’re looking forward to the Talking Heads Radio channel takeover and the opportunity to share the music and some of the stories behind it with SiriusXM listeners, both longtime fans and those discovering Talking Heads for the first time.”

SiriusXM will also launch a new interactive tool where fans can submit a video, voice or text message sharing their favorite songs and stories, the band’s impact on their lives and any questions for the band to answer during the Front Row broadcast. Fans can visit SiriusXM.com/TrueStories to make a submission.