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Ocean Calling Festival Canceled Due to Nor'easter
Developing
In Short: The first day of Ocean City, Maryland's Oceans Calling Festival was canceled on Thursday, September 24, due to expected rough weather from a nor'easter storm.
Organizers cited beach erosion and the forecast for strong winds as reasons for the cancellation.
Ocean City Emergency Services director Joe Theobald told Billboard, 'This is a typical nor'easter for the coastline. It's nothing new for Ocean City.
The storm is expected to bring coastal flooding, beach erosion, and strong gusts of wind, with winds potentially reaching over 55 mph at the beach on Friday night into Saturday.
Theobald noted that the prolonged nature of the storm played a major role in the decision, as there was already clear beach erosion near the inlet where much of the festival is constructed.
Prior to this year's cancellation, the festival was hit by severe storms that caused a temporary evacuation and the cancellation of several sets.
This isn't the first time weather has forced the festival to cancel. In 2022, Hurricane Ian forced organizers to cancel the entire event.
The festival, which takes place on the Ocean City boardwalk, had not provided an update on how the storm might impact Saturday and Sunday's lineups, which are slated to feature sets from Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty, Caamp, and My Morning Jacket.
Organizers hope to be able to set up in time to hold the rest of the festival as scheduled.
The cancellation highlights the growing impact of climate change on summer and early fall festivals, with more events facing disruptions due to severe weather conditions.
What this adds
The festival's cancellation underscores the increasing frequency of climate-related disruptions to music events.
What's still developing
- The latest casualty is Ocean City, Maryland’s Oceans Calling Festival, which announced on Thursday (Sept. 24) that Friday’s (Sept. 25) first day of this weekend’s three-day event has been canceled due to expected rough weather.
- It’s been a summer of climate-related disasters for music festivals, including the cancellation of the inaugural Ocean Way Festival earlier this month two weeks before its debut due to reported dangerous high surf and flooding caused by Southern California hurricane Marie, as well as Bonnaroo canceling its 2027 edition in advance due to damage caused by storms that pounded the area during this year’s event.
- The nor'easter storm churning its way up the Atlantic coast is taking a toll on Maryland before it even arrives.
- On Thursday, organizers of the Oceans Calling Festival announced the cancellation of the first day of performances, saying that a handful of issues left them with no choice but to cancel.
- In part, organizers said beach erosion in Ocean City associated with the storm that's headed north has made it impossible to safely finish building all the stages and tents needed for the three-day music festival.
- Meteorologist Ava Marie said the wind on Thursday associated with the storm have impacted rough tides, contributing to beach erosion.