Article Contributed by L. Paul Mann
Published on 2026-10-16
Eddie Vedder | Pearl Jam | Ohana Festival | September 27th, 2026 - photos by L. Paul Mann
Doheny State Beach has a distinct magic when the sun commences its late-afternoon dip into the Pacific. Offshore swell lines peel steadily across the point as longboarders trace lines against the glowing horizon, framed beside towering palms and coastal cliffs. Against this quintessential Southern California backdrop, Day Three of the Ohana Music Festival delivered a superb lesson in cross-generational rock and roll.
The weather could not have cooperated more—warm, dry summer air with just enough offshore breeze to carry the smell of salt water and woodsmoke through the crowd. Curated as always with co-founder Eddie Vedder's characteristic aesthetic fingerprint, Sunday’s lineup felt like a skillfully assembled mixtape, bridging angular garage rock, mid-2000s indie nostalgia, legendary alt-rock, and stadium-sized catharsis.
As the early crowd filed across the sand, the opening acts set an ambitious, relentless pace for the rest of the day.
Multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer opened the main stage with his solo project, Pluralone. The Los Angeles native—and former Red Hot Chili Peppers/current Pearl Jam touring member—maneuvered a set of delicate art-pop compositions and soaring, looping melodies. Klinghoffer’s effortless transitions between keyboards, guitar, and vocals highlighted the elaborate arrangements of his solo repertoire, affording a reflective start beneath the midday sun.
Next up on the adjacent stage, Villanelle, the Manchester-rooted UK outfit led by Gene Gallagher (son of Oasis co-founder Liam Gallagher), kicked the energy into high gear. Delivering a raw, grunge-infused performance that blended heavy British alt-rock grooves with Nirvana-esque guitar bite, Gallagher proved he’s carving out his own separate path with a commanding stage presence.
Speed of Light, the explosive Southern California sibling trio, followed, proving why they’ve become one of the most talked-about young garage-punk acts on the West Coast. Delivering pure, unadulterated punk energy, they blitzed the crowd with razor-sharp guitar hooks and thumping rhythms.
Hailing from Lake Tahoe, California, singer-songwriter Linka Moja brought earthy, atmospheric indie rock to the early afternoon crowd. Backed by her touring band, Moja’s vocal delivery—equal parts grit and soaring clarity—cut beautifully through the coastal breeze on standouts like “Blood Orange” or their haunting cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.”
The Chicago-based trio Horsegirl—featuring Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece—brought their signature blend of 1990s-tinged post-punk and hypnotic jangle pop to Dana Point. Their tight, deadpan precision on tracks like “Anti-glory” had the crowd floating along the tide line.
Injecting pure adrenaline into the mid-afternoon, Melbourne, Australia’s Ecca Vandal tore through a genre-defying mix of punk, hip-hop, and hard rock. Backed by a high-energy drummer and multi-instrumentalist, Vandal’s relentless vocal power sent sand flying in the pit.
As late afternoon cast long shadows spanning Doheny State Beach, two mid-2000s indie staples delivered emotional, memory-drenched performances.
Frontman Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means of The Format, originating from Glendale, Arizona, brought their sweeping indie-pop anthems to life. Ruess’ unmistakable vocal range soared over brass arrangements and acoustic guitars, leading massive singalongs through classics like “The First Single” and “Dog Problems.
The Los Angeles indie icons Rilo Kiley—led by Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett, alongside Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel—drew one of the festival's largest early-evening crowds. Lewis, radiant in the golden-hour light, delivered pristine vocals on fan favorites “The Execution of All Things” and “With Arms Outstretched,” showing everyone why the band’s catalog remains foundational to modern indie rock.
As dusk settled, Boston alt-rock pioneers the Pixies took the stage. Featuring core members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, the band tore through a blistering set of distortion-heavy classics, including “Gouge Away” and “Death Horizon.”
The highlight of their performance—and one of the weekend’s biggest surprises—came mid-set when festival organizer Eddie Vedder strolled out on stage unannounced. Joining Black Francis at the microphone, Vedder sang harmony on a ferocious rendition of “Wave of Mutilation,” emitting shockwaves of applause across the festival.
By 8:30 p.m., the cool ocean night air set in, and the tide rolled higher along the shore, setting the stage for Pearl Jam to close out the festival weekend.
The Seattle titans—featuring Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, and guest drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.—delivered a powerhouse two-hour set. Vedder, taking in the coastal evening, repeatedly toasted the crowd and acknowledged the local surf crew visible earlier in the day.
Pearl Jam leaned heavily into both deep cuts and anthemic stadium staples. Midway through the set, the guest appearances continued as acoustic guitar virtuoso Billy Strings joined the band onstage for an incredible duel with Mike McCready, adding an extraordinary bluegrass-rock fusion to the encore.
Closing out with a triumphant, house-lights-up performance of “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Day Three of Ohana proved once again why this coastal gathering remains the crown jewel of Southern California’s live music season.
