Article Contributed by L. Paul Mann
Published on 2026-10-15
Tyler Childers | Ohana Festival - photos by L. Paul Mann
If Day One of the 10th annual Ohana Festival was defined by pure rock energy and coastal nostalgia, Saturday shifted toward deep-rooted Americana, explosive roots revival, and heartfelt artistic redemption. Bathed in warm Southern California sunshine with mild ocean breezes sweeping across Doheny State Beach, Day Two offered an eclectic, flawlessly curated excursion through indie rock, soul, roots-pop, and country, culminating in a headlining performance for the ages.
Early festival attendees were greeted with raw energy as the afternoon got underway. Singer-songwriter Jake Wesley Rogers started things off on the smaller side stage, engaging the early crowd with intimate, introspective songwriting and stunning vocal delivery.
Local Southern California singer-songwriter Ellery Harper opened the main stage with a hot set of tunes from his new debut album. “I first came to the Ohana festival when I was fourteen years old. I can’t believe I am here now performing,” he quipped to an appreciative early crowd.
Shortly after, post-punk outfit P.E.S.T. delivered a high-octane set that injected an immediate burst of grit and adrenaline into the coastal air, balancing sharp riffs with tireless intensity. The Montana band features John Wicks on drums, Charlie Beaton on guitar, Dave Parsons on vocals, and Jeff Diction on bass. Diction is actually the alias for Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. The energetic set was the most hardcore punk infusion on Day Two.
Next, Marlon Funaki showed why he's quickly become one of California’s most exciting underground talents. Blending smooth, reverb-drenched guitar lines with soulful indie-rock hooks, Funaki’s set felt tailor-made for a sunny afternoon on the sand, setting an energetic, laid-back tone for the rest of the day.
Shifting gears to the opposite end of the sonic spectrum, South African singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou offered a sublime, hypnotic contrast on the side stage. Backed by dreamy, jazz-infused indie folk arrangements, her crystal-clear vocals floated effortlessly over the ocean breeze. Songs like “Dirty Mouth” and “Witches” translated into enthralling live renditions, wrapping the audience in warm, sun-dappled nostalgia.
The Front Bottoms brought their signature brand of chaotic, sing-along indie folk-punk to an eager crowd. Anchored by co-founders Brian Sella (lead vocals, acoustic guitar) and Mat Uychich (drums), alongside touring bandmates AJ Peacox (guitar), Natalie Newbold (bass), and Erik Kase Romero (guitar/keys), they blended acoustic arrangements with punching rhythms. Crowd-pleasers like “Twin Size Mattress” provoked spontaneous, oceanside mosh pits and passionate, full-throated group choruses, proving that indie punk feels right at home on the beach.
Next up, country-roots troubadour Stephen Wilson Jr. delivered one of the day’s undisputed emotional high points. Armed with dark, Southern Gothic songwriting and a rugged, stomping rhythm, Wilson’s gritty performance enchanted the crowd.
Mid-set, the atmosphere shifted into overdrive as festival founder and host Eddie Vedder made a surprise walk-on appearance. The duo locked eyes and traded verses on a fiery, gravelly duet that drew thunderous roars across the festival grounds. Vedder’s unannounced appearance reaffirmed Ohana’s unique charm, where legendary collaborations happen organically on the sand.
As twilight settled in, multi-instrumentalist and polymath Jon Batiste transformed Doheny State Beach into a joyous, second-line party. Bouncing between piano, keytar, and vocals, Batiste’s electrifying energy was transcendent. Moving fluidly through jazz, funk, gospel, and R&B, he engaged the crowd directly, radiating authentic musical passion that left the audience beaming.
Following Batiste, the long-awaited return of Alabama Shakes proved why they remain one of modern music's premier live acts. Spearheaded by Brittany Howard’s unmatched, soul-baring vocal power and rhythm guitar work, flanked by core original members Heath Fogg on lead guitar and Zac Cockrell on bass, the band delivered a towering, blues-soaked performance.
Hits like “Hold On” and “Don’t Wanna Fight” reverberated over the shoreline, with Howard’s raw, emotive belting giving goosebumps to thousands gathered along the coast.
Perhaps the weekend's most heartfelt narrative belonged to Irish band Florence Road. Scheduled to perform on Friday, the rising indie outfit—comprising lead vocalist and guitarist Lily Aron, guitarist Emma Brandon, bassist Ailbhe Barry, and drummer Hannah Kelly—faced every touring band’s nightmare when their entire rig and equipment were stolen before the show, forcing a heart-wrenching cancellation.
In a testament to community ethos, the festival restructured the lineup to give the band a special sunset slot right before the evening headliners. With borrowed gear and massive crowd support, Florence Road took the stage for a triumphant, emotional performance. Driven by roaring guitars and soaring melodies, their set came across less like a makeup show and more like a heroic victory lap, earning one of the loudest ovations of the entire festival.
Closing out Day Two was Kentucky’s own Tyler Childers, who delivered a headlining performance that was a spiritual experience. Childers was backed by his powerhouse longtime band, The Food Stamps—featuring Craig Burletic (bass), Rodney Elkins (drums), James Barker (pedal steel guitar), and Jesse Wells (guitars, fiddle)—bringing a rich, authentic slice of Appalachian storytelling to the Pacific shore.
Opening with a blistering run of roots-rockers before settling into deep-cut fan favorites, Childers’ weathered, unmistakable voice anchored the entire night. Anthems like “Down Under,” “All Your’n,” and “Whitehouse Road” sparked massive sing-alongs under the stars, while his quieter acoustic moments held the massive crowd in subdued reverence.
Blending fiddle-driven breakdowns with sincere, poetic country soul, Childers and his unit brought Day Two of Ohana 2026 to a crescendo—a modern Americana show that sent festival-goers home spellbound.
