Eddie Vedder Sparks Cultural Revolution Through Ohana Festival

The Ohana Festival stands apart from the sea of music festivals, offering a profound, soulful experience that goes beyond mere entertainment. It’s more than just a festival—it’s a stepping stone for a revolutionary movement. Founded by Eddie Vedder in 2016, this event serves as a platform for revolution, using the unifying power of music to inspire change and drive activism. Ohana isn’t just about gathering world-class musicians—it’s about bringing together a community that believes in the transformative power of music and its potential to impact the world.

More Than a Festival, It’s a Movement

What sets the Ohana Festival apart is its heart and purpose. Vedder created this festival with a mission to focus on environmentalism and the arts, showing that music not only brings people together but can also be a force for global change. Ohana’s philanthropic ethos runs deep, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as the Doheny State Beach Foundation, San Onofre Parks Foundation, and other environmental and social justice groups. Attendees don’t just listen to music—they participate in a movement, reinforcing the belief that music can drive positive social and environmental revolutions.

The Cove and Storytellers Stage: A Platform for Advocacy

Central to this mission is “The Cove,” a unique area within the festival that features the Storytellers Stage. This special space brings together conservationists, environmentalists, and activists to raise awareness about pressing issues like ocean conservation and environmental justice. Panels and exhibits feature world-renowned speakers such as Paul Nicklen, Cristina “Mitty” Mittermeier, and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, who bring their expertise and passion to the forefront, reminding festival-goers of the critical role we all play in protecting our planet.

A Unique Setting for Unforgettable Music

Ohana Festival takes place at the picturesque Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California—a location that embodies the natural beauty of the West Coast. With two conveniently placed stages, attendees can easily catch every performance, creating an atmosphere that’s intimate and immersive. The festival layout is designed for comfort, allowing festival-goers to relax, lay down beach towels, and soak in the music without missing a beat.

Screens throughout the festival grounds broadcast every performance, ensuring no one misses the magic happening on stage. This attention to detail makes the Ohana experience more than just a festival—it’s a retreat into nature, art, and music, where fans can engage in the moment.

Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam: Highlights of the Weekend

This year’s festival, held in perfect weather, was nothing short of spectacular. Pearl Jam, led by Ohana’s founder Eddie Vedder, delivered some of the most memorable moments of the weekend. Fans were treated to the debut of two original songs, and rare performances of classics like “Gremmie Out of Control” and “The Whale Song,” bringing Vedder’s environmental message to life through music. His heartfelt acknowledgment of the Pearl Jam fans, who travel far and wide to attend multiple shows, reinforced the sense of community that Ohana fosters.

Star-Studded Lineup

Aside from Pearl Jam’s groundbreaking performances, the festival featured a diverse lineup of artists that reflected Ohana’s ethos of artistry and activism. Dogstar, the band in which Keanu Reeves is bassist, added a layer of cinematic charm to the festival. Reeves, known for his philanthropy and humanitarian work, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of Ohana—a place where entertainment and activism converge.

Throughout the weekend, artists like Pillow Queens, Linka Moja, Black Pumas and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers lit up the stages with unforgettable performances. Joe Wong & Nite Creatures (featuring artists Matt Cameron [Pearl Jam, Soundgary], Mary Timony  [Helium, Ex Hex], Mark Cisneros [Hammered Hulls, Kid Congo, The Makeup] to name a few), delivered a unique blend of sounds that left audiences mesmerized. Each day felt like a celebration of music, art, and activism, with every performance contributing to the festival’s deeper purpose.

A Revolution Through Music

Eddie Vedder sparks cultural revolution at its core as the Ohana Festival is a reminder that music is a powerful tool for change. Vedder’s vision to create a festival rooted in environmentalism, community, and activism has come to life in a way that’s both inspiring and impactful. As festival-goers leave with memories of amazing performances, they also carry with them a sense of purpose—knowing that they were part of something greater than just a weekend of music as part of the proceeds & ticket sells were donated to foundations such as Native Like Water, Oceans Institute, Sea Legacy, Surfers Healing, Captain Paul Watson Foundation, Surfrider and many others to continue to further build philanthropic efforts & advocacy.

For those lucky enough to attend, Ohana Festival isn’t just a music festival—it’s a soulful experience that calls on us to unite, take action, and revolutionize the world through the power of music.

Each day of the festival was equally as magical as the other with some of Frank151’s favorite performances being from Joe Wong & Nite Creatures and Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers.

As tradition, see Frank151’s festival question answered by the artists below:

“If you could create your own festival, who would be your top 3 headliners? Artist(s) can be dead or alive.” 

Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers:

Fontaines DC, Role Model and Beabadoobee

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Joe Wong & Nite Creatures:

John Coltrane Quartet, Laurie Anderson, Tom Petty

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In addition, check out “Frank151’s Rapid Fire Reviews” from lead vocalist Charles Xavier & guitarist Anthony Velasquez of the band Three Dead Jacks below:

Charles Xavier – “I loved the entire setup of the venue. It was a small venue which means less walking and the stages are right next to each other so it’s easy to see the next performance. Also once the last few acts go on the stage the area gets super packed. The crowd seemed to be a mix of people..mostly older but definitely saw a lot of families with small kids. Everything was easily accessible and the lines were all pretty short so not that long of a wait. Restrooms were the same. No wait or little wait. My favorite was seeing the IDLES. They were f*cking amazing. One of the guitarist even crowd surfed. That was super dope.” 

Anthony Velasquez – “The weather was good. It got a little windy when Alanis [Morissette] started performing. The music sound was good. Restroom was a 10-minute wait. The venue was small with a mixed crowd: old, middle age, young, family friendly…Everyone was cool and vibing. There were a lot of surf vibes. I personally think Idles had brought a lot of energy in this show! Even more than their Hollywood show.” 

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