Audacy’s Oceanfront Concerts hit the beach

Oceanfront businesses welcome concert-goers

Posted: Apr 26, 2024 / 05:19 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 28, 2024 / 11:37 PM EDT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Friday kicked off the first day of Audacy’s Oceanfront Concerts, with a mix of local and national artists performing throughout the weekend.

On Friday night, many huddled in front of the stage with blankets while dancing along after the temperature dipped to the low 50s.

“It’s definitely colder than I’d like it to be,” said Naevaeh Jones of Chesapeake.

Photo by: WAVY Photographer Cortez Grayson

Despite the cold, the weather didn’t stop ticketholders from enjoying the music. Norfolk State University students Deashia Popper and Xander Nesbitt were excited to get out and about.

“It’s been all over social media, so I was just like cool,” Popper said. “He was like, you want to go, and I was just like, yeah cool. Only $29, yeah we’re going to go.”

Local acts on the 17th and 24th streets stages will perform from noon to 5 p.m. every day. The main talent will perform on the sand by Neptune’s Park starting at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Business owners by the beach, such as Jeff Hague of Ocean Eddie’s restaurant, welcome the three-day event, saying they expect good business.

“We’re always excited when the beach brings in special events,” Hague said. “It brings in people to the Oceanfront. They stay at the hotels. They come eat at the restaurants. So, it’s good for the local economy, and we’ve already seen people starting to arrive in town, and we’ve seen people coming into our restaurant and we ask if they’re here for the festival and they say they are.”

Here is a list of what you can and can’t bring to the concert.

Permitted Items