Ocean’s Calling has always been a festival with a singular heartbeat: O.A.R. (Of A Revolution). Every aspect of the festival—its lineup, its vibe, its pacing—revolves around the band, creating a sense of intimacy and devotion rarely seen in the festival world. While previous sets have been dedicated entirely to O.A.R.’s own songs, the 2025 edition brought a thrilling twist: the first of two “O.A.R. and Friends” sets, in which the band invited a roster of guest performers to join them onstage for an eclectic selection of cover songs. This set, marked by the sudden onset of rain, turned a late afternoon into an electrifying celebration of music, collaboration, and communal joy.
The weather, uncooperative as it might have seemed, only added to the magic. By the time O.A.R. took the stage with their friends, clouds had begun to gather, and rain started to fall, gently at first and then more insistently. Rather than dampening spirits, it energized the crowd. There’s something uniquely unifying about sharing a rainy outdoor performance with thousands of fans singing along to familiar songs: it transforms a concert into a collective ritual, where the elements become part of the experience, not an obstacle. By the first notes of “Enter Sandman,” the audience was already caught in the spell.
Opening the set was a playful, high-energy rendition of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” featuring actor Jason Biggs. The choice of song immediately signaled the set’s tone: bold, unexpected, and infused with a sense of fun. O.A.R. approached it with respect, maintaining the riff’s raw power while allowing their own improvisational spirit to shine. Biggs’ vocals added an unpredictable, almost surreal charm, and the crowd’s reaction was immediate. Hands went up, heads banged, and the first drops of rain did nothing to slow the excitement. It was an audacious start, a perfect prelude to what would become a journey across genres, decades, and musical moods.
From hard rock, the set shifted to “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit, with Benji Madden of Good Charlotte lending his voice. The band’s approach honored the original while also injecting their own jam-band sensibilities. O.A.R.’s ability to adapt to different styles was on full display here; the rhythm section locked in tight, the guitars added subtle flourishes, and the vocals carried the song’s cheeky, self-deprecating energy. The crowd, fully engaged by now, sang along to the anthemic chorus, rain falling but spirits undampened. It was an early reminder of the communal joy of this festival: fans weren’t just spectators—they were active participants in a celebration that blurred the line between band and audience.
Next came “You Get What You Give” by the New Radicals, with Andrew McMahon joining on vocals. This song, with its infectious optimism, served as a turning point in the set. The energy in the crowd surged as thousands of voices joined the chorus, and McMahon’s distinctive voice blended beautifully with O.A.R.’s harmonies. In the rain-soaked environment, the song felt like a release, a collective exhale that lifted the festival’s energy to a euphoric high. It’s the kind of performance that reminds fans why cover sets can be as emotionally powerful as original material when executed with care and heart.
O.A.R. then took a more introspective turn with “Linger” by The Cranberries, featuring Rachel Ana Dobken. The rain now had a gentle, steady rhythm, almost like a percussion accompaniment to the song’s melancholy melody. Dobken’s vocals were haunting and evocative, perfectly capturing the wistful tone of the original while meshing seamlessly with the band’s instrumentation. It was a rare moment of quiet introspection amid a set otherwise defined by high energy, and it allowed the audience to sway gently under umbrellas and raincoats, caught in the song’s bittersweet beauty.
From there, the mood shifted again with “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots, featuring G. Love. The song’s grungy, soulful riffs resonated powerfully through the festival grounds, amplified by the weather’s natural acoustics. O.A.R. and G. Love played off each other effortlessly, trading leads and improvising subtly while keeping the song’s essence intact. The rain became a backdrop rather than a distraction; the cool mist added a cinematic quality, turning the festival stage into a scene of collective exhilaration. The interplay of voices, guitars, and audience reaction created a sense of shared discovery, reminding everyone that live music is as much about the journey as the destination.
Then came a playful, genre-bending moment: “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel, with Virginia Coalition joining in. The band’s ability to tackle Joel’s sprawling narrative, filled with multiple characters and shifting tempos, was remarkable. The audience, many of whom were more familiar with O.A.R.’s catalog than Joel’s, quickly adapted, cheering at key lines and swaying along to the extended instrumental sections. There’s something inherently celebratory about a song that tells a story, and in the context of Ocean’s Calling—rain, camaraderie, and guest performers—the song felt like a microcosm of the festival itself: eclectic, engaging, and full of surprises.
The set’s hip-hop moment arrived with “The Choice Is Yours” by Black Sheep, featuring Dres along with Brady Watt and DJ Jazzy Jeff. O.A.R. seamlessly blended their jam-band style with hip-hop’s rhythm and flow, demonstrating their versatility and openness to genre-crossing collaborations. The audience erupted, responding to the call-and-response sections with unbridled enthusiasm. This segment reminded everyone why the “O.A.R. and Friends” sets are so eagerly anticipated: they are not just covers—they are reimaginings, opportunities to experience familiar songs in unexpected, thrilling ways. The addition of live instrumentation to a hip-hop classic created a dynamic tension that kept the crowd energized, even as the rain fell more steadily.
Closing the set was a multi-song medley: “City on Down / With Or Without You / All Too Well.” This ambitious finale combined original and cover material into a seamless narrative arc. The transitions were fluid, and the interplay between O.A.R. and their guests created an almost theatrical climax. The medley began with “City on Down,” a song with reflective, melodic qualities that set a contemplative tone. It then flowed into U2’s iconic “With Or Without You,” giving the audience a soaring, anthemic moment that had hundreds of hands reaching skyward. Finally, the set concluded with Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” a surprising and emotionally resonant choice. The song’s intimate storytelling provided a quiet counterpoint to the earlier high-energy numbers, allowing the audience to reflect on the journey they had just experienced. By the final note, the crowd was soaked, exhilarated, and completely connected to the music.
What made this performance particularly special was the interplay between O.A.R. and their guests. Each musician brought something unique to the stage, creating a tapestry of styles and voices that highlighted the band’s versatility. From the hard rock punch of Metallica to the delicate melancholy of The Cranberries, the set demonstrated that O.A.R. is not just a band of talented musicians—they are collaborators, facilitators, and curators of musical experiences. The choice of covers wasn’t random; it reflected the band’s influences, friendships, and musical journey, making the set feel both personal and universal.
The rain, far from being a hindrance, enhanced the communal atmosphere. There’s a special kind of energy that emerges when fans and performers alike embrace the elements. People danced in puddles, raised umbrellas like flags, and sang with a fervor that only outdoor music festivals can inspire. The shared experience of getting caught in the rain created a sense of camaraderie among strangers, a reminder that music has the power to unite even in unpredictable conditions. By the time the set ended, it felt less like a concert and more like a collective celebration of music, friendship, and resilience.
Another highlight of the set was the careful pacing. O.A.R. and Friends understood the importance of balancing high-energy, audience-participation songs with quieter, reflective moments. The set’s structure allowed fans to catch their breath during “Linger” and “All Too Well” while sustaining excitement with “Enter Sandman,” “Plush,” and “The Choice Is Yours.” This ebb and flow created a dynamic experience that kept the audience fully engaged for the entire performance. It’s a testament to the band’s live expertise and their understanding of festival dynamics: they know how to read a crowd and deliver exactly what’s needed at the right moment.
In essence, this first “O.A.R. and Friends” set at Ocean’s Calling 2025 was more than just a collection of covers. It was a celebration of community, musical exploration, and adaptability. By inviting friends from different genres and eras, O.A.R. transformed familiar songs into something new, something that could only exist in this particular place and time. The combination of rain, enthusiastic fans, and a diverse setlist created a festival moment that was both ephemeral and unforgettable.
Fans left the set buzzing, talking excitedly about unexpected collaborations, standout vocal performances, and moments when the band and audience were perfectly in sync. There’s a reason Ocean’s Calling is structured around O.A.R.: these performances aren’t just concerts—they’re living, breathing experiences that honor the band’s past while celebrating the present. The first “O.A.R. and Friends” set of 2025 achieved that brilliantly, setting the stage for the second collaborative performance later in the weekend, and ensuring that this year’s festival will be remembered for years to come.
For anyone attending, the experience served as a reminder that O.A.R. is more than a band—they are the architects of a communal musical universe, capable of bringing together disparate genres, generations, and styles under one roof, or in this case, one rain-soaked festival stage. The set proved that covers, when approached with creativity and heart, can carry as much emotional weight and excitement as original material, particularly when delivered in the collaborative, improvisational spirit that O.A.R. has perfected over the years.
Setlist – O.A.R. and Friends at Ocean’s Calling 2025
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Enter Sandman (Metallica cover) (with Jason Biggs)
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My Own Worst Enemy (Lit cover) (with Benji Madden)
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You Get What You Give (New Radicals cover) (with Andrew McMahon)
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Linger (The Cranberries cover) (with Rachel Ana Dobken)
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Plush (Stone Temple Pilots cover) (with G. Love)
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Scenes From an Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel cover) (with Virginia Coalition)
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The Choice Is Yours (Black Sheep cover) (with Dres) (+ Brady Watt & DJ Jazzy Jeff)
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City on Down / With Or Without You / All Too Well
In conclusion, this first “O.A.R. and Friends” set was a testament to the band’s versatility, their commitment to fans, and the power of collaboration. Rain, diverse guest performers, and an imaginative setlist combined to create a festival moment that was electrifying, intimate, and deeply communal. Ocean’s Calling may be built around O.A.R., but it’s nights like this that prove the festival is more than just a celebration of a single band—it’s a celebration of music’s ability to connect, uplift, and transform everyone in attendance.