From Alain Johannes’ fiery guitar work to Tedeschi Trucks’ sweeping jams and Hozier’s soul-stirring finale, day two delivered depth, diversity, and unforgettable coastal resonance.
If the opening day of Ohana Festival set the table, day two built the feast. Saturday’s lineup moved seamlessly from raw intimacy to soaring anthems, all against the steady hum of the Pacific. The day was capped by Hozier, whose headlining set brought an otherworldly special blend of green-eyed Irish soul, stirring Irish poetry, and spiritual weight to Doheny’s shoreline.
Alain Johannes Band opened with an introduction from Eddie Vedder, whose customary early greeting included a story about being hungover after a long night of drinking with his close friend Glen Hansard. Vedder then wove the tale into his own early musical connection with Johannes, setting the stage with warmth and humor. Once Johannes took over, his set unfolded with precision and grit, his guitar lines carrying both technical mastery and emotional punch. It struck an immediate chord with the crowd, grounding the day in musicianship that felt both elemental and deeply human. By the end, Johannes had turned the beach into a workshop of sound, leaving no doubt about his place as a master craftsman.
Chaparelle followed with a burst of desert-kissed Americana. Their harmonies and layered arrangements evoked wide-open spaces, giving festivalgoers a soundtrack for the sea breeze and sunshine. Chaparelle’s set felt like a journey across landscapes — intimate and expansive all at once. The early-arriving crowd swayed easily along, soaking in a performance that felt both grounded and cinematic.
David Duchovny surprised many in the early crowd with a set that blended introspection and rock edge. His gravel-toned delivery carried stories of heartache and resilience, and while acting may be his primary claim to fame, Duchovny held the stage with a mix of awkward ease and quiet charm. The performance may have left some skeptics converted, as he tried to prove he belongs on a festival bill as much as any seasoned musician. As the old adage goes, actors want to be rock stars and rock stars want to be actors — each chasing a version of the other’s dream, and Duchovny had the courage to try at least to pull it off without breaking character.
Mon Rovîa, the Liberian-born artist known for his melding of Afro and Appalachian folk music, brought a different energy, leaning into indie grooves and atmospheric textures. The sound — equal parts moody and uplifting — resonated especially with younger fans close to the stage. It was a set that felt exploratory yet confident, adding dimension to the afternoon. His ability to balance experimentation with accessibility hinted at an artist ready for wider recognition.
Mdou Moctar, the left-handed playing Nigerien guitarist and singer-songwriter, electrified the festival with his blistering Saharan guitar work. Without ever uttering a word to the crowd, his hypnotic riffs, driving rhythms, and mysterious Tamasheq language vocals cut through the ocean air, pulling the crowd into a trance-like sway. In a lineup heavy with Americana and rock, Moctar’s desert blues offered a thrilling, transformative contrast. Each song stretched like a desert horizon, vast and hypnotic, leaving the audience entranced.
Margo Price followed with a set that reminded everyone why she’s one of country music’s fiercest voices. Balancing fiery protest songs with deeply personal ballads, she sang with conviction and soul. Price’s presence carried both grit and grace, and her music landed like truth spoken out loud. She left the stage with cheers ringing, her honesty cutting through as sharply as any of her guitar lines.
Royel Otis shifted gears with shimmering indie-pop that sparkled under the late-afternoon sun. Their catchy hooks and breezy melodies felt tailor-made for a beach festival, giving the crowd an injection of youthful joy. It was a lighter set, but one that stuck in the memory. Their buoyant energy seemed to bottle the sunshine itself, keeping the festival mood lifted.
Tedeschi Trucks Band delivered one of the day’s most musically expansive performances. Derek Trucks’ slide guitar mastery and Susan Tedeschi’s powerhouse vocals and blistering guitar solos created moments of both fiery improvisation and tender communion. Their set flowed like a river, building crescendos that washed over the audience and showcased a band at the height of its collective power. They left the crowd in awe, marveling at how seamlessly technical brilliance could meet soulful expression.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise, the alt/indie rock band from North Carolina, brought their unique brand of genre-bending, emotionally charged rock to the stage. Their dynamic shifts — from delicate whispers to explosive bursts — kept the audience on edge in the best way. With lead vocalist Ela Melo strutting around the stage moving freely around the stage, in a vibrant and eye-catching outfit, holding the crowd’s attention. It was a performance that felt unpredictable yet cathartic, underlining their reputation as one of the most compelling live acts of their generation.
Leon Bridges set the stage for Hozier with a smooth, soulful performance that radiated warmth. His velvety vocals carried effortlessly across the festival grounds, delivering songs that blended timeless R&B with modern finesse. Bridges’ set felt like an embrace, preparing the audience for the night’s headliner with elegance and grace. His timeless charm created a through line between past and present, making the evening feel rich with style and continuity.
Hozier closed day two with a set that felt more like a spiritual experience than a concert. Backed by a stellar band, he guided the crowd through a mix of hits and newer material, each delivered with his signature blend of soulful depth and poetic intensity. Songs like “Take Me to Church” and “Francesca” rang with urgency, while quieter moments carried a hushed reverence that seemed to hold even the waves still. At times, the entire festival seemed to pause, suspended in the resonance of his voice.
What set Hozier apart was his ability to weave intimacy into grandeur. His voice soared into the night sky, rich with emotion, while his lyrics grounded the performance in human connection and longing. As the final notes echoed across Doheny, the crowd lingered, seemingly reluctant to let go of the moment. Day two of Ohana Festival ended not with fireworks or spectacle, but with a communal exhale — a reminder that music can be both a balm and a beacon, especially when delivered from the heart. It was a finale that felt less like an ending than a promise, echoing long after the stage went dark.
