Day 2 of Boardwalk Rock in Ocean City, Maryland, proved that lightning does strike twice — and when it comes to epic rock festivals, this town just became the place to be.
The weather was on our side again, with a steady ocean breeze cutting through the heat, making it the perfect day to soak up the sun, sip cold beer, and blast some rock ‘n’ roll. The beer flowed, the music pumped, and the bands delivered on every stage, keeping the energy sky-high from start to finish.
Kicking things off with a bang, Saliva brought massive energy early in the day. When frontman Bobby Amaru asked, “Does anyone even crowd surf anymore?” — fans answered loud and clear. Suddenly, bodies were riding the waves of hands toward the stage, with security helping fans surf in style. One standout moment? A fan from the very back of general admission made it all the way to the front row via crowd surf and stayed there, living her best life for the rest of the set.
Tim Montana brought more than just great music — he brought heart. Taking a moment to thank first responders, EMS workers, firefighters, and police officers, he showed genuine gratitude for those who “run into danger to save a stranger.” The crowd’s applause roared in appreciation, uniting everyone in a moment of shared respect.
Then came Alice Cooper, and wow — did he deliver. Decked out in his signature face paint and all around theatrics, the Godfather of Shock Rock proved he’s still got it. But it was his guitarist, Nita Strauss, who truly stole the show. Her guitar shredding left jaws on the sand — many fans swore they’d never witnessed such skill live. She didn’t just play — she obliterated every note.
Crossfade kept the good vibes going by stepping off stage to snap photos and connect with fans. Night Ranger, despite a few guitar glitches, showed why 40 years of rock experience counts — laughing through the hiccups and delivering a solid, nostalgia-filled set.
Shinedown drew the largest crowd of the afternoon, with their bassist’s wild moves stealing more than a few glances. Fans packed in close, singing along to every word. Three Days Grace cranked the volume high enough to be heard all the way down the boardwalk past the Grand Hotel — and no one was complaining.
Bret Michaels, ever the showman, posted a sunrise selfie from the stage early in the morning before his set — getting fans hyped hours ahead of time. And of course, Alice Cooper’s classic anthem “School’s Out for Summer” had every teacher (and student at heart) singing their lungs out.
Finally, Nickelback closed out the night with a set that turned the festival into something unforgettable. Hit after hit had the crowd screaming — and if anyone had doubts about Nickelback’s live show, they were gone by the end of the night.
For the first Boardwalk Rock in Ocean City, the highs were unmatched, the lows were nonexistent, and the memories? Everlasting.
Thank you for a weekend of rock ‘n’ roll that will never be forgotten. Period.
