If you were looking for a crazy good time for Labor Day weekend, the Pacific Festival 2012 was the place to be!  Thousands of people gathered in Newport Dunes Marina in Orange County, California, all day Sunday, September 2^nd to enjoy live music, delicious food, drinks and some wild fun in the sand. With 15-20+ ft sets coming through “The Wedge” just on the other side of the marina and the entire coast lit up by hurricane swell, Pacific Festival was the best way to relax those sore muscles with a little bump-n-grind.

Pacific Festival featured three stages of live performances all overlooking the water, echoing throughout Newport Beach. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

Newport crowd enjoying Labor Day in style. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

The Orange County Pacific Festival had the pleasure of overlooking the water at Newport Dunes and even enjoyed an exclusive beach party with a bar on the shoreline. Incredible live performances demonstrated the best of electronica and alternative music, with a lineup consisting of Mayer Hawthorne, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Fool’s Gold, Capital Cities, Mr. Little Jeans, Steed Lord, Tijuana Panthers, American Royalty, Wildcat! Wildcat!, Le Blorr, Snakebit Drifters, Indian Burn and many more.

Steed Lord performed in the evening on Sunday just in time for the setting sun and an enthusiastic crowd. 

Sunday evening as the sun sets over the Pacific Festival, Newport Beach. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

Steed Lord was nothing short of unique in style and performance. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

Steel Lord is a band and visual arts collective from Iceland based in Los Angeles.  Their style is considered electronic synthesizer pop music and experimental visual art.  Unlike most bands, Steed Lord creates their music videos, short films and commercials.  In addition they have designed their clothing, brand and merchandise, working with large companies including H&M as well as WeSC. 

Thousands of fans filtered into this wild Labor Day bash. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

DJing the main stage on at this lovely Labor Day celebration. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

Food trucks posted up all day including the Lime Truck and Daphne’s California Greek.  Amazing artists rocked the crowd through out the day like Mayer Hawthorne, Poolside, Fool’s Gold, Indian Burn, Drifters, Capital Cities, Mr. Little Jeans, Tijuana Panthers and many more!  The crowd went wild every time there was a new set and grew as the day moved on, dancing into the evening.

Even the JetLev flying jetpack made an appearance, entertaining guests as they crossed the bridge to enter the festival.  Dancing, beer, music, sand and water, nothing could beat this Labor Day kick off event! 

Professional surfer, Jen Smith, with friends at the Pacific Festival 2012. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

Surf guitar on the Camm stage sets the mood in Newport Beach. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Q

The music was endless, synced with the sunset and jammin’ into the evening. Photo: Surf Channel/Shannon Quirk

Don’t miss out at next year at the Pacific Festival 2013!

Missed the big wave action at The Wedge Labor Day Weekend? Check out the highlights from Red Bull Wedge Session with Jamie O’Brien. 

Emily Bates (374 Posts)

As a 2012 college graduate from California State University, Long Beach, Emily enters the world with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a passion for surfing, cultural diversity and serving others.