Bruce Springsteen and E Street set at Sea Hear Now historic for Asbury Park, band

Well, that was hard to miss.

If you were anywhere in the vicinity of Asbury Park over the weekend of Sept. 14 and 15, you either saw, felt or heard some aspect of the big Sea Hear Now music, art and surfing festival on the city's North Beach and Bradley Park.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined Sept. 15.

“Hear” is the pivotal word. The fest had sound issues last year when parts of Weezer and the Beach Boys sets dropped out during a strong winds. Organizers upped the wattage this year with extra sound towers and added two video screens in the beach.

More: Bruce Springsteen and E Street play magical three-hour show at Sea Hear Now: Review

Despite strong winds, and crashing waves, on Sunday, Springsteen and band came through loud and clear in a historic full-circle moment for the band and the city. Springsteen spoke of the decades-long economic downturn the city experienced, and its comeback.

“I just want to take a moment to thank all the people who have invested themselves to bring Asbury Park back to life,” said Springsteen from the stage. “On the East Side, on the West Side — I want to thank the LGBTQ plus community for all they did for Asbury Park in the last 25 years. Danny Clinch, I want to thank you for this wonderful event, and most of all I want to thank all of you for being here tonight.”

Clinch, a Toms River native who who has shot several Springsteen album covers, founded the fest with promoter Tim Donnelly, also of Toms River, with Tim Sweetwood of C3 Presents, the team behind multiple big fests, including Lollapalooza.

Incubus and Jack Johnson were the headliners of the first fest in 2018. Pearl Jam, Stevie Nicks and the Foo Fighters have headlined since then.

More: Even at the Emmys, Jon Stewart's heart was in New Jersey for Bruce Springsteen

There was a lot going on at the fest besides Springsteen and E Street. Kahan, a singer-songwriter from Vermont with a huge following, was eminently liable and tuneful on Saturday. His work has a folk-pop vibe, and he comes off like a new age Jim Croce with songs that include a smirk, share a little empathy, and impart a dose of common wisdom.

Also on Saturday, 311 delivered a robust set of their reggae rock. The Omaha band is marking 34 years together, and they were popular in the city right from the start. They seemed to have planted their reggae rock seeds deep into Asbury Park, as the music is a constant hit on city stages.

Grace Potter made fans see red in her red dress as she summoned earthy blues rock to the Sand Stage. Her wail on Led Zeppelin's “Whole Lotta Love” out-Planted Robert Plant. The Hives from Sweden also charged up the day, and we're not talking about their lightning bolt-themed black-and-white matching suits. Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist's herky-jerky moves and constant motion complimented the band's garage rock riffs quite well.

Horns are a big part of the Sound of Asbury Park, and on Sunday there were plenty on stage for Kool and the Gang's fun set of party jams. From Jersey City, the group tapped into a good-time summer vibe with their timeless classics, including an extended “Hollywood Swinging” and “Celebrate.”

Norah Jones added smooth jazz and middle-of-the-road pop with a bit of mystery and plenty of allure to the fest with her set, which included her breakout hit “Don't Know Why.”

Locals Joe P, Sonic Blume, Sunshine Spazz and Rachel Ana Dobken also played the fest. Dobken was especially busy. She played drums and sang “My Babe” as Springsteen played lead guitar at the Stone Pony in festival afterparty show on Saturday. Dobken and her band also played the Surf Stage and the Transparent Clinch Gallery pop up tent during the fest. She's got soul, talent and that something extra.

Before the E Street festival closing set, Springsteen took the Surf Stage stage with the Trey Anastasio Band for a swinging rendition of his classic “Kitty’s Back.”

“Who’s there way down at the end of beach!” said Springsteen during the song’s break down.

It was one and done with the Anastasio Band.

“We’re going to have to follow Bruce Springsteen on the beach in Asbury Park,” quipped Anastasio, a Princeton native who fronts the band Phish.

Springsteen then headed over to the fest’s Park Stage in Bradely Park to join Gaslight Anthem for their set-opening songs “History Books” and “American Slang.”

The Boss came back to the Surf Stage on the North Beach to begin his historic set with the E Street Band.

Loud and clear, this was one for the history books.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band Sea Hear Now set historic