With mom on her mind, Patti Smith rocks Asbury Park beach at Sea Hear Now festival

You can be on a stage in front of tens of thousands of people, but your mom is never far from your thoughts.

So it was with rock legend Patti Smith at the Sea Hear Now festival in Asbury Park on Saturday, Sept. 18.

“I have to say Asbury Park and the Stone Pony was my mother’s favorite place for us to play,“ Smith said. “We’re playing tonight thinking about mom.”

Smith also thought about the safety of the crowd when, inexplicably, small jagged-edged frisbees went flying around the crowd, which numbered about 15,000.

“I’m sure they’re fun, but go on the beach and do it,” said Smith from the Surf stage on the beach. “I feel like we’re being invaded by razor-sharp flying saucers.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who’s also from Jersey, was one of the big draws of the two-day fest, which concludes Sunday, Sept. 19.

Pearl Jam and the Avett Brothers were scheduled to follow Smith and her band, which includes Lenny Kaye and Tony Shanahan (also from Jersey).

Smashing Pumpkins and Bill Idol are scheduled to play on Sunday.

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Everyone seemed happy to be back on the beach and Bradley Park for the fest, which was canceled last year because of  the outbreak.

“I think they did a great job making sure everything is accounted for regarding the space,” said Morgan Hunter of Brick. “Getting in was a breeze even with showing my negative result, which I appreciate that they didn’t make you take a vaccine. You have that freedom of choice.”

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Hunter was in attendance especially for Smith.

A full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results are required to attend Sea Hear Now. For patrons who are not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72 hours (three days) of attending.

Saturday's lineup included Pearl Jam, Avett Brothers, Patti Smith and her Band, Lord Huron, Goose, Dr. Dog, Matt & Kim, Reignwolf, Briston Maroney, White Denim, Cory Henry, Hirie, Jackson Pines and the Black Flamingos. Sunday features the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Idol, Dirty Heads, Grouplove, Orville Peck, Ani DiFranco, Tank and the Bangas, Moon Taxi, Happy Fits, Liz Cooper, Strand of Oaks, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Remember Jones, Ron Artis II and the Truth and American Trappist. 

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Sea Hear Now debuted in 2018 in Asbury Park.

The fest is produced by C3 Presents, the team behind Lollapalooza, and locals Clinch and Tim Donnelly. Clinch is a Toms River native who has photographed the greats of music, from Bruce Springsteen to Tupac Shakur.

Visit www.seahearnowfestival.com for more information.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.