Boardwalk Rock Festival Announced: Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Nickelback & More to Headline Inaugural Event in Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, Maryland is about to become the East Coast’s ultimate rock destination in May 2025, as C3 Presents unveils inaugural Boardwalk Rock on May 17-18. Following the success of Oceans Calling and Country Calling, C3 is expanding its festival offerings with an electrifying two-day celebration of rock music, featuring some of the biggest names in the genre. Hosted by rock radio icon Eddie Trunk, this new event will take place along the scenic Ocean City Boardwalk, offering a perfect blend of world-class music and stunning beach views.

Saturday’s Lineup: Legends and Rock Royalty

Saturday, May 17 will bring an unforgettable day of rock legends, with Def Leppard and Motley Crue headlining the evening. These two iconic bands are set to deliver their signature arena-sized anthems, which we hope will include Def Leppard’s unforgettable “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites,” alongside Motley Crue’s legendary party-rock classics like “Kickstart My Heart” and “Dr. Feelgood.” Fans of ‘80s glam metal will have their hands full as they rock out with two of the biggest bands of the era.

The lineup also includes the mighty Halestorm, known for their powerhouse vocals from front-woman Lzzy Hale and hard-hitting rock anthems like “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “I Am the Fire.” Bush, led by Gavin Rossdale, will also bring their signature blend of grunge-influenced rock, and will surely rock the crowd with hits like “Machinehead” and “Glycerine.” Fans of gritty alt-rock will also love Chevelle, whose hard-hitting sound and songs like “The Red” and “Send the Pain Below” have made them a staple of modern rock radio.

Rounding out Saturday’s diverse lineup are the dynamic Flyleaf (featuring original vocalist Lacey Sturm), who are set to bring their ethereal yet heavy sound to the stage, and The Struts, a band known for their high-energy live shows and glam-rock style. Extreme, with their blend of hard rock and funky grooves, are best known for hits like “More Than Words” and “Get the Funk Out,” while Everclear will give fans a dose of ‘90s alternative with their hits “Santa Monica” and “I Will Buy You a New Life.” Also taking the stage are hard rockers Puddle of Mudd and Trapt, known for their radio-friendly yet raw anthems. Plus, there’s a unique appearance from Kat Von D, bringing her musical talents described as "neo-goth sound draped in luxuriant 80s synths, resulting in a dungeon of alt-pop virtuosity" (www.clashmusic.com) to the festival, alongside the up-and-coming artist Royale Lynn, who is set to add some fresh energy to the weekend.

Sunday’s Lineup: A New Generation of Rock and Roll

Sunday, May 18 will feature another massive day of rock with some of the most successful bands in modern rock history. Nickelback, the band behind some of the most unforgettable rock anthems of the 2000s, including “How You Remind Me” and “Rockstar,” will headline the day. Their no-holds-barred live show will surely be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Also leading the charge is Shinedown, one of the most successful rock bands of the past two decades, with hits like “Second Chance” and “Sound of Madness” sure to have fans singing along all night. Three Days Grace will deliver heavy, emotionally charged rock anthems which we hope include “Animal I Have Become” and “I Hate Everything About You,” while Alice Cooper, the master of shock rock, will bring his signature theatricality and timeless hits to the stage.

Rock veterans 3 Doors Down will provide a hit-filled set that will surely include “Kryptonite” and “Here Without You,” while Bret Michaels, best known for his time with Poison, will bring his signature brand of rock anthems. Other major players include Candlebox, whose grunge-inspired sound became a staple of the ‘90s rock scene, and Night Ranger, who’ll get the crowd moving with their classic rock hits like “Sister Christian.”

Fans of hard-hitting, gritty rock will find plenty to love with Crossfade, Dorothy, and Fuel, all bringing their raw, intense sound to the stage. Black Stone Cherry, known for their Southern rock flair, will deliver an unforgettable performance, while Saliva and Tim Montana add even more energy to the lineup, promising an unrelenting barrage of rock anthems all weekend long.

Boardwalk Rock May 17-18, 2025 Ocean City, MD

This star-studded lineup is one you won’t want to miss! Presale tickets for the Ocean City Rock Festival will be available starting Friday, December 13 at 10am ET. By signing up for your presale passcode at www.boardwalkrockfest.com, you’ll gain access to the lowest-priced tickets before they sell out. If tickets remain after the presale, a general on-sale will begin at 11am ET on the same day.

With its prime location along the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk, world-class musical lineup, and rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere, Boardwalk Rock promises to be an epic event to kick off the summer festival season. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of classic rock, hard rock, or alternative, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss!