When I first met Monique Powell, she was sitting on a bench, eager to show everyone around her photos that were taken of her around the grounds at Back to the Beach and admiring the production values that went into the festival’s decorations. Her energy and warmth were abundantly present, and it became immediately clear that the enthusiasm she brings to every Save Ferris show is not simply an act.

While day one of Back to the Beach Festival had a very clear ska emphasis, day two seemed focused on the emo/skate punk culture that so often goes hand in hand with third wave ska. While not quite an admissions sell out like the day before, day two still managed to draw a very healthy crowd of fans, all passionate about the acts of the day.

In a weekend full of chill vibes and great music, Travis Barker and John Feldmann’s Back to the Beach Festival returned to Huntington State Beach for its second annual installment. Featuring a “mostly ska” lineup unlike most of today’s mainstream festivals, it showed just how populous and dedicated today’s ska community is.  Back to the Beach’s Day one lineup offered an unparalleled introspective into the influence and relevance the genre has in this day and age.

Summer time is almost here in California, and residents are counting down the days. It’s no secret that Southern California is famous for beaches and music, and one event promises to highlight these hallmarks in spectacular fashion. Music industry legends Travis Barker (Blink-182) and John Feldmann (Goldfinger) are coming together once gain to produce their second annual Back to the Beach Festival.