NOVEMBER 14 & 15 - ASBURY PARK, NJ
Every fest needs an origin story, and this one started with a dude, flippin’ burgers, building a playlist.
It began behind the grill at Bond Street Bar in Asbury Park, NJ, where Joe Brown built a playlist to keep up with the songs his best friend Steve and mentor Mike "OG" Longo kept feeding him. Somewhere along the way that playlist gained a bunch of followers and turned into a whole ecosystem, first bands submitting tracks via email, then the lightbulb moment of taking the submissions to the next level and letting bands know they have a home to play in Asbury Park.
THE LINEUP
Eighteen bands, two days, a specific lane: psych, garage, stoner, and shoegaze, AND adjacent genres that just somehow fit the bill
18 BANDS. ONE BIG WAVE.
THE VENUE
Melting Waves takes over Asbury Lanes for two nights of live music in one of Asbury Park’s most recognizable venues.
A Jersey Shore landmark with music built into its DNA, Asbury Lanes is the perfect home for Melting Waves Music Fest.
Part bowling alley, part music venue, and unmistakably Asbury Park, the Lanes brings the kind of raw, up-close energy this festival was made for. For two days, the room comes alive with 18 bands spanning psych, garage, stoner, shoegaze, indie, alternative and everything in between.
Located just blocks from the beach and boardwalk, Asbury Lanes puts Melting Waves in the heart of one of New Jersey's most iconic music towns.
When: Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15, 2026
Where: Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Ages: All ages, both days
Doors: 4:00 PM each day
Music starts: 4:45 PM each day
THE DETAILS
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Set times. The full day by day schedule and set times drop closer to the show. Follow @meltingtrends so you know exactly when your favorite band hits the stage.
Getting here. Asbury Lanes sits a couple blocks off the boardwalk, right next to The Asbury hotel. Metered street parking and the beachfront public lots are all around, and they open up easy in November once the summer crowds clear out. Coming from out of town, the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line drops you at Asbury Park station, a short ride or rideshare from the front door.
Bags. Keep it small. Asbury Lanes allows bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Anything bigger, think backpacks, totes, and suitcases, gets turned away at the door, so travel light.
Coat check. It is November at the shore, so bring the jacket. Coat check runs $5 per coat at the bowling counter if you want to move around unbothered.
Food and drink. Asbury Lanes has a full bar and a diner right inside, so you can grab a bite and a drink without ever leaving the party. All ages get in the door. Drinking is 21 and up with a valid ID.
What to bring. Your ID, a way to pay, comfortable shoes for two nights of standing and moving, and maybe aset of earplugs.