Beach Concerts Take Atlantic City Spotlight This Month

Written By Chris Imperiale on August 3, 2022
Phish concert

The exciting Atlantic City beach concert season is officially here.  The iconic band Phish returns to the AC beach this weekend, while the three-day TidalWave Music Festival begins on Aug. 12.

Music fans are in luck, as there are six total days of beach concerts available over the next two weeks. So it means AC casinos should have no trouble drawing crowds.

The Phish Summer Tour brings the band back to Atlantic City for the second straight year. Before last summer, Phish hadn’t played in the area since 2013.

This year, they’re back for three consecutive nights, starting on Friday, Aug. 5. Each of the shows kickoff at 7:30 p.m., with the doors opening two hours prior.

The beach will have a slightly different look a week later, as the TidalWave event begins with some of the biggest names in country music. Headliners include Luke Bryan, Morgan Wallen, and Dierks Bentley over the three nights, along with a long list of additional performers.

Let’s take a closer look at these concert events coming up and all of the details fans need to know.

Phish returns to Atlantic City beach concert scene

Phish is playing 26 shows this summer for its loyal fan following, including three separate nights in Atlantic City. Tickets are available for all three events still, although Saturday night is beginning to sell out. Last year’s Phish concerts in AC attracted more than 30,000 fans each day.

General admission tickets cost $85 (before fees), whereas the foundation tickets provide a more expensive option. Their fee is $325 to start, but they come equipped with lots of incentives.

With a foundation ticket, you’re granted dedicated venue entrance, as well as access to the foundation viewing area. Ticket holders also receive early admission to the concert, and an invitation to the lounge, which includes plenty of perks.

Visitors can get unique food offerings, purchase craft beers and wine from the bar, along with finding a comfortable place to sit.

Attendees with a foundation ticket have access to water refill stations and limited early merchandise shopping, too.

Those who love Phish can also secure tickets to all three nights with a single purchase. Three-day passes are listed online for $255.

TidalWave Music Festival Atlantic City

Music fans don’t need to wait very long for another awesome weekend on the Atlantic City beach. After Phish leaves town, some of the top country musicians hit the stage for the 2022 TidalWave Music Festival.

Again, this event covers those in the Garden State looking to enjoy live music for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday next week. Each night features a different star taking the stage late night, with Bryan, Wallen, and Bentley scheduled for the weekend in that order.

While just those performances would be worth it, the fest showcases lots of others. A total of six acts go on before the headliner each day of the event, and that’s just at the main stage.

TidalWave also implemented a second stage, called Next From Nashville. Here, five additional musicians take the mic each day before the main acts are up.

Dee Jay Silver gets things started every day at 2 p.m. on the main stage. He is also in line to keep all the guests entertained in between sets.

The Nashville stage gets underway shortly after that, at 2:15 p.m. each day.

The three main headliners aren’t the only few fans are coming to see. Other notable performers consist of Riley Green, Hardy, and Chase Rice.

How to get TidalWave AC tickets

One major difference between the Phish weekend and TidalWave is that customers cannot purchase single-day tickets for the festival. Currently, three-day general admission wristbands are the only way to attend.

That being said, those trying to go can save money by locking in their purchase now. The event is selling passes in three different waves, with the price increasing each time.

General admission is $269 right now in wave two, compared to the $299 price point for the next period. In order to pay the current rate, you need to confirm your tickets by Aug. 7.

Upgraded ticket options exist, as well. You can buy a VIP pass for $499 for the three days, along with a VIP reserved seat at $749. Of course, these come with a few benefits.

These involve premium elevated seating, a shaded lounge space, a VIP entrance, to go with complimentary massage and hair braiding services.

Concert goers who really want to get the most out of their weekend can go a step further. TidalWave also presents a Hotel Experience Package, with several different options available. The package provides a three-night hotel stay, on top of an abundance of exclusive VIP rewards. Only a few packages still remain, however, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Caesars AC, and Tropicana AC are each involved with the deal. The pricing for these started at $3,499.

Photo by AP/Owen Sweeney
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Chris Imperiale

Chris Imperiale covers legal sports betting and casino gambling in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has a journalism degree from Rutgers University and was formerly on staff at Bleacher Report.

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