Fans from across the region gathered in Ocean City this weekend for Ocean’s Calling, a three-day music festival that has quickly become one of the East Coast’s signature live music events. But for Montgomery County residents in the crowd, one detail stood out above all… the headlining set by O.A.R. featured a massive stage backdrop designed to look like a Maryland license plate proudly stamped with “Montgomery County.”
The gesture was no accident. O.A.R. has deep roots in MoCo with founding members Marc Roberge, Chris Culos, Richard On, and Benj Gershman all met while attending Wootton High School in Rockville during the 1990s. From basement jam sessions and local shows to platinum records and worldwide tours, the band has always carried their hometown pride with them. Their shout-out on stage at Ocean’s Calling was a reminder of where it all began.
Ocean’s Calling, held at the Ocean City Inlet, is a beachfront festival featuring dozens of national acts across multiple stages. The 2025 lineup included headliners like Lenny Kravitz, Green Day, Nelly, Good Charlotte, En Vogue, Fallout Boy, Weezer and O.A.R., along with a mix of rock, folk, and indie performers. Beyond the music, the event highlights local food vendors and Ocean City culture, making it a draw for both traveling fans and Marylanders looking for a celebration close to home.
For O.A.R., though, the spotlight moment was all about community. The giant Montgomery County license plate graphic behind them turned a packed beach crowd into a MoCo reunion, showing that no matter how far they’ve traveled, Rockville and the county that shaped them will always be center stage.
