Oceanfront Concerts kick off this weekend as local stores gear up for business

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Audacy’s Oceanfront Concerts will be at the Oceanfront this weekend bringing live music from national acts and local talent.

One local DJ looks forward to bringing the energy to the stage.

“We’re opening another door that Virginia Beach has never seen before, especially on the beach in the sand, in the public eye,” DJ Julian Rivera said. “This is uncharted territory that we’ve never gone before. So knock on wood, I want everything to work. I want it to be amazing. I want Virginia Beach to see what we can actually do and thrive in.”

Rivera hopes this festival will bring positive vibes to the Resort City.

Some acts you can expect this weekend are Juicy J, NLE Choppa, Tee Grizzley, Skilla Baby and Shordie Shordie.

Free music will be played at 17th St. Park and 24th St. Park from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

For local businesses, it means more people around the Oceanfront.

Beach Melody is right by the venue. Zee Sale said events like this usually bring a good crowd to the store.

“More folks, especially like teenagers,” he said. “They come here, they enjoy it, you know, especially when you have some rappers playing around, you are seeing a lot of teenagers and families. … We’re trying to do some good business during the weekends with events.”

Nearly a year ago, Pharell’s Something in the Water took over the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. It has been pushed back due to past inclement weather around this time of year.

Complete Coverage: Something in the Water Festival

Sale said last year was a good weekend for business.

“It was packed,” he said. “Especially on the other side of the ocean. The front door was packed.”

Sale hopes it can be replicated this weekend.

“I’m not sure, but hopefully, yes,” he said.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the stages. Doors are set to open at 5 p.m. Friday.

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