E.A.S.T. Fest is not just another gathering; it is a constellation of brilliance, a desert-born spectacle where surf culture, music, and artistry unite under the Palm Springs sun. On Sunday, September 28th, the Palm Springs Surf Club will play host to legends, innovators, and rising stars. It is the kind of moment that future generations will talk about: when the ocean’s spirit and the desert’s energy met in perfect harmony.
The heartbeat of E.A.S.T. Fest begins with the shapers, the dream-makers who sculpt water’s dance into wood and fiberglass. Ryan Lovelace is known for his freeform, hand-shaped boards that embody the poetry of California surf culture. Ellis Ericson is the Australian maverick who blends tradition with experimentation, creating shapes that defy expectations yet flow effortlessly on the wave. Jaleesa Vincent, a rare force of artistry, blends her talents as both shaper and surfer, bringing creativity and boldness to every piece she touches. Matt Biolos, the mastermind behind Lost Surfboards, is a household name whose boards have carried champions and rebels alike. Barrett Miller is the quiet perfectionist, celebrated for refining details that turn surfboards into instruments of precision. Alex Knost is not only a stylist in the water but a visionary shaper whose retro-modern boards reflect his eccentric genius. Tom Morat, with his fresh eye and fearless hand, represents the new generation of craftsmen shaping tomorrow’s surf culture. Britt Merrick carries the legacy of Channel Islands Surfboards, balancing heritage and modernity with grace. Matt Parker of Album Surfboards is a true artist who treats each board like a canvas, infusing bold lines and colors into functional performance. The Campbell Bros, Malcolm and Duncan, are legendary for inventing the Bonzer design, forever changing how surfers experience speed and control. Donald Brink, the South African innovator, is renowned for asymmetrical boards that honor individuality and challenge convention. Stretch, the ever-pioneering William Riedel, pushes boundaries with designs that blend futuristic vision with proven power. Together, these shapers embody the essence of experimentation, each name a brushstroke on the canvas of surfing history.
When the boards hit the water, the surfers become the living art, carving and flying across liquid walls with charisma and mastery. Mikey February is pure elegance, a South African stylist whose flowing lines and soulful approach to surfing have made him a global icon. Harry Bryant, the Australian adventurer, is all about raw energy, explosive maneuvers, and a punk-rock attitude that electrifies every crowd. Nate Fletcher, a pioneer of aerial surfing, carries decades of respect for his fearless approach to big waves and progressive maneuvers. Mason Ho, the Hawaiian trickster, is beloved worldwide for his playful spirit and daring creativity in any conditions. Tosh Tudor, carrying the legacy of his legendary father Joel Tudor, blends classic longboard grace with modern innovation. Timo Simmers is the soulful Californian whose timeless style recalls an era of pure surf romance, yet whose maneuvers resonate with today’s dynamism. Holly Wawn represents the power of women’s surfing in Australia, charging waves with strength and fluidity that inspire the next generation. Micky Clarke is the Ventura powerhouse, known for his ferocity in heavy surf and his undeniable connection to raw energy. Ian Crane, the high-flying Californian, is a modern aerial specialist, constantly pushing boundaries in contests and free surf sessions. Rosy Hodge, the South African legend turned broadcaster and role model, has carved her place in the sport with grace, skill, and a magnetic presence that uplifts the community. To see these surfers together in Palm Springs is to witness a pantheon of surfing greatness, each bringing a unique spirit to the water.
And as the sun dips lower, music takes the reins and turns the festival into a dreamscape of sound. Allah-Las, the Los Angeles-based band, will transport the crowd with their sun-soaked psych-rock harmonies that feel born of both ocean breezes and desert winds. Rio Kosta brings soulful melodies that blend intimacy with power, casting a spell over every listener. Cut Snake, the Australian DJ duo turned surf-scene icons, deliver beats as wild and free as the waves themselves, perfect for a desert night under the stars. Brick! adds grit and edge, a sound that crashes like waves on rocks, fierce and unrelenting. Grady Strange brings his unique storytelling, a raw yet enchanting voice that captures the restless energy of surf towns and endless highways. Malcolm Brown anchors the lineup with his bold, genre-spanning sound that fuses rhythm with rebellion. Luke C. rounds out the musical experience with sets that glide effortlessly between warmth and intensity, carrying the energy late into the night.
E.A.S.T. Fest is more than names on a poster; it is a communion of artistry and performance. The shapers imagine, the surfers embody, and the musicians elevate. Families will gather, children will see their heroes up close, and fans will live through moments that inspire them to chase their own waves, whatever form they take. Exclusive merchandise will fly off the stands, giveaways will excite, and the premiere of Stab’s new E.A.S.T. series will etch the day into the festival’s lore.
Palm Springs, long celebrated for its modernism, luxury, and desert mystique, will embrace the ocean for one day. The pool will shimmer with history in the making, and every laugh, every cheer, every song will ripple into memory. September 28th will be remembered as the day the desert became the ocean, the day creativity and community flowed together in one unstoppable current.
