This Stone Pony lineup feels like a mixtape from the best years

With one of the biggest winter storms in recent memory looming — and with it being the absolute coldest time of the year — it’s time to start dreaming of warmer days. Or better yet, stop dreaming and start making plans! For me, summer planning officially kicks off with grabbing tickets to one of the most exciting live music nights of 2026: Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms & Spin Doctors at the iconic Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Tickets, dates and details for the Stone Pony Summer Stage show

Tickets for this much-anticipated show go on sale to the general public on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10 AM local time through Ticketmaster and other official outlets. The concert itself is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, with doors opening in the late afternoon for a night of unforgettable live rock and nostalgia by the Jersey Shore.

A perfect storm of ’90s alt-rock nostalgia

This lineup is pure ‘90s alt-rock magic — a snapshot of what we once called “new rock,” “modern rock,” and today comfortably sits under the umbrella of classic rock. At the heart of the bill is Blues Traveler, a band formed nearly four decades ago by friends jamming in a Princeton basement, later growing into a powerhouse with 14 studio albums and countless live shows. Their biggest hit, “Run-Around,” earned a Grammy Award and set a record for the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history.

Joining them are Gin Blossoms, the Tempe, Arizona alt-rockers whose 1992 breakthrough New Miserable Experiencebecame a defining voice of ‘90s radio. Tracks like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” “Follow You Down” and my favorite “Til I Hear It From You” not only landed in the Top 25 but helped the album go quadruple platinum. Despite the spotlight often shining on bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden from that era, I’ve always felt Gin Blossoms are among the most underrated greats of the decade — and their biggest hits instantly transport me back to that time, especially from my days spinning their songs at Y100 in Philly years ago.

Rounding out the bill are the Spin Doctors, veterans of funky, hook-laden alt-rock whose “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” still ignite crowds decades after their major label debut. Their recent work, including the new album on Capitol Records, shows this band isn’t just resting on nostalgia but pushing forward with renewed energy.

Why this Asbury Park concert hits home for me

I love all three of these bands, but for me, Gin Blossoms hold a special place. Those songs take me back — to great music and great times when our kids were little and life had that optimistic wonder. And while other ‘90s acts still get a lot of attention, this trio brings a snapshot in time that feels timeless.

Maybe I’ll even pitch station management to broadcast from our Asbury Park Boardwalk studios that day, then hop over to the show with Judi and Kyle. Cheers to this great lineup — and to summertime at the shore!