Coastal Vibes in the Big Apple: Dune Blue and The Ocho Band Rock NYC

Written by Web Team on February 23, 2026

Written by: Genevieve Fara

Photos: @clubgroovenyc @villagepresents
On a packed night in Manhattan, Groove lived up to its name. The intimate venue was wall to
wall as Dune Blue opened for The Ocho Band, setting the stage for a night of energy,
authenticity, and pure love for live music.
On the train into the city, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had only discovered these bands a few
days earlier through a flyer, and this was my first time seeing them live.
By the time I got out of the taxi and stepped into the venue, I spotted two guys casually on
stage, as if it were their garage and no one was there. I knew immediately this was going to be
my kind of show.
This was my first time seeing both bands live. By the end of the show, I knew it would not be my
last.
Dune Blue opened the night with effortless confidence. From the first guitar riff, their indie surf
sound filled the room with coastal energy. It almost felt like they were hanging out and jamming
together with no one watching — except the venue was getting more and more packed as the
show went on.
Roland Mooney and Connor Picasso, the two members I spoke with after their set, explained
that their connection goes far beyond music.
“We grew up together… we still have all the same friends to this day, like brothers” they said.
That lifelong friendship showed on stage. Their eye contact, their subtle smiles mid-song, the
way they fed off each other’s timing — it was natural.
The sticker-covered guitar slung over Picasso’s shoulder added to their aesthetic. It matched
their personality: creative, laid-back, and unpolished in the best way. Their sound blended surf
rock, hints of punk, and emotional undertones that gave the set depth beyond just good vibes.
Mooney and Picasso also shared that they have built everything independently.
“We’re fully independent. Since day one — no booking, no management, no label,” they
explained.

Despite that, they have toured the country twice and recently released their first album in
September. Watching them perform at Groove, it was clear that their growth was earned. Most
importantly, their passion is real.
“We just love doing this,” they said. And you could feel it in every note.
When The Ocho Band took the stage, the energy shifted instantly. If Dune Blue felt like sunset
on the beach, The Ocho Band felt like the after-party.
The room was packed. From the first song, the crowd was dancing. There was no pause
between tracks where energy dropped. The movement was constant. The atmosphere felt
electric.
Keyboardist and lead singer Garrett Seitz emphasized how meaningful it was to perform in New
York.
“It means the world,” Seitz said. “New York City is such a big music city.”
That appreciation translated directly into their performance. The Ocho Band does not stick to
one sound. They blend genres seamlessly, creating a cohesive set that never feels predictable.
“We’re not defined by a genre… we’re always evolving,” they explained.
They also avoid simply recreating their recordings. Instead, they experiment with live transitions
and fresh arrangements that make each show unique. That spontaneity kept the crowd locked
in from start to finish.
Coming from the Jersey Shore music scene, both bands reminded me of the energy I grew up
around. There was something coastal and nostalgic about the night. It felt like the kind of show
you would catch in Asbury Park — familiar, raw, and community-driven — just transported into
the middle of New York City.
What stood out most was the genuine love both bands have for what they do. You could see it in
Dune Blue’s relaxed confidence. You could feel it in The Ocho Band’s nonstop intensity. That
kind of authenticity cannot be faked.
At Groove, it created something special.
Two independent bands. A packed room. Real energy. And a reminder that live music, when
done with passion, still hits exactly the way it is supposed to.