Review: The Beach Boys Delivered a Heartfelt Show for South Florida Fans

Last night, the Beach Boys brought their catchy songs to Hard Rock Live. The band that has been “Surfin’ U.S.A.” since 1961, inspiring generations of musicians and fans, performed their first South Florida show since the death of founding member Brian Wilson in June 2025.

For their Sounds of Summer tour, they invited longtime friend and collaborator John Stamos as a special guest. Stamos first performed with the band in 1985 and has since worked with the Hawthorne, California legends in various capacities — from directing their music video for “Hot Fun in the Summertime” to making a memorable cameo in the video for their hit single “Kokomo.”

The Beach Boys hit the stage at 8 p.m. for their first South Florida performance since the Pompano Beach Amphitheater in 2023. The show opened with a nostalgic and heartfelt video montage highlighting iconic moments in the band’s history. The reel included scenes from classic films and TV shows that featured their music — from 50 First Dates to The Office — showcasing just how deeply the Beach Boys’ sound is woven into pop culture. From there, they launched into “Do It Again,” setting off a wave of sing-alongs.

Though the crowd skewed older and the venue never fully filled out, the energy remained buoyant throughout the night. The band cruised through their surf-rock catalog with ease, interspersed with covers and tributes that expanded their sonic reach while honoring their roots. Their well-known Ramones cover “Rockaway Beach” brought a playful note early on, while classics like “Surfin’ Safari,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations” reminded fans why the Beach Boys still resonate.

The emotional peak arrived with the “Brian’s Back” song and video tribute to the late Wilson, followed by moving renditions of “The Warmth of the Sun” and “God Only Knows.” The night closed with the tropi-pop classic “Kokomo,” as fans swayed and sang along, the perfect cherry on top for a night of classics. 

Although the Beach Boys’ popularity has faded over time, they remain a perfect treat for nostalgic South Florida fans and for new generations seeking to discover the roots of many pop culture moments.

Setlist:

“Intro Video”
“Do It Again”
“Surfin’ Safari”
“Catch a Wave”
“Hawaii”
“Rockaway Beach” (Ramones cover)
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
“Surfer Girl”
“You’re So Good to Me”
“I Can Hear Music” (The Ronettes cover)
“Getcha Back”
“Darlin'”
“In My Room”
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“Little Deuce Coupe”
“409”
“Shut Down”
“I Get Around”
“Brian’s Back” (Brian Wilson tribute video)
“The Warmth of the Sun”
“Forever” (with John Stamos)
“God Only Knows”
“California Girls”
“California Dreamin'” (The Mamas & the Papas cover)
“Sloop John B” ([traditional] cover)
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“Help Me, Rhonda”
“Do You Wanna Dance?” (Bobby Freeman cover)
“Rock and Roll Music” (Chuck Berry cover)
“Good Vibrations”
“Kokomo”