PHOTOS: Driftwood Music Festival Brings Thousands to Doheny State Beach

Kip Moore performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

By Daniel Ritz

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach drew thousands to Dana Point on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in a weekend-long celebration with more than 40 craft breweries, barbecue and country music.

Artists such as Gethen Jenkins, RaeLynn, Canaan Smith, Maddie and Tae, Dan and Shay, and Kip Moore spoke early and often of the Pacific Ocean’s one-of-a-kind concert venue backdrop.

“I stepped off the tour bus this morning, and I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t,” said Canaan Smith, taking a breather from his Nov. 12 performance that ignited a meandering crowd.

After Smith’s sunset show, all eyes were focused on the main stage for the remainder of the evening. Dan and Shay serenaded a swooning crowd with sing-along radio favorites such as “How Not To” and “Road Trippin,” before inviting an Orange County veteran up on the stage in honor of Veterans Day.

After some heartfelt words of honor and service, much to the crowd’s surprise, the veteran took a knee before his speechless partner and proposed to her on stage. Disclaimer: She said yes.

However, Veterans Day was not the only event on the attendees’ minds. Countless fans that had also attended the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas held signs reading, “Pray for Vegas,” “#StillHere” and “#VegasStrong.”

“It’s a different venue and you can’t let the terrible actions of one person ruin a good time for all these good people,” said Rachel Lincoln of Los Angeles.

Driftwood closed out the show with day two headliner Kip Moore, of Nashville, Tenn., as he stormed on stage and launched into his set without a word. Playing for the better part of an hour, Moore effortlessly linked song to song with impeccable guitar work, pleasing diehard front row fans.

For a photo gallery of Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif. on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12, see below:

Kip Moore performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Gethen Jenkins performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

A large contingent of veterans and active military servicemen and women were in attendance as fans and vendor volunteers during the Veterans Day weekend event. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Fans stood stageside for hours anticipating their favorite acts at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

RaeLynn performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Country music fans came from far and wide to enjoy the country music, craft beer and BBQ at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Members of the Orange County Sheriffs Department at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Country music fans came from far and wide to enjoy the country music, craft beer and BBQ at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

More than 40 craft breweries were represented including local breweries such as Artifex and Lost Winds Brewery at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Country music fans came from far and wide to enjoy the country music, craft beer and BBQ at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Canaan Smith performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Artists Kygo and Ellie Goulding will headline a new music festival coming to Doheny State Beach on May 13. Photo: File/Daniel Ritz

Canaan Smith performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Maddie and Tae perform at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Madison Marlow of Maddie & Tae performs at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Before Dan & Shay came on stage, an Orange County military veteran proposed to his girlfriend at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2017. Photo: Daniel Ritz