Fiesta Oyster Bake 2025: A Nostalgic Rock Revival in San Antonio
by Christina Zamudio
Every year, Fiesta San Antonio brings out the vibrant spirit of the city, and nothing captures that better than Oyster Bake. St. Mary’s University, nestled in the heart of San Antonio’s west side, transforms its grounds into a concert festival that includes three stages of music, a variety of vendor booths and a carnival – complete with fast-talking carnies, rides, games and all. Oyster Bake is a two-day event in late April that aims to raise funding for scholarships to St. Mary’s.
Oyster Bake is the unofficial kick off for Fiesta San Antonio, an annual two-week celebration to commemorate Texas’s fight for independence. The vibrant colors, the clanging of Fiesta medals in the wind, the unmistakable smell of chicken-on-a-stick (a Fiesta staple), and the overall good vibes create an irresistibly festive atmosphere.
This year’s rock music lineup on the main stage promised a heavy dose of ’90s and early aughts nostalgia. I was eager to experience these bands live, since I grew up listening to many of them, thanks to my dad, as well as countless hours at work at H-E-B – Texas’s homegrown grocery chain known for blasting ’80s and ’90s music in its stores.
Here’s a little taste of the Oyster Bake bill of fare:
Earshot
Earshot had hits like “Get Away” and “Wait” in the early aughts. While the band wasn’t exactly a household name, their performance quickly won the crowd over. Dressed in black, frontman Will Martin brought intense energy, his long hair flowing as he shouted lyrics about defiance and resilience. The crowd was a mix of long-time fans and new listeners like me. Songs like “Not Afraid” and “Where Were You?” pulled in curious ears, but it was the emotional power ballad “You and I” and the vampiric nostalgia of “Headstrong” (from the Queen of the Damned soundtrack) that really hit. Martin’s connection with the audience and the band’s gritty rock sound had my cousin and I (ages 25 and 22) rocking out with the older crowd like we’d been fans for years.
Vertical Horizon
Formed in the ’90s, Vertical Horizon topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999 with “Everything You Want.” Their set felt like catching up with an old friend. When frontman/guitarist Matt Scannell mentioned their hit album Everything You Want just turned 25, it was a surreal moment for me. Their sound ranged from pop rock classics to synth-infused tracks like “One Day,” which was inspired by New Order and Depeche Mode.
A spontaneous sing-off between Katy Perry’s “Firework,” John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” created a chaotic, hilarious moment that had the band and crowd cracking up. Hearing “You’re a God” and “Everything You Want” live was a highlight, especially with beach balls flying and bubbles floating across the field. It was a feel-good, crowd-pleasing set that made you smile whether you were a diehard fan or not.
Tonic
Road warriors Tonic broke out in 1996 with “If You Could Only See” from their debut album. Today’s version of the band brought a no-nonsense rock show to Oyster Bake. “We’re Tonic – what you see is what you get,” frontman/guitarist Emerson Hart stated before diving into a set of hits, deep cuts, and surprise covers. Their raw energy and classic-rock presence were a breath of fresh air.
From “Top Falls Down” to the crowd favorite “If You Could Only See,” Tonic delivered with tight musicianship and vocals that haven’t aged a day. Their choice of covers – Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion,” and Led Zeppelin’s “Dancing Days” only added to the nostalgic vibe. Watching people sprint from the back to get as close to stage as possible when “If You Could Only See” started was proof of how timeless their music really is.
Sugar Ray
Originally formed in the ’80s playing heavier funk and nü-metal, Sugar Ray struck mainstream gold in 1997 with their pop single “Fly.” The band’s current lineup closed out the night with the most personality-packed set of all. Quirky frontman Mark McGrath leaned into his faded ’90s pop star persona with hilarious self-deprecation, high energy, and constant crowd interaction. I’d heard songs like “Fly” and “When It’s Over” countless times at work on the H-E-B playlist, but hearing them live brought a new appreciation.
One standout moment was McGrath mock-complaining about “Someday” being blocked from No. 1 by TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Cher’s “Believe” – then teasing those hits while the crowd sang them at the top of their lungs. After enough begging from the audience, a cover of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” turned into a full-on dance party. From “Every Morning” to “Fly,” Sugar Ray was the perfect high-energy, nostalgia-fueled closer that brought everyone – children and adults – together.
In conclusion
Oyster Bake has become a family tradition. It’s an annual excuse to go to San Antonio for a good time and even better tunes. Whether it was rediscovering old favorites or falling in love with a band I never paid much attention to before, this year’s lineup delivered in every way.
