Set on the Jersey Shore in the winter and spring of 1981–82, Boardwalk Saints follows Arch, a 17-year-old listener drawn into a world of musicians, clubs, friendships, and mentorship.

In this community, music is more than a sound. It is a language, a craft, and something passed from one generation to the next. As Arch finds his place in this world, he discovers that the people and experiences around the music can shape a life.