Matisyahu Performing on Sunday Night on the Main Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
Now that I was a little more familiar with the venue, my workload on Saturday and Sunday at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival seemed a little easier to tackle. I was still running from stage to stage, shooting like a Rogue Agent, but now I knew exactly where to go, what to do, and when to do it.
Slightly Stoopid Performing on Saturday Night on the Main Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
As I continued on with my weekend, what I really noticed was the higher level of organization and production that went into the Cali Roots Fest 2013. Every act was on time and seemed to each have their own mass following. As I trekked from stage to stage, it was the number of fans that really let me know this festival was chock full of California Roots.
That’s the other thing: the name of the festival. Almost everyone in my circle of the Reggae Industry looks at it one way, with “Roots” meaning “Roots Reggae”…
Don Carlos Performing on Saturday on the Marley’s Mellow Mood Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
However, I learned very quickly that this festival was actually trying to showcase the “Roots” of California’s Reggae scene, which dabbles in Punk, Rock, Hip-Hop, Ska, and of course Reggae Music.
The attendees of this festival were in love with the music and on the border of a wider path to knowledge. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what genre of music is being performed or who is performing the music. What matters is the passion, the intent, and the overall life experience.
Many of the people at this festival didn’t know who Don Carlos was, they didn’t know who Rootz Underground was, but they knew Slightly Stoopid as California Reggae Gods… which is fine, we all have to start somewhere… right?
Tribal Seeds Performing on Saturday on the Main Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
Learning about the music of the Most High is not an easy task, and it’s not for the weak of heart. I don’t care if it’s punk rock, ska, hip-hop, reggae, or metal…if the music has a message, and the listener can hear that message, learn about it, and research further about what all this music actually means, there is hope for the world.
Saturday night, after Slightly Stoopid performed a particularly irie set, I headed across the street to Planet Gemini to watch Indubious and David Starfire at the Official After-Party. It was a cozy place and got packed to the walls with Cali Roots patrons.
Indubious performed a killer set with energetic love and positivity. They even brought up some friends to the stage to help them spread their magical fire: Marko, J Ras, Cali Kidd, and High Pressure Sodium! Then, as David Starfire whomped it up with his skilled mixing techniques, the place just about exploded… and then it was 230 in the morning… and I was beat.
Indubious Performing at the Official Cali Roots After Party at Planet Gemini
Sunday was upon me as I woke up about 9am the next day. The weather had been beautiful all weekend, highs in the low 70’s, and I was ready for the last day of Cali Roots.
It was the best day of the weekend for me, as far as music goes, and I was very excited to see Indubious perform on the Marley’s Mellow Mood Stage. I was also excited to see Fear Nuttin Band and Collie Buddz blaze it up as well.
Fear Nuttin Band Feeling the Main Stage Crowd on Sunday at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
The boys in FNB were camped near us, and were good bredren, so I was totally pumped to see what they were going to lay down on stage. It had also been a good while since I had seen Collie Buddz in the act and was hoping that his performance was going to be the fire that blazed the night over with absolute goodness… I mean what else is gonna happen when Collie Buddz comes around???
Standout acts for me over Saturday and Sunday were Indubious, Pacific Dub, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Ballyhoo!, Mystic Roots, Tribal Seeds, Don Carlos, Collie Buddz, One A-Chord, Fear Nuttin Band, High Tide, Stick Figure, and Natural Vibrations.
Collie Buddz Performing on Sunday Night on the Main Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
The entire weekend was full of magic, good vibes, and irie meditations. Big Ups and HUGE Respect goes out to the Production Team on this event. You all ran this festival with precision, love, and understanding. I was inspired by the professionalism of it all and hope that other organizers around the globe can look to the California Roots Music & Arts Festival and learn something. You definitely have a formula that is working for thousands upon thousands of individuals…and that deserves the utmost Raspekt!!!
Check out the complete set of images from Saturday and Sunday HERE…
Much Love, More Strength, and Massive Respect!!!!!
♥ BOOM ♥
Crowd Shot During Natural Vibrations Set on the Marley’s Mellow Mood Stage at the 2013 California Roots Music & Arts Festival
