The deep reggae roots that run through Long Beach, CA will flourish this weekend, February 4th–6th, at Cali Vibes festival [get tickets].
The three-day musical celebration of Southern California’s musical heritage will blend the archetypes of modern reggae—including favorites like Rebelution and Slightly Stoopid—with the old guard, represented by a family birthday tribute to the late, great Bob Marley.
Presented by SoCal’s own Goldenvoice at Marina Green Park, Cali Vibes is the latest incarnation of a decades-old Long Beach tradition, Bob Marley Day. This year’s celebration of what would have marked the reggae icon’s 77th birthday will occur on Saturday, February 5th with a special set from The Marley Brothers: Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Ky-Mani, and Julian.
Marley’s musical legacy has loomed large over what has become a hotbed of new reggae talent for decades. Cali Vibes will feature the biggest and brightest acts to come from the SoCal scene, from Slightly Stoopid to Rebelution, Dirty Heads to Iration. It was through Sublime‘s music that the Long Beach lifestyle was first broadcast over the airwaves to the rest of the country and the entire world, and that songbook will also be represented at Cali Vibes with a performance by Sublime with Rome.
In addition, Cali Vibes intends to honor Sublime’s legacy with the band’s historic white tour van. The 1986 Ford Econoline first purchased by late frontman Bradley Nowell‘s father will serve as a visual art installation during the festival. Adorned with art from longtime Sublime collaborator Opie Ortiz who designed the 40 Oz. To Freedom album cover and Brad’s Sublime back tattoo, the van will find a permanent home at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas following the festival.
Cali Vibes also looks beyond the musical tradition of Southern California with a diverse offering of international artists. The festival will host a variety of island artists including The Marley Brothers, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Protoje, Projexx, and others from Jamaica as well as Pepper, Common Kings, Kolohe Kai, and more from Hawaii. Goldenvoice has also put forth a strong lineup of female artists, chief among them the singer, Koffee, as well as up-and-comers Hirie, Anuhea, Artikal Sound System, and many more.
Though reggae beats pulsate across the lineup, Cali Vibes also highlights SoCal’s affinity for hip-hop. Iconic Staten Island hip-hop crew Wu-Tang Clan will stage a special Sunday performance alongside fellow headliners Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome, and indie favorites Atmosphere. Independent L.A. hip-hop label Delicious Vinyl, which helped launch the careers of Young MC and Tone Loc, just to name a few, will also host a special installation at the festival’s Boomyard stage.
Click here for tickets to Cali Vibes and scroll down to see the full lineup for February 4th–6th at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, CA.
