California Roots Music & Art Festival

California Roots isn’t just a music festival; it’s a movement. It’s a way of life. It delivers a cosmic blend of good vibes, true happiness, family, peace, love and joy to all who enter. When Jimi Hendrix torched his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in the late ‘60’s, he changed the way an entire generation looked not only at music festivals, but life itself.

It is out of this same pure energy–the energy of natural and peaceful rebellion–that California Roots was born. We discovered the ecstasy that culminates from listening to awesome music, smiling at your neighbors and dancing with strangers; California Roots is about living life to the fullest.

The first Cali Roots drew 1,400 people, and every year until 2013, the event has doubled its attendance. In 2014, organizers added an outdoor arena at the Fairgrounds (called the Bowl) to the original stages, upping the event’s capacity to 11,000 people per day. In 2013 and 2014, the festival sold out weeks in advance. Other recent upgrades include free live streaming via Youtube so fans worldwide can tune in, larger stages, higher production values, an Art & Wine Gallery, and fancier VIP lounges. As Co-Producer, Dan Sheehan puts it: “What started as a backyard party is now one of the fastest growing festivals of its size.”

In a larger sense, Cali Roots takes inspiration from that massive musical explosion and shift in consciousness synonymous with late-1960s California counterculture. But don’t be fooled by the name: It’s not all about California bands, nor is it just about roots reggae. It is, however, about quintessential California living—and dreaming: Imagine a laid-back experience with sunshine (if it’s not foggy), smiles, and good vibes.

Over the years, festival-goers have encountered the ultimate lineup of artists in this genre including Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, SOJA, 311, Rebelution, Steel Pulse, Tribal Seeds, Ziggy Marley, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Iration, Pepper, The Expendables, Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu and many more. The goal is to offer rising-star bands alongside the headliner acts that are going to get folks through the gates. In 2015, the festival branched out a bit with the lineup, combining the expected with some not-as-expected artists such as The Roots, Michael Franti and Spearhead, G-Love and Special Sauce and Cypress Hill.

“Cali Roots is a special festival because it’s got its finger on the pulse of what’s going on in American reggae music today. Every band is a part of this movement that has evolved from a few semi-underground, torch carrying reggae bands, to something that has quickly shot to the forefront of popular music culture…Cali-Roots represents that perfectly,” says The Green, guitarist/vocalist, Zion Thompson.

Of course, a music festival these days can’t be just about the music. Cali Roots strives to bring its festival goers a full weekend experience. As one longtime fan and blogger, Brendan Clemente says, ‘Stepping into the Monterey County Fairgrounds for the Cali Roots Festival is an experience like nothing else. The moment you walk through the festival gates you enter a place separate from the outside world – a heavenly playground filled with sweet sunshine, amazing music, peaceful vibrations, and a strong sense that you just discovered the happiest place on earth. The vibe inside the festival is unique and special – a perfect blend of music, art, freedom and celebrating life to the fullest. Along with the jaw-dropping lineups of outstanding music every year, this festival is a place filled with wonderful surprises – no matter what your vibe is, we’ve got something you’ll love here.’

Cali Roots was one of the first California music festivals to have Live Painters on stage painting while the musicians performed, which has become a common sight at many music festivals these days. Cali Roots brings in the Offset Project to work toward a zero-waste experience. Vendors use only foodware that’s compostable and volunteers help you separate your waste. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bottles, since no one sells bottled water (a partnership with Earthwell makes sure you won’t get parched). Refill at the purified-water stations scattered throughout the grounds or partake in the pint program: Buy a refillable glass for discounts on beer, or bring one from a previous year’s fest. And you can park your bike or skateboard for free in the Valet! Cali Roots has also partnered with Trip Zero, which works to address and negate the carbon footprint created by travel to the festival.

Another important mission of Cali Roots is supporting local communities. The world is built on communities, and the cornerstone of positive and vibrant change begins right at home. The homegrown philosophy supports California companies, workers, residents, and nonprofits coming together to make this festival a place of pure bliss for visitors from all around the world. In 2015, Cali Roots supported Do It For the Love Foundation, Love Hope Strength, Yes I Can, and Unify to Thrive.

At the end of the day, producing this festival isn’t really a choice anymore for the producers; it’s more of a calling. It was born out of the untameable passion to bring good music to good people, give back to our community and help grow with like-minded people from around the world. In many ways, with the growing popularity of American reggae music and mainstream crossover potential of the Cali Roots sound, the festival represents the collective scene and reggae community, and appears to be here to stay.