Article and Photos by: Rudy Salgado

The 13th annual California Roots Festival came to life at the Monterey County Fairgrounds over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26, 2024), bringing a blend of reggae and hip-hop to the California coast. This year’s event once again proved why Cali Roots is a movement, not just a festival.

The lineup was a dream for reggae fans, boasting established artists such as Collie Buddz, Stick Figure, and Rebelution alongside legendary figures including Ice Cube, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and Stephen Marley.

The festival took place at the very same place where Jimi Hendrix famously lit his guitar on fire in 1967 during the Monterey Pop Festival. Cali Roots is for reggae fans of all ages, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where families could create lasting memories. Local vendors offered a variety of options for souvenirs, merchandise, and delicious food and drinks.

One standout moment came from Grammy-nominated artist Collie Buddz. Acknowledging the long weekend, he treated the crowd to a seemingly endless supply of pizzas and reminded attendees to stay hydrated.

Adding a touch of the unexpected, Ice Cube took the stage, acknowledging his non-reggae roots with a touch of humor. The crowd, however, was more than happy to embrace the genre-bending performance, proving that Cali Roots is all about celebrating good music, regardless of category.

Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and Stephen Marley delivered a powerful set, honoring their father Bob Marley’s legacy with iconic covers alongside their own music. Their performance exemplified the enduring power of reggae and its ability to connect generations.

Rebelution, the headliners on Sunday, May 26th, brought the house down at The Bowl. The band’s growth over the years was evident, not only in their performance but also in the massive size of the crowd that sang along to all of their songs. With 12 album releases since their start in 2004, they have a long list of songs to cover, but they went back to their roots for their performance, focusing on their first albums “Courage to Grow” and “Bright Side of Life” alongside a few of their newer hits. To top it all off, drummer Wesley Finley celebrated his birthday onstage with a confetti shower.

If you missed Cali Roots 2024, don’t worry! The countdown for next year’s festival has already begun. This family-friendly event offers a unique blend of music, good vibes, and community. We look forward to what the Good Vibez team has in store for us next year.