Long Beach, California’s seventh largest city, sits along the Pacific Ocean. Tucked between Los Angeles and Orange County, “LBC” is less visited than it’s neighbors, but has some of it’s own claims to fame. The city is known for it’s commercial shipping port (2nd busiest in the United States), being home to the famous ocean liner Queen Mary, hosting an annual Grand Prix (since 1975) and for the Aquarium of the Pacific. The area also birthed a unique musical sound, with local artists like Snoop Dog and Sublime, which has come to be known world wide as distinctively Southern Californian.
Cali Vibes is the country’s largest Reggae festival. Over the three day event, organizers estimate 80,000 people were in attendance. We were on hand for days two and three.
The festival was held in Marina Green Park (and parking lots) right between downtown Long Beach and the ocean. The walk from our hotel to the event was short and gorgeous. We passed Rainbow Harbor, Rainbow Lagoon (there were SWAN boats) and Shoreline Village (a shopping a restaurant complex located on a pier over the water).
Doors opened at noon each day of the festival and everyone in attendance either needed a covid-19 test or proof of vaccination. This was our first BIG concert/festival since the end of mask mandates. The testing and vaccination proof helped lessen any leftover pandemic anxiety that might have come from being around so many people again. But honestly… being around so many people again (mask free, dancing, singing, smelling their pot smoke) felt AMAZING.
There were three stages at the festival. This meant nearly 30 bands played each day. The only problem was a few acts we wanted to see overlapped.
Ha, ha, ha… it was a hot day. Before I get to the bands, I have to share (for my own recollection if nothing else) I ate the most delicious Minute Maid Soft Frozen Lemonade. It was so yummy and refreshing! A great way to start a full day of music. 😄
Our first band of the day was Artikal Sound System. This four man band from South Florida is fronted by female lead singer Logan Rex. The band is in the midst of a cross country tour which includes small venue headlining shows, and serving as the opening act for larger more nationally recognized acts. HERE is a little sample of their performance at Cali Vibes.
Next up were Bumpin Uglies. I remember nothing of this band. 🤣😂 Maybe they weren’t great? Who knows? I do remember sitting on the concrete in a patch of shade created by the sound booth. This meant mainly looking at the gyrating butts of people dancing in front of me.
Our third act of the day was the Elovaters. This was the first band of the day I was eager to see. Thanks to my husband, the Elovaters had been on frequent rotation in our car (via his iPod). So, I was familiar with their music pre-concert. We actually ended up seeing them again headlining a small show in Seattle, and they will see them AGAIN this July in Tahoe. The band is from Boston, and HERE is a snippet I recorder during their Cali Vibes performance.
Following the Elovaters, we took a break from the bands for merch shopping and a general soaking in of the venue’s vibe. There were two big food areas, and some art displays. There was also a section I called “weed alley” that was entirely filled with hemp products and CBD businesses (not sure if they were selling or just advertising). This area also had GIANT blunts to pose with for social media photo ops. 🤣😂
After our “break” we made our way to the second stage to see Protoje perform. Protoje (Oje Ken Ollivierre), is a Jamaican born, Grammy nominated, DJ, singer and songwriter. This was apparently his first live performance since the start of the pandemic. While I had not heard of him before this event, I was impressed with how grateful he was to be sharing his music again in a live setting.
After Protoje there was A LOT of hopping around. First, we went back to the main stage for Shaggy (THE Mr Boombastic 🤣😂), and half of Stick Figure. Next we ran back to the second stage for half of Barrington Levy. Barrington Levy (another classic Jamaican born reggae artist) was the first performer of the day I was really excited to see. This song is one of my favorites of his catalogue.
After only half a set, it was time to leave Barrington and head back to the main stage. Our next bad was Slightly Stoopid. This is a reggae/rock band we usually see once or twice a year, so it was great to catch their act again after two long years. Even better, the band was joined on stage by rapper Chali 2na. I was so happy! Link to their performance.
Despite being in Southern California, it was quite cold by the end of Slightly Stoopid. The chill plus tired feet from two prior days at Disneyland, we decided to head out for the night. We did catch Marley Brothers first song as we exited the festival. Hearing the sons of Bob Marley singing their dad’s music to wrap up the night was perfection.
Our day two of the festival was my favorite for a few reasons. 1 - There were more acts I personally enjoy playing. 2. Our friend plays bass for that day’s headlining act, which never gets old. 3. Another friend we had not seen since pre-covid joined us at the show. So fun!
Here was our February, 6th line up.:
I won’t get into every band of the day, but the morning was a little musically “incestuous”. Anyone who was a young person in the 1990’s has likely heard of the band Sublime. After their lead singer Bradley Nowell died of a drug overdose, bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh went onto form the band Long Beach Dub Allstars. When they broke up Eric Wilson joined with RAS 1 in the band Long Beach Short Bus. Then they broke up and Long Beach Dub Allstars reunited, and Sublime reunited with a new lead singer. Now, every summer reggae festival across the US feature some subset of the original Sublime playing old Sublime songs mixed with new music. Well, this festival featured Sublime, Long Beach Dub All Stars and Ras 1. Got all that? 😂🤣
All of this music reminds me of summer, and drives down the Cali coast with my husband. I am a BIG fan. Plus, how good is it to hear music from Long Beach, California IN Long Beach, California? 😃 🌴
The main stage’s last act of the festival was the Dirty Heads. This Huntington Beach band is fronted by founding members Jared Watson and Dustin Bushnell (guitar player) who both alternate and share lead vocals, with third founding member Jon Olazabal on percussion. Other members include Matt Ochoa drums, Dave Foral Bass and Shawn Hagood on keyboards. For extra fun they added a small horn section for their Cali Vibes headlining show.
The band has a California reggae, meets rock overlaid with hip hop vibe. Their early music seemed heavily influenced by Beastie Boys and Sublime. However, their current sound is definitely their own.
The first time we saw Dirty Heads play was in 2007. Just three guys (Jared, Dustin and Jon) outside of a cafeteria at lunchtime at Cal State Long Beach University. Since then we have been their only fans at a snowed out show in Seattle, partied on their tour bus, and gotten to stand on the side of the stage during one of their Warped Tour performances. When they decided to add a bass player to the band my husband connected Jared and Dustin to Dave… and now they play shows for 50,000 people. So crazy.
The show was fantastic. On top of the good music and the time with friends, it was just so great to be in a HUGE crowd again. It felt so normal, joyous and life affirming. Like 2019 again! 😄
