Cali Roots 2026: Day Three

May 24th, 2026 kicked off Day Three of everyone’s favorite reggae meets hip hop music festival in Monterey — California Roots.

And what a wild ride it turned out to be!

After two full days of frivolity, Sunday started off with Kyle Smith aggressively assuming the Bowl Stage; his mix of reggae riddims and punk rock ethos really jolts everyone awake more than a cup of coffee. Clearly, the day was going to be amazing… and the Koffee was yet to come (you’ll see what I mean). Across the festival grounds, reggae rock veterans Ballyhoo! brought the Cali Roots Stage back to life before Niko Rubio kept the energy vibing at the Bowl.

By midday, Bedouin Soundclash debuted with a great, sway-worthy set; it’s crazy this band has never been to this Cali Roots before! Another newbie, island band Kanaka Fyah lit up the Bowl Stage next –literally. With massive blunts burning and inflatable joints bouncing all around in the audience, it was a quintessential festival moment. Music-wise, I really enjoyed Kanaka Fyah and can’t wait to see them again!

Skip Marley was up next, playing rootsy music for us all to skank to.  

It’s always nice having a Bob Marley descendant on the rundown. It wasn’t long before reggae revival artist Koffee enlivened the Bowl, keeping the roots flowing strong before The Movement had everyone singing along. It isn’t Cali Roots without Joshua Swain and the rest of the boys! Another festival staple — also from the east coast — is SOJA, who headlined all the way back in Year One! Hearing the band play a mega list of fan-favorites is always a good time.

Before we knew it, the night closed out with Pepper on one side of the fest and Collie Buddz and his Cali Roots All Stars on the other. This year’s Cali Roots was over too soon! At least it ended on the best note ever: this was Collie’s first time headlining the Bowl Stage! Joining him onstage was a cross-section of familiar Cali Roots artists, like Nathan Aurora (of Aurorawave), Dan Kelly (of Fortunate Youth), Kaleo Wassman (of Pepper) and more. 

It was another year in the books, a reminder why so many people make the annual Memorial Weekend trek up to Monterey. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they come up with for Cali Roots 2027!

Photography by Sean McCracken

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