Cali Roots 2026: Day One

On Friday, May 22nd, the 15th year of the famed California Roots Music & Arts Festival kicked off Day One like none other. People flocked to the Monterey Fairgrounds from all over the country, some congregating at the fest every year as an annual Memorial Day Weekend mecca. For Cali Roots has become a yearly reggae family reunion of sorts, with friends gathering to enjoy a weekend of music, mellow weather, and each other’s company.

And the 2026 edition proved to be no different — a great time, right from the start.

East coast band Seranation kicked the day off at the Bowl, the stage where Jimi Hendrix once burned his guitar. Up next was Rastan hailing from Oakland, who had a great set that had people dancing early. Monterey local favorite Estrella followed suit across the grounds, joined onstage by Waxgoon smoking a giant joint, before Mouse Powell, Sensamotion, and Kash’d Out rounded out the afternoon with high energy.

When DENM came out wild and shredding, the place erupted, with everyone moving and singing along. Josh Tatofi was up next at the grassy Cali Roots Stage –a shift in tempo, but not in spirits.  Then, from Santa Cruz, came The Expendables on the Bowl Stage. It’s hard not to be smoking, dancing, and singing through every one of their OG songs.

From the 808 state, The Green brought island vibes next, eradicating any lingering problems a person might be holding onto at this point. Cali Roots was underway — start dancing without a care! As the sun was setting, The Elovaters — who really know how to get a crowd moving — played second-to-last on the Bowl Stage. What a come-up for that band!! Before we knew it, Common Kings were closing out the Cali Roots Stage before attendees headed over to the Bowl for the final act. 

With it being Friday, only one person could really fit the headlining spot — Ice Cube. 

Ice Cube — straight out of… well, you know — came out with Dub C, hitting fans with all the favorites and the crowd ate it up. Friday was was yet another great first day at Cali Roots, with two fun-filled days to go! And, with the announcement that there will be a 2027 California Roots (was there ever a doubt??!), I can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Photography by Sean McCracken

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