Boomshaka returns to San Diego January 2020

Los Angeles might be the home of Hollywood, but San Diego holds down the fort for a music mecca — specifically, reggae. Alternative acts have also risen from this SoCal paradise (cough, Blink-182, Jewel, Stone Temple Pilots, et. Al.), yet reggae rock bands, such as Slightly Stoopid and Tribal Seeds, reign at the top of […]

Roots On 66 2019: Day One (& pre-party!!)

On weekend of September 28th, Roots On 66 Festival in Victorville, California brought reggae music to the high desert. With more than 40 bands connected people through reggae over the weekend, it was like a big backyard party with all your friends. The weekend started off with a pre-party in the camping area, with Elihu […]

Day One aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE

One year ago, I saw a post that said MEGACRUISE with photo of Testament. Megadeth is hosting a five-day cruise with thrash metal bands!! As months went by, more bands were revealed: Anthrax, Queensryche, Armored Saint, Death Angel, Metal Church, Suicidal Tendencies… I was not about to miss this boat! October 13th couldn’t get here […]

KAABOO Del Mar 2019: Day Two

KAABOO weekend is always a highlight of the year. After KAABOO Del Mar kicked off to an epic start with Wu-Tang and Snoop Dogg headlining Night One, Day Two vibes were running high… almost as high as the heat! Good thing the pool in the BASK section was popping off all day aside the Sunset […]

Reggae Rise Up Florida steps into a new era

Reggae Rise Up Florida brings joy to fans returning to the gorgeous seaside Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, Florida for its 6th year with some HOT new acts to ring in the new decade. For those of you who do not know, Reggae Rise Up Florida is the #1 stop for reggae rock festivals on […]

Experiencing Imagine Festival 2019

As the early fall California sun shone down on the peaceful rolling fields of Agoura Hills, the 2019 Imagine Yoga & Music Festival was host to yogis, artists, musicians, healers and influential community and cultural leaders as they gathered to support the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Unlikely Heroes. In determination of saving children from sex trafficking, Unlikely […]

Cali Roots 2020 takes shape

Following a landmark year is hard to do, plain and simple. Among festivals celebrating a decade in the biz last May was Monterey’s reggae rock meets hip hop conglomeration, California Roots Music & Arts Festival. Starting from a low-key hangout for reggae lovers has now morphed into a movement beyond measure. Celeb sightings abound as […]

Dry Diggings 2019: Day Two

Dry Diggings Music and Art Festival 2019 was like an afterparty for the summer, a place connecting people through reggae more every day. Every few steps, you ran into some person you haven’t seen in a couple months. The whole weekend had an amazing lineup and Friday had already got the ball rolling. Dry Diggings […]

Reggae on the Mountain 2019: Day Two

Reggae lovers headed back to the stages set up at the gorgeous and expansive King Gillette Ranch for Day Two of the 10th Annual Reggae on the Mountain. Starting the day off on the right foot, Gondwana took the stage to happy attendees. Many attendees brought blankets, lawn chairs and tents, making the choice to sit […]

KAABOO Del Mar 2019: Day One

A rush of anticipation hit Del Mar, California at the crack of noon on Day One of the 5th Annual KAABOO Del Mar Festival. The best weekend of the year was upon SoCal residents and everyone came prepared. The first of three days of A-list entertainment kicked off with turn-of-Millennium alt rock band Plain White […]

2nd Annual AZ Roots Fest announced

The latest, greatest reggae rock festival is back in action for Year Two at the Rawhide Western Town and Event Center for February 2020! Moving up a few weekends on the calendar, the return of Arizona Roots Festival — a sister fest to the renowned and celebrated California Roots Festival every Memorial Day Weekend in […]

The enigmatic Same Same But Different 2019 experience

Same Same But Different Festival, familiarly ‘SSBD’, kicked off their second year in flying forum on September 20th, 2019! Even before entering the gates, crowds were pulling up to the site and the energy that transcended down from the Lake Perris campgrounds was already unmatched. All of the parking attendants were jamming on ukuleles, drinking […]

Dry Diggings 2019: Day One

Dry Diggings Festival marks the end of summer in true reggae fashion! Brought to be by the curators of California Roots Fest, Dry Diggings 2019 began on August 30th (officially kicking off Labor Day Weekend). With music by CRSB, Kash’d Out, Fia and Ballyhoo!, Dry Diggings was off to a great start by midday. Dry […]

Pasadena Daydream 2019 official Top Shelf after movie

Top Shelf Music journalists Kristy Rose and Jenni Lynne take on the first ever Pasadena Daydream Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, presented by The Cure and Goldenvoice. Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, New Wave and punk rockers flocked by the hundreds… Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, […]

Sealegs Presents: SRH Fest 2019

On Saturday, August 24th, SRH FEST returned to take over Sealegs at the Beach in Huntington Beach, California after taking a three-year hiatus. SRH FEST returned to take over Sealegs at the Beach in Huntington Beach, California after taking a three-year hiatus. The lineup included dual winners of the contest to open SRH Fest — […]