California Roots 2024: Day Three

The 13th Annual California Roots Music & Arts Festival came to a close on Sunday, May 26th at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. To kick off Day Three on the Cali Roots Stage was DMP (aka, Doorman’s Project), direct from the Solomon Islands. Island vibes were high with DMP, who proved to us just why they […]

California Roots 2024: Day Two

Day Two at California Roots Music and Arts Festival 2024 resumed on Saturday, May 25th, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The sun was shining and folks were smiling as they lined up early for another fun-filled day, kicking off with The Wide Eyed Kids on the Bowl Stage who played songs off their album Beautiful […]

California Roots 2024: Day One

California Roots Music and Arts Festival took over beautiful Monterey County Fairgrounds for its 13th year, spanning Friday through Sunday on Memorial Day Weekend 2024. I arrived an hour before gates opened (at noon) to witness a sea of happy concertgoers eagerly awaiting to be let into the festival. Once those gates opened, everyone dressed […]

Sierra Ferrell serenades a sold-out country crowd in Monterey

Hailing from West Virginia, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sierra Ferrell brought her unique blend of country bluegrass and amazing stage presence to the historic Golden State Theatre in Monterey, California. Sierra’s Shoot For The Moon Tour promotes her upcoming album Trail Of Flowers, with the sold-out crowd getting a taste on March 7th. Ferrell treated fans […]

Rebels & Renegades 2023: Day Three

The final day of the Rebels & Renegades Music Festival in Monterey, California, marked the culmination of an unforgettable weekend of music, with a diverse lineup that ensured there was something for everyone. The day began with Peter One, whose old-school, mellow sound provided a soothing start to the day, allowing festival-goers to ease into […]

Rebels & Renegades 2023: Day Two

Day Two of the Rebels and Renegades Music Festival in picturesque Monterey, California, proved to be an electrifying continuation of the musical journey that had begun the previous day. The stages lit up with a diverse array of talent that left the audience yearning for more. The day kicked off with JD Clayton, and while […]

Calling all rebels and renegades to Monterey County Fairgrounds

Nestled along the picturesque southern edge of Monterey Bay in California, there exists a one-of-a-kind festival that graces the region only once a year. Brace yourselves for the triumphant return of the Rebels & Renegades Festival, set to captivate hearts and souls from October 6th to 8th, 2023. For those familiar with the Monterey County […]

Cali Roots finalizes jaw dropping lineup for 2023

California Roots Music and Art Festival, the genre’s most anticipated, prolific, and environmentally-friendly reggae event of the year, has officially dropped the final three acts to complete their Memorial Day weekend roster. Recently announced 2023 Coachella guests Rebelution and Stick Figure join genre-bending icons Thievery Corporation, finalizing the bill for the all ages festival as […]

California Roots 2023: a true bucket list event

Music festivals are a big undertaking. For many, months of planning and budgeting goes into the experience. At times, there is stress, setbacks and logistical nightmares before even getting to the gates. And I’m not talking about the music festival itself. People travel from far and wide to attend such events and the premiere music […]

California Roots 2022: Day Four

The fourth and final day of Cali Roots 2022 was one for the books. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we loved, we sang, we vibed and we all connected on a level that no one can describe quantitatively without sounding a little ‘woo-woo’. Simply put — it was magic. We were magic. Day Four […]

The Elovaters talks with Top Shelf at Cali Roots 2022

Top Shelf Music journalist Allie Adams interviews The Elovaters at California Roots Music and Arts Festival 2022. The Elovaters formed in 2014 and have released two full-length albums and an award-winning EP. Defy Gravity was the group’s first big record in 2018 after signing to not-for-profit record label Rootfire Cooperative. Debuting at #1 on the […]

California Roots 2022: Day Three

Cali Roots Day Three arrived with a bang Saturday. Despite Rebelution’s blow-out 90-minute light show spectacular of a set the previous night, over 14,000 reggae lovers of all genres and walks of life lined up on Fairground Road and entered with newfound energy, fresh outfits and all the love in the world. The sun was […]

A chat with Cydeways at California Roots 2022

Top Shelf Music journalist Allie Adams interviews Cydeways at California Roots Music and Arts Festival 2022. The band talks about upcoming projects, tour and are even surprised by Atmosphere‘s own “Slug”! You never know who’s gonna walk into the Cali Roots media room! From the band’s website: “Cydeways [is] an alternative band out of Santa […]

California Roots 2022: Day Two

“I’m gonna get you high today, ’cause it’s Friday; you ain’t got no job… and you ain’t got shit to do…” Even though Ice Cube’s set wasn’t until Sunday, the famous words resonated Friday at Cali Roots and the pep in our step and stars in our eyes confirmed that magic was in the air. […]