The countdown has officially begun! Who’s been listening to the Cali Roots playlist and getting ready for Memorial Day Weekend in Monterey? I know I’ve been planning outfits, checking the lineup, looking at photos from years’ past, getting hyped about seeing everyone’s faces and doing it all while listening to the official California Roots playlist […]
On the evening of August 28th, Top Shelf Music I descended upon Monterey County Fairgrounds to photograph a magical night of reggae music. The lineup included GRAMMY-nominated J Boog, The Green, Josh Heinrichs and special guest Saritah. It is nights like this that remind us of simpler times spent dancing in ‘The Bowl’ with friends […]
I don’t know about you, but the minute the world started shutting down due to COVID the second week of March 2020, the first thing I thought about was “there’s no way this will affect Cali Roots, it’s too far out”. Then, like the festival gods were listening and wanted to punish me, the announcement […]
Memorial Day Weekend simply will not be the same this year in Monterey. For the past decade, one festival has grown to be synonymous with the three-day weekend at the Monterey Fairgrounds, the same setting of the historic Monterey Pop Festival — you know, where Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire in between Janis, […]
California Roots Music & Arts Festival continues to impress fans with each additional lineup drop. Through the years, Cali Roots has played it safe, with artists they knew would sell to the fans who have been dedicated supporters from the beginning. It would seem that the festival decided to take a new approach to the […]
California Roots returns to Monterey County Fairgrounds for yet another incredible year of music and fun for 2020. The event in its 11th year continually impresses fans and 2020’s round two lineup announcement brings about a new sound, along with recurring favorites. The first round of artists, announced on October 22nd, wowed fans as we […]
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 […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with hip hop-reggae socially-conscious artist Xiuhtezcatl at California Roots 10, following his morning performance. With an EP on the way, a summer tour and a book published (with props from mega-actor Leonardo DiCaprio), the young protégé shares what drives him forward, his thoughts on planet sustainability and […]
Mixed weather didn’t deter Cali Roots X attendees from enjoying the third and final day in Monterey to the fullest. With two days down, Day Three at the fairgrounds brought with it one of the most stacked lineups to date when it comes to reggae rock. The morning started off with The Elovaters’ high-energy set […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with two great independent artists at California Roots 10, Kyle Smith and Brendan Clemente! Performing together for the first time, the two chat about their individual efforts in the scene, what’s to come next and how Cali Roots brought the two of them together in the first […]
Back for more, California Roots 2019 attendees filed once again into the Monterey Fairgrounds early Saturday morning for yoga, coffee and, naturally, the rocking reggae sounds of Roots of a Rebellion kicking off the Cali Roots Stage on Day Two. Jo Mersa Marley followed shortly after on the Bowl, while Casey Sullivan (of Burritos the […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with Roots of a Rebellion at California Roots 10, all the way from Tennessee! The band opened up Day Two of the festival and with a new album out shortly, Roots of a Rebellion members were stoked to share details on the LP and what’s coming up […]
It’s always a cathartic experience, gracing the Monterey Fairgrounds gates for yet another Memorial Day Weekend at California Roots Music & Arts Festival. Unlike any other year, expectations were peaking for the 10th Annual to get underway (the milestone dubbed ‘Cali Roots X’ for good measure). Also unlike any other is the feeling of togetherness, not […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with The Late Ones, a hip hop meets island reggae trio out of Hawaii, at California Roots 10 ahead of their late night afterparty performance in Monterey, California. With a new single available as of that day, The Late Ones were excited to share music, upcoming summer plans […]
The leader of the reggae revival movement himself, Protoje, sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose following his California Roots 10 performance in Monterey, California. After dropping a single and about to hit the road with Rebelution, Protoje chats what inspires his music, what he’s currently binge-watching and more. For more Protoje or […]
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