As thousands arrived at the Monterey Fairgrounds for the final day of the 14th annual Cali Roots Festival, the sun shone through the skies that had been so overcast the past several days, in a positive omen of the memories to be made that day. A bittersweet goodbye to the events of the weekend, day three of the festival demonstrated the depth of the artists on the lineup and the connection between the fans and performers throughout generations.

Embodying the mentality of their home in Santa Barbara, alt reggae outfit Cydeways has always championed the ideals of celebrating all the small things around them, while living with a youthful sense of reckless abandon.

Day three of Cali Roots featured the support of artists at many stages of their careers, but almost all of whom had a strong root in the festival, dubbed that day by Alborosie as “Montereggae.” As many of the artists performing were those who were just this year given their first opportunity to take the stage, it also highlighted a theme of the weekend as many acts who had started playing smaller stages earlier in their careers were given the opportunity to truly shine in the limelight.

Reggae has a long history and deep, sacred roots as a music of resistance to the authoritarian establishment — it is protest music we can dance to freely while taking a united stand against political corruption, racism, and social injustice.