After a year of anticipation, the 14th iteration of Cali Roots once again graced the historic stages of the Monterey Fairgrounds. Through the years, the annual Montereggae classic has proven time and time again to be so much more than a festival—an annual family reunion for a worldwide community. With lines extending blocks down the street, droves of fans began lining up outside the gates hours before the festival opened, anxiously awaiting the start of another year of this momentous gathering.

Cali Roots, the annual California Montereggae classic, has proven itself time and time again as not just the family reunion but the spiritual gathering of the year in the American reggae scene. Its 13th year at the Monterey County Fairgrounds proved to be quite possibly the greatest in the festival's tenure, showcasing the unabridged history of the genre, from the new and upcoming to celebrating the Marley legacy, and just about everything in between.

In a circle as tightly knit as the reggae community, word has traveled fast about the genre’s newest superstars “The Elovaters.” Since forming a few short years ago they have taken the reggae world by storm through an unrelenting series of tours and album releases, earning the respect of fans and peers alike.

A festival close to our hearts, Grateful Web has been covering Cali Roots since the mid-2010s and during this time, we have seen firsthand how many hold it in high regard. An institution many believe to be the nucleus of the reggae resurgence in America, it has both played host to and even helped create some of the biggest names in the genre. At the center of it all, festival organizer Dan Sheehan runs the show.

The 2023 Levitate Music & Arts Festival made a huge splash this past weekend receiving a 10 for style, a 10 for creativity, and a 10 for overall great vibes as this wicked sweet New England festival celebrated its 10th anniversary! Born out of the basement of a surf shop bearing the same name back in 2003, Levitate is still embodying all that is creative, connected to nature, and community-oriented in New England.

Four years into an impressive career and one year after the the release of their debut album, Boston-based reggae rock band The Elovaters announce the October 26 release of their sophomore album Defy Gravity on Rootfire Cooperative.