Article written by Kelly Graham
Video by Adoo
The sun rose above the palms of St. Pete’s Vinoy Park, and the air was thick with anticipation. Ten years of Reggae Rise Up FL—a decade of music, memories, and magic.
The crowd was a living, breathing organism—old-school reggae heads, fresh-faced festival rookies, sunburned spring breakers, and lifelong music lovers—all moving as one to the universal rhythm of reggae.
From Sunrise to Last Call: A Nonstop Groove
The festival atmosphere was pure magic. Hammocks between palm trees, blankets stretched across the grass, and festival-goers dancing barefoot under the Florida sun—it was a scene straight out of a dream. Nautical Sounds, the ultimate pre-festival escape, saw fans setting sail on a breezy bay cruise while Beach Fly, Bret Bollinger, and Dan Kelly provided the perfect live soundtrack over the shimmering waves.
But the party didn’t stop when the festival wrapped each night. The legendary afterparties at The Floridian kept the energy alive, with acts like Bikini Trill, Mihali, Bumpin Uglies, and Passafire ensuring the good times stretched into the early morning hours.
Heavy Hitters and Underground Heroes: A Lineup for the Ages
This wasn’t just another festival lineup—it was a masterclass in live music. Sting & Shaggy blurred the lines between reggae and rock like two seasoned showmen. Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, and Dirty Heads delivered the anthems that built this scene. Iration, Tropidelic, The Elovaters, and Tribal Seeds kept the momentum rolling, while Stephen Marley reminded everyone why reggae runs through his veins.
And then there were the curveballs—Lettuce and Atmosphere brought the funk and hip-hop, proving reggae doesn’t live in a box. Kyle Smith cranked up the punk energy Dale and the ZDubs hit us with that ska sound; both sets turning the crowd into a frenzy.
Stripped-Down Sessions: The Magic of Sugarshack
For those seeking stripped-down, raw performances, the Sugarshack Stage was the place to be. Artists reworked their classics, turning their sets into intimate jam sessions. Whether it was SOJA’s heartfelt reimaginings or Sensamotion’s fresh acoustic gems, this stage delivered an entirely different kind of magic—one that felt like a private concert among friends.
No elaborate productions. No distractions. Just artists, stripped down, raw, and real.
Florida’s Own: A Homegrown Showcase
Reggae Rise Up has always been about more than just the headliners. Florida’s reggae scene showed up strong with bands like Ichroniq, Drifting Roots, Artikal Sound System, The Sub Herbs, Kash’d Out, and Day Lily representing the homegrown sound. Their sets felt personal, capturing the true essence of the Sunshine State’s thriving reggae movement.
Mic or No Mic, DENM Proves Music Can’t Be Stopped
One of the most unforgettable moments came during DENM’s set when a sound malfunction cut his mic. For most artists, this would be a disaster, but not for DENM. Instead, the crowd took over, singing every word in unison, proving just how deep his connection runs with his fans. It was a goosebumps-inducing moment that turned a technical hiccup into one of the most powerful sets of the weekend. Proof that when the connection is real, nothing—not even technical difficulties—can break it.
DENM has a new album out this Friday, March 21st. Pre-save hot n glassy here.
Mother Nature Crashes the Party… and Reggae Rises Up
Sunday came with a storm brewing on the horizon. Tidal Wave, Dale and the ZDubs, and Quasi Kings kept the energy high, but as Kash’d Out prepped to take the stage, the sky had other plans. Lightning warnings. Evacuation orders. A sudden, crushing halt.
For hours, the festival teetered on the edge of defeat. But reggae doesn’t fold under pressure—it adapts. As soon as the all-clear was given, the evacuated crowd stormed back in, tie-dyed warriors refusing to let the weekend end early. And then came Rome Ramirez, stepping onto the stage with nothing but a guitar and a mission. His impromptu acoustic set was more than a performance—it was a revival.
HIRIE never got her set. But the music refused to die. The night raged on with The Movement, Atmosphere, and Dirty Heads, closing out the weekend on a triumphant, rebellious high.
The Real MVPs: The Unsung Heroes of Rise Up
Shoutout to the vendors who hustled non-stop, slinging everything from jerk chicken to fresh coconut water, fueling the masses through marathon dance sessions. Security? Smooth, present but never overbearing. The medics? On it. And the festival staff? Keeping the whole machine running, storm or no storm.
Not to mention the artist’s creating the must visually mesmerizing installments at every turn.
Ten Years Deep. Forever Rising.
A decade in, Reggae Rise Up Florida isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement. One day, the kids on their parents’ shoulders will be in the pit, screaming lyrics just like their folks did. The music, the people, the energy—it never fades.
The countdown to next year? Already started.
View this post on Instagram
