Wakarusa’s 2nd & 3rd Artist Announcement

Wakarusa festival announced their 1st round of artists set to play their 12th Annual music festival from June 4th – 7th at the majestic Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Arkansas. Now, the 2nd & 3rd round of artists have been announced with more Reggae-Rock groups playing alongside a slew of America’s top recording & touring artists, of all genres…

Wakarusa Music Festival describes themselves as a “grassroots festival nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where the beauty of nature synchronizes with the euphoric sounds of live music.” While this marks their 12th year, it is their 7th consecutive year at the picturesque Mulberry Mountain.

After a first round of artist announcements included a few Reggae-Rock groups with Rebelution & The Expendables, we see more reggae driven bands being nestled into this jam-packed weekend in Arkansas. This has to be one of the better line ups announced for 2015 with more reggae-rock groups being included with some of the nations most recognized groups.

[Related: Wakarusa’s Round 1 Artist Announcement]

This isn’t a reggae festival by any means and as of the last few years, it appeared that you needed to attend a reggae festival to see some of your favorite reggae bands in a festival environment. Wakarusa is helping bridge that gap as the final 2 rounds of their artist announcements include: Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz, Matisyahu and Stick Figure. Other highlighted additions include Nahko and Medicine for the People, Thievery Corporation, Major Lazer & Umphrey’s McGee

The hope with festivals like Wakarusa is Awareness. Fans of alternative rock & hip hop groups becoming fans of reggae-rock bands and vice-versa. In addition, festivals like these encourage future collaborations between genres as it provides an opportunity for a lot of these bands to meet & greet each other in person. That can only continue to shape & evolve the music we all collectively love. Maybe a festival like this could bring bands together, like Slightly Stoopid & Ben Harper, Rebelution & The Roots, Stick Figure & The Floozies, Dirty Heads & Thievery Corporation etc.

One can only hope, as the goal (aside from everyone trying to make money) is to see this music community evolve and be welcoming to new sounds & influences.
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2nd Round Artist Announcement:
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Slightly Stoopid
Chance the Rapper
Portugal. The Man
Big Gigantic
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Matisyahu
The Floozies
Glass Animals
BoomBox
Dilated Peoples
The Growlers
GIVERS
Rustie
Hermitude
Goldroom
Chali 2Na
The Gaslamp Killer
DESTRUCTO
Moody Good
Dopapod
Antiserum
Black Tiger Sex Machine
Wick-it the Instigator
Stick Figure
Quantic
ProbCause
FORGOTTEN SPACE
The Magic Beans
Kawehi
Jakubi
Dirtfoot
Nadus
Krooked Drivers
Yojimbo
The Fritz
Dustin Thomas
Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy
Shawn James & The Shapeshifters
3rd Round Artist Announcement:
Major Lazer
Thievery Corporation
Umphrey’s McGee
Dirty Heads
Lotus
Gigantic Underground Conspiracy
EOTO
Galactic with Macy Gray
Bro Safari
Collie Buddz
The White Panda
Donavon Frankenreiter
Nahko and Medicine for the People
Moon Taxi
Goldfish
Kap Slap
MarchFourth!
Judah & the Lion
Particle
Twiddle
Rob Garza
KOPECKY
honeyhoney
Russ Liquid
Lindsay Lowend
jackLNDN
Gladkill
The Delta Saints
Rose’s Pawn Shop
Stokeswood
Fruition
Cure for the Common
Archnemesis
TAUK
Ghost Owl
The Human Experience
Hearts of Darkness
Hembree
Mouth
Old Shoe
Coyote Union










































[Related: Wakarusa’s Round 1 Artist Announcement]


In addition to the artist announcements, Wakarusa recently revealed their Mulberry Mountain is My Muse, art grant program. The program promotes an artistic and creative community within the festival through funded art grants. Individuals are encouraged to submit a proposal via the Wakarusa website through March 20, 2015.

Tickets have been on sale since November 7th and you can purchase them at HERE!

VIP Tickets are available for $705 and that includes your camping pass, meals, drinks, showers, early arrival, up front viewing & more. 3 Day General Admission passes are $164 (Plus tax & fees) that includes access to all 6 stages, entry to all the venue areas, late night show access in addition to free shuttle rides to & from Riverside. What that amount does not cover is camping. Camping passes must be purchased separately and every vehicle entering the festival requires a camping or parking pass. Unfortunately, children are not admitted for FREE as ages 1-101 are required to have a paid admission ticket. But if you’re 102, you’re in FREE!

For more information head over to Wakarusa.com


Article By: Mike Patti


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Watch: Wakarusa 2014