# California Roots Music and Arts Festival

The California Roots Music and Art Festival (Cali Roots) is an American annual music and art festival, featuring reggae, reggae rock, folk, hip hop acts and live painting on-stage (Live painting stopped after 2019). The festival was founded in 2010 by Jeff Monser, and is held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California, which was previously home of the Monterey Pop Festival where Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire in 1967. In its first year, the festival began as a one-day event headlining the Dirty Heads and Tribal Seeds. Today, The California Roots Festival has grown enormously in both size and attendance. It is organized over three full days with more than 11,000 attendees each day. It is described as the largest reggae-rock festival in the world and claims to one of the largest reggae festivals in the United States.

## History

The first installment of Cali Roots was a small one-day live music event with local attendance and mostly limited to bands drawn from a limited geographic area. California Roots was created and founded n 2010. Dan Sheehan joined the festival and was able to lay the groundwork for exponential growth - managing logistics and securing major reggae acts in order to play at the festival. These changes enabled this one-day music event to evolve into its current four-day format. Sheehan was able to construct one of the largest reggae and reggae-rock music festival in the world.

## Festival organization

The current festival involves curated lineups of live music, interactive art on stage, and engagement of a variety of events related to the practice and celebration of reggae culture over three days. The festival also works closely with pairs with non-profit organizations to raise funds for causes that align with the brand of Cali Roots. In recent years, the event has attracted more than 13,000 people each day. The California Roots Music and Arts Festival continues to grow rapidly. The festival takes steps to allows for freedom of expression and for fans to engage politically through music. Cali Roots Festival has headlined many notable reggae-like bands and artists over the years, including Atmosphere, Rebelution, Nas, Dirty Heads, and Slightly Stoopid.

## Performers

| Date | Year | Headliners | Openers |
| May 29 | 2010 | Dirty Heads Tribal Seeds | Thrive, Top Shelf, Seedless, One Drop, Pyrx, The Holdup, 880 South, Pacific Dub, Meet Me @ The Pub, Through The Roots, Hallway Ballers, The Alliez, The Release, Matt Masih & The Messengers, Ease Up, Sinizen, Dubious, Kapakahi, My Peoples |
| May 28–29 | 2011 | Rebelution Iration Tribal Seeds | The Holdup, Thrive, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Ooklah The Moc, Mystic Roots, Through The Roots, Wooster, Matt Masih, Stranger, Seedless, Clear Conscience, Top Self, Fortunate Youth, Conscious Souls, E.N. Young, HaleAmanO, True Press, High Tide, Jet West, Wasted Noise, Ease Up, Sinizen |
| May 26 | 2012 | Pepper (26th) SOJA (27th) | J Boog, Anuhea, Mishka, Passafire, Micah Brown, Haleamano, True Press, Hi Roots, E.N. Young, Matt Masih, The Simpkin Project, HB Surround Sound, Clear Conscience, One A Chord, Beyond I Sight, Seedless |
| May 27 | 2012 | Pepper (26th) SOJA (27th) | The Expendables, Iration, The Green, Thrive, Fortunate Youth, Seedless, Katastro, Whiskey Avengers, Just Chill, Sono Vero, Wasted Noise, Fiction 20 Down, Zen Robbi, Jam Kwest, Bare Feet, The Closeouts | The Expendables, Iration, The Green, Thrive, Fortunate Youth, Seedless, Katastro, Whiskey Avengers, Just Chill, Sono Vero, Wasted Noise, Fiction 20 Down, Zen Robbi, Jam Kwest, Bare Feet, The Closeouts |
| May 24–26 | 2013 | Slightly Stoopid Rebelution Matisyahu | The Expendables, Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz w/ New Kingston, Tribal Seeds, The Green, Katchafire, Don Carlos, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Rootz Underground, Ballyhoo!, Natural Vibrations, Pacific Dub, Stick Figure, Seedless, Fortunate Youth, Through The Roots, Thrive, Mystic Roots, Josh Heinrichs w/ 77 Jefferson & Skillinjah, Mike Pinto, Stranger, Indubious, Naia Kete, Whiskey Avengers, Fear Nuttin Band, Inna Vision, Three Legged Fox, The VeraGroove, Wait For Green, Arden Park Roots, Matt Masih & The Messengers, High Tide, Just Chill, One A Chord, Wheeland Brothers, Wasted Noise, Dub Seeds, The Closeouts, Kings & Comrades, Codi Jordan, Simple Creation, Black Salt Tone |
| May 23 | 2014 | SOJA, Steel Pulse (23th) Rebelution, Ziggy Marley (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, 311 (25th) | J Boog, Katchafire, Stick Figure, Passafire, B Side Players, Cisco Adler, Kimie, Maoli, The Expanders, Simpkin Project, Bumpin Uglies, The Steppas, The Stircrazies, Reeform |
| May 24 | 2014 | SOJA, Steel Pulse (23th) Rebelution, Ziggy Marley (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, 311 (25th) | Iration, Zion I, Alborosie, Nahko and Medicine for the People, AER, Los Rakas, Cas Haley, Katastro, Saraitah, True Press, Ojo De Buey, Tatanaka, Parafish, Dewey & The Peoples | Iration, Zion I, Alborosie, Nahko and Medicine for the People, AER, Los Rakas, Cas Haley, Katastro, Saraitah, True Press, Ojo De Buey, Tatanaka, Parafish, Dewey & The Peoples | Iration, Zion I, Alborosie, Nahko and Medicine for the People, AER, Los Rakas, Cas Haley, Katastro, Saraitah, True Press, Ojo De Buey, Tatanaka, Parafish, Dewey & The Peoples |
| May 25 | 2014 | SOJA, Steel Pulse (23th) Rebelution, Ziggy Marley (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, 311 (25th) | Pepper, The Green, Skunk Records (25th anniversary live on stage), Groundation, The Movement, New Kingston, HIRIE, Micah Brown, Beyond I Sight feat. Gonzo, Krooked Treez, Clear Conscience, Black Salt Tone, Iriefuse, White Glove Service | Pepper, The Green, Skunk Records (25th anniversary live on stage), Groundation, The Movement, New Kingston, HIRIE, Micah Brown, Beyond I Sight feat. Gonzo, Krooked Treez, Clear Conscience, Black Salt Tone, Iriefuse, White Glove Service |
| May 22 | 2015 | SOJA (22nd) The Roots, Michael Franti and Spearhead (23rd) Slightly Stoopid (24th) | John Butler Trio, Steel Pulse, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Trevor Hall, Dilated Peoples, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Blue King Brown, The Supervillains, Dustin Thomas, John Wayne and The Pain, Leilani Wolfgramm, Sun-Dried Vibes |
| May 23 | 2015 | SOJA (22nd) The Roots, Michael Franti and Spearhead (23rd) Slightly Stoopid (24th) | Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz, Chronixx, John Brown's Body, The Skints, Mike Love, The Ethan Tucker Band, Beebs and Her Honey Makers, Soul Majestic, Arise Roots, KBong | Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz, Chronixx, John Brown's Body, The Skints, Mike Love, The Ethan Tucker Band, Beebs and Her Honey Makers, Soul Majestic, Arise Roots, KBong |
| May 24 | 2015 | SOJA (22nd) The Roots, Michael Franti and Spearhead (23rd) Slightly Stoopid (24th) | Iration, Cypress Hill, Tribal Seeds, G. Love & Special Sauce, Common Kings, Fishbone, Fortunate Youth, Cas Haley, Pacific Dub, Fear Nuttin Band, E.N. Young, Animo | Iration, Cypress Hill, Tribal Seeds, G. Love & Special Sauce, Common Kings, Fishbone, Fortunate Youth, Cas Haley, Pacific Dub, Fear Nuttin Band, E.N. Young, Animo |
| May 27 | 2016 | Slightly Stoopid Atmosphere (27th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Stephen "Ragga" Marley (28th) Rebelution, Michael Franti and Spearhead (29th) | The Expendables, J Boog, Barrington Levy, Katchafire, Fortunate Youth, Ooklah The Moc, Sticky Fingers, Thrive, Seedless, Peni Dean, Eli Mac, AMP Live, Adam Twelve, Westafa |
| May 28 | 2016 | Slightly Stoopid Atmosphere (27th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Stephen "Ragga" Marley (28th) Rebelution, Michael Franti and Spearhead (29th) | Pepper, The Green, Tarrus Riley, Mike Love, The Skints, The Expanders, Nattali Rize, Katastro, Jordan T, The Oles, Expanders Sound System, Dub Architect | Pepper, The Green, Tarrus Riley, Mike Love, The Skints, The Expanders, Nattali Rize, Katastro, Jordan T, The Oles, Expanders Sound System, Dub Architect |
| May 29 | 2016 | Slightly Stoopid Atmosphere (27th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Stephen "Ragga" Marley (28th) Rebelution, Michael Franti and Spearhead (29th) | Tribal Seeds, Stick Figure, Protoje, HIRIE, Raging Fyah, Gondwana, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Josh Heinrichs, Wheeland Brothers, South Bay Dub All Stars, Tunnel Vision, AMP Live, Bulby York, J. Bowman | Tribal Seeds, Stick Figure, Protoje, HIRIE, Raging Fyah, Gondwana, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Josh Heinrichs, Wheeland Brothers, South Bay Dub All Stars, Tunnel Vision, AMP Live, Bulby York, J. Bowman |
| May 26–28 | 2017 | Rebelution Nas Dirty Heads | SOJA, Iration, Thievery Corporation, Jurassic 5, Stick Figure, Nahko and The Machine For The People, Matisyahu, Collie Buddz, Alborosie, Common Kings, Anthony B, Protoje, Easy Star All Stars, Rising Appalachia, John Brown's Body, Yellowman, Unified Highway, Jah9, Jesse Royal, Mellow Mood, Passafire, RDGLDGRN, Ballyhoo!, Six60, Through The Roots, Zach Deputy, Tribal Theory, Humble Soul, Roots of Creation, Iya Terra, Beebs, Synrgy, The Late Ones, Tyrone's Jacket, Darenots, Skanks Roots Project |
| May 25 | 2018 | Iration Atmosphere (25th) Rebelution, Dispatch (26th) Slightly Stoopid 311 (27th) | Steel Pulse, Chronixx, E-40, Alpha Blondy, HIRIE, Brother Ali, Sammy J, The Movement, Ocean Alley, Tropidelic |
| May 26 | 2018 | Iration Atmosphere (25th) Rebelution, Dispatch (26th) Slightly Stoopid 311 (27th) | Stephen Marley, J Boog, Fortunate Youth, Ozomatli, Trevor Hall, The Holdup, The Hip Abduction, Anuhea, Xiuhtezcatl, The Ries Brothers | Stephen Marley, J Boog, Fortunate Youth, Ozomatli, Trevor Hall, The Holdup, The Hip Abduction, Anuhea, Xiuhtezcatl, The Ries Brothers |
| May 27 | 2018 | Iration Atmosphere (25th) Rebelution, Dispatch (26th) Slightly Stoopid 311 (27th) | Tribal Seeds, The Green, Tash Sultana, Xavier Rudd, The Original Wailers, Mike Love, Raging Fyah, New Kingston, Darenots | Tribal Seeds, The Green, Tash Sultana, Xavier Rudd, The Original Wailers, Mike Love, Raging Fyah, New Kingston, Darenots |
| May 24 | 2019 | Stick Figure Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Atmosphere (24th) Slightly Stoopid Dirty Heads (25th) Rebelution SOJA (26th) | Citizen Cope, Steel Pulse, The Green, Common Kings, Fiji, The Skints, Don Carlos, Ballyhoo!, For Peace Band |
| May 25 | 2019 | Stick Figure Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Atmosphere (24th) Slightly Stoopid Dirty Heads (25th) Rebelution SOJA (26th) | Tash Sultana, Pepper, Protoje, The Expendables, G. Love and Special Sauce, The Movement, Iya Terra, Jo Mersa Marley, Ocean Alley, Roots of a Rebellion | Tash Sultana, Pepper, Protoje, The Expendables, G. Love and Special Sauce, The Movement, Iya Terra, Jo Mersa Marley, Ocean Alley, Roots of a Rebellion |
| May 26 | 2019 | Stick Figure Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Atmosphere (24th) Slightly Stoopid Dirty Heads (25th) Rebelution SOJA (26th) | UB40 feat. Ali & Astro, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Cypress Hill (performing Black Sunday), Collie Buddz, Matisyahu, Alborosie, Dread Mar I, Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Xiuhtezcatl, The Elovaters | UB40 feat. Ali & Astro, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Cypress Hill (performing Black Sunday), Collie Buddz, Matisyahu, Alborosie, Dread Mar I, Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Xiuhtezcatl, The Elovaters |
| May 22–24* | 2020 | CANCELLED | *Original dates were postponed to October 9–11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but eventually festival was canceled. Scheduled performers: Oct. 9: Rebelution, Atmosphere, Chronixx, Pepper, Trevor Hall, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Tarrus Riley, The Movement, Satsang, Nattali Rize, Earthkry, Natural Vibrations, Arise Roots, Kash'd Out Oct. 10: Stick Figure, Sean Paul Tribal Seeds, J Boog, The Green, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, HIRIE, Dub Inc, Bumpin Uglies, The Elovaters, Sensi Trails Oct. 11: Damian Marley, Ice Cube Jimmy Cliff, Common Kings, Durand Jones, Iya Terra, Natiruts, Mike Love, Keznamdi, Through The Roots, Artikal Sound System, Vana Liya, Sublime with Rome |
| May 26–29* | 2021 | CANCELLED | *Twice delayed 11th annual festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| May 26 | 2022 | Dirty Heads Stephen Marley (26th) Rebelution Atmosphere (27th) Slightly Stoopid Stick Figure (28th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Ice Cube Sean Paul (29th) | Protoje feat. Lila Ike & Sevana, Fortunate Youth, Alborosie, Demarco, DENM, Turbulence, Tropidelic, Eli Mac, Tunnel Vision |
| May 27 | 2022 | Dirty Heads Stephen Marley (26th) Rebelution Atmosphere (27th) Slightly Stoopid Stick Figure (28th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Ice Cube Sean Paul (29th) | Chronixx, Pepper, J Boog, The Movement Brother Ali, Tarrus Riley, Satsang, Nattali Rize, Sa-Roc, Earthkry, Arise Roots, Natural Vibrations, Kash'd Out | Chronixx, Pepper, J Boog, The Movement Brother Ali, Tarrus Riley, Satsang, Nattali Rize, Sa-Roc, Earthkry, Arise Roots, Natural Vibrations, Kash'd Out | Chronixx, Pepper, J Boog, The Movement Brother Ali, Tarrus Riley, Satsang, Nattali Rize, Sa-Roc, Earthkry, Arise Roots, Natural Vibrations, Kash'd Out |
| May 28 | 2022 | Dirty Heads Stephen Marley (26th) Rebelution Atmosphere (27th) Slightly Stoopid Stick Figure (28th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Ice Cube Sean Paul (29th) | Beenie Man, Tribal Seeds, Trevor Hall, The Green, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, Dub Inc, Bumpin Uglies, The Elovaters, FIA, Sensi Trails | Beenie Man, Tribal Seeds, Trevor Hall, The Green, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, Dub Inc, Bumpin Uglies, The Elovaters, FIA, Sensi Trails | Beenie Man, Tribal Seeds, Trevor Hall, The Green, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, Dub Inc, Bumpin Uglies, The Elovaters, FIA, Sensi Trails |
| May 29 | 2022 | Dirty Heads Stephen Marley (26th) Rebelution Atmosphere (27th) Slightly Stoopid Stick Figure (28th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Ice Cube Sean Paul (29th) | Common Kings, Durand Jones & The Indications, Anthony B, HIRIE, Iya Terra, Mike Love, Keznamdi, Through The Roots, Artikal Sound System, Vana Liya, Sublime with Rome (debut performance) | Common Kings, Durand Jones & The Indications, Anthony B, HIRIE, Iya Terra, Mike Love, Keznamdi, Through The Roots, Artikal Sound System, Vana Liya, Sublime with Rome (debut performance) | Common Kings, Durand Jones & The Indications, Anthony B, HIRIE, Iya Terra, Mike Love, Keznamdi, Through The Roots, Artikal Sound System, Vana Liya, Sublime with Rome (debut performance) |
| May 25 | 2023 | Rebelution (25th) Wu Tang Clan (26th) Stick Figure (27th) Dirty Heads (28th) | Michael Franti & Spearhead, Atmosphere, SOJA, Thievery Corporation, Katchafire, Dub Inc, Mahali, Subatomic Sound System, Anuhea, Thrive |
| May 27 | 2023 | Rebelution (25th) Wu Tang Clan (26th) Stick Figure (27th) Dirty Heads (28th) | Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill, Steel Pulse, Common Kings The Interruptors, L.A.B., Maoli, Jesse Royal, Lila Iké, Surfer Girl, Joe Samba, Kyle Smith, Soulwise | Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill, Steel Pulse, Common Kings The Interruptors, L.A.B., Maoli, Jesse Royal, Lila Iké, Surfer Girl, Joe Samba, Kyle Smith, Soulwise | Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill, Steel Pulse, Common Kings The Interruptors, L.A.B., Maoli, Jesse Royal, Lila Iké, Surfer Girl, Joe Samba, Kyle Smith, Soulwise |
| May 28 | 2023 | Rebelution (25th) Wu Tang Clan (26th) Stick Figure (27th) Dirty Heads (28th) | Shaggy, Collie Buddz & Friends, Hieroglyphics feat. Del the Funky Homosapien, Gentlemen, HIRIE, Ozomatli, Alborosie, Badfish, KES, The Skints, The Hip Abduction, Little Stranger, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Cydeways | Shaggy, Collie Buddz & Friends, Hieroglyphics feat. Del the Funky Homosapien, Gentlemen, HIRIE, Ozomatli, Alborosie, Badfish, KES, The Skints, The Hip Abduction, Little Stranger, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Cydeways | Shaggy, Collie Buddz & Friends, Hieroglyphics feat. Del the Funky Homosapien, Gentlemen, HIRIE, Ozomatli, Alborosie, Badfish, KES, The Skints, The Hip Abduction, Little Stranger, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Cydeways |
| May 29 | 2023 | Rebelution (25th) Wu Tang Clan (26th) Stick Figure (27th) Dirty Heads (28th) | Iration, Dispatch, Kolohe Kai, Matisyahu, The Movement, Natiruts, The Elovaters, Long Beach Dub Allstars, DENM, The Sacred Souls, Shwayze, KBong & Johnny Cosmic, Tunnel Vision, B Foundation, The Rudians | Iration, Dispatch, Kolohe Kai, Matisyahu, The Movement, Natiruts, The Elovaters, Long Beach Dub Allstars, DENM, The Sacred Souls, Shwayze, KBong & Johnny Cosmic, Tunnel Vision, B Foundation, The Rudians | Iration, Dispatch, Kolohe Kai, Matisyahu, The Movement, Natiruts, The Elovaters, Long Beach Dub Allstars, DENM, The Sacred Souls, Shwayze, KBong & Johnny Cosmic, Tunnel Vision, B Foundation, The Rudians |
| May 24 | 2024 | E-40 & Too Short (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Stephen Marley (special acoustic set) Burning Spear (25th) Rebelution Ice Cube (26th) | J Boog, The Elovaters, Fortunate Youth, Living Legends, Souls of Mischief, Kabaka Pyramid, Tropidelic, Arise Roots |
| May 25 | 2024 | E-40 & Too Short (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Stephen Marley (special acoustic set) Burning Spear (25th) Rebelution Ice Cube (26th) | Tribal Seeds, The Expendables, Xavier Rudd, Rawayana, L.A.B., Claire Wright, The Wide Eyed Kids | Tribal Seeds, The Expendables, Xavier Rudd, Rawayana, L.A.B., Claire Wright, The Wide Eyed Kids | Tribal Seeds, The Expendables, Xavier Rudd, Rawayana, L.A.B., Claire Wright, The Wide Eyed Kids |
| May 26 | 2024 | E-40 & Too Short (24th) Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Stephen Marley (special acoustic set) Burning Spear (25th) Rebelution Ice Cube (26th) | Pepper, Lupe Fiasco, Collie Buddz, The Green, Little Stranger, Artikal Sound System, Coyote Island, DMP | Pepper, Lupe Fiasco, Collie Buddz, The Green, Little Stranger, Artikal Sound System, Coyote Island, DMP | Pepper, Lupe Fiasco, Collie Buddz, The Green, Little Stranger, Artikal Sound System, Coyote Island, DMP |