Okeechobee Music Festival 2018 – Ready to Step Through the Portal?
The Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival is back and with a line up strong enough to prove that they’re a festival here to stay. Marking their third year at the helm of Okeechobee, the folks over at Soundslinger Entertainment show no sign of festival fatigue and us at the Florida Music Blog couldn’t be happier. (View our photos from last year here.)
Held at the 600 acre Sunshine Grove property in Okeechobee, Florida, the festival grounds are separated into The Grove and Moonlight Oasis, two main areas that respectively host the music and act as the cultural epicenter for the festival. A community of peace, love and music resides on these grounds and with stages named ‘Be,’ ‘Here,’ and ‘Now,’ festival goers can expect an experience designed to bring the best out of every moment.
These moments are set to take place over a massive four day stretch from March 1st- March 4th and are curated with a lineup catered towards all festival goers. From shufflers, to head bangers (we’re looking at you, Bassheads), to jammers, to rockers, to all around dancers, the self proclaimed ‘Okeefest’ ensures a weekend worth remembering.
VIEW ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE HERE
This year’s Okeechobee lineup spans through and over every genre you can imagine. From veterans to newcomers, there’s a little bit of something for everyone:
It’s no surprise that BASSNECTAR is returning to Okee for his third year. What is surprising is that he’s playing 2 SETS! Along with his regular headlining set, BASSNECTAR is scheduled to play a very special and intimate ‘Full Moon’ set on Thursday. Multiple BASSNECTAR sets at a festival are as rare an occurrence as spotting a Unicorn, so Bassheads better be buckle up. Known for his unbelievable stage production and sets designed and curated in the moment, BASSNECTAR is an artist people love to love, as much as they love to hate. Warring opinions aside, us at the Blog cannot wait to see what BASSNECTAR has in store for Sunshine Grove.
Started in its inaugural year, the “Powow Superstar Mashup” is a collaborative concert held only at Okeechobee and is full of surprises and legendary performances. This year’s event is hosted by Snoop Dogg and has us itching for more. Past mashups include performances by Vulfpeck, Skrillex, Eric Krasno, GRiZ, Solange and the list keeps going, going, going.
Known throughout the world for their unbelievably random and unique stage presence, The Flaming Lips are unmatched in their shock and awe performances. Although formed in 1983, the youthfulness and energy they give to the audience is almost palpable. With a new album out just last year, they are also known for performing their infamous “Dark Side of the Moon” set and classics such as, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,” “Do You Realize” and “She Don’t Use Jelly.” The Flaming Lips are artists that you do not want to miss.
It’s hard to put Dave Tipper’s music into a box. Recognized as a composer of the craft, the British DJ is notorious for his genre bending sets influenced by an eclectic collection of ‘trip hop,’ ‘liquid bass,’ hip hop, and ambient noise. Tipper has gathered a following that rivals some of the top names in the industry. As head of Tippermusic, the events Tipper throws around the country are unique gatherings whose attention to detail ensures their survival for years to come. Tipper is no stranger to Florida either. In fact, the Tipper and Friends festival held at The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park sold out in 2017 was perhaps the most unique musical experience that this author has ever had.
It’s clear that the Okeechobee Fest caters to Hip Hop fans. From Travis Scott to superduperkyle, the beats are sure to be heavy. However, Lil’ Dicky and his satirically fueled music is unlike anything that’s around right now. Not only are his songs hilarious (i.e. Pillow Talk, Lemme Freak), but he stacks bars just as high as some of the best rappers in the game. If you like to get down and have a good laugh, you’ll be at this show.
Hailing from the far north, Twiddle is a young and unstoppable jam band from Vermont. With influence from The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Kung Fu and Phish, these guys know how to jam. With a setlist that morphs evolves as the show moves, their heavy focus on improvisation and funny lyrical arrangements will get anyone moving their feet.
As one of the underdogs on this list, Poolside is a duo based out of Los Angeles and one of my personal favorites on the lineup. Self described as, “Daytime disco,” Poolside’s psychedelic pop sprinkled vibes will get you feeling like a melted ice cream cone. With two albums officially under their belt and a recent set at Suwannee Hulaween, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for Okee.
Last but not least, us at the Florida Music Blog are undividedly excited about Slightly Stoopid’s set this year. They might be one of the only reggae fusion acts this year, but that just means that they’re expected to throw down as hard as they burn down. Hailing from San Diego, Slightly Stoopid and their eclectic vibe is as sweet as their special brownies.
The Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival takes place from March 1st – March 4th 2018 in Okeechobee, Florida. We’re stoked for a weekend of camping and incredible music. Make sure to bring everything you would want to have for a camping festival. That includes tents, chairs, snacks and plenty of water.
