MONTEREY, CA* — Day 2 of California Roots Festival started off cloudy and colder, but the lack of sun didn’t stop the fans from packing the Monterey Fairgrounds once again.
For most of the day, “the Cali Roots culture” was the topic of the discussion for artists and festival staff. We sat down in the conference room with co-founders Dan Sheehan and Jeff Monser, as well as headlining artists Iration and Rebelution.
Iration and Rebelution hyped about the tour they were about to embark on together to promote Rebelution’s new album, Count Me In (June 10th, 87 Music), which doubles as the name of the tour. Their performances at the Bowl stage gave fans a preview of the Count Me In tour. Also performing Day 2 were Alborosie, and Josh Heinrichs (who played in place of Cas Haley, unable to attend).
No matter the performers, it’s “Cali Roots culture” that makes the festival an inclusive experience, from the live painters to the Offset Project, an environmental entity on-hand all weekend to make sure the attendees left as little negative impact on the Earth as possible.
Sheehan and Monser outlined their efforts to include local businesses and support the local economy, extending the festival’s culture beyond those sporting entry wristbands for the weekend. “I had only dreamed that we’d have a sold-out festival with such a strong line-up. It’s crazy – dreams really do come true,” said Monser. They commented on the phenomenal growth of the festival and the outstanding caliber of artists in the lineup.
“Festivals are like adult Disneylands,” mused Dan Sheehan; from the look on festival-goers’ faces as soon as they entered the fairgrounds that day, there is truth to the statement. #ItsAMovement.
*This summer, The B-Side reports from locations worldwide including Berlin, London, Los Angeles, and Toronto.