The festival features a diverse lineup of reggae musicians, including both established artists and up-and-coming talent. The 2023 headliners included top reggae acts such as Damian Marley, 311, Rebelution, and closing out the festival on Sunday with Wiz Khalifa. Throughout the weekend fans were treated to favorites such as Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome, Hirie, Pepper, Iya Terra, Little Stranger, The Movement, Tropidelic, and many more. If that wasn’t enough, stroll down to the Floridian Social Club for the Official Reggae Rise Up Afterparties all weekend long with sets from Little Stranger, Kaleidoscope Kid, KNEX, Algorhythm, and Satsang.
In addition to live music, Reggae Rise Up Florida also features a variety of other activities and attractions. There are food and craft vendors selling everything from Jamaican jerk chicken to handmade jewelry, as well as art exhibits, yoga classes, and workshops on topics such as sustainable living and environmental activism.
One of the most exciting events at Reggae Rise Up is the Sugarshack Sessions, which are intimate, stripped-down performances by some of the festival’s top artists. The Sugarshack Sessions are filmed live on location and later released on the Sugarshack Music Channel on YouTube, providing a unique opportunity for fans to experience these artists in a more intimate and acoustic setting.
What sets the Sugarshack Sessions apart from other festival performances is the unique atmosphere and energy that is created during these intimate performances. With a pop-up stage strategically placed with a water view, the artists rely solely on their talent and musicianship to connect with the audience. This creates a powerful and intimate experience for both the artist and the audience, who are able to connect with the music on a deeper level. The Sugarshack Sessions at Reggae Rise Up are a unique and special part of the festival experience, offering a chance for fans to connect with their favorite artists in a more intimate and personal way.
One of the unique aspects of Reggae Rise Up Florida is its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The festival organizers have implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, including a zero-waste program and a focus on promoting sustainable practices among vendors and attendees.
This year’s benefit was The Teal Recovery Project which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on fundraising for HPV prevention, as well as educating and empowering women battling cervical cancer. Their mission is to implement mobile HPV vaccination programs that provide HPV vaccines to both women & men in our community. These awareness efforts also directly support women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer to take control of their care and fight this disease.
