Okeechobee’s Revival: a groovy, heart warming, and outstanding experience

In the portal at Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee Florida was a magical four days of music. The festival was the first of the year in the spring and kicked off in the first weekend in March. This festival was one of the first to release their lineup for the start to the new decade. Their lineup was filled with phenomenal artist such as; Rufus Du Soul, Bassnectar, Crooked Colours, Glass Animals, and Griz. Okeechobee was such a well put together festival from the time we entered the portal. Everyone who was there had such positive vibes the whole weekend and everyone was in pure bliss. This lineup also had other good artists such as; Ivy lab, Tipper, G Jones, Flatbush Zombies, and so many more.

Okeechobee was nothing short of perfect in every aspect and this year they really stepped their game up. This was the festival’s fourth year in 2020 and they succeed in a lot of ways. First, the stages were absolutely insane and designed very well. The top two best stages were probably Here and Be. The stages were constantly packed with the most incredible artist playing. The stages were very well structured and very such a sight to see. The Here stage was mainly known as the EDM stage and had an iconic bass and visuals from all the artist who performed there.

The artist who played at the Here stage absolutely killed their performances. Artists known as G Jones, Tipper, and Subrtronics played at this stage. Friday night at Okeechobee a huge crowd came out to see, Bassnectar who put on an insane bass show as usual. Another iconic performance at the Be stage was a British band group known as, Glass Animals. They seen to really enjoy playing for the crowd and having so much fun while doing it. The band played all of their hit singles and some new material as well.

The last night of the festival Alison Wonderland was suppose to headline and perform, but due to certain health conditions she could not make it. All of the fans at Okeechobee wanted to eagerly see her, but everyone was very supportive of the decision that was made. All of her fans around the world and who attended the festival wanted her to recover and get better soon. Due to the artists sickness and not performing anymore artist, Subtronics filled in for her last minute. Subtronics brought the energy that night, but he also shouted out Alison Wonderland numerous of times in the crowd and on social media. He did some edits/remixes to some of her songs which made the crowd go crazy.

it is really hard posting this but if you are going to @okeechobeefest please read. I am so heartbroken and sorry 💔 pic.twitter.com/nzxuIqeBQ7

— ALISON WONDERLAND (@awonderland) March 8, 2020

ALISON WONDERLAND – RUN -> NEW SUBTRONICS ID @awonderland pic.twitter.com/jLMMtT6fyK

— SCREAM SAVER EP 4/10 (@Subtronics) March 9, 2020

This year talking to a lot of people in the crowds or at camp grounds some people have attended the festival before. Okeechobee seemed to have really gone all out this year and a lot of people were pleased about the outcome of the festival. Throughout the festival there as a lot of art. The most talented people had so much art work up and things to sell that were hand-made. In the festival their was plenty of activities and yoga seem to be a big one everyone loved. One activity was yoga also called, Yogachobee which a lot of people participated in the festival and camp grounds. The artwork that was around the portal was incredible, magnificent, and over all beautiful. Most of the artwork or things people had up for show you could purchase. In the campgrounds people walked all over showing the jewelry or art they had made to sell. Most of these activities were found in, Chobeewobee Village. This village was made perfectly to expand your body, mind, and soul. The Spa/Wellness Zone had so many calming activities throughout the day. They offered massages, facials, and had an essential oil bar in the spa at certain times everyday.

Aquachobee was one of the stages Okeechobee had the bass this stage brought was absolutely epic, but it was also a place for activities. Aquachobee brought a ton of fun into the sun during the day and was constantly packed with people eager to attend activities. Some of the activities they had were; corn hole, beach volleyball, spike ball, and sandcastle art. The weather all weekend was windy and pretty, but also no sight of rain to ruin these fun times. When the sun started to go down Aquachobee’s scenery turned into quite the night scene. This stage had a very cool setup as far as the way it was built, but also the way the sound traveled. Walking over to this stage you could hear whoever was playing at the time and the bass electrified so loud. Kicking off the festival Thursday night at this stage was artists, Yheti and Ivy Lab. The two artist have an experimental sound to them which covers low and heavy sides of electronic bass music. Both of the artists sucked the crowd into a portal filled with heavy experimental bass music and beats. The crowd couldn’t stop head banging and jamming to these two during their sets. Ivy Lab put a killer remix to, “Orange Soda” by Baby Keem which had the people feeling the bass and mixing to this song. This stage was one of the favorites to a lot of people at the festival.

Friday in the portal was one of the best days as far as the lineup goes. One of the headliners known as, Bassnectar was set to play at the Be stage late midnight. Bassnectar has a huge following as far as fans go mostly known as, “bassheads.” The artist headlines a lot of festivals throughout the year, but he holds a special place for Okeechobee as he has performed every year the festival has happened. The experience he gives has no limitations or rules to how far he goes when performing. Most die-heart fans know that Bassnectar gives his all when performing. The performance took place at the Be stage close to midnight, and this stage was perfect for his performance. Most people probably expected him to play at a different stage where the other EDM artist played. The Be stage was ginormous and could hold a huge crowd for the amount of people he would draw in. All of his music has great drops, but also has a cutting edge sound to it that no one else has. Bassnectar transitioned into a lot of different sound at Okeechobee this year. When performing he did a really good remix to, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg. The crowd went crazy to this remix, because this song was a bop in the early 2000s. Aside from the music aspect Bassnectar also has very good lasers and visuals for his set. He’s really known for the hypnotic and eye catching lasers he puts into his shows. He totally brought everything as expected to the table for, yet another performance at the portal.

The electronic genre also called, EDM was brought to the portal all Saturday night long. Most people that night stayed at the Here stage all night, because the lineup that night was consistently good EDM artists playing. This stage was incredible and built perfectly for this sound. The stage was very wide which made it easier for it to get packed and the stage covered over with colorful fabric. The structure of this amazing stage was made by trees and had palm trees all around it as well. The performances at this stage were artists; LSDREAM, G Jones, and Tipper. These three artists had such a huge turnout for their performances and they played back to back times. Most people didn’t leave their spot for these artists, because they played so close in times. G Jones was one of the crowd favorites as his beats carried throughout the crowd. The visuals for his set are usually in black and white which is unlike some artist, but it’s what makes him unique. He also has done collaborations with Bassnectar and many more. The stage was bumping all night from the epic bass and sound these artists were giving.

The portal was coming to an end as Sunday rolled around for the closing day. Every festival has an amazing closing day, but Okeechobee’s was something different this year. Their lineup this years was stacked with amazing artist and to probably have one of the best lineups to see this year. Some of the last acts playing were outstanding artist known as; Griz, Glass Animals, and Mumford & Sons.

The Be stage is where all these artists performed at which was a good scenery for they performance. To kick off Sunday night Griz played during the golden hour of the festival as the sun begun to set. He is known for his funk sound he produces. During all of his shows the saxophone is brought out which he’s very talented at playing. The saxophone gives a little extra experimental sound to his music production. Along with that being one of the instruments he plays, but he also plays the guitar and add vocals in as well.

The famous song, “Griztronics” which is a collaboration of Subtronics and Griz has been the anthem in the EDM genre. Griz is one of the most independent electronic artists that is a must see. The performance he put on in the portal was upbeat, groovy, and most of all fun. In his performances his energy radiates throughout all of his fans and he has the most upbeat attitude. Griz in the years of performing has always used his platform to spread love and nothing less through life.

The British band group known as; Glass Animals put on such a psychedelic pop on the Be stage. The portal was waiting for them to put on an unforgettable show which they succeed at. The band’s last album made was in 2016 and now they’re making a comeback for the Indie Rock genre. This year the band released a couple new singles called, “Tokyo Drifting” featuring Denzel Curry and another song called, “Your Love (Deja Vu).” They had the whole crowd getting down to these songs along with the rest of their hit singles. Glass Animals had the crowd vibing hard with them in their performance all night. The lead singer, Dave Bayley got into the crowd when performing which made the crowd go insane. Overall Glass Animals put on an unforgettable show in the portal and their sound touched the hearts of many.

Okeechobee was a great kick start to the festival season in the spring. The festival had so many places to wander at and to relax even if you wanted to hear music at a distance. There was plenty of smaller acts outside from the stages themselves, and some of the most talented people performing. Some of the favorite places to relax, setup an Eno, and also listen to music was throughout the festival. The Lost in Tea Lounge was favorite to many for relaxation and good vibes. People setup Eno’s around the campsites or just anywhere in the festival. Jungle 51 was located in a closed off part of the woods and was known for hanging Eno’s and jamming to some house music. Jungle 51 had an amazing set up for the artists who played there, but the disco balls and lights really tied it together. In the portal a lot of people really enjoyed these spots to relax and hang out in with their groups.

This year Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival put on an exotic, groovy, and amazing four days of music. After the four days of constant music and pure bliss reality came to settle in, so post festival depression begins to settle in. The past few months the world had taken a toll due to the pandemic (COVID-19) making this festival the only one to possibly happen til fall which is epic for Okeechobee. The whole weekend spent in the portal was magical and nothing short of perfect. There are high hopes to see this festival arrive next year as well and maybe with even more amazing things added to the experience. Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is one everyone should attend at least once, and return if you fall in love with the festival just as I did. Okeechobee has a way for you to relive the amazing live performances to do so please visit, The Okeechobee Experience.

To get more information on the festival and how you can experience these amazing times visit, The Portal.