Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival Is Back For 2020
Somewhere in Okeechobee county lies the wondrous 800-acres of land called the Sunshine Grove, home to Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival. After its 2019 hiatus following unforeseen circumstances, Insomniac has stepped in with a rebranding and the festival will be returning on March 5th to the 8th. The iconic four day camping festival has seen acts like the late Mac Miller, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Robert Plant, Snoop Dogg, Skrillex and many more since its 2016 inauguration.
Headliners this year feature Rüfüs Du Sol, Bassnectar, Vampire Weekend, and Mumford &
Sons.
The festival creates a home for its attendees by providing vast campgrounds, daily morning yoga and meditation classes at the Chobeewobee Village, immersive art structures and installations, a beach stage at Aquachobee, and late night dancing at Jungle 51.
Here are 5 artists you can’t miss this year:
GLASS ANIMALS
Glass Animals is back on tour after a horrific cycling accident involving their drummer, Joe Seaward. Unfortunately, their European and North American tour dates were canceled back in 2018 because of it, but he is now fully recovered and the psychedelic pop band is back to put us all in a deep trance. Their tribal drumming, obscure lyrics, and multifaceted sound effects will leave you in a whirlwind of the perfect ambiance.
YUNG BAE
Electronic and future funk producer from Portland, Oregon, Yung Bae, draws inspiration from vaporwave visuals, disco, and Japanese city pop. The album covers throughout his “Bae” volumes feature a lot of anime and Japanese inspired art. The 25 year-old producer has collaborated with artists like Flamingosis and will have you tapping into a new dancing territory radiating all the funky vibes that you won’t want to miss.
ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES
From Birmingham, Alabama, St. Paul & The Broken Bones is an eight-piece soul driven and blues inspired band. Lead singer, Paul Janeway has a rich and powerful voice that will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back a few decades. Their most recent album release, “Young Sick Camellia” was produced by Jack Splash who has worked with artists like Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar and Solange. The album was released in 2018 and has a different take from their previous soulful roots; this project has a grittier sound with a flurry of hip-hop, electronic and disco influences.
EARTHGANG
Atlanta rappers, Olu (Johnny Venus) and WowGr8 (Doctur Dot) met in high school and released their first mixtape in 2010 while attending Hampton University in Virginia together. They returned to Atlanta and played local shows with artists like J.I.D, 6lack, Young Thug and more. EarthGang has released a string of mixtapes and EPs since signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville label and released their first full length studio album in 2019 called “Mirrorland” including features from Kehlani, Young Thug, Arin Ray, T-pain, and Malik.
SLENDERBODIES
Slenderbodies is a rising, indie-pop duo from California that joined forces in 2016. The pair has a way of making every song feel like you’re floating over a bed of flowers in the whispering wind. The airy voices, crooning sounds and downtempo beats create a dreamy ambiance for every listener.
Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival has proven itself to be more than a four-day festival over the last few years and we hope that Insomniac continues to uphold the traditions of involving the community through its initiatives involving schools, local artists and the Okeechobee residents.
Coverage by Viviana Franco
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