Cali Roots canceled for this year, rescheduled
Due to the uncertainty, California Roots Music and Arts Festival officials decided to bypass 2021 altogether.
MONTEREY >> Due to the continuing uncertainty over when large scale live music events will be able to return due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, California Roots Music and Arts Festival officials thought it best to bypass 2021 altogether and give the world a chance to adjust to whatever will be the new normal before attempting to put on a festival where people are expected to mingle in close proximity, albeit at outdoor stages.
So this year’s festival is off. The next festival dates will be in 2022 on the event’s usual Memorial Day weekend time slot at the Monterey Fair and Event Center. The twice-delayed 11th annual festival is being expanded to four days and will take place Thursday-Sunday, May 26-29, 2022.
“We thought about next October when hopefully things do open up,” said event co-producer Dan Sheehan. “Everybody who wants a vaccine can get vaccinated by this summer, and we can start working our way to some normality.”
But, “we didn’t want to be part of the experiment in October. We didn’t want to get caught up in the traffic. Everything going toward October and then they’ll maybe have to move again. There’s a good chance fall won’t happen either. At this point, we have to be optimistic but we also have to be realistic.”
Headlining acts booked 17 months out are Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Atmosphere, Sean Paul, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Ice Cube, Sublime with Rome, Chronixx, Pepper, Alborosie, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, with a couple more top slots to be filled still, and the entire festival fleshed out as circumstances dictate. All those who have kept their tickets through thick and thin can apply them to the 2022 festival. Otherwise, tickets will go on sale Monday. Visit the event website to order www.californiarootsfestival.com at www.californiarootsfestival.com. Ticket holders who have questions or concerns can contact solutions@californiarootspresents.com for more details.
No one knows what the worldwide music scene will be able to recoup in regards to financial losses, continuity of an event’s brand, or how the momentum of an annual event can begin to return to its original rhythm. Cali Roots, as it’s affectionately known, has a very loyal following that came out in 2019 in large numbers to celebrate 10 years of the popular festival’s great vibe and unique music mix. Yet it’s hard to determine whether the disruption to everyone’s life due to all the lockdowns, loss of jobs and tragedy
will alter people’s ability to travel and attend what is the largest gathering of music fans on the Central Coast. At this time Sheehan is not aware what other festivals might be doing in regards to their return to the stage.
The premier reggae, rock and hip hop festival has kept afloat with merchandise sales, online events and a social media presence that keeps its fans engaged. Last year’s government relief programs and loans have helped, and the recent Shuttered Venues Act will hopefully be able to offer enough assistance to make it through another year.
“Our company is definitely feeling the pinch,” Sheehan said. “Thankfully we have other revenue streams coming in, but as far as live music, we’ve got nothing coming in. Our venues are down 102% from last year. We still have bills going out. Everything is going out, nothing coming in. We’ve reduced our expenses drastically, yet we still gotta eat,” he said with an uneasy laugh. “Our main priority is making sure, when the time is right we can do this. Safety is number one. We want everyone to be safe. If we can come back and do our event, we will. We hopefully can get back to normal life, with some alterations probably.”