Cali Vibes brought good tunes, spectacular eats and special guests to Long Beach
Saturday was a big day in Long Beach as thousands of fans migrated from the many parking structures scattered around downtown to Marina Green Park along Shoreline Drive. It was overcast and a bit muggy at first, but as early acts took the stages during the second day of the annual three-day Cali Vibes Festival, situated upon the grass and stretching onto the blacktop adjacent the historic Long Beach Arena, the sun poked through the clouds.
Though the day was capped by a special performance by Anaheim’s own Gwen Stefani, Ocean Beach’s Slightly Stoopid, Jamaican rapper Sean Paul and one of the final shows ever by Sublime with Rome, there was so much great music coming from the trio of stages through out the day with acts like Mad Caddies, Save Ferris, Claire Wright, Denm, Mystic Marley, The Pharcyde, The Interrupters, Wiz Khalifa, Hirie and more.
The three-day festival kicked off on Friday, Feb. 16 with Stick Figure, Damien & Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Tribal Seeds, Iration, Common Kings, Collie Buddz and others. It wraps up on Sunday, Feb. 18 with Rebelution, The Roots, Ice Cube, Soja, Fortunate Youth, J Boog, Too Shirt, Kolohe Kai, The Green and more.
Aside from the music, Cali Vibes was bustling with fans interacting with a myriad of on-site activations and enjoying a wide variety of culinary options, the latter being something for which this particular festival has become famous.
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Claire Wright performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ras 1 performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ras 1 performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dream Donuts are for sale at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Save Ferris’ Monique Powell performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A row of food vendors at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mike Palmer hangs out at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Mad Caddies perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Save Ferris performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Kaylan Arnold performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Kaylan Arnold performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Tara Wish and Brittanie Stepp dance at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Diamond Kitchen’s rotisserie Hawaiian chicken is one of the food vendors at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Save Ferris’ Monique Powell performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Save Ferris performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Kaylan Arnold performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Sublime with Rome perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A row of food vendors at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Save Ferris’ Monique Powell performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Interrupters perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Emily Heminuk, Kaelen Wolkensdorfer, Justin Hoeft and Simon Yilmazian take a food break at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Sublime with Rome perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Sublime with Rome perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Claire Wright performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Tara Wish and Brittanie Stepp dance at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dream Donuts are for sale at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Adam and Jackie Salomon dance to the beat of Ras 1 at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ras 1 performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Hungry music lovers at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Pharcyde performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Justin Hoeft, right, and Simon Yilmazian take a food break at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Sublime with Rome perform at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Wiz Khalifa performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Slightly Stoopid performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Gwen Stefani performs at the Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Cali Vibes Festival at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
She posted on her social media pages ahead of the event that there’d be big surprises — which only heightened the speculation about a possible No Doubt reunion preview — her only guests were Sean Paul, who had just finished his headlining turn on The Greens stage, and her husband, country singer Blake Shelton. Stefani and Paul sang their song “Light My Fire,” which made sense at this particular festival, while Shelton and Stefani joined forces for their new single “Purple Irises,” which totally didn’t fit the vibe.
It was a hometown show of sorts for Stefani, which she mentioned numerous times as she rattled off a variety of Southern California locations and landmarks which she used to frequent. She added that No Doubt’s first-ever gig took place less than half a mile up the street at Fender’s Ballroom in Long Beach in the late ’80s. However, she never mentioned the forthcoming No Doubt reunion.
Earlier in the day, Monique Powell of Orange County ska band Save Ferris tore up The Greens stage with an impressively fiery vocal and a set that went by far too quickly that included fan-favorites like “Superspy,” “Lies,” “I’m Not Cryin’ for You,” and its cover of Dexys Midnight Runners’ “Come on Eileen” and newer songs: “New Sound” and “Anything.”
“I love these pot-smoking festivals, everyone is so (expletive) happy,” Powell declared with a wide grin, acknowledging the celebration of cannabis and weed culture at Cali Vibes.
Aimee Interrupter of Los Angeles ska and punk band The Interrupters was a powerful force during the quartet’s set on The Vibes main stage. The band blasted through songs like “Title Holder,” “She’s Kerosene,” “Gave You Everything,” a ska-infused cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” and a bouncy cover of the first song by Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Judge Not.”
Other standout performances came from rapper Wiz Khalifa, who got the crowd fired up with songs like “Black and Yellow,” “No Sleep,” “See You Again” and “Gang Gang.” South Los Angeles hip-hop group The Pharcyde was also a hit over on The Greens stage, drawing a sizeable audience who sang along to songs like “Pack the Pipe.” Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome blasted through Sublime’s “40oz. to Freedom” record in its entirety. He recently announced that Sublime with Rome would be put to rest following these last few shows as Sublime has reformed with original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh along with the late Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell, stepping in as vocalist-guitarist.
“Thank you guys so much for the best 15 years of my life,” Ramirez said before playing his favorite Sublime song, “Live at E’s.” As he closed the set, seemingly passed the baton on to Jakob Nowell with “Alright, Jakie, it’s all yours.”
Slightly Stoopid, which was actually billed as the Saturday headliner despite Stefani’s later-evening performance, really put on a show and brought up so many special guests, it was hard to keep track as additional artists popped on and off the stage. At one point the punk rock and reggae band had Angelo Moore from Fishbone, Orange County reggae-rock band Common Kings, Chali 2na from Los Angeles hip-hop collective Jurassic 5 and South Gate’s own B Real from Cypress Hill all performing alongside them.
CALI VIBES EATS
Cali Vibes offered a variety of island food, as well as a few local culinary stars.
“When you think of Cali Vibes, it’s not just the music. The mix of food we have is straight up Cali vibes. We have such a multicultural unique experience of food, and that’s just what we do everyday in California,” said Adrian Garcia, the director of food and beverage for festival producer Goldenvoice.
“To me it’s a reflection of the lineup itself with obviously the California vibes, but you’re also hitting Polynesian, that Hawaiian twist as well as Jamaican,” he added.
With about 40 food vendors and food trucks, the eats at Cali Vibes have become almost as popular as the musical acts. The food lineup this year included well-known stars like Monty’s Good Burger, which was serving up its plant-based burgers, as well as the famous Roy Choi Kogi taco truck, which started the food truck craze with the fusion Korean-Mexican tacos.
Hawaii was well represented with several booths serving up island fare such as Grindz Hawaiian Plates. Their menu included a slow-cooked teriyaki jackfruit, slow-cooked pork with unagi glaze and a pineapple chili mac salad.
Also representing the islands and vegetarians was Lucky Catsu, which was offering vegan Hawaiian barbecue. The menu at this busy booth included a curry plate, Loco Moco and spam musubi.
But if there was a headlining dish this weekend, it was chicken.
Some of the busiest vendors were the ones serving chicken in all sorts of styles, from fire-grilled to smoked and Korean-fried chicken.
The biggest line on Saturday was for Los Angeles based Delicious Pizza and Da Jerk Yard, which was serving Jamaican grub with a twist with their most popular item, the Jerk Chicken pizza. Think of a BBQ pizza but with sweet Jerk Chicken, topped with onions and peppers on a perfectly crispy and charred pizza slice that was baked on repurposed oil drums.
“What goes hand in hand with music is food, and bringing the authentic vibe of the culture and putting love into the food is what we do. We dialed in the authenticity just right,” said Dallion Preece, the owner of Da Jerk Yard. Preece is also a partner at Delicious Pizza.
“The jerk chicken pizza is fire. It’s two cultures that mirror each other in spices and the attitude of the people. You have Jamaican, you have Italian, it’s beautiful,” he said.
Another fan favorite was Diamond’s Kitchen from Hawaii, which was serving fire roasted Huli Huli chicken. The cook was putting on quite a show too as he torched the chicken in an open barbecue pit with what was pretty much a flame thrower before dousing it with their homemade sauce, which added a sweet lingering flavor to the charred yet tender and juicy chicken.
A returning star from last year was Nash and Proper from Sacramento, which brought back its widely popular Jerk Chicken plate. It’s as simple as it is delicious and filling with chicken served on top of rice and beans and surrounded by plantain slices.
The chicken is tender and smoky with a bit of spice and falls right off of the bone. The plantains add a nice bit of sweetness and it’s all complemented by the very filling rice and beans.
“We came up with our own recipe. I went around Sacramento to a couple of Jamaican spots trying to get the flavor and just tried to study what they do. This is my own interpretation,” said Cecil Rhodes, founder and head chef of Nash and Proper.