June 12th, 2025 Review by Jimmy Alvarez & Amber Crouch
We’ve been waiting on this one for a minute; media has written about it, radio stations have plugged it and couldn’t wait for it. It was time for the annual Cali Vibes Festival.
As in years past the reggae mega-fest took place at marina Green Park in Long Beach. As soon as I walked in, the sea of humanity was evident. Cali Vibes 2025 was going to be an event for the masses. I noticed everyone was there, kids, teenagers, young adults and the young at heart.
As I walked in, I noticed all the vendors there, and there was the who’s who of merchants and charitable organizations. The food too, that was not in short supply; everyone felt the vibe in the air and the smell of food you would normally expect at a County Fair. The mood was perfect for this festival.
After the quick walkaround, I heard in the distance on the Green stage a rock and reggae band that I hear so much about, Aurorawave. The reggae-core band sounded as electrifying as I had heard. Lead singer Nathan Aurora did not disappoint. With his vocals and the band’s infectious grooves; the only disappointment was the shortened set.
As I made my way to the main stage, the first artist I got to check out was DENM. What’s interesting about him is I have been to several festivals, but he was always on at a time I wasn’t able to catch. This day was different, and was I pleasantly surprised.
His stage presence was that of an experienced crooner, but the sound was a combination of solid guitar riffs with a very distinct reggae undertone.
DENM opened with “Califas,” then an immediate segway to “Blow It Up,” and “20 After 4.” The crowd was into it, and as I looked around I saw a sea of people just singing along. Others tunes that caused a roar and ruckus were “More Love,” “Where I’m Going,” and “Little Love.” I loved his take on a Bobby McFerrin classic with “Don’t Have To be Happy,” and the crowd was in seventh heaven.
I got to meet people in the crowd that had come from all parts of SoCal and well beyond. I was next to two ladies that were having the time of their lives.
They introduced themselves as Lorrie (Mom), and Jorden (Daughter). Lorrie seemed to know every word to every song even the songs between sets. I asked Jorden which band she was most excited to see, her response was heartfelt, and it made me smile. She said it didn’t matter who was playing, she was out enjoying a festival with all these great bands with her mom… “how cool is that” she said!
Before we knew it, out came Rome Ramirez. This would be his first appearance in SoCal under just his banner as ROME. Being the former lead from Sublime with Rome, I had a chance to chat with him earlier, and he was beyond estatic to perform for the Cali Vibes crowd, and his excitement was evident.
Romie played songs everyone knew from SWR, “Take It or Leave It,” “PCH,” and “Badfish.”
But what I was so happy for him about was the responses the crowd gave to his newer tunes under his banner, “Why Me,” and “Forever.”
The sheer happiness that ROME displayed as he introduced his family was evident to the crowd. His performance personified what reggae is all about; a feeling that moves you and grooves you.
It’s hard to say which bands stood out as everyone brought their “A” game. J Boog, Collie Budds and The Elovators were killer acts – Cisco Adler and Landon Mac also delivered.
As for me, I always love the Jawaaian sounds of Iration. Micha Pasquel was intense in his vocal performance.
The crowd was mesmerized to some of their classics, “Turn Around,” “Automatic,” “Falling,” and No Doubt’s “Obvious.” I loved, loved, loved their Steve Miller and Shaggy mix of “The Joker / Angel.”
By the time the sun dipped into the Long Beach adjacent Pacific Ocean, all stages were packed like sardines. The shirtless dudes and teeny weenie bikinis gave way to sweater and the cool breeze came in off the beach.
The thing about great festivals like this, it’s hard to see every single band. That’s a very good problem to have; it means you got your monies worth.
Saturday night was about to re-heat with HB’s own Dirty Heads lighting up the crowd with a kick-ass video and stage light show.
Opening with “Bum Bum,” co-leads Jared and Duddy sounded absolutely fantastic.
From there, they pounded out the hits, “My Sweet Summer,” and “Lay me Down,” which they brought Romie out to sing along. “Rescue Me,” Medusa,” “Oxygen,” and “Vacation” rounded out the hit parade.
Just as the crowd looked like they were wiped out, it was time for the closer, Stick Figure. Scott Woordruff and the boys did not disappoint. The crowd got what they came for, the hits!
By now, the jealous sun was gone, and very happy moon also took in the show. “Goden / Shine On,” opened the show and “Above the Storm,” “Way of Life,” and “All for You,” got the place shakin’.
Woodruff thanked the crowd for coming out and led them through the next set that included “Once in a Lifetime,” “Smoking Love,” and then “Jungle / Choice is Yours / Summertime.” The night couldn’t have ended any better – wait it didn’t end there. Stick Figure came out to their encore and treated everyone to “Fire on the Horizon / Eruption” before closing it for the night to “World on Fire / Wasteland.”
Starting things off for day two was Jamaica’s Grammy-nominated reggae and dancehall artist, Blvk Hero playing his latest songs “Mystic” and “Push On.” Tunnel Vision, out of San Clemente, brought the surf ska sound and had a full set of horns for this extra special Cali Vibes performance, even bringing out musical guest DENM for their song “This is My Life.”
As beautiful as the day was, it was nowhere near as lovely as Anuhea and her acoustic guitar. Gracing us with a spectacular afternoon show featuring hits like “Galaxy” and “Simple Love Song.” Taking over The Vibes stage was South Bay’s Fortunate Youth, going off with “One Love” “Good Times,” and bringing all their children and loved ones on stage, bubble guns blazin’ out for “Friends and Family.”
Warping the crowd back to the ‘90s was Little Stranger, twisting in Saturday morning cartoon intros into their own songs, creating a real monster of sounds. It was not their first time at Cali Vibes, but their first with a full horn section, making their already funky songs extra tasty. Pepper had the crowd at The Vibes stags saying “Aloha” while running around in massive circle pits; performing their hits “Stone Love,” “No Control,” and “Give It Up.”
The Greens Stage hosted the powerful Hirie, who spoke to the crowd of peace, love, and unity along with talks of a new album and a sneak peek at their newest single, “Elevation.” But they also took it back in time by playing “Radio” and “Don’t Take My Ganja” off their older albums.
Cypress Hill took to the stage not long after, playing a majority of their album “Black Sunday” and adding in an extra few like “Dr. Greenthumb” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man,” then literally getting the huge crowd to “Jump Around.”
Performing for their first time at Cali Vibes, yet drawing in an ecstatic mass of people that knew all the words to their song “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” was YG Marley. Coming in hot with his family and backed by incredibly talented musicians, he brought a little blast of the Marleys to the festival.
Santigold turned their set into an artistic meld of sights and sounds. Carrying out their time in matching white gear while showing off their passionate attitude in songs like “L.E.S. Artistes” and “GO!”
Turning things up at The Main Stage, Slightly Stoopid brought on the sounds of summer, making their set an epic party. They brought out fellow Cali Vibes artists Little Stranger, Kaleo Wassman of Pepper, B-Real of Cypress Hill, and Charli2na to perform their newest track, “Upside Down.” They did not leave out the bangers though, playing “2am,” “Nobes,” and even their cover of Sublime’s “Slow Ride.”
Rebelution followed up, providing the crowd with a movie-like background track with songs “De-Stress” and “Inhale,” making the day’s sunset that much more magical. What seemed to be the crowd favorite of the day was Cali Vibes first timer, hip-hop legend Ludacris pulled out all the stops to give the showgoers a hell of a time. Playing practically everything from his hits, like “Roll Out” and “Area Codes,” he even included his features “Yeah!” (Usher) and “Baby” (Justin Bieber). He had the crowd singing along and seemed surprised everyone knew every single word. The fans did indeed “Act a Fool” every minute he was on the stage.
No strangers to Cali Vibes and the energy it brings, Steel Pulse, the reggae phenomenon from the UK, absolutely brought excitement to crowd. Jamming hits like “Steppin’ Out,” “Ravers,” and “Babylon Makes the Rules” had fans dancing one last time at the Greens Stage.
But set to close the whole festival out at The Main Stage was Grammy-winning, multiplatinum musician Kid Cudi. Having taken about a year and a half off from performing after his injury at 2024’s Coachella, he graced us with his presence looking better than ever. Throwing it back to late 2000s with hits like “Day N’ Nite” and “Pursuit of Happiness,” he brought nostalgia to the end of an incredible weekend.
A staple in Long Beach for quite some time now, Cali Vibes and Goldenvoice really know how to bring the party downtown. Allowing fans to take over Shoreline Drive and dance in the streets for an epic weekend to remember. Catering to the masses and always providing the best bands and artists, Cali Vibes 2025 was another one for the books.
