The final day of Levitate Music and Arts Festival at Marshfield Fairgrounds was nothing short of spectacular, bringing the three-day event to a triumphant close. Day 3 was a perfect blend of musical genres, captivating performances, and a palpable sense of community, plus the much-anticipated headliner Sublime, leaving festival-goers buzzing with joy and jubilance, already filled with anticipation for 2025's curation.
My trip to Massachusetts wasn't a solo endeavor, though I love a road trip alone to some place unexplored, my mom insisted on coming along for the ride, having a deep-rooted love for the city of Boston. After two days of raving to her about how fantastic Levitate Music and Arts Festival is, plus her driving me to the Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday where she saw for herself how magnificent the festival grounds were, she insisted on attending Sunday alongside me. I always love having company at a concert so of course I was elated, but I must mention how effortless it was to purchase last-minute tickets to Levitate. On the 15 minute ride from Boston to Marshfield, I hopped on the Levitate site and purchased a single-day pass for Sunday. The prices hadn't increased from general on-sale even if the doors were opening in less than half an hour and it was easy enough to pick up the purchased ticket at will call when we arrived ten minutes later. I had absolutely no reservations about purchasing a $100 ticket for the final day of Levitate Music Festival as this is a festival worth supporting monetarily, not to mention a dollar of every ticket sale goes to supporting Levitate Foundation's efforts of providing artists provisions to succeed in a very difficult industry. This is all to say, I was glad to be able to give back to such an outstanding cause and event, especially considering how their team went above and beyond to ensure all media personnel had a great experience, from free merchandise to friendly escorts, this is something I don't typically experience working media for a publication at a festival.
While many people opt for a single day ticket at festivals to save money, Levitate Music Festival is an event worth attending all three days of. Performance wise, Levitate Music Festival employs special guest performances throughout all three-days. These guests performers aren't announced until they step out onto the intimate stage alongside the sidelines of Stoke Stage, the mainstage at Levitate. Local favorites are typically showcased, so you never know which one of your favorites that you expected to be on the lineup might make a guest appearance. The most obvious reason to attend all three days of Levitate is to witness the artist murals slowly come to life. By the end of Day 3, Marshfield Fairgrounds is transformed into an art gallery, decorated with meticulously extravagant paintings that were mostly unrecognizable less than 72 hours prior; the talent penetrating Marshfield Fairgrounds during fourth of July weekend was truly incredible. If you're a foodie like myself, it is practically imperative to attend all three days for a taste of so many diverse, local cuisines. While there are aspects that remain consistent throughout all three days, Levitate offers something new to keep attendees entertained across each individual day that makes it worth investing in the entire weekend escape.
With not much time to waste before the music began, I opted for the quickest food option to kickstart my day; a hot dog from a local food vendor based out of Kingston, Massachusetts. Ordering my meal, I was introduced to the owner of the company, who asked me if I would be willing to taste his specialized hot sauce, Grumpy's Hot Sauce. The backstory was heart-warming, a family recipe that has been passed along for generations. Now, I consider myself a connoisseur of spicy food so this was right up my alley, and I have to say, this is hands down the best hot sauce I have ever tried. There's a tanginess to it that is nothing comparable to store-bought, name-brand hot sauces. Unfortunately, the ingredients aren't posted on their website for me to reference and while I did leave with a bottle to indulge in at home, I have already finished the product and cannot reference the ingredients. You'll have to take my word for it when I say the flavor is unique and cannot be compared to any other artisan hot sauces I've tried, with a certain tanginess to it that might be contributed by a dijon mustard of some sorts. The brand uses the generic base of hot sauce but even the pepper flairs have a distinctive taste that is bold and authentic. You can purchase a bottle for yourself on Grumpy's official website but, be warned, the sauce comes out the bottle fast and too much will definitely ignite tears. If you're a lover of all things spicy like me, it is a must-try!
The musical experiences on Sunday began with the soulful sounds of local artist Gracie Grace & All The Good Boys on Soul Stage, another Levitate Foundation 'Get On Stage' winner who has a deep rooted history with the festival and the surrounding area overall. Spending the last two days running around the entire festival to capture every little moment, I became close acquaintances with the security working Soul Stage, who were beyond friendly and enhanced the welcoming atmosphere Levitate Music Festival is praised for. On Sunday, I learned this security guard had been working the event for more years than he could even recall. When I asked if he gets tired of standing on his feet for three-days straight at a music festival, he laughed and told me this is the best job he's ever had, that working Levitate Music Festival excites him every year and he meets some of the best people at the event annually. While he confessed to being a fan of metal music and not really knowing much of the artists on the lineup, a sentiment I shared with him over our small-talk, I couldn't agree more with his statement about how the music attracts such a wonderful audience; people who are accepting, carefree, and overall very friendly. If you attend Levitate Music and Arts Festival alone, it won't take long for you to find a group of friends to waltz with throughout the day or even just share a brief memory with.
From the moment they took the stage, Gracie Grace and her bandmates had the audience hooked. Gracie's soaring voice, combined with the band's tight, polished instrumentation, created a rich, full sound that resonated through the growing crowd. The interplay between the lead guitar's melodic lines and the rhythms section's driving beats, was a highlight, showcasing the band's chemistry and technical prowess. One of the most memorable aspects of the performance was the connection Gracie Grace established with the audience, she has second-nature comfort and confidence on stage that's unmissable. At one point in the set, Gracie distributed pearl necklaces for the crowd to wear and the sentiment was well-received, with kids in the front asking me from across the barricade if I can grab one for them to wear. Throughout the rest of the day, people rocked the pearl necklaces, a testament to the lasting impact Gracie made on stage.
However, the highlight of Gracie's set came after she performed her well-curated tracklist for the audience. Right before she exited the stage, Gracie's partner snuck up behind her, stealing the microphone for a moment that will surely always be apart of Levitate Music Festival's history; a Levitate on-stage proposal! And of course Gracie said "I do!" Practically every artist on the lineup can be found enjoying the festival experience from the crowd prior to and after their performances, and while I strayed away from bothering my favorites of Sublime and Tash Sultana, I just had to know if Gracie's romance was a Levitate love story. The couple met at an open mic night at a local pub near Marshfield, one of their first dates was Levitate Music Festival and they returned together every year after that. While it might not be a true Levitate love story, Levitate Music Festival has surely been a part of their relationship from the start and there's truly not a more magnificent place to propose. Who knows, maybe if you attend in 2025 you can find your own Levitate lover!
Just a few feet away, Little Stranger set the tone for the main stage on Sunday with their unique blend of rap and soul. The two-man band kicked off their set with an electrifying energy that immediately drew the audience in. From the first notes, it was clear that the duo was there to make an impression, and they definitely did. John Shield was the first to appear on stage, sitting on a stool with a guitar and complex sound system in front of him, it was instantly clear that the musical performance about to concur would be intricately transcending. Kevin Shield bounced on stage next with a presence that was unavoidable, his adrenaline rush was consumed by the crowd, establishing the Fairgrounds as a dancefloor early on in the day.
One of the standout moments of the set was the live rendition of their latest collaborative single "God At A Festival," a track from their newly released album. Featuring Andy Frasco and Damn Skippy, the song encapsulates the feeling of freedom and self-expression that live music and festivals bring. On this note, Levitate was the ideal place debut the song live, where the track's themes were on full-display throughout all three days. Little Stranger has an infectious energy that quickly made the crowd at Levitate fall in love with them and start grooving, they were a great choice to jumpstart the day at main stage where fans swarmed to the barricade early on for a good spot during Sublime's performance.
Other stand-out performances from the day included: The Rins, a Boston-based ska-punk band, encapsulating the ambiance Sublime was destined to bring by the end of the night. Karina Rykman, a rising New York City jam rock and indie pop star, whose made impressive strides in a short time with her talents singing and playing bass as well as presenting contagious energy on stage. And Charley Crockett, a modern-day Texas troubadour coining himself as a "$10 Cowboy," whose music beautifully blends elements of country, blues, soul, and Americana for an immersive listening experience.
As the day began to unwind, fans swarmed closer and closer to Stoke Stage for Sublime as I circled the festival grounds one final time to scope out anything I might've missed, but not before trying the most recommended food vendor on site; Broccoli Bar. I was the weird kid who loved vegetables growing up so I was intrigued by their menu on the first day but I was a bit overwhelmed with what to order so I asked those working the food truck what was the most popular and settled on that. The dish served was a piece of art in its own respect, colorful and thoughtfully plated. There's a common saying that you eat with your eyes and I hadn't exactly known what that meant until I was served my order at Broccoli Bar. I wasn't entirely sure what I was eating but it ultimately wasn't my favorite. There were a lot of different flavors clashing, which makes sense since what I ordered was a combination of everything else on the menu in one platter. In retrospect, I probably should've ordered something I knew the ingredients of but I'm always willing to try new things, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I did, however, eat all the broccoli included in the vegetable salad which was mouth-watering and tastefully seasoned.
Still hungry, I opted for something a little less unique at Roht Marine, where I ordered their lobster roll sliders and my mom purchased their jerk chicken sliders. Both were absolutely phenomenal. The lobster was fresh, severed simply with lettuce on small hamburger buns. It surely wasn't an authentic lobster roll but it was enough to scarf down before running off to catch another performance. The jerk chicken sliders were delightfully seasoned and served with finger-licking coleslaw that tied the whole taste together. The jerk chicken sliders definitely take the crown for the best meal I had at Levitate, but with so many different options, I surely didn't get around to trying everything.
The most popular food truck showcased at Levitate was more of a beverage bar, however, The Lemon Press had a long line throughout all three days and rightfully so. Squeezing lemons and limes at the start of each day, the truck served fresh lemonade and limeade over ice, with options to add strawberry and watermelon to your order. The first day I stopped by, it was towards the final performance of the night and, by then, The Lemon Press was sold-out of all lemonade options so I opted for their classic limeade served with mint. On Sunday, I was finally able to try their most popular beverage, strawberry lemonade, which was scrumptious, but I actually think the limeade was even better so don't fret if they run out of lemons next year, the limeade is a fantastic alternative.
Other standout food vendors including Field Field Blueberries, with made-to-order blueberry custards and specialized blueberry-flavored alcoholic beverages, Matilda Empanadas, selling heart-shaped empanadas that were a festival staple, and Richie's Italian Ice, a favorite amongst the kiddos who rocked blue and red stained lips and tongues throughout all three-days.
Levitate Music and Arts Festival is marketed as an age inclusive event, while most festivals offer kids under a certain age free entry with an accompanied ticket holder, Levitate went above and beyond to ensure there was something for all ages to enjoy. The Kid's Zone was installed under the Fairgrounds' pavilion just a few feet away from the main stage, offering a shaded sections for kids to unwind and be creative while their parents still had the chance to enjoy outstanding performances. On one note, I truly appreciated The Kid's Zone being under the pavilion as it is very easy for children to become overheated and overwhelmed in big crowds under the scorching sun. The area remained open, with volunteers assisting families, until the sun went down, which again enhanced Levitate's efforts to protect children in the festival atmosphere. There were numerous activities for kids to participate in, including watercolor painting, coloring sheets, writing postcards to your favorite artists or the Levitate staff, wall-to-wall chalk boards, a petting zoo filled with goats, and even learning centers. FoxRock Farms taught children about the honey-making process with a live demonstration of honey bees at work and distributed homemade honey sticks to the kids who participated. Neptune's Harvest taught kids about starting a garden and sold organic fertilizer free of harmful toxins.
Just across the field from The Kid's Zone, Happy Valley kept kids entertained by administering a scavenger hunt for free merch and Nora Jones hosted skateboarding sessions for those 13 and under, with skateboards provided for use. In addition to these skateboarding lessons, the ramp also offered "open skate" sessions, which anyone could sign a waiver to participate in. Levitate allowed attendees to bring their own skateboards into the Fairgrounds to use and everyone was respectful of one another on the small ramp, allowing each skater to have their turn without overwhelming one another by riding at the same time.
In the blink of an eye, my weekend in Marshfield at Levitate Music and Arts Festival had passed me by and finally it was time for the very special headliner everyone had been anticipating all weekend; Sublime.
Sublime are a quintessential band in the ska, punk, and reggae music scenes with a storied history dating back to 1988. Their performance at Levitate Music Festival was a monumental one as it marked the return of the band's original lineup, however, a large majority of attendees were confused when Jakob Nowell stepped on stage, much younger than the other remaining members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson. If you obsess over music like I do, you likely already know Sublime's story, but for those who might not, let's dive into what their "original lineup" truly means and why it was such a special moment to be apart of.
In early 1996, Sublime began recording their self-titled third record, their major label debut, and what would ultimately become the most successful album of their career. Shortly after completing the record, lead singer, and essentially the mastermind of Sublime, Bradley Nowell died in May of 1996, just shy of a year after the birth of his son, Jakob Nowell. Bradley Nowell was found dead in a motel room at only 28 years old by the band's drummer Bud Gaugh, it was a true tragedy for the music scene Sublime quickly became pioneers of when their self-titled album was eventually released. It is beyond unfortunate Bradley never got to witness the acclaim this album would garner for the band. His cause of death was later deemed a heroin overdose, something Bradley Nowell struggled with throughout his twenties as the band began to witness success. The story behind his abuse is a tale many musicians tell, his father mentioning, "His excuse for taking heroin was that he felt like he had to be larger than life … He heard a lot of musicians say they were taking heroin to be more creative." At first, in an attempt to not glorify drug abuse or overdose, Sublime remained silent about Bradley's passing, though some of Sublime's songs relate to Nowell's addiction. When it finally did come to light about eight months later during a "cautionary" benefit concert in honor of his memory, many referenced Sublime's song "Pool Shark," where Nowell appeared to predict his death with the line, "One day I'm gonna lose the war." A headstone was placed at Westminster Memorial in Westminster, California, and, in July of 2017, The Nowell Family Foundation was founded to provide addiction recovery services to the music community, assisting in avoiding the tragedy of drug overdose. Jason Westfall, one of Sublime's managers, was quoted as saying the surviving members of Sublime had no interest in continuing to perform and record under the "Sublime" name in the wake of Brad's death: "Just like Nirvana, Sublime died when Brad died."
The remaining Sublime members, Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, would go on to release all the remaining material of Bradley Nowell's time in Sublime as well as a concert film including Bradley on vocals, additionally performing at various charity events, becoming ambassadors for the prevention of drug abuse in the music industry before disbanding for separate personal projects. In early 2009, Gaugh and Wilson came together under the Sublime name again, but this time with a new frontman Rome Ramirez. In October 2009, Nowell's family and the executors of his estate threatened the new project members, mentioning, "It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name." Shortly after Gaugh and Wilson were served, a Los Angeles judge shut down an effort by the new lineup of Sublime to perform under the name and it was later determined that the surviving Sublime members suffered damages as a result of the ruling. In 2010, the dispute was settled and the result was the birth of Sublime with Rome, now embarking on their farewell tour with no original members of Sublime performing.
Late 2023 marked a monumental moment for Sublime. The return of their original band name was announced on the bill for a benefit show in honor of Bad Brains vocalist H.R. in Los Angeles, featuring Bradley's son Jakob Nowell as the vocalist. Many longtime, die-hard fans were on the edge of their seats, hoping for a chance to witness Sublime's impact for a final time with a lineup as close to the original as it can get. While we can't be certain the band will remain consistent, in January of 2024, Sublime was revealed to be a part of the lineup for the 2024 Coachella Festival with Jakob Nowell becoming a full-time member of the band. Shortly after, the band also confirmed they would be performing at "additional music festivals" in 2024, so far this has included Point Break Music Festival, No Values Festival, and, of course, Levitate Music Festival. Sublime has only three more festivals on their radar for 2024, so their appearance at Levitate Music Festival was surely of great significance and will be remembered as one of the festival's highlights for years to come.
As the sun began to set over the Marshfield Fairgrounds, fans couldn't contain their excitement any longer, and Sublime did not disappoint.
The band kicked off their set with "Garden Grove," and although Jakob never really had a chance to get to know his father, he embodied everything Bradley Nowell once was and more, with the same energy and raunchy vocals that made Sublime so recognizable in the 90s. This was followed by a seamless flow of hits, including "Wrong Way," "Same in the End," and "STP." Each song was performed with a blend of raw energy and polished musicianship, showcasing the band's ability to stay true to their ska-punk roots while incorporating elements of reggae and rock. It was as if time hadn't passed and we were back in the small venues Sublime made their name in.
Jakob's vocal delivery was both soulful and powerful, capturing the essence of Sublime's original sound while adding a fresh twist. The guitar riffs were sharp and dynamic, the basslines were groovy and steady, and the drums provided a relentless backbone to each track. The band's chemistry was palpable, and their tight performance kept the audience engaged from start to finish. The atmosphere was electric, with fans dancing on tables and swaying to the music with their kids on their hips, those working the merch tables even hopped on the counter of the booth to boogie with one another and encourage fans to do the same, creating a sense of unity and celebration that epitomizes the spirit of Levitate Music and Arts Festival.
One of the most memorable moments was the band's performance of "Pool Shark," where there were technical difficulties that caused Jakob to perform the song entirely solo. As I mentioned previously, die-hard fans quoted lines from this song in the wake of Bradley's death as a prediction of his own demise, so Jakob having to perform it isolated brought chills over me. It isn't discussed often, but Jakob also suffered with drug abuse similar to his father. There was a natural eerie fragility hearing him sing this song without any support that undoubtedly confessed to his personal talent. Jakob doesn't have to live up to his father's legacy, he already has by initiating Sublime's revival and keeping the music alive.
Sublime's performance at Levitate Music Festival 2024 was a masterclass in live music, combining nostalgic hits with energetic delivery that ignited a genuine crowd connection. They proved that their music is timeless, resonating with fans old and new. As the final notes of their set echoed through the Fairgrounds, it was clear that Sublime had once again solidified their place as legends in the music world, and we hope this revival persists for many more to witness the musical magic Sublime ensues.
Day 3 of Levitate Music and Arts Festival was a celebration of music, community, and the shared human experience From the morning's acoustic warmth to the evening's punk legends, every moment was filled with joy, connection, and magic that only live music can bring. As the final notes echoed through Marshfield Fairgrounds, festival-goers left with hearts full of memories a sense of anticipation for next year. Levitate Music Festival 2024 was, without a doubt, a resounding success, and Day 3 was the perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend. We hope to see you next year!
Comments