Day 2 of RRU

Sublime with Rome - “Blackout” One take

Walking through downtown St. Petersburg and into the second day of Reggae Rise Up Florida immediately brought back memories of my first time attending the festival, the eagerness in my step thrust each of my toes forward. I remember my ears perking up at the sounds of instruments being checked for proper tuning while waiting in line. 

This year brought back that same eagerness in my stride toward Vinoy Park. The warm glow of the sun tickled the skin as the bayside breeze blew through the hair. The moderately cool air brought a nice change of pace to Florida’s infamous baking heat.

Photo by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson

Pier Dolphin Cruises photo on left and Anamorphis Art on right

The new day brought new faces, but also brought back returning faces who reunited with friends and music family. The beautiful blue waterfront started filling with boats, all guaranteed with an interesting perspective of the festival. The sounds of screams and laughter filled the park, hugs strewn about, all spreading the Rise Up cheer. With plenty of green floating all through the venue, St. Patrick’s Day at Reggae Rise Up created one wild party.

Friday packed heavy hitters onto the Vibe Stage, with the likes of The Sub Herbs, Dry Reef, The Elovaters, Little Stranger, Iya Terra, and Matisyahu all getting down and all creating memorable sets that sent the crowd surging toward the smaller, albeit, powerful stage to dance and lose themselves within the soundwaves.

The Sub Herbs Photos by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney

While bouncing back and forth between the Rise Up stage and the Vibe stage, the bass vibrated chests and took control of the dancing feet as it rumbled through the park. While watching everyone lose themselves to the music, I could see the worries and stresses of daily life fade away and create a sense of serenity and peace within a bustling music festival.

Things got wild when Little Stranger hit the Vibe Stage, with the hip hop vibes and the crazy lyrical style they bring had the vibe stage packed all the way to the water. The crowd jumping to the beat looked like waves of the ocean, everyone moving together dancing, singing and letting it all out.

Little Stranger Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson

At the Rise Up stage, Tunnel Vision opened things up to create a galvanic sound that only the SoCal band could bring. HIRIE followed, and continued the infectious vibes. Frontwoman Trish Jetton, paraded around the Rise Up stage with her bright green Lucky Charms hat and beaming green sports coat and singing lyrics of love, unity, and empowerment, stimulating the crowd to get down and dance.

Tunnel Vision Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson

The Elovaters Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson

Hirie Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney

Iya Terra Photo’s by Zack Kearney

Once Sublime with Rome climbed to the Rise Up stage, the number of people seemed to multiply before my very eyes. All through their set, the whole park could be heard singing harmoniously with the sound of Rome Ramierez’s voice, delivering a uniquely captivating sound of thousands of voices singing the band’s greatest hits. Once “Smoke 2 Joints” started playing, the wide open park became doubly as smoky as the pungent smell of the finest sensimilla filled the air.

Sublime with Rome Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney

Sublime with Rome Photo’s by Phil DeSimone and Zack Kearney

After the Sun tucked itself beneath Tampa Bay like a Leprechaun’s golden coin being dropped into a wishing well, the lights came on and produced a mesmerizing sea of color and movement. As the music pulsed through Vinoy Park, the lights danced and swirled around the stage and through the crowd, all eagerly awaiting Friday’s headliner, Rebelution.

There seemed to be a moment of stillness before the Santa Barbara crew came to the stage, but it didn’t last long, because lights stopped, and the sounds of Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” boomed through the park, and no sooner did the hammering of the infamous mandolin the silhouettes of the band assumed their positions on the stage. Frontman Eric Rachmany followed, coconut drink in hand, and letting out a mighty hello to the thousands before him.

Rebelution Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney

Then the roaring horns then blazed to the electrified opening to “De-Stress”, immediately throwing everyone into a synchronous euphoria and producing a beautiful chaos of thousands chanting back every word to the band’s vast setlist. By the end of the night, the thirst for more music had fans rushing over to The Floridian’s sold out afterparty with Little Stranger where the party never seemed to end. Eventually the music came to an end, and my ringing ears filled the void.

Review by Brendan Mcginley

Photo’s by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson, Zack Kearney and Phil DeSimone

Video by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson, Zack Kearney and audio by Badda Skat