GroundUp Music Festival

The GroundUp Music Festival is unlike any music festival you’ve been to. As opposed to many festivals, where attendees fight crowds to get a far-off glimpse of an artist they’ll likely never meet, GroundUp is intensely personal. The festival is a place where you might find yourself on a hammock in a palm grove next to a beloved musician, or dancing on the beach at an impromptu jam session by a favorite band. And, rather than performances only, GroundUp offers people the unmatched opportunity to take masterclasses from the artists they’ve just seen perform.

What the Festival Is All About

GroundUp will be held at the intimate Miami Beach Bandshell in Miami Beach from February 8-9, 2025. With a limited number of tickets sold for each day of the festival, it ensures that everyone has a great seat. GroundUp is the brainchild of Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League, whose band will be headlining each night with never-before-heard music. In addition, the festival will include an array of acts from all genres, from jazz to World Music to R&B. GroundUp is a music lover’s music festival, and though the names on the bill might not be the same as those on the Billboard charts, the experience is far beyond what most festivals offer.

Read on for a recap of the 2024 festival

Who Is Playing at GroundUp Music Festival in 2024?

It’s impossible to pigeonhole the style of music at GroundUp. The diverse array of talents gracing the stage this year include Louis Cole’s Huge Band, Bassekou Kouyate Feat. Weedie Braimah & The Hands Of Time Acoustic, Varijashree Venugopal, Kinga Glyk Feat. Robert “Sput” Searight, Casey Benjamin, Brett Williams & Dominic Xavier Taplin, Nate Wood - fOUR, The Joy Lapps Project Feat. Larnell Lewis, Chantae Cann, Fuensanta, Marcus Strickland, Twi-Life, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul and Artist-At-Large: Elena Pinderhughes. In addition to the eclectic lineup, this year's festival features a historical joint performance by two legendary Cuban groups, the Grammy-winning ensemble Los Muñequitos de Matanzas and renowned folkloric group Afrocuba de Matanza. The festival is scheduled so that no bands are playing at the same time, meaning you won’t ever have to choose between acts.

What Else Happens at GroundUp Music Festival?

The live performances are merely the outward-facing showcase of the GroundUp Music Festival. What makes it such a unique event is the opportunity fans have to interact with their favorite artists. That doesn’t just mean shake-and-repeat meet and greets, either. Many artists hold masterclasses on everything from instrumentation to improvisation. In a previous year, Doobie Brothers lead singer Michael McDonald held a class in songwriting.

Beyond the classes, GroundUp has a secluded, shaded palm grove with hammocks, where fans and performers alike go to relax. You’ll also find classes and workshops on the sand as well as inside the Bandshell’s indoor areas. Late-night concerts go as late as 4 a.m., and it’s not uncommon to find bands performing at nearby hotels after hours.

Admission, Food and Drink at GroundUp Music Festival

Tickets to the GroundUp Music Festival are available for $219 on Friday for the Family Dinner experience, $109 per day on Saturday and Sunday or $289 for all three days. In addition to general admission, GroundUp offers premium tickets that include access to the exclusive VIP seating areas near both stages. Here, you’ll hang in the same space as the performers, and with instruments on hand, the odds are good you’ll catch them warming up or jamming out. Premium ticket holders can also leave and re-enter the festival as they wish. 

The festival offers onsite bars and food from numerous local chefs. No outside food or drink is permitted. The show is open to all ages and, as music festivals go, it’s one of the more family-friendly events.

By: Matthew Meltzer