On paper, there was no reason to expect Okeechobee Music Festival would be the resounding success it turned out to be: Although Florida has long played host to music festivals catering to niche markets, such as the electronic hedonists of Miami’s Ultra Music Festival or the crusty punks of Gainesville’s very own The Fest, Florida had yet to host an outdoor festival of the size, scale and broad appeal of Okeechobee. Would Floridians who were accustomed to the pulsating synths, lights and overpriced hotels of Ultra warm up to more esoteric musical ventures like the psychedelic jazz offered by Kamasi Washington, or even sleeping in a sticky, sweaty tent for four nights? Was there a possibility that acts not named RL Grime or Bassnectar would actually draw large, substantial crowds? The answer to all of the aforementioned questions was a firm yes.
Following in the footsteps of beloved camping festivals like Camp Bisco and Bonnaroo, Okeechobee Music Festival offered four nights and three full days of incredible music, stunning sights and eccentric characters. Even those who may have missed Okeechobee but have been to similar festivals no doubt have an inkling of the insanity and beauty last weekend held: Until you’ve been to an outdoor festival, you really have no idea what you’re in for.
Although there had been some grumblings that the Okeechobee lineup was little more than a Bonnaroo 2015-lite (see: Robert Plant, Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons, Bassnectar… you get the idea) that didn’t stop the attendees — or the performers, for that matter — from having the time of their lives. The positivity permeating the festival was embodied by sets such as that of former Led Zeppelin frontman and Friday night headliner Robert Plant. With triumphant, rousing renditions of both solo material and Led Zeppelin classics such as “Trampled Under Foot,” Plant’s performance with backing band the Sensational Space Shifters served as a gripping reminder to attendees of how lucky they were to be in the presence of a living legend. Even acts that may not have possessed the sheer star power of Robert Plant, such as synth-pop star duo Classixx, the alt-rock tricksters of Ween and Gainesville-based act Flat Land shone brightly over the course of the weekend.
Like all great festivals, Okeechobee didn’t rely solely on its musical acts to do the heavy lifting. The myriad installations, ranging from the inflated white domes of the yoga tent (appropriately titled Yogachobee) to the “Jurassic Park” meets “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” meets illegal English rave aesthetic of Jungle 51, were not only great in their own right, but proved to be refreshing alternatives to conventional music festival fare. It certainly helped that drinks were in no short supply, with many an $11, 24-ounce Corona can littering the festival grounds in the wee hours.
For a festival only in its infancy, Okeechobee was remarkably well thought-out and notable. As of writing, we’re far from the only publication to think so: From Florida-based publications like the Tampa Bay Times to popular music journalism outfits like Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound, Okeechobee was on the tips of many music nerds’ tongues Monday morning. Having been lucky enough to be a part of Okeechobee’s first year, we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
