(Photo by Rami Abou-Sabe, Levitate 2017.)
Now in it's fifth year, the Levitate Music & Arts Festival has grown from a small celebration of local surf and skate culture into "New England's premier grassroots festival." The two-day festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday (July 7 & 8) at the historic Marshfield Fair Grounds, a short drive south of Boston.
With headliners like Phish's Trey Anastasio, The Head and The Heart, and Slightly Stoopid, Levitate is a bit different than the glitzy festivals du-jour packed with radio-friendly pop acts and flash-in-the-pan dance music.
Separating itself from the crowd of mass-produced gatherings like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, and even our homegrown Boston Calling, Levitate stands out due to an intense focus on live music, local food, and good vibes. Not oversold like the mainstream music fests, Levitate attendees have clear views of the performances, short lines for food and drinks, and a sunny disposition for life. In many ways, Levitate is what a festival should be - small, local, and vibrant.
Returning from last year's stacked lineup are local soul darlings Lake Street Dive, and the Berklee-based dance collective Ripe, alongside reggae royalty Stephen Marley. The Vermont jammers Twiddle, and the up-and-coming reggae act Stick Figure will also return in 2018.
While direct tickets have sold out, you can still buy tickets through the Levitate-sponsored fan resale network, Lyte.
Directions to the festival can be found here, and be sure to check out the schedule below to plan out your day. Gates open at 11:30 AM each day. For more information, head to the Levitate FAQ.
Prohibited items:
- Backpacks, but lockers will be available outside the main gates to store your belongings. (Necessary bags for child or medical care will be allowed and inspected)
- Alcohol (Beer, wine, and sparkling cocktails will be available inside the festival)
- Food & drinks (Festival dining options will include both vegetarian and vegan options to accommodate all diets)
- Coolers
- Pets
- Beach umbrellas and popup tents
- Professional zoom-lens cameras
- Drones