The sun shined bright all weekend at the 2025 Cali Vibes Festival, where tens of thousands of music lovers gathered in downtown Long Beach to escape the tension of nearby LA protests and soak in the mellow vibes of Marina Green Park for a melodic respite from all the unrest. Now in its fourth year, this Southern California reggae and hip-hop festival drew a massive crowd of roughly 75,000 attendees—greeted on Ocean Blvd by protesters waving Mexican flags and holding signs that read “Fuck ICE”.
Despite the potential for tension, the crowd remained peaceful, mellowed out by good vibes and good music. And though this year’s lineup stuck close to its reggae roots, the inclusion of acts like Kid Cudi, Cypress Hill, and Ludacris elevated the experience with a fresh, genre-blending energy.
Reggae, Hip-Hop, and a Touch of Punk: 2025 Lineup Highlights
The 2025 Cali Vibes Festival lineup offered a carefully curated mix of reggae legends, hip-hop icons, and emerging artists. Familiar names like Slightly Stoopid, Iration, and Stick Figure returned, joined by younger talent including YG Marley and DENM, creating a truly multi-generational experience.
For fans looking for more than music, the festival also expanded its offerings with craft beer gardens and the debut of the Punk Rock & Paintbrushes art gallery—featuring original works from artists like Chad Smith, Chali 2na, and Hunter Burgan.
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Friday Night Vibes: Stick Figure & More
Stick Figure headlined Friday night and did not disappoint. Their set was met with massive enthusiasm, especially during Scott Woodruff’s extended solos on crowd favorites like:
“Shine On”
“Way of Life”
“Wasteland” (one of the weekend’s best closing tracks)
The energy remained high as the crowd swayed, smoked, and sang along to the sun-kissed sounds that have come to define the Long Beach reggae festival experience.
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Saturday Sing-Alongs: Dirty Heads and Iration Take Over
Saturday’s early highlight came from Iration and their standout track “Time Bomb,” which got the Cali Vibes Festival crowd moving early. But the afternoon belonged to Dirty Heads, who delivered one of the most fun, interactive sets of the weekend. Their sing-along-friendly setlist included:
“My Sweet Summer”
“Lay Me Down”
“Life’s Been Good” (Joe Walsh cover)
Fans responded with loud, unified choruses that felt more like a backyard barbecue than a mega-festival.
Sunday: Hip-Hop Royalty and Feminine Power
If Saturday was a day of roots and rock, Sunday was all about hip-hop and female energy. The morning kicked off strong with powerful sets from HIRIE and Santigold, both of whom drew impressive crowds and brought something uniquely feminine to a male-dominated festival circuit. Their presence proved that Cali Vibes Festival could become a leader in gender diversity on stage.
“Long Beach brings out a female audience unlike any other city,” one attendee noted. “This is the energy we need more of.”
Ludacris Turns Up the Bass (and the Nostalgia)
Ludacris brought the house down with a Y2K-fueled set packed with MTV and radio classics. His set featured:
“Southern Hospitality”
“Move B*tch”
“Area Codes”
And yes, the bass was insanely loud—rumor has it that Ludacris requested it that way just to make an impression. It was borderline irresponsible… and yet, totally unforgettable.
Cypress Hill: Latino Pride and Classic Anthems
Cypress Hill returned to Cali Vibes Festival 2025 with a mission: to represent their community and speak out in solidarity with local protesters. Their set leaned heavily into early material:
“Hits from the Bong”
“Insane in the Brain”
“Hand on the Pump”
“Rock Superstar”
In one surreal moment, two uniformed police officers were seen vibing out to “How I Could Just Kill a Man.” I approached them to ask if they were enjoying themselves—just as B-Real dropped bars about killing a rookie cop. The irony was thick, but the mood? Chill. Too chill for anything but more shared joints and laughter.
And while Cypress Hill didn’t technically perform “Jump Around” (that’s House of Pain), someone played it—and no one seemed to care who got the credit.
Kid Cudi’s Glowing Finale
Let’s talk about Kid Cudi. I’ve seen thousands of live performances, but few artists possess the kind of radiant stage presence that Cudi brings. His set was stripped-down and sincere—no flashy screens, just a glowing bust of his own head beaming lights from its eyes.
He took fans on a journey through his catalog, playing:
“Day ’n’ Nite”
“Man on the Moon”
“Tequila Shots”
“Blue Sky”
“Pursuit of Happiness” (his emotional closer)
Cudi’s performance felt like a personal gift to his original fans. It was the perfect sendoff for a festival that offered beauty, contrast, with turmoil unfolding in just blocks away and all over Los Angeles and California.
Final Thoughts on Cali Vibes 2025
The 2025 Cali Vibes Festival in Long Beach delivered everything it promised: good weather, good music, and a peaceful, multicultural celebration of sound and spirit. From reggae anthems to hip-hop hits, from visual art installations to community-driven energy, this year’s festival proved that Cali Vibes is evolving while staying true to its roots.
Words and Photos: David Smith
