Festival Forecast

Okeechobee 2017: Pretty Lights, Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Solange & More

By: Ryan Blair

The second annual Okeechobee music and arts festival just released the first phase of artists for its 2017 lineup to take place from March 2nd-5th in Okeechobee, Florida. The 4-Day festival impressed music fans across the country with its eclectic lineup, attention to detail, positive atmosphere, and star studded Powow’s!

Soundslinger will try to improve off the massively successful first year experiment that was Okeechobee music festival. The lineup includes artists of all genres with headliners Kings of Leon, Wiz Khalifa, and returning for a second year will be Bassnectar who will bring an exciting night life to the festival.

Okeechobee 2016: Photos

Indie/Rock:

One of the most exciting events will include a rare collaboration between Grammy award winning Usher & The Roots. The Roots have been performing together since 1987 but they recently found their way into the homes of millions by becoming Jimmy Fallon’s house band on his late night shows starting back in 2009.

Indie-rock performers also include The Lumineers, Young The Giant, Bleachers, & Moon Taxi. Additionally Allen Stone will be bringing some soul to Okeechobee with a Gospel Soul Experience including the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Electronic:

There will be no shortage of top electronic performers at Okeechobee this year and that’s a great decision for Soundslinger and the future of the festival. Last year attendees were ready to get wild over their spring break with unforgettable sets by Bassnectar, Skrillex, Gramatik, and Hermitude and there’s reason to come back for a second round in 2017.

Bassnectar will be back ensuring that there’s a proper sound system, lots of loud bass, and a slew of complaints from neighboring citizens. Pretty Lights will be toting his array of impressive lasers and visuals along with his smooth, downtempo, hip-hop infused sets.

Griz is bringing saxy back to Florida with a performance that’s sure to influence a funky dance party however he won’t be the only live electronic artist this year as Porter Robinson and Haywyre will be putting down unique performances as well.

Other electronic performers will include the king of vomit step Snails, Louis Futon, Louis The Child, and a DJ set by Nightmare on Wax of which Pretty Lights has sampled to use in his music.

Okeechobee 2016: Hermitude Performances

Hip-Hop/R&B:

Of course we’ll be getting some of those classics from Usher & The Roots but we’ll also be getting a special performance by Solange. With every festival comes cries and pleads for the “Queen B” Beyonce Knowles and I’m sorry to say that Okeechobee didn’t book her; however they got the second best thing, her sister Solange. Her latest album A Seat at the Table topped the Billboard 200 charts at the number 1 spot after its release and she’ll be showcasing the Knowles vocals that we all know so well.

Filling out the hip-hop spots will be Wiz Khalifa, Rae Sremmurd, Joey Purp and Anderson. Paak with his band The Free Nationals. I recently saw Anderson. Paak at The Hulaween Music Festival and he delivers a demanding performance with an energetic stage presence. Hip-hop acts are hard to get right, they are even more difficult to manage with a live band, and the only other performer I’ve seen put on an impressive hip-hop performance with a band was Kendrick Lamar. Anderson. Paak reminds me a lot of Kendrick which is one of the best compliments I can give to a performer who’s only been around for four years.

I saw Okeechobee headbands all over the country last year from Bonnaroo to Buku and I’m predicting that this years Okeechobee will be another must attend event on the 2017 music festival calendar.

Full Lineup Below:

Early bid 4-Day tickets are currently going for almost $290 after fees so don’t wait for prices to rise to grab yours if you are already planning on attending.

For tickets and information, go to www.okeechobeefest.com

Facebook: facebook.com/okeechobeefest
Twitter: twitter.com/okeechobeefest
Instagram: instagram.com/okeechobeefest

Full Initial Artist Lineup for Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival:

Kings of Leon

Usher & The Roots (A Rare Co-Performance)

Bassnectar

The Lumineers

Flume

Wiz Khalifa

Pretty Lights

Solange

Rae Sremmurd

Young The Giant

Porter Robinson (Live)

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Griz

Cold War Kids

Blood Orange

Mike Posner

D.R.A.M

Bleachers

SOJA

The Revivalists

Snails

Mac Demarco

Waka Flocka Flame

Sleigh Bells

Snakehips

Louis The Child

The Growlers

Moon Taxi

The Knocks (Live)

Gallant

Russ

Joey Purp

PoWow! A Mashup Collaboration with Special Guests TBA

BADBADNOTGOOD

Joy Wave

Allen Stone

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

FKJ

Galactic

The Japanese House

Lewis Del Mar

Bipolar Sunshine

Tennyson

Jacob Collier

Haywyre

Whethan

Louis Futon

Okeechobee Gospel Soul Experience: Blind Boys of Alabama, Allen Stone and More

Khruangbin

Con Brio

Nightmares on Wax (DJ Set)

OTT

DVS1

Kaiydo

Futurebirds

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Jacob Banks

TAUK

Ryan Elliott

Perpetual Groove

Rob Garza (DJ Set)

Escort (DJ Set)

Jacuzzi Boys

Cereus Bright

Merchandise

VHS Collection

Donna Missal

Gaudi

Sebastian Mullaert aka Minilogue Live

Julio

WYK

CBDB

AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!