GroundUP Music Festival has all of the trappings of a hardcore Miami Beach party — the beachfront location, the cool musical crowd, sets that go until the early hours of the morning — except it’s totally not. Imagine, instead, a chill family party, where your “family” happens to be some serious tune fanatics and world class musicians.
This three-day festival prioritizes listening, learning and artistic connection: the two performance stages have completely staggered sets (so you won’t miss a thing), and artist-led workshops and masterclasses are an integral part of the daily experience. You’ll routinely catch performers wandering the crowds, happily enjoying the music. And after hours, if you can manage to stay awake, the Late Night Sets from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. mean more great music in nearby venues.
This year, headliners include Grammy-award-winning jazz band Snarky Puppy (pictured above and whose bandleader is one of the festival organizers) and legendary Cuban rhumba group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. Also on the bill are jazz flutist and singer-songwriter Elena Ayodele Pinderhughes as well as composer Joy Lapps’s The Joy Lapps Project featuring Grammy-award-winning Larnell Lewis. A bonus for families: children under 10 get in for free — and you should bring them because taking your children to a jazz fest will inevitably turn them into sophisticated, if wacky, adolescents.
But the artist-led workshops and masterclasses are what make GroundUP special. Last year, you could learn how to make a record from start to finish from Micheal League or sing A Capella oceanside with Magda Giannikou. While this year’s workshop and masterclass lineup hasn’t yet been released, you can stay in the loop here.
The Specs
- With only 1200 tickets available for each day of the festival, don’t wait to purchase.
- Tickets for each day start at $109. A three-day pass starts at $289. All of the ticket options are listed here. There’s also a Snarky Puppy “family dinner experience” on Friday that’s $219.
- Need a hotel? Try some of Fifty Grande’s recommendations like Fontainebleau Miami Beach or Kayak Miami Beach. And don’t miss our guide to Miami.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to the GroundUP Music Festival?
Fly into Miami International Airport (13 miles, 30 minutes to Miami Beach Bandshell). Grab a taxi or rideshare to your destination.
Where is the festival held?
At the Miami Beach Bandshell on Collins Avenue, North Beach in Miami Beach. The exact address is: 7275 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33141 USA.
Who founded GroundUP Music Festival?
It was founded in 2017 by CEO Paul Lehr and Snarky Puppy bandleader and bassist Michael League.
What is the parking situation?
There is parking in the lot across the street from the North Beach Concert Bandshell and in several nearby public lots. A parking map will be available closer to the time of the festival.
Are there age restrictions?
This festival is open for all ages, and kids under 10 years old are admitted for free.
What time do the shows end?
Festival sets usually end around 10 to 11 p.m., while the Late Night Sets end around 2 to 3 a.m. Besides the festival sets, there are also smaller sets that are hosted as brunches and a family dinner.
What can’t I bring inside?
No outside food or drink is allowed. No pets are allowed either (so you need to leave Brownie and Cheddar at home).
Who produces GroundUP?
The GroundUP Music Foundation produces the fest. This foundation supports up-and-coming as well as established musicians through performance and other opportunities, according to the site groundupmusicfestival.com.
Which artists are on the GroundUP 2024 lineup?
Elena Pinderhughes (the festival’s artist-at-large), Snarky Puppy, The Joy Lapps Project feat. Larnell Lewis, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Louis Cole’s Huge Band, Marcus Strickland and Twi-Life, Fuensanta, Nate Wood – fOUR, Kinga GŁYK feat. Robert “Sput” Searight, Casey Benjamin, Brett Williams & Dominic Xavier Taplin, Gisela João, Varijashree Venugopal, Bassekou Kouyate feat. Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time Acoustic, Grupo Afrocuba De Matanzas and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas (dubbed Los Muñequitos & Afrocuba All Stars, this is a collaboration between Los Muñequitos De Matanzas and Grupo Afrocuba De Matanzas). The Festival is still updating its schedule. Check out the latest here.
Los Muñequitos & Afrocuba All Stars (a collaboration between Los Muñequitos De Matanzas and Grupo Afrocuba De Matanzas).
2024 Poster
Playlist