The only Florida music event named by The New York Times as one of the “top 10 definitive music moments of the decade,” GroundUP Music Festival was founded in 2017 by Miami arts veteran and CEO Paul Lehr, and Artistic Director and Snarky Puppy bandleader Michael League. Artist-centric and attendee-focused, GroundUP blends an eclectic mix of genres to create a dynamic and varied festival experience.
GroundUP stands tall amidst the Miami music scene with a different kind of festival experience. Known for its relaxed, intimate atmosphere, with wildly dynamic line-ups of hard to define artists, GroundUP defies genre, creating a laidback oasis of true community, steps from the sands of Miami Beach. While most music festivals centralize themselves upon a predominantly single-genre focus, GroundUP pairs unexpected combinations of sound into a seamlessly authentic lineup, allowing the individual stories of the artists to shine.
True to the heart of the festival since its inception, one of the most central aspects to the GroundUP ethos is diversity in every sense of the word – diversity of genre, style, geography, culture, race, age, and gender – as well as remarkable diversity among artists and attendees. Mirroring the geographic variety of the artists, GroundUP regularly draws a crowd of passionate music lovers and musicians from 48 states and 54 countries.
Taking place each year in February at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell, GroundUP delivers an immersive, authentic and optimal experience for both musicians and fans. Featuring two performance stages but no overlapping sets, GroundUP is stacked with musicians’ musicians — offering exclusive oceanfront workshops, musical brunches, interactive masterclasses, late night sets, and a welcoming, communal atmosphere, steps from the sand.