South Florida’s Favorite Beachside Winter Festival Is Back With a Killer Lineup and an Incredible Show! – Review and Photos of the Riptide Music Festival in Ft Lauderdale, FL

This past weekend, the sun-soaked shores of Ft Lauderdale Beach played host to the two-day Audacy Riptide Music Festival, creating an electrifying atmosphere that left music enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Featuring an eclectic mix of popular acts, the festival created a family atmosphere with something in store for everyone in attendance, with incredible weather during the entire weekend. For younger fans, bands like Lovejoy and Young the Giant were the main attraction, while the older crowd was stoked for bands from their golden years, such as Silversun Pickups and Sublime with Rome. And of course, with headlining acts like Jelly Roll and The Black Keys, the festival delivered an electrifying weekend of live music, good vibes, and a one-of-a-kind seaside atmosphere.

And speaking of atmosphere, one of my absolutely favorite things about the festival was the immaculate vibes that were found all around that weekend. From the plentiful food and drink booths, making sure you were never thirsty or hungry even during your favorite bands, to the merch booths selling not only Riptide merch but also other random tchotchkes, there was something in store for everyone. And even if you’re on a budget and wanted to try to save a few bucks, there was even a bunch of booths filled with free samples of everything from cookies to popcorn and even free energy drinks to keep you dancing to the killer jams all weekend.

Kicking off the first day was an astonishing lineup of popular music that drove the crowd absolutely bananas. The younger generation went wild for Lovejoy, who played their first ever Florida show at the festival to a riotous crowd, a lot of whom came to the festival just to see them! As the day unfolded, the beachside venue came even more alive with the alternative rock sounds of Silversun Pickups and the indie vibes of Young the Giant, who played an absolutely magnificent set. Cannons brought their dreamy synth-pop tunes to the sandy shores, creating a blissful ambiance that resonated with the picturesque surroundings. Bleachers captivated the audience with “high school locker room” styled anthemic tunes that had everyone singing along.

Finally, the day’s grand finale consisted of modern blues masters The Black Keys, who delivered a magnificent show to the cheering crowd. The setlist was a very festival-friendly “Greatest Hits” set, with classics like “Your Touch“, “I Got Mine“, and “Gold on the Ceiling” making an appearance, and the audience seemed to appreciate hearing all their favorite songs live. Dan and Patrick were at the top of their game, playing in front of a giant LED screen displaying trippy videos incorporating the front-men into the action. The Black Keys finished off their time on stage with an encore of “Little Black Submarine” and “Lonely Boy” as the crowd cheered for more and more, disappointed that the first day’s festivities had ended but ready for round two.

The second day of the Audacy Riptide Music Festival promised a bit of a change in tempo, with a lineup that delved into reggae, hip-hop, and alternative genres. Weathers (well known for their energetic stage presence) kicked off the day with their infectious brand of alternative pop-rock. Sublime with Rome, the iconic band carrying on the legacy of the original Sublime, brought a laid-back, sun-soaked vibe to the festival with their reggae-infused tunes. As the sun began to set over Ft Lauderdale Beach, Dirty Heads took the stage, delivering a high-energy performance that had the crowd dancing in the sand. The fusion of rock, reggae, and hip-hop elements in their music created a unique and memorable experience.

After a wait that felt like forever, the incredible Jelly Roll finally took to the stage as the crowd screamed in excitement. The fast-rising Country-Rock-Rap artist and CMA Award winner kicked off the night with “The Lost“. One of the first things I noticed was how absolutely incredible Jelly Roll’s backing band sounded, with a full group of amazing players delivering blast beats one minute and country blues the next. Burning through modern classics like “Hate Goes On“, “Halfway to Hell” and “Creature“, Jelly Roll and his band shattered all misconceptions about him being “just another country-rock star”. The charismatic rapper had the crowd on their feet the entire set, delivering songs that seamlessly blended heartfelt lyrics with infectious beats. As the night progressed, the beach transformed into a sea of dancing bodies, united by the power of music as Jelly played a medley of mashups of the songs that inspired his style. After a few more songs, Jelly Roll finished up his time on stage with “Save Me“, which is destined to become one of his most famous songs.

The Audacy Riptide Music Festival at the Ft Lauderdale Beach proved to be a resounding success, offering music lovers a chance to immerse themselves in a diverse range of sounds while enjoying the picturesque setting of the Atlantic coastline. With standout performances from Jelly Roll and the Black Keys, the festival undoubtably left a mark in the memories of those lucky enough to attend, and serving as a testament to the enduring power of live music and communal celebration. I cannot wait to see what the folks at Audacy and Riptide cook up for next year’s festival, and I cannot recommend attending the Audacy Riptide Music Festival highly enough!