Sublime To Headline Levitate Festival Music And Arts Festival

Last summer the Levitate Music and Arts Festival in Marshfield, Massachusetts, celebrated their 10th anniversary with a legendary three-day weekend. With their 2024 lineup announcement today, the festival has something else to celebrate this year. Headlining this summer's bash will be Sublime with Jakob Nowell at the mic.

Over the three-day stretch of July 5 to July 7, 27 artists will take to the Marshfield fairgrounds. Also among them will be Lake Street Dive, Mt. Joy. and the first-ever Massachusetts performance by Oliver Anthony. As for Sublime, their upcoming shows feature a legendary lineup. Jakob Nowell is the son of the late, great Bradley Nowell. Original bassist Eric Wilson, who has been with all of the most current renditions of Sublime, will be joined by his fellow original bandmate. Bud Gaugh will be behind the drum kit.

“This is great because I haven’t had the opportunity to play with Bud Gaugh in over a decade; and to have Brad’s son playing our music is the closest thing possible to playing with my old buddy Brad, ” said Sublime bassist Eric Wilson.

The Levitate Music and Arts date is the only northeast festival stop for these surf-punk icons. Last month, it was announced that Sublime would reunite and feature Jakob Nowell on vocals for Coachella. Sublime's original frontman, Bradley Nowell, tragically passed away 28 years ago at the age of 28. Now, his son Jakob is 28 years old and ready to step in.

Drawing passionate fans from all over, Levitate was founded in 2003 as a community-focused surf and skate shop that steadily grew through local support and grassroots marketing. “We love that Levitate can celebrate this community through the uplifting power of creativity,” says Levitate owner Dan Hassett. “It's incredible to see what has grown from local roots, and we’re excited to see this year’s event come to life with unique curation based on our fan’s recommendations, very special headliners we’re grateful to work with, and we’re particularly proud that the festival can serve as a platform for emerging area artists.”

In addition to their surf shop in Marshfield, the Levitate brand has expanded to also having a backyard venue and a fall festival entitled Flannel Jam. Moreover, this July the collision of music and surf culture from both coasts will come together for assures to be quite a memorable weekend.

You can find the full Levitate Music and Arts 2024 festival lineup which also includes the likes of Tash Sultana, Dirty Heads, and G.Love can be found here.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 15 at 12 PM ET. Visit www.levitatemusicfestival.com.

The waves are starting to cooperate here in New England, so now is the time to get outfitted in the raddest gear. Here, I will take you through five of the best outlets to get surf attire in Massachusetts.

Over the past ten years, the shores of Rhode Island and Massachusetts have become hotspots for catching some of the best waves on the Atlantic coast. In recognition of the region fully adopting surf culture, major retail brands have opened locations in the area over the past year. Pairing national chains with local small business household names has made the area an east coast surfing hotspot. Jack Johnson, a Hawaiian north shore native, and the heart and soul of modern acoustic surf music, headlined the 2022 Levitate Music and Arts Festival.

The question is simple but the answer is complex. Obviously, the most crucial component to proper surf gear is a good surfboard. Many outlets allow you to rent, but once you are ready to take up the sport regularly, it's imperative that you have the board that is right for you. The best friend of the surfboard is a wetsuit. Often these items can be purchased from the same location. Though you can order wetsuits on Amazon or other digital retail outlets, they all seem to fit differently. Trust me, a loose wetsuit where water gets in the neck is one of the more initiating feelings in the water. Other necessary surfboard accessories include wax and a leash.

Finally, no surfer is properly equipped without attire to show you are a surfer when you are out of the water. Some of the stores we will list sell clothing that is representative of surf culture. In fact, one particular outlet makes their clothing with the beach in mind. They use recycled garments and often lead philanthropic efforts to help make our oceans cleaner.

Whether you are looking for a new board to hang ten with during the summer of 2023, or for athletic wear to sport while surf training in the winters, these five outlets for surf attire in New England are open and ready for you to cruise right in.

Where: 201 Newbury St.

What can I get here? The most comfortable and flexible athletic wear that you can feel great training or lounging in.

Selected item: Sunday Performance Jogger - perfect to wear to the beach during those cold sunrise mornings where the swell is best. Or - to simply lay on the coach in and watch football. Eight color options are available. Cost $98. www.vuori.com

Where: 1871 Ocean St.

What can I get here? Everything from boardshorts (year around) to fleece pullovers to longboards. And they also sell skateboards.

Selected item: Your first surfboard. A youth-sized soft-top (7 or 8 ft) can come fully equipped with a leash and wetsuit. If you are a youth beginner, this is all you need to jump right in. In addition, they often have boards from Joel Tudor or hand-crafted longboards. Regardless, Levitate always offers the highest quality boards perfect or east coast waves. Cost starts at $450 and up.
www.levitatebrand.com

Where: 131 Newbury St.

What can I get here? Denim made from environmentally sound materials, jumpsuits, and the most comfortable terry cloth sweatshirts imaginable. This brand was started by the most well-known and decorated pro surfers in the country, Kelly Slater. All of their clothing is made with sustainability at the forefront of manufacturing. You can read about their environmental efforts here.

Selected item: Hightide hoodie. Described as incredibly soft with legendary comfort, this is the perfect item to throw on after you have completed a surf session and are looking to wrap-up, sit in the sand, and marvel back at the ocean. This sells for $138.
www.outerknown.com

Where: 376 Gannet Rd.

What can I get here? NorEaster has established itself as the premier outlet for surfboards in New England. They have the largest selection of boards with a wide range of accessories. Their staff are professional surfers themselves, so they provide you with expertise that helps you to match your skill level with the right equipment.

Selected item: Daybag surfboard travel bag. Heading to San Diego because you can’t wait to get back on your board? These protective bags are durable enough to be tossed around in baggage claim while keeping your fully waxed board nice and safe. Cost starts at $149 depending upon size. www.noreastersurfshop.com

Where: 74 Narragansett Ave

What can I get here? You have all the shiny new gear now, how about setting up some lessons? This legendary, family-owned shop is in its 22nd year of business. You can walk through the wind-chiming doors to simply get a forecast or reserve your spot in an upcoming camp. Equally as important, this has become the spot to get Rhode Island branded surf swag. Trucker caps with gnarly logos fly off the shelves on a weekly basis. If you surf, you must show it!

Selected item: Narragansett Richardson trucker cap with “Surf Rhode Island” zip-up hoodie, combined cost of $73. www.narragansettsurfandskate.com