(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Levitate Music Festival returns to Marshfield Fairgrounds July 7-9. Below you’ll find a few tips to help you get the most out of the weekend.

 

The Levitate Music and Arts Festival (that’s its proper name) is celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary this year. But it’s roots go back even further. If you’re a South Shore head, you probably know the story. If you’re not, here it is. In 2003, Bob Pollard (not the one from indie rock band Guided By Voices) founded Levitate as a surf and skate shop in Marshfield. It soon grew into more than that.

 

Levitate quickly became more than just a shop for surf and skateboard enthusiasts on the South Shore. It became a community, using grassroots methods to organize local contests, beach cleanups, movie nights, and more. Sadly, Pollard passed away in 2006. But his spirit lives on through Levitate, as the scores of people he mentored and impacted continue to carry his good vibes forward.

 

In 2013, Levitate Music and Arts Festival became the brand’s signature event. It’s an annual celebration of creativity, community, and connectivity to nature, first and foremost. But it’s also a killer event, jam-packed with local artisans, local beer, and local food. And, as the name states, it’s a music festival. So it’s a golden opportunity to partake in live music, outdoors, at the height of summer.

 

Levitate Music Festival: 5 Things You Need to Know

The 2023 edition is maybe the biggest yet. Levitate is celebrating 10 years of their signature festival, and 20 years as a brand that started small on the South Shore and has now grown to international status. You can see the full 2023 lineup and your ticket options here (while they last, of course). Keep on scrolling and I’ll give you a few tips and tricks to ensure that your Levitate experience will be Pollard-approved.

  • You can camp out at Levitate

    Levitate is more in the vein of Bonnaroo than it is in the vein of, say, Boston Calling. You can camp out! There are two local camping options, both outlined here. If you’re only planning on hitting one day, there’s parking on-site at the Fairgrounds and 8 minutes with a free shuttle. Get those details here.

  • Expect an eclectic lineup

    Reggae dubstars Stick Figure headline Friday. Jam god Trey Anastasio headlines Saturday. And genre-spanning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlisle headlines Sunday. And you get a little bit of everything on the undercard. Take a look at the lineup for each day.

  • Nora Vasconcellos is shredding

    Pro skater and amazing human, Pembroke’s own Nora Vasconcellos will be on hand for the whole weekend. You can skate the ramp, skate the ramp with Nora, or just watch the demos. Keeping that Levitate spirt alive!

  • It's a credit card-only event

    Boston Calling pivoted to this model last year, and other festivals are following suit. Card-only means quicker transactions, which means shorter lines, which means quicker wait times. Just be warned: cash is not king at Levitate. So leave yours at home.

  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram plays on Sunday

    Remember a few minutes ago when I showed you the Levitate lineup and talked about how eclectic it is? What I didn’t talk about was how there’s one artist you absolutely HAVE to see this weekend, above all others. He is the Kingfish, and–pardon my language–the kid can fucking PLAY.