Written by Jordan Quebe
Photos by Ivan Meneses and Brian Hensley
It’s been a week since we returned from The Grove to celebrate the 5th installment of Okeechobee Music Festival in Okeechobee, FL. After a year’s absence in 2021, you could just feel the rush of excitement and longing for the return one of Insomniac‘s top festivals, even in the weeks prior. Now that we’ve had a solid amount of time to reflect, recharge, and get re-acclimated to real life, let’s take a look back on what will undoubtedly be one of the best weekends of 2022.
Music
The music this past weekend was absolutely phenomenal. Some of my favorite sets included Rome In Silver, Elderbrook, Troyboi, Tame Impala, Smino, and Of The Trees. Honestly, there were so many mind-blowing sets all around. I was like a little kid in a candy store running from stage to stage all weekend. The stage production was also very on point all weekend as well. ESPECIALLY for that Tame Impala set. That was the top set of the weekend for me. First time seeing them, and definitely won’t be the last. The production for their set was some of the best I think I’ll ever see and that’s a moment I will always remember.
Now, though Tame Impala took the show away for me, I will say that for the past 2 Okeechobee’s the “Here” Stage has been my go to. Prior to moving the “Here” stage from in between the “Be” and “Now” stages, the sound-bleed was always pretty bad. It was a major fault of the fest that was ongoing for a couple of years. This year, the new stage location was much better and it boasted acts like Rome In Silver, Troyboi, Four Tet, Player. Dave, Elderbrook, Mize, & more. It has such a cool vibe during the day, and once the sun goes down, it turns into a big ol’ party with some of the best visual production ever. It’s a wonderfully curated stage with the artist slots always blending very well with the overall atmosphere.
Art
It’s interesting to see new installations at a festival that you’ve frequented since the beginning. How the festival producers incorporate a new or different vibes for areas of the festival is always so intriguing. Sometimes it can also be pretty bittersweet to see some installations change! I will say that although I didn’t catch as much art as I have normally in the past years, I was very intrigued by what I did see. The hangout lounge in the VIP section was incredibly well thought out and extremely cozy. We also caught some hammock beds by the lake that were such a vibe!
Overall, the first Okeechobee back was nothing short of incredible. The vibes were splendid, and the whole weekend went perfectly for my squad and I. As I’m typing this, I want nothing more than to be back at Sunshine Grove with the Okee fam and relive this weekend over and over. Thanks to everyone who made it special. If you’re a returning Okeehomie, glad to have you back. If it’s your first Okeechobee, welcome to the fam! Hope to see those same smiling faces next year! Until then, be safe, stay healthy, and love one another!