GroundUp Festival Returns to Miami Beach With New Format

Since 2017, GroundUp Music Festival has been a steady presence in South Florida's winter calendar. The annual event presents a diverse lineup alongside a unique headlining set by the jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy each night. For 2025, GroundUp and Snarky Puppy are returning to the Miami Beach Bandshell under a new name, GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend. Beyond the name change, the festival has also been condensed to two nights, down from the previous three nights.

"This is a brand-new incarnation," says GroundUp organizer and Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League over the phone from the Netherlands. "This is not a music festival; it's more like a two-day extended concert event revolving around our Family Dinner concept."

As far as Snarky Puppy is concerned, its Family Dinner doesn't include complimentary garlic rolls and a glass of Chianti. Instead, it refers to a musical tradition the band has chronicled in a series of live albums. "Family Dinner was a late-night concert series where we invited guest vocalists to sing with us. We'd choose a few of the artist's songs and change up the arrangements," League clarifies.

An eclectic group of artists will perform at the Family Dinner at the Bandshell. Among them are the old-school chart-topping alternative rock band Living Colour, the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, and jazz guitarist John Scofield. "We're always looking for diversity," League says as to how the bill was put together. "Diverse genres, places, generations, concepts. We're putting together a meal. We look at what artists complement each other and create a balanced diet for the listener," he says.

Over the years, some of League's favorite memories from past editions come from left field. "Fuensanta had a late-night set last year that swept everyone away. She was an artist unknown to everyone when she took the stage. By the end, everyone was talking about her," he says. Other of his favorite memories involve legendary names. "Michael McDonald did an all-acoustic set that was really special. But I feel I could name every artist we ever had and say something special that happened."

Among the highlights of this year's festival, League names just about every act. "Youssou N'Dour is one of the most famous African artists over the last 40 years. Lisa Fischer made her name as a backing vocalist to big names like the Rolling Stones and then made amazing music on her own. Madison McFerrin is amazing. Then, with John Scofield and Bill Frisell, you have some of the greatest guitarists in the world. That's a must-see for any fan of the guitar," he adds.

From League's description, it sounded like business as usual for GroundUp, including personal highlights such as hearing David Crosby sing harmony and watching Wilco's Jeff Tweedy play a solo set with only his guitar in front of an intimate crowd.

"It'll be similar to previous years," League concedes. "We're also doing a GroundUp in Italy this summer and wanted a name change to distinguish the two events. The idea is we could do one festival in Italy, another in Japan, Argentina, and Miami Beach. We'll make them all different, distinct in format, unique to each place."

It sounds like 2025 will be busy for League and the rest of Snarky Puppy, who are in the Netherlands to record a new album. The year will also feature concerts all across the globe, from South America to Australia — but first, there is a Family Dinner to attend.

GroundUp Family Dinner Weekend. 6 p.m. Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, at Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; groundupmusicfestival.com. Tickets cost $30 to $290 via tixr.com.