Review: Fort Lauderdale Makes Waves with RIPTIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Fort Lauderdale, Florida is making its name in the music festival world with Riptide Music Festival. The three-day festival takes place on Fort Lauderdale Beach and features over thirty bands that audiences can enjoy while taking in the incredible sights of the Atlantic Ocean. I was able to attend the second day of the festival, which showcased many alternative rock bands and performers. The first night showcased "Classic Hits" and the following two nights were "Alternative." This variation of performers allowed for different types of music fans to attend the festival and to be able to pick which day would be best for them.

The festival is comprised of two stages: the main stage and the underground stage. During the entirety of the day's lineup, there are performances staggered on each stage, so that fans are able to catch performances on both stages without missing too much. They are close enough that walking between the two is no issue, but far enough away that the sound from one doesn't affect the other.

The performances on Saturday were all incredible. I had the chance to see many artists and bands, including Bishop Briggs, Alice Merton, Dirty Heads, Cold War Kids, Young the Giant, Sublime with Rome, and the headliner Panic! At the Disco. There were over 18 performances on Saturday, making for a day filled of great music and opportunities to see a wide variety of performances. It's also a bonus to listen to these talented acts while laying in the sand and enjoying the ocean breeze.

The atmosphere of the festival is unique, since most large music events are in parks, big fields, or in the middle of a city, being on the beach makes for a more laid back and relaxing festival experience. I loved being able to sit on a bench watching the ocean, while taking a break from the performances.

I really enjoyed the layout of the festival, too. When you walk through the main gates, you begin by walking through the wide variety of food tents that Riptide offered for audiences. From seafood to Philly cheese steaks, there was something for everyone to eat. Before the stages, there was also many vendors and sponsors handing out free swag and also selling unique items to fans. Audiences could receive free towels to use on the sand or even temporary tattoos, including a large octopus option-which is the mascot for the festival. The best part about it all was that I never experienced a long line. Most festivals will see food or merchandise lines that can take over 20 minutes, but at Riptide I never waited more than 10 minutes for anything.

Riptide Music Festival has only been around a couple of years, but it has already made a huge impact in the music festival scene. From incredible talent to a well-organized event, I believe that Riptide will only get bigger and more popular as the years go on. You will definitely find me on the sand next December at Riptide!

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