Michael League on GroundUp Music Festival: A Showcase of Diversity and Community in Miami

Grammy award winning, multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, label owner and bandleader Michael League.

Listen to the full interview here!

Last week, WVUM had the privilege of speaking with Michael League, the renowned bassist and bandleader of Snarky Puppy, ahead of GroundUp Music Festival, held this weekend February 2nd-4th, right here in Miami Beach. As the festival's Artistic Director, he shared insights into the festival's origins, its unique venue, and the vision behind curating a diverse lineup.

The festival’s origins trace back to the friendship between League and festival co-founder Paul Lehr, after the Snarky Puppy bassist was asked to host a master class at YoungArts in Miami. After Lehr was hired to work at League’s record label GroundUp Music, the team prompted them to turn a long-held dream into a reality, and Miami-native Lehr’s strong advocacy for the city as the festival's backdrop became the catalyst for what is now an annual celebration of music at the Miami Beach Bandshell. “People come and immediately feel relaxed, even if Miami is kind of a high energy city in a lot of ways,” says League. “It’s a beautiful place to do what we do.”

League emphasizes the festival's commitment to breaking down barriers, offering an accessible and communal experience. With food positioned between stages and artists often actively participating in the audience, GroundUp fosters a familial atmosphere that is consistently artist- and music-driven. This intimacy, often missing at larger festivals, allows artists and audiences to connect on a personal level.

Meticulously curating the lineup each year, League prioritizes both exceptional musicianship and positive personalities. The aim is to showcase a variety of genres, cultures, races, and genders, with one of this year’s highlights being performances by two historic rumba bands from Cuba, Los Muñequitos De Matanzas and Grupo Afrocuba De Matanzas, promoting unity through music despite political divides.

As GroundUp marks its eighth year, League explains the festival’s approach to maintaining freshness without radical changes. The focus is on gradual improvements, refining the experience for attendees while letting each year’s unique set of artists and their music speak for itself, as that is the festival’s centerpiece. “People go to actually be quiet and listen to music. I mean, it's amazing what happens in the Bandshell at like 9:00 PM on a Saturday night, it's like silent,” he says. “That's what we're after, just a rich experience.”

As both a performer and true music lover himself, League approaches programming for the festival by simply considering what an audience would desire, constructing a lineup that tells a story and forms a contour. GroundUp does away with the traditional format of featuring the most widely-known artist last; for instance, Louis Cole's Huge Band is scheduled to play first on Saturday, despite being one of the prominent names on the festival lineup. “We're doing that because we think that that's going to be the most fun way to start Saturday,” says League. “With a huge band like that, with that music. And to create a contour that makes people want to come at the very beginning and leave at the very, very end.” Ultimately, it’s his trust and confidence in each of the artists that contributes to building this seamless and enjoyable musical experience.

At the end of the day, League would be perfectly content if GroundUp remained unchanged, due to its intimate and varied nature. However, with an eye on the future, he notes his ambitions for expansion into other countries, creating an international tour while staying true to the festival’s foundational ethos. Reflecting on Miami's live music scene, League acknowledges the challenges faced by GroundUp in proving the viability of a live music festival in the city, and he expresses gratitude to the Bandshell, the Rhythm Foundation, and Paul Lehr's dedication over the years for nourishing the scene and contributing to positive changes in Miami's musical landscape.

GroundUp Music Festival stands as a testament to the transformative power of music, fostering unity, diversity, and community within Miami Beach. The festival's upcoming edition this weekend promises an unforgettable experience, embodying the spirit of musical celebration.

Find more information on GroundUp here.