Sunset Vibes and Sonic Waves: Rebelution and Artikal Sound System Light Up Hard Rock Live

2025-08-12

Hollywood, Fl – As the Florida sun dips behind the towering guitar-shaped hotel, the Hard Rock Live pulses with anticipation. Tonight, Rebelution returns to Hollywood with a golden-hour performance that feels more like a spiritual gathering than a concert. Opening the evening is the genre-blending powerhouse Artikal Sound System, whose East Coast reggae grooves set the tone for a night of unity, rhythm, and radiant energy.

Nestled inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hard Rock Live is South Florida’s crown jewel of entertainment. With a 7,000-seat clamshell-style layout, the venue offers pristine acoustics and unobstructed views from every angle. It’s hosted legends from Metallica to Marc Anthony, and tonight, it becomes a temple of reggae rock.

Artikal Sound System doesn’t just open the night—they ignite it. As the lights dim and the first bassline thunders through Hard Rock Live, the crowd is instantly swept into a sonic tide of East Coast reggae, indie soul, and unapologetic groove. Hailing from South Florida, the band brings a hometown pride that’s palpable, and their chemistry on stage is electric.

Frontwoman Logan Rex commands attention with a voice that’s equal parts velvet and voltage. She dances across the stage with effortless charisma, her vocals weaving through the crowd like a warm breeze off the Atlantic.

Guitarist Chris Montague lays down shimmering riffs that flirt with funk and surf rock, while Fabian Acuña’s basslines pulse with hypnotic depth. Adam Kampf on drums delivers tight, punchy rhythms that keep the energy high, and Christopher Cope’s keys add a psychedelic shimmer that elevates each track into something transcendent.

Their set is a masterclass in genre fusion, showcasing their knack for introspective lyrics wrapped in danceable beats, including a clever arrangement of Paramore’s “Misery Business“. By the time they close, the room feels less like a concert hall and more like a communal celebration.

Twenty years deep into their journey, Rebelution remains the heartbeat of California reggae. Forming in Isla Vista in 2004, the band has built a grassroots empire with socially conscious lyrics, infectious grooves, and a relentless touring ethic. Tonight, they prove why they’re still the kings of modern reggae rock.

The crowd, now enjoying the reggae vibe and other substances, come alive as Rebelution steps onto the Hard Rock Live stage like seasoned alchemists of sound, turning golden-hour light and the mystical haze in the air into pure musical gold. The crowd, already buzzing from the energy of the night, erupts as Eric Rachmany strumms the first chords—ushering in a wave of warmth, unity, and unmistakable West Coast reggae soul.

From the very first note, Rebelution proves why they’re one of the most beloved live acts in the genre. Their set was a seamless blend of roots reggae, dub textures, and rock-infused rhythms, as they deliver with a precision that never feels mechanical—just deeply human. Rachmany’s vocals are smooth and sincere, carrying messages of hope, resilience, and self-reflection. His guitar work dances between laid-back grooves and moments of emotional intensity, while Wes Finley’s drumming keeps the heartbeat of the show steady and strong.

Marley D. Williams on bass lays down thick, rolling lines that ground the set in earthy depth, while Rory Carey’s keys and melodica add a dreamy, atmospheric layer that makes each track feel like a journey. The horn section—Zach Meyerowitz on trumpet and Mike Eyia on sax—brings bursts of celebratory fire, their solos soaring above the mix like sunbeams breaking through clouds.

The setlist is a masterstroke of pacing and emotion. “Sky Is the Limit” and “Roots Reggae Music” have the crowd swaying in unison, while “Feeling Alright” turns into a massive singalong, with fans belting out every word like a shared mantra. “Lay My Claim” and “Count Me In” deliver introspective moments, and “Fade Away” transforms the venue into a sea of smiles and dancing feet.