“I’ve always been really focused on creating once-in-a-lifetime moments,” said festival curator extraordinaire, Paul Peck. “Things that are never going to happen again, where we can assemble a great community and all experience it together.”
Paul Peck talks as big as he dreams, but when you’re known for making those dreams a reality that people can attend and experience, they tend to listen. In his role as producer and founder of festivals like Okeechobee, Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, Peck has shown an extraordinary knack for cultivating one-of-a-kind experiences and events. His festivals have brought in millions of people, with each project packing its own flavor of exclusivity and one-off artist offerings, oh-so-craved elements in the live music realm.
Despite this long list of accolades, Peck is most excited about the potential for his next project, one he says will be his most special yet.
“Miami Beach Pop [Festival] is [going to be] a joyful celebration of human connection,” said Peck on a phone call with CL earlier this week. “The most diverse festival ever, in one of the most diverse cities in the world, on the most iconic beach in the world.”
Due to his relationship with Okeechobee Music Festival, Peck’s work in Florida made him familiar with the city of Miami. Its status as a melting pot of various cultures, cuisines, and musical backgrounds made it the most suitable option for a mass gathering like a music festival.
Describing the city, he said: “I had this vision of what kind of event we could do right on the sands of South Beach. It’s a big beautiful beach right next to this vibrant city. We wanted that beautiful nature feature with the diversity of Miami.”
To do that, Peck needed to curate a lineup that represented the bountiful, vibrant and varied tastes of one of the most cultured cities in the world. Back in June, the festival did just that by releasing one of the most overwhelmingly diverse lineups we’ve ever seen, beginning right from the top line.
Chance the Rapper and Norwegian-DJ Kygo are set to headline alongside latin OG Daddy Yankee and Florida’s favorite Hawaiian, Jack Johnson. The blend of different styles and genres only begins there though, as the rest of the lineup is sprinkled with hints of rock, alternative, latin, hip-hop, pop, reggae, jazz and electronic. Plus, there’s always Peck’s penchant for throwing in surprise artist collaborations to think about.
The sparkling array of options and diversity, he says, will deliver the “true magic” and awe that leaves fans wondering ‘What’s next?’ throughout the weekend.
Peck added: “I’ve always been very focused on those once in a lifetime moments of magic, where surprises happen on stage. You get new flavors when you get great people from different backgrounds, different genres, and even different cultures, and you blend them together to get something new.”
In addition to the music, Miami Beach Pop Festival offers attendees an accessible, boutique experience of exploring its namesake host city. Since there’s no camping, fans are instead directed to book a stay with a variety of hotels located just across the street. Three-day passholders will be able to walk to the festival early in the day, then leave and reenter as they please to cool off at their hotel or grab a cup of cuban coffee. On site, the festival-wide cuisine will be curated by none other than Miami-based celebrity chef Michael Schwartz, who will be organizing “delicacies” from various cultural influences for affordable prices.
Despite all it has to offer, some local fest fans may be torn between another Florida mainstay, EDC Orlando, which is held just 230-miles north that same weekend. Miami Beach Pop, however, fully expects to welcome 30,000-plus to Miami Beach November 8-10, and Peck says those in attendance can expect a festival experience unlike anything in the world.
“This festival is going to be much different than any other festival. It’s not going to be one type of music, and it's certainly not for one type of people. It’s this fun sense of discovery, excitement and adventure, and we’re all going to find where it leads together. In that moment of alchemy, where an amazing moment of music is created for the first time. To be there for that spark and to experience it… it’s special.”
More info is at miamibeachpop.com.
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This article appears in Sep 5-12, 2019.