Monterey Pop Festival’s 50th Anniversary: All the Photos
Fifty years after the legendary Monterey International Pop Festival laid the groundwork for music festivals, the fest returned to California’s Monterey County Fairgrounds this past weekend.
The Monterey Pop 50 festival – which ran June 16th to 18th, exactly 50 years after the original fest’s dates – featured Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Phil Lesh, who performed at the 1967 Monterey Pop with the Grateful Dead, among those celebrating the fest’s 50th anniversary.
“I hope it just brings good feelings and, you know, peace and love for the moment in that specific place,” Norah Jones told Rolling Stone of the Monterey revival. “It’s interesting, though, watching the film [Monterey Pop] and just thinking about how crazy the world is now. I think the world seemed crazy then probably, too, but it sure looks beautiful in the film. It’s people spreading love.”
Eric Burdon, who played the original fest with the Animals, and Booker T. Jones, who backed Otis Redding in 1967, will return for this weekend’s festivities. Contemporary artists like Father John Misty, Regina Spektor, Leon Bridges and more will also take part.
Check out our gallery from the Monterey Pop 50 Festival, including all the performers, must-see exhibits and more.
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Leon Bridges
Soul singer Leon Bridges serves as headliner on Day One of the Monterey Pop 50 Festival, June 16th at California’s Monterey County Fairgrounds.
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Eric Burdon & the Animals
Eric Burdon and the Animals, who performed at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, return to the Monterey County Fairgrounds for the Monterey Pop 50 Festival June 16th.
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Father John Misty
Father John Misty performs on Day One of the Monterey Pop 50 Festival, June 16th at California’s Monterey County Fairgrounds.
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Monterey Pop Festival Attendees
Festivalgoers revive the spirit of the Sixties on Day One of the Monterey Pop 50 Festival, June 16th.
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Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires croon on Day One, June 16th.
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Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats jam on Day One, June 16th.
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Monterey Pop Festival Exhibit
One of the exhibits celebrating the Monterey Pop Festival on the 50th anniversary of the pioneering fest.
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Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor brings her sound to Day One of the fest on June 16th.
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Langhorne Slim & the Law
Langhorne Slim & the Law channel summertime for their June 16th show.
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Sara Watkins
Sara Watkins plays the fiddle on June 16th.
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Monterey Pop Festival Audience
The crowd checks things out at Monterey County Fairgrounds on Day One, June 16th.
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Norah Jones
Norah Jones – whose father, sitar legend Ravi Shankar, played at the original Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 – brings her legendary voice to on Day Two of the fest, June 17th.
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Jim James
My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James plays a solo set on Day Two, June 17th.
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Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson headlines Day Two on June 17th.
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Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog’s Toby Leaman rocks out on Day Two, June 17th.
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Jackie Greene
Black Crowes and Phil & Friends veteran Jackie Greene riffs on Day Two, June 17th.
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Jacob Banks
British singer Jacob Banks pauses during his set on Day Two, June 17th.
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Jamtown
Jamtown united Cisco Adler, Donavan Frankenreiter and G. Love onstage for a memorable Day Two performance, June 17th.
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The North Mississippi Allstars
Luther Dickinson of Southern rockers the North Mississippi Allstars plays on Day Two, June 17th.
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Nicki Bluhm
Nicki Bluhm of Nicky Bluhm & the Dirty Dozen Brass Band keeps the party going on June 18th.
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Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones gives a trademark grin during his June 18th set.
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Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band
The iconic Phil Lesh fronts The Terrapin Family Band during his Day Three, June 18th performance.
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Kurt Vile
Kurt Vile shreds it during the Violators’ June 18th show.
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Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. channels the original Summer of Love as he owns the stage June 18th.
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Levi’s Outpost
Tie-dye shirts and flags mark the Levi’s® outpost, celebrating the music, style and voice of the Summer of Love.
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Inside the Levi’s Outpost
Festival fans pay a visit to experience unique product collaborations, artist-led workshops and one-of-a-kind apparel customizations.