By SEMA News Editors
Get ready to wrap up the SEMA Show in style on Friday, November 8, with a night of heart-pounding live music at the SEMA Fest concert featuring live performances by Cage The Elephant, Sublime, Fitz and the Tantrums and Petey! (Buy tickets at SEMAFEST.com).
Ahead of the second annual SEMA Fest, SEMA News is sharing an exclusive spotlight on one of this generation's premier alternative bands, Sublime, to share the hype as we approach this year's concert on the SEMA Show campus at the Las Vegas Convention Center parking lot adjacent to South Hall.
2024 SEMA Fest Artist Spotlight: Sublime
Sublime, the wildly popular Long Beach, California, reggae-punk/alternative rock trio, was founded in 1988 by Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh and Bradley Nowell. Their first self-produced album, "40oz. to Freedom," was released in 1992 via the band's label Skunk Records. Two years later, the album received heavy radio exposure by Southern California's KROQ, just in time for the band's 1994 sophomore album, "Robbin' the Hood." "Robbin' the Hood" revealed an experimental ethic more in keeping with cut-and-paste dub than the well-tuned rage of the Cali punk revival, and it performed well on college radio and set the stage for the breakout success of Sublime's self-titled third album.
On May 25, 1996, however, lead vocalist and guitarist Nowell tragically passed away, and the band ended for the foreseeable future. At that time, the eponymous "SUBLIME" album was still slated for a July 1996 release. On the strength of the chart-topping alternative radio hit "What I Got," the album was certified gold by the end of 1996. "Santeria" and "Wrong Way" followed and enjoyed heavy airplay, and their self-titled album eventually sold more than seven million copies, making it one of the most popular reggae-punk albums in history. Success spread to the band's earlier albums too, leading "40oz. to Freedom" to double-platinum sales and "Robbin' the Hood" to gold certification.
Sublime has gone on to sell more than 18 million RIAA-certified albums in the United States, and their genre-defining music and cultural influence are stronger today than ever before.
Fortunately for SEMA Fest concertgoers, in late 2023, the late Nowell's son Jakob Nowell joined original Sublime members Gaugh and Wilson on stage for the first time to perform at a benefit concert. With an undeniable musical synergy between Nowell, Gaugh and Wilson--and overwhelming reaction and support from fans across the world--the trio decided to move forward and continue the Sublime legacy, starting a new chapter of the band with Jakob Nowell as frontman. SEMA Fest goers will be able to experience history in the making as the Sublime connects with audiences during an epic concert on Friday, November 8, following the SEMA Show.
How to Attend the 2024 SEMA Fest
Tickets to the 2024 SEMA Fest, open to members of the industry and the public, start at just $49 and are available at SEMAFEST.com.
2024 SEMA Fest ticket options include:
- Concert General Admission (GA) - $49: Entry to all SEMA Fest concert GA viewing areas; does not include access to the Las Vegas Convention Center SEMA Show exhibit halls.
- Concert VIP Access - $99: Exclusive access to the VIP viewing area with premium sightlines; VIP bars and washrooms; separate entrance for VIP pass holders at the entrance; device charging stations; does not include access to the Las Vegas Convention Center SEMA Show Exhibit Halls.
Note: Your SEMA Show badge does not get you into the SEMA Fest concerts; a SEMA Fest concert ticket must be purchased.
Guests are encouraged to secure their hotel stay for SEMA Fest as soon as possible through OnPeak, SEMA Fest's only official housing provider. View available hotels here and select your preferred stay dates!
Keep an eye on SEMA News for headliner spotlights and more details--including motorsports activations!--on this one-of-a-kind event. For more details and tickets, visit SEMAFEST.com!
In addition, find out about additional SEMA Week events, like Industry Night @ SEMA, set for Monday, November 4, ahead of the opening of the SEMA Show on Wednesday, November 5. Same concert stage, different event!