LP Giobbi Set to Break Barriers as First Female PoWoW! Lead at Okeechobee
The Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is gearing up for a triumphant return to Florida later this month, marking its first edition since 2023. In a landmark announcement on Tuesday (March 10), organizers revealed that acclaimed DJ and producer LP Giobbi will take the helm of this year’s PoWoW!, the festival’s signature collaborative superjam.
Giobbi’s appointment is a historic milestone for the event, as she becomes the first woman to ever lead the PoWoW! ensemble. She is set to share the stage with an elite roster of musicians, including Rick Mitarotonda of Goose, Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic, and Aron Magner of the Disco Biscuits, along with a collection of surprise guest performers.
Since the festival’s inception in 2016, the PoWoW! has become a cornerstone of the Okeechobee experience, facilitating legendary cross-genre collaborations. Past editions have featured heavyweights such as Snoop Dogg, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Anderson .Paak, Solange, Skrillex, Mac Miller, and The Roots.
“The PoWoW! represents one of the most vital experiences we curate annually,” remarked festival founder Julio Santo Domingo, known artistically as Rechulski. “It’s designed to unite exceptional artists to craft a singular, unrepeatable moment—one where they step outside their comfort zones to explore new creative territories in front of a live audience. Having our first female-led PoWoW! this year adds a profound layer of significance. Our mission is to provide fans with experiences exclusive to Okeechobee, and this superjam is the ultimate manifestation of that goal.”
A Diverse Lineup and Independent Roots
The festival’s 2026 bill is headlined by an eclectic mix of talent, including Cage the Elephant, Griz, Fisher, and The Lumineers. The programming spans various genres, from hip-hop and indie rock to dance and jam bands. Highlights beyond the main stages include the Aquachobee Dub Reggae Takeover—featuring Mykal Rose and Subatomic Sound System—the bass-heavy Incendia stage, and the marathon electronic sessions at the Jungle 51 stage, which runs from dusk until dawn.
Scheduled for March 19 to 22, this year’s gathering marks a return to the festival’s namesake Florida site for the first time since its 2023 iteration, which saw performances from ODESZA, Baby Keem, and Turnstile.
“It is a privilege to return to Okeechobee and build upon the foundation we laid years ago,” stated Ben Baruch, who handled booking for the festival’s first three years and has returned to lead the 2026 talent selection alongside Dave Niedbalski and Julio Santa Domingo. “Our objective for 2026 is to recapture the enchantment of the early editions through a diverse lineup and spontaneous collaborations that honor the festival’s original spirit.” Through his 11E1even Group, Baruch manages several of the superjam’s key participants, including Goose and The Disco Biscuits.
Significantly, this year marks the return of Okeechobee to the independent stewardship of Soundslinger, its original owner. This follows a period from 2020 to 2023 when the event was operated by the Live Nation affiliate Insomniac.
In addition to the musical festivities, Okeechobee recently unveiled its “Beyond The Music” programming. This includes a curated farmers market featuring local Florida produce, global culinary pop-ups, and a robust schedule of yoga and meditation. The redesigned Chobeewobee Village will also host immersive art installations, high-fidelity listening lounges, and interactive activations like tarot readings.
