A litany of performing artists and athletes will assemble at the Coors Amphitheater for the Jeep World Outside Festival. Presented by House of Blues, the Jeep World Outside Festival will use its music and outdoors to celebrate the sun and surf of San Diego. With two stages, a variety of elaborate sports facilities and several exhibits, the festival promises to please diverse tastes in music and pastimes.
The first half of the festival — the music portion — offers plenty of rock ‘n’ roll and, of course, the ubiquitous reggae act. Headlining is Sheryl Crow, the Southern California diva of beach music. Fans can expect her to support her new album, “”C’mon C’mon,”” which has recently been eating up air time with the appropriately-named single “”Soak Up The Sun.”” The album has been described as offering the feeling of driving to the beach during summer vacation, which is probably why she was chosen to headline.
Sharing the first stage with Crow is Train, Of A Revolution and Ziggy Marley. O.A.R. draws strong Dave Matthews Band comparisons due to their use of the saxophone and acoustic guitar, and they seem to be the most anti-beach band on the first stage. Unlike Train, who relocated to San Francisco, O.A.R. hails from Ohio. Rounding out the mellow vibe is Ziggy Marley, the son of Bob Marley, who has taken up his dad’s place with the Melody Makers. Ziggy and company’s patented pop-reggae will undoubtedly induce some high times, though an album of new music hasn’t come out of the Marley camp since 1999’s “”The Spirit of Music.””
On the second stage is an even larger selection of music, including the luscious R&B sounds of Remy Shand, the blues of Doyle Branhall and the acoustic folk of Howie Day. Tonic will also be in attendance, a band you may remember from hits “”Open Up Your Eyes”” and “”If You Could Only See”” off of 1996’s “”Lemon Parade.””
Rounding out the second stage is jam-laden Pseudopod, who’s self-titled release is packed with jazz fusion, funk and up-tempo prog-rock. While it may sound like an odd mix, Pseudopod is just quirky and expansive enough to fit right in with rest of the acts.
Athletics form the second half of the festival, one part pro-exhibition, one part demo for attendees. If you want to learn how to kayak, you can take advantage of the gigantic 30,000-gallon pool. Or perhaps you don’t feel like getting wet. There is always the 24-foot rock climbing tower, the mountain bike course or the ski slope simulator. There is even an opportunity to learn to scuba dive, which, according to festival organizers, is the only sport to include the all-important factor of relaxation. All the demos are staffed with personnel to assist the learning process.
Of the professionals, there are several kayakers, mountain bikers and a few skiers and snow boarders. Amid the mountain bikers is Jeff Lenosky, who holds the world record for the vertical leap with a bike at 45.5 inches. There will also be several sports-related vendors on hand to give demos of their equipment. Even Gibson guitars will be present.
Sound like an awful lot to see and do? Well, the wonderful people in charge have already thought of that, so they’re opening the gates three hours early. So pack your waterproof sunscreen and get ready to appreciate everything that is the great outdoors — or at least as much as they could take on tour with them.
The Jeep World Outside comes to the Coors Amphitheater on July 25. Doors open at 3 p.m., and music is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
