Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Lehr.
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
GroundUP Music Festival was founded in 2017 by Miami arts veteran and CEO Paul Lehr alongside Artistic Director and Snarky Puppy bandleader Michael League with a vision of creating a different kind of music festival, one that was intimate, not defined by genre or driven by social media numbers or artist draw, and deeply artist-centric while also being genuinely attendee-focused. From the beginning, the goal was to bring together musicians and audiences in a more collaborative, immersive environment that crossed genres and encouraged discovery, community, and creativity.
Since launching, GroundUP has grown into an internationally recognized festival known for its eclectic programming and unique atmosphere. The festival blends jazz, funk, world music, electronic, folk, rock, blues, and experimental sounds into a dynamic experience that reflects Miami’s diverse cultural landscape. Along the way, it earned national recognition as the only Florida music event named by The New York Times as one of the “Top 10 Definitive Music Moments of the Decade.”
Today, GroundUP continues to evolve as a destination for both established and emerging artists, creating meaningful musical experiences that prioritize artistry, connection, and innovation over traditional festival formulas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, although every challenge has helped shape what GroundUP is today. Like many live music organizations, one of the biggest obstacles came during the COVID-19 pandemic when we had to shift the festival experience into a virtual format almost overnight. GroundUP has always been built around in-person connection, collaboration, and community, so recreating that energy digitally was a major challenge for both the team and the artists involved.
Beyond the immediate transition, coming back after the pandemic took a tremendous amount of work. Rebuilding momentum for live events, reconnecting audiences, navigating changing touring and production landscapes, and restoring the festival to full strength required patience, adaptability, and a lot of persistence from everyone involved. At the same time, those challenges reinforced how important spaces like GroundUP are for artists and audiences alike. The experience ultimately made the organization more resilient and more intentional about the kind of community and musical experience it wants to create moving forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GroundUP Music Festival is built around the idea that live music experiences can be deeper, more collaborative, and more community-driven than the traditional festival model. Founded in 2017 by Miami arts veteran and CEO Paul Lehr alongside Artistic Director and Snarky Puppy bandleader Michael League, GroundUP has become known for creating an artist-centric and attendee-focused environment that prioritizes creativity, connection, and discovery.
What really sets GroundUP apart is its approach to programming and atmosphere. While many festivals stay within a single genre lane, GroundUP intentionally blends an eclectic mix of sounds and artists from around the world, jazz, funk, folk, world music, electronic, experimental, and beyond, creating lineups that are hard to define but feel incredibly authentic. The festival is known for pairing unexpected artists together and allowing their individual stories and artistry to shine.
The experience itself is also unique. Taking place each spring at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell, GroundUP offers a relaxed, intimate setting just steps from the ocean. Alongside performances, the festival includes workshops, collaborations, and opportunities for meaningful interaction between artists and audiences, creating a true sense of community that keeps people coming back year after year.
One of the things we are most proud of is the diversity that exists at the core of GroundUP, diversity in genre, culture, geography, race, age, gender, and artistic perspective. That spirit is reflected not only in the lineup but also in the audience, with 70% of the attendees over the past decade traveling to this intimate festival in Miami without huge artist names from all other 49 states and more than 55 countries. We believe that openness and curiosity are what make the festival so special.
We are also incredibly proud that GroundUP was recognized by The New York Times as the only Florida music event named among the “Top 10 Definitive Moments of the Decade in Music.” More than anything, though, we want people to know that GroundUP is about creating authentic musical experiences and fostering genuine human connection through music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.groundupmusicfestival.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundupfest
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groundupfest
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Groundupfest
