As the cold fronts taper off and temperatures rise to a pleasant degree, Floridian music lovers and those out-of-towners looking for a reason to escape from their less temperate locales begin gearing up for another season of outdoor (or partially outdoor) music festivals. The following is a breakdown of Florida’s worthiest. Mark your calendars.
17th Annual Bob Marley Movement Caribbean Festival
When: February 27
Where: Bayfront Park, downtown Miami
Artists of note: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley [pictured], Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “Royal” Marley, Shaggy, Tarrus Riley, Capleton and Spragga Benz
Tickets: $50 general, $155 VIP
Details: Three of Bob Marley’s five music-making sons join several other well-regarded reggae artists for the 17th edition of an event that’s one part music festival, one part food drive where attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable foodstuffs. So far, the fest has collected more than 1 million canned goods to benefit hunger and malnutrition organizations in Florida. The 2010 recipient is Curley’s House, which provides bulk food to individuals and families in need.
When: March 12-14
Where: St. Johns County Fairgrounds, St. Augustine
Artists of note: Billy Bragg, Dr. Dog, The Mountain Goats [pictured], Rogue Wave, Delta Spirit, Senses Fail, Anti-Flag, Man Man, Dead Prez, 7 Seconds, Kimya Dawson, Torche, Anvil, Strike Anywhere, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Sea Wolf, Dr. Octagon AKA Kool Keith, Dead Confederate, A Wilhelm Scream, Portugal. the Man, Crime in Stereo, Matt Pond PA, Fruit Bats, Bear in Heaven, Cobra Skulls, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, of Montreal’s James Husband, Signals, Broadway Calls, Japanther, Smoke or Fire, Mercury Program, Chris Wollard & the Ship Thieves, Dead to Me, Freelance Whales, Small Brown Bike, Glint, Stars of Track and Field, Danielson, Twin Tigers, Black Sheep, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Ortolan, Off With Their Heads, The Loved Ones, Past Lives, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Assholeparade, Defiance Ohio, Bomb the Music Industry!, Dear Landlord, Angelo Spencer, Your Heart Breaks, Fin Fang Foom, Jon Snodgrass, Cheap Girls, and many others.
Tickets: $25 single-day passes now through Feb. 11, $35 weekend of event; $39.50 three-day pass now through Feb. 11, $49.50 Feb. 12-March 11, $60 weekend of event; $19.50 per person camping passes (available to three-day pass holders only); $99.50 VIP. Children admitted for free.
Details: The three-day multi-stage music and arts fest benefits and raises awareness of the Harvest of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit that provides aid to migrant farm workers and their families. The bill for the second annual event features more than 100 über-hip local and national acts encompassing indie rock, folk, punk, metal, blues, hip-hop electro, pop and various other genres. And with the demise of Langerado, there’s no other festival to compete for the crowds.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2010.