Nas’ new album, King’s Disease 2, could end up being the best hip-hop record of the summer, and Tampa fans will have a chance to hear it live and in person this fall when the Queens MC headlines Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) in October.
GMF announced its phase one lineup this morning, and the 47-year-old is rapper tops the bill along with North Carolina indie-pop duo Sylvan Esso, Southern jam rock legend Govt’Mule, Florida duo Sofi Tukker, hyper-pop favorite Matt & Kim and indie-rock band Parquet Courts.
Other national acts on the bill include Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, St. Pete’s own world music export Hip Abduction, alt-country favorite Old 97’s and “Bust A Move” hitmaker Young MC.
As previously promised, GMF’s 10th anniversary lineup is also a showcase of Florida’s best homegrown talent, including Bay area locals like Noan Partly, Pusha Preme, Visit Neptune, Ella Jet & Future Soul and Glove, which just played Lollapalooza.
An email to GMF fans says, "Sofi Tukker will be performing Friday. Nas and Sylvan Esso are on Saturday. Gov't Mule is performing Sunday."
A full daily schedule has yet to be announced, but the festival has expanded to three days in 2021, and kicks off on Friday, Oct. 1 before wrapping on Oct. 3. GMF 2022 is still on for March 11-12. Tickets to GMF 2021 are on sale now and start at $40 for a two-day GA pass.
Undoubtedly on the minds of music festival goers this fall, however, is the fast-spreading delta variant, which—combined with vaccine hesitancy and little to no mask or social distancing mandates—has made the South a hotbed for COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Last weekend, New Orleans JazzFest was canceled. In Tennessee, Bonnaroo (and many Nashville venues) announced vaxx or negative COVID test requirements.
GMF’s Executive Director, David Cox, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, that his team is closely monitoring the COVID situation and believes there will certainly be coronavirus precautions in place at GMF 2021.
Cox, however, stopped short of providing specifics just yet and would not say whether or not GMF’s health plan will include proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. And you do plan on staying home, he added that GMF 2021 will be the most streamable version of the festival ever.
"Some people are immunocompromised and just can't go out to the festival," Cox said, adding that the tricky part is working out agreements with the artists. "We want them, and anyone who wants to watch from home to take part."
Look below to get the full phase one lineup announcement.
Gasparilla Music Festival 2021 lineup (phase one announcement)
- Nas
- Sylvan Esso
- Gov't Mule
- Sofi Tukker
- Matt & Kim
- Parquet Courts
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- Keller Williams Grateful Grass
- The Hip Abduction
- Old 97's
- 99 Neighbors
- Young MC
- BabyJake
- Glove
- Vella
- The Wildmans
- Bears and Lions
- BadCameo
- Perception w/ Wave Theory
- Row Jomah
- Pusha Preme
- Oxford Noland
- Ivy Alex
- Visit Neptune
- Ella Jet & Future Soul
- The Drain Outs
- Leon Majcen
- Noan Partly
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team works tirelessly to share music news, events and concert announcements as the Tampa Bay music scene recovers from coronavirus shutdowns. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter.
