The sun-kissed beaches of Florida are USA’s most welcoming destinations for music festival enthusiasts in the coming months.
While the rest of America is enveloped in the cold Florida seems to be thriving when it comes to outdoor activity.For the much loved and visited tourist destination, known for its beaches as much as its idyllic lifestyle, will be hosting music festivals round-the-clock this season.
And with good reason. After all, Florida is famed to enjoy one of the mildest winters in all of America, a fact taken much advantage of during the otherwise freezing temperatures in the rest of the country. The sun-kissed beaches can be found chaotically filled at the brim with eager tourists, and therefore it’s no surprise that most music festivals this season can be found along the shore.
The Sherp has chronicled a list of interesting music festivals held in Florida in the coming three months that deserve all your attention.
Shiprocked 2016
Where: Miami, Florida
When: January 18 to 22
The Norwegian Pearl is a respected liner along the Miami coast, and so is Shiprocked – a really popular festival cruise that promises five days aboard the famous ship. The festival comes with its set of R&Rs, that is rock & roll, rest & relaxation, rock and rum, as time can be spent aboard the ship listening to a well curated lineup of rock acts such as Seether, Islander and The Dead Deads, making the festival the definite rock n’ roll cruise experience.
(Source: Shiprocked Festival Facebook)
70000 Tons of Metal
Where: Miami, Florida
When: February 4 to 8
Miami might sound the most unlikely destination for metal music, least of all, for a cruise metal music festival, but the pun-ny sounds made by the festival of 7000 Tons of Metal would prove otherwise. About 60 metal bands, including not only Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Sodom, Katatonia and Paradise Lost among other biggies feature in the festival’s extensive 5-day schedule which also includes quirks such as metal karaoke, all-star jams and workshops with musicians.
(Source: 7000tons Facebook)
9 Mile
Where: Miami, Florida
When: February 27
“Together we can make a difference for those who are less fortunate. United we stand, divided we fall.”
Such is the spirit embodied by the festival of 9 Mile that began in ‘93 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in memoriam of her son, the great Bob Marley. The festival is committed to spreading a spirit of oneness and more than a concert, it is a festival that strives to achieve a profit for the sole purpose of distributing canned food to homeless shelters and domestic centres throughout Miami. Held at the stunning Virginia Key Beach Park, the 2016 lineup features brilliant acts such as Nas, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Julian Marley with the remaining lineup waiting to be announced.
(Source: everfest.com)
(Source: topshelfreggae.com)
The LeBrewski Cruise 2016
Where: Miami, Florida
When: March 1 to 5
Sea voyaging meets music meets beers crafted to perfection. There is little to dislike about The LeBrewski Cruise, as there is much to love. Fans of the sea, will find an ahoy-ing accomplice in the four day sea voyage, that stop at ports such as Paradise Island, the Bahamas and Great Stirrup Cay where they will be treated with craft beer tasting, as well as performances from a well curated lineup which includes artists such as Alpha Rev and Tyler Bank & The Shakedown.
Aura Music and Arts Festival
Where: Live Oak, Florida
When: March 3 to 5
Live Oak in Florida is home to one of the most stunning pieces of natural amphitheatre ever witnessed which is put to great use with the equally enthralling Aura Music and Arts Festival held there. Set along the Suwannee River, the festival plays host to brilliant musicians year after year, with its 2016 lineup featuring acts such as Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, Mike Dillon Band and The Disco Biscuits among others, along with nature-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking and even silent disco, and holistic practices such as yoga, making it a truly transformative experience.
(Source: Owleyesonyou | Aura Music And Arts Festival Facebook)
Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival
Where: Okeechobee, Florida
When: March 4 to 6
Judging purely by lineup, Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival is the musical event to be at Florida this March, with a curation that would make any music fan dizzy. This year features names like Bonobo, Odesza, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Mumford & Sons, Skrillex, The Avett Brothers and Bassnectar, among a slate of others. But that’s not all. The camping festival takes place in the highly inspiring confines of Okeechobee village where the festival activities are slated to push you toward creative prospects.
(Source: Okeechobee Festival Facebook)
Ultra Miami
Where: Miami, Florida
When: March 18 to 20
When it comes to electronic music, Ultra Miami is an undisputed champion, having churned out successful editions year after year. The coming edition has the festival whip out the biggies in the form of Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, Caribou, Chet Faker, David Guetta, Hardwell, Tycho and Dubfire, and this is just phase 1, proving it to be one of the more eclectic lineups seen in Ultra Miami’s history.
(Source: Ultra Music Festival)