March Fourth Marching Band

Just back from Floydfest, and I bring you March Fourth Marching Band, the act that garnered the fest's buzz. I camped near this crazy crew a few years ago at Echo Fest in Atlanta. March Fourth will play at the Bear Creek Music and Art Festival at Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park November 8-11.

They keep getting better and better. trust me -- words don't describe it. Just watch this.

Floydfest, One of the Best

This Thursday, one of the most wonderful festivals in the southeast,  Floydfest , happens in the Blue Ridge mountains in little picturesque town of Floyd, Va.

Floydfest has one of the greatest lineups of the summer if you like roots, funk, folk, bluegrass, and world music (and y'all readers are always telling  me you do)---

Punch Brothers, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Jackson Browne, Dawes, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Leftover Salmon, Brice Hornsby, Brandi Carlisle, Steep Canyon Rangers, ALO, Galactic, Toubab Krewe, Drew Emmit Band, Orgone, Garage A Tois, March Fourth Marching Band, Anders Osboure, Gary Clark, Jr., Ozomati, Matisyahu, and more

There are still tickets available, but the "up-the-hill" car passes, which means you can camp by your car, are sold out. At this point, you have to park in a remote lot and get carried the short ride to the fest site in a school bus. The organizers will help you get your stuff and find your camp site once you get up there. Super nice people every time I've been there.


To get a handle on the day-by-day performances, check out this handy fest preview from the Roanoke Times. See you on the mountain!

Peter Rowan, Donna the Buffalo to Play North Fla Charity Show

festgrrl passes on a message from Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park...

Suwannee Valley Flood Jam:

A Benefit for Flood Victims in Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia Counties.

North Florida's Suwannee Music Foundation in partnership with The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park today announce Suwannee Valley Flood Jam: A Benefit For Suwannee, Hamilton & Columbia Counties on August 17 & 18 at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. 

On June 24, 2012, Tropical Storm Debby settled over north Florida for 4 days, dumping more than 25 inches of rain in some areas of Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia Counties. The Suwannee River rose to near record flood levels and dozens of sinkholes developed around those counties, destroying many businesses and homes while making roads impassible. 1500 families were flooded out of their homes - many left without shelter, cars, clothes, food or any worldly possessions. The flood affected over 10,000 other people throughout the tri-counties. 

More than 25 bands including Music Park favorites Peter Rowan, The Lee Boys, Jamie Davis, The Swingin Johnsons, The Heavy Pets, The Legendary JC's, Donna the Buffalo and many more will fill up the special Suwannee Valley Flood Jam line-up. Full lineup below. 

Two-Day Tickets are $45 in advance, $65 at the Gate and include primitive camping. Single-Day tickets cost $20 per day and are available only at the gate. Day tickets do not include primitive camping. Purchase Tickets Now 

An on-line charitable auction will also be available to those not able to attend. Whether in person or not, folks will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of great items including artist memorabilia, diamond and gold jewelry, music instruments, collectible items and much more. Stay connected to musicliveshere.com for updates, to view the online auction and to purchase tickets. 

One hundred percent of net profits from the Suwannee Valley Flood Jam will be donated to locally based charities, Love INC based in Live Oak, FL and The United Way based in Lake City, FL. 

Since the flood began, the Suwannee Music Foundation and the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park have partnered with Love INC. to deliver supplies and provide relief to affected households. These charitable efforts by music lovers everywhere have helped hundreds of people who in this desperate time of their lives have virtually nothing. 

Volunteers at both agencies, along with many others throughout the three counties have donated thousands of hours to help family, friends and complete strangers, wading in waist deep, contaminated water to bring out previous personal belongings, prized children’s toys and helping families find suitable temporary homes.

Suwannee Valley Flood Jam Lineup is as follows:

Peter Rowan, Donna The Buffalo, The Lee Boys, The Swingin Johnsons, Jamie Davis, The Heavy Pets, The Legendary JC's, Mercy Mountain Boys, Beebs & Her Money Makers, Flannel Church, State Of Mind, Shane Pruitt, Down The Hatch, Main Stream, funkUs, Asheville Flood Commission, Stephanie Renee & Wreckless, Randy & Beth, Catfish Alliance, Chroma, Applebutter Express, Aquaphonics, El Groundscoro, The Resolvers, The Funky Seeds, DJ Craig Heneveld, The Funky Nuggets, Flt Rsk, $BIG BUCKS$ CREW, DJ Triclops, Kidd Yzer, DJ Chef Rocc, C-Minus, Vlad The Inhaler, Mason Masters, Jeff Randall, DJ Ginsu, and DJ Natural. 

George Clinton headlines South Fla's Funk Fantasy

Now this is gonna be good...Funk godfather George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic headlines The Fantasy of Funk festival  at Seminole Immokolee Casino this Saturday (July 21.) The single-day fest starts at 1 p.m. Only folks 21 and older allowed.

There's a free kickoff party at 6 p.m. the night before with the Nouveau Honkies and more. Tickets are $28 online and $30 the day of the show. Bring chairs, they say, but no coolers.

New Orleans power-funk band Bonerama also performs! Here's what the promoters have to say....

Saturday the gates open promptly at noon. Bring your favorite chair, your best suntan lotion and be prepared to GET FUNKY…………………we have assembled an array of Award Winning Food Trucks, a unique selection of groovy vendors with very cool items to consider and amassed a full day of amusing, dancing and extraordinary music. Wear your favorite 70’s wearable’s…………..Clear Channel judges will be on hand – Highest Platforms, Biggest Afro, Largest Bell Bottoms and the contests go on & on. YES, don’t be afraid to strut your stuff, the crowd will be working that SOUL TRAIN dance line.

The first band to hit the stage at 1pm to FUNK UP YOUR DAY will be THE NOUVEAUX HONKIES to get the blood pumping. The next band with award winning sounds direct from New Orleans, the birthplace of FUNK – is the trombone fronted – BONERAMA……………………you will be blown out of your chairs with the immense sound that the front four display as they GET REAL FUNKY………………sounds like we have not heard in these parts!!!! During the afternoon the BOOGIE FREAKS will entertain the fans in the ZigZag Lounge to get out of the heat. But, if that is not big enough GLEN DAVID ANDREWS will then FUNK THINGS UP with his Award Winning show of everything F.U.N.K…………….a blend of incredible instruments and astounding vocals that will make you GET UP AND DANCE in the streets. SOUNDS ARE THAT GOOD!!!!! Then the absolute piece de resistance is the legendary godfather of funk himself – Mr. George Clinton and the PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC. This celebrated band is 26 members strong, fully prepared to LIGHT UP THE NIGHT TIME SKYS with the incomparable FUNK SOUNDS that have made this American genre. Please remember you must be 21 or over to attend this event.

Swamp Stomp!

The annual Swamp Stomp happens this Saturday (July 14) under the oaks at the Tallahassee Museum on the shores of Lake Bradford.

Performers will play from 4-9. The concert is free with the price of admission to the museum -- which has a new zip line attraction! There's a little cafe there where you can get a bite to eat.

Here's a look at the schedule:

4:00 p.m. Hot Tamale

4:30 p.m. Ric Edmiston

5 p.m. Reed Mahoney

5:30 p.m. Swivel Kings

6:00 p.m. The New 76ers

6:45 p.m. Deja Blu

7:30 p.m. Sarah Mac Band

8:15 p.m. Del Suggs