Florida Groves Music Festival strives to be more than just the average festival, with their core pillars of music, art, and freedom. This event is an annual celebration of not only the diverse melodies featured on their stages, but also strive to foster “a vibrant tapestry of culture and creativity that leaves an indelible mark on our community” (according to their website). They do this through a showcase of music, as well as other artist expressions and innovations. In all corners of the festival grounds, one can find different examples of art: muralists, craft vendors, tattoo artists, glass blowers, and a myriad of different musical influences.
Returning for its third year on April 13th and 14th 2023, Florida Groves will once again take over the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, FL. While there is so much to do and see within the festival grounds between the art, various expositions, and halfpipe right in the middle of the grounds, the music hitting their two stages is still the main draw for attendees.
In a pivot from previous years, which heavily leaned on the reggae rock genre, the 2024 lineup captures a diversity of musical journeys.
A tried-and-true favorite of many Floridian music lovers, reggae rock still maintains a strong presence at Florida Groves. Some must-see sets include Tribal Seeds and the up-and-coming Sierra Lane. The east coast reggae scene is also heavily represented with performances from The Elovaters, Passafire, Tropidelic, and Of Good Nature. If this is your usual playlist, Florida Groves 2024 may be offering you a unique opportunity to expand your musical horizons. And if the aforementioned artists do not have a familiar ring to their names, there is likely other artists that may pique your interest. There are quite a few artists from a diversity of musical backgrounds we are excited to see added to the event.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of acts to look forward to:
Michael Franti and the Spearhead
The conscious music of Michael Franti’s version of rock pulls from influences of reggae, dancehall, funk, bossa nova, and Afrobeat. His “world-wise groove” couples well with his affirming lyrics, reflective of his inherent positivity that has made his friends more like family worldwide.
Milky Chance
This duo is known for their laidback pop that touches on a wide array of styles to create catchy hooks that have led them to top the charts. A viral hit originally released on YouTubein 2013, “Stolen Dance” catapulted Milky Chance into success seemingly overnight. Since then, they have collaborated with notable names such as Tash Sultana and Jack Johnson. Their unique sound is unmistakably their own.
Atmosphere
This rap duo has been in the game for over 25 years, building a legacy in independent/underground hip hop. Known for the honest storytelling through their lyrics, Atmosphere‘s narratives are coupled with inspirations from a wide array of other genres. This has created the duo’s signature sound for songs about “life, love, and setbacks”, through reflections on life and the commonplace joys and traumas that give it meaning.
Two Feet
The atmospheric and soulful solo project of singer-songwriter Bill Bess, Two Feet balances distinctive vocals with heavy bass grooves, guitar riffs, and electronic flourishes. Bess’ electro-soul style is ever-evolving, with varying influences and experimental soundscapes present throughout his various projects. His single “I Feel Like I’m Downing” hit number one on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart upon it’s 2018 release and Two Feet has only continued to evolve since then.
Manic Focus
The electronic music project of John “JmaC” McCarten, Manic Focus has roots in funk, soul, and new-era hip hop. McCarten creates resonating sounds that are entirely his own. He continuously includes original, sample-free recordings into his discography, contributing to the evolution in sound and approach evident on each of his albums.
As many avid concertgoers already know, live music is more than just a source of entertainment, it is also a catalyst for interpersonal connections and a forum for shared experiences. Florida Groves is striving to facilitate just that. The festival organizers are hoping that the experience proves to be a manifestation of their core pillars — music, art, and freedom — while exuding ideas of self-expression and open-mindedness throughout the weekend. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable and enjoyable weekend as a whole. Find more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit the links below or www.floridagroves.com. We hope to see you there!
Florida Groves 2023 official recap video:
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