Words By: Emma Hintz
Photos By: Emma Hintz + Braxton Mahaney
Attending Gasparilla Music Festival was one of the best decisions I have ever made, the energy was unlike any event I have ever attended, you could really feel the love in the air. It didn't matter what band was playing, it could be one of the lesser known bands on the Tibbet’s Corner stage, or it could be one of the headlining bands on the JW Marriot stage, people were always engaged and having a good time. I have never seen people so willing to watch new artists play their set before, it really was so beautiful to see people discover new musicians. The whole weekend I kept thinking to myself, “Wow, this festival is so well put together” because it just is. The setup is perfect, Curtis Hixon Park is the perfect place to host an event that size. Having four different stages that were all easy to get to, and not too far from each other is really engaging, it encourages people to go see the other artists playing, which is really nice. Gasparilla Music Festival is about more than just the music, they focus heavily on ensuring that the guests have an amazing experience as well, there’s absolutely no way you could find yourself, bored with nothing to do as Gasparilla Music Festival. I visited all of the different vendors at Gasparilla Music Festival, food, clothing, jewelry, edibles, drinks, art, and more! Name another festival where you can listen to your favorite band play live, with a drink in hand, while buying your new wardrobe, you can’t!
The food was amazing. I visited Loli’s Mexican Cravings twice over the weekend because their tacos were just that good. I also visited Kona Ice of course, it was too hot outside the second day not to. All of the food that my friends attending the festival purchased looked so good as well, the vegan nachos looked to die for, and the fries from the Independent looked like the best fries I have ever seen, I still haven’t stopped thinking about them. The great thing about the food at Gasparilla is that it’s all from restaurants local to the tampa bay area, it allows attendees to try food from places they might never stop by otherwise, I mean, I will definitely be stopping by Loli’s Mexican Cravings very soon!
Photos By: Braxton Mahaney
Words By: Emma Hintz
Rohna was the first band to open up Gasparilla and they were a perfect way to open up the festival! Stepping up to the plate at the last second to fill in for a band that wasn’t able to make it, they did not disappoint. Their cover of Elephant by Tame Impala blew me away, the sheer talent was amazing to see. These guys are absolute rockstars and knocked it out of the park.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By: Emma Hintz
Another artist I have seen well over 25 times, Treis and friends. Every show seems to get better and bigger than the last, seeing their growth over the past 4 years has been insane to watch. Seeing each member get more and more comfortable on stage with every show, seeing the band become tighter, and seeing each member improve, and get comfortable enough to try new things, it's truly something else. Gasparilla was their first festival ever, and they did not disappoint with their performance. Treis is always able to get a crowd movin and groovin with his quirky adlibs and amazing dance moves, which is all thanks to the band's signature drink, the Equalizer™ (see most recent Big Eat’s™ episode for reference). The crowd loved them, and especially loved their kick ass cover of “Careless Whisper”, it’s truly a cover that is appealing to all ages, thanks to Tik Tok, and Treis absolutely crushes the Saxophone in the song. If you like laughing, crying, and dancing, be sure to attend the next Treis and Friends show, you will not be disappointed.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By: Emma Hintz
Grouplove never fails to amaze me with their live show, the energy they have on stage is insane, and it radiates from every single member on stage. Grouplove’s set really was one of the happiest sets of the festival, you could feel the love in the air from the entire crowd. Hearing all of Curtis Hixon park scream “Tongue Tied” at the top of their lungs was a beautiful moment, and one I'll never forget. I remember tearing up a few times during the set because I was so happy, the day was one I will never forget, and Grouplove’s set was the perfect way to end it.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By: Emma Hintz
The last set of the night on Friday was a killer one. I am not too familiar with Black Pumas music, but I was looking forward to their set because I watched their 2021 Grammy performance and was blown away. I have been to a lot of shows in my lifetime, hundreds upon hundreds, so it is getting harder and harder for me to be actually blown away by a performance, but this performance blew me away, I got chills and everything! The sheer talent from every single person on that stage was hard to miss, and lead singer Eric Burton knew how to perform, the best way I can describe it is: damn this guy has swag. After that performance I think I need to listen to some Black Pumas.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By Emma Hintz
I have seen DBMK quite a few times in my lifetime, they really are one of the main reasons I run this publication today, and if that isn't enough reason to go to a DBMK show I don't know what is. I have yet to see a band that continuously impresses me as much as DBMK, their sheer talent shown through at a very young age, and they continue to blow me away, 25+ shows later. No matter if they are playing the same set over and over, their shows never get old. The connection they have with their fans is like no other band I have ever seen, the amount of people with DBMK lyrics etched into their skin (including myself) just proves that their music has a remarkable effect on people, it brings people together in ways I have never seen, it is the sole reason I know some of my closest friends today, and for that I can say I am so grateful. The last time I saw DBMK before their set as Gasparilla was in 2019, and that's an extremely long time for me to go without seeing them. I was blown away, as always. They are always improving and it just shows the incredible drive they have, it has always inspired me.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By: Emma Hintz
Going into the Festival I had no idea who Arrested Development was, I absolutely love the TV show though, and was kind of hoping their name was in reference to that (sadly, it is not). I overheard a guy in the crowd of people walking into the festival say he was excited to see Arrested Development and I thought to myself "Huh, I need to see their set I guess!". After watching their set I now understand why people were so excited to see them. The set was amazing. I didn't even know any of the music and was absolutely mesmerized by everyone on stage, specifically Fareedah Aleem and Tasha Larae. I had an amazing time watching their set, even though I had never heard of them, and didn't know any of their music, now I do! That is the beauty of Gasparilla Music Festival, the blending of so many genres of music from different decades is beautiful, and allows you to see artists you never would otherwise.
Photos By: Emma Hintz
Words By: Emma Hintz
I have seen the Revivalists a few times now, and they always surprise me. They have insane energy, and a stage presence that is extremely captivating. Everyone on stage pulls their weight, and it is very apparent. I don't listen to their music too much, but seeing them live is always a good time. If you haven't seen them already, I recommend anyone to go see them at a show, or festival near you!
Overall, Gasparilla music festival was a fantastic time. I had been to the festival two years in the past, but I have never attended all three days of the festival. Seeing my friends play on the big stages, to crowds way bigger than they have ever played to before, was insanely cool, and will end up being a memory I will never forget. If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, and are looking for a music festival to go to, Gasparilla Music Festival is the place to be.
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