South Florida’s largest music festival, SunFest, has been kicking around for 33 years now, transforming the otherwise tranquil Flagler Drive into the most rollicking parities every spring. And time in, time out, one of the most impressive things about the festival is its dedication to bringing in a stellar musical lineup year after year. With three stages spread out across the downtown waterfront, there is definitely a band or two for whatever your musical inkling may be.
The festival gates open April 29 through May 3. Here’s a look at this year’s must-see acts. (And don’t forget closing night’s fireworks display, one of the best shows each year).
- At the gate, tickets cost $40 for single day, $60 for two-day, $80 for five-day passes. For more information, visit sunfest.com.
Lenny Kravitz
A SunFest veteran, Lenny Kravitz returns to West Palm Beach for the opening night festivities on Wednesday, April 29 at 8:30 p.m. on the Ford Stage. Though he has shed the dreadlocks since his 2000 appearance, the rock legend has been busy. Whether its in films like the Hunger Games, working on interior design with his company, Kravitz Design, or just rocking out on stage, a Lenny Kravitz show is not to be missed—especially when he’s wailing on that flying-v guitar.
Wilco
Opposite the Lenny Kravitz opening night session, Wilco will be taking the Tire Kingdom Stage at 8 p.m. as the festival’s dueling opening night headliner. The alt-country Midwestern band, led by Jeff Tweedy, gives the SunFest lineup some definitive artistic cred, in a singer/songwriter kind of way.
311
“Whoa, amber is the color of your energy…” That’s right folks, that funked-out five-piece from Omaha, 311, is coming to South Florida—“In your face, yeah! It feels so good.” P-Nut and the gang will be belting out those rock, rap, reggae vibes on Friday, May 1 at 9:15 p.m. on the FPL Stage; for those that can’t make it to a show on 311 Day, the band’s unofficial holiday concert on March 11th (the best was New Orleans 2004), SunFest is the next best thing.
Pixies
One of the most influential bands of the late 1980s, helping pave the way for bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, just about everyone has a favorite Pixies song. Now, original members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering are back on tour (founding bassist Kim Deal has called it quits), making a stop at SunFest while on their North American tour. Catch them on Sunday, May 3 at 2:15 p.m. on the Ford Stage.
The Hip Abduction
For some serious Florida tunes, catch the Hip Abduction on Friday, May 1 at 7:45 p.m. on the FPL Stage. Hailing from St. Petersburg, this band spins a yarn of afropop, dub-reggae beats that will transport you far and away.
Lindsey Stirling
For those not familiar with violinist Lindsey Stirling? Ask yourself this: do you like “The Legend of Zelda?” If said yes, then you will love Lindsey Stirling. The effervescent, classically-trained violinist brings an edge to her music, whether its original works, or playing the theme to the classic Nintendo video game. She’ll be on the Tire Kingdom Stage on Friday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m.
SunFest 2015 schedule:
Wednesday, April 29
Ford Stage:
- 5:30 p.m.: Yardij
- 7 p.m. Lizzo
- 8:30 p.m. Lenny Kravitz
Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage:
- 6:15 p.m. The Shadowboxers
- 8 p.m. Wilco
Thursday, April 30
Ford Stage:
- 5:15 p.m. Knox Hamilton
- 7 p.m. Copeland
- 8:30 p.m. Paramore
Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage:
- 5 p.m. Jonnie Morgan Band
- 6:30 p.m. The Rico Monaco Band
- 8 p.m. Sammy Hagar and the Circle
Friday, May 1
Ford Stage:
- 6:30 p.m. Dear Tatiana
- 8 p.m. Zeale
- 9:30 p.m. Kaskade
Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage:
- 5:45 p.m. The McNaughstys
- 7 p.m. Bea Miller
- 8:30 p.m. Lindsey Stirling
FPL Stage:
- 6:15 p.m. Morning Fatty
- 7:45 p.m. The Hip Abduction
- 9:15 p.m. 311
Saturday, May 2
Ford Stage:
- 1:15 p.m. Trial by Stone
- 2:45 p.m. SOJA
- 4:30 p.m. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
- 7 p.m. Elliot Root
- 8:30 p.m. Letts
- 9:45 p.m. Hozier
Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage:
- 12:30 p.m. The Inverted
- 2:15 p.m. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
- 3:30 p.m. Eddie Money
- 6 p.m. Dew Pendleton Band
- 7:30 p.m. Dreamers
- 9:15 p.m. Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington
FPL Stage:
- 1 p.m. Jumbo Shrimp
- 2:30 p.m. Johnnyswim
- 4:15 p.m. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
- 6:30 p.m. JS teh Best
- 7:45 p.m. Kehlani
- 9 p.m. ScHoolboy Q
Sunday, May 3
Ford Stage:
- 12:30 p.m. Stop Light Observations
- 2:15 p.m. Pixies
- 4:30 p.m. Felicity
- 6 p.m. SomeKindaWonderful
- 7:30 p.m. Fall Out Boy
Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage:
- 12 p.m. Hundred Waters
- 2 p.m. Milky Chance
- 4 p.m. Leaving Haven
- 5:15 p.m. The Spazmatics
- 6:45 p.m. Boston
FPL Stage:
- 12:15 p.m. Sidereal
- 1:30 p.m. Iration
- 3:15 p.m. Matisyahu
- 5:45 p.m. Kasson
- 7:15 p.m. Awolnation
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