Ten years into her major-label recording career, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Elle King is probably best-known for two things, one good and one not so good. And both came up, whether literally or figuratively, during her performance at SunFest on May 4. The good one was “Ex’s & Oh’s,” the Grammy-nominated Top 10 single and provocative video from her 2015 debut album … [Read more...]
SunFest retools, regroups for a robust 40th anniversary
One of the most memorable hits and videos of the past half-century was the 1981 single “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads — in which vocalist David Byrne repeated the mantra of “same as it ever was.” That phrase doesn’t apply to SunFest, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival. For its 2024 installment, a floating SunFest Electronic Barge will … [Read more...]
311’s long fade from creativity mirrors SunFest’s slowdown
SunFest turned 40 years old this year, and the West Palm Beach institution slowed down accordingly within its new middle-aged bracket. What had previously been “Florida's largest waterfront music and art festival” was a five-day event for most of its existence, but downshifted to four days in 2018. On May 5-7, SunFest presented the first three-day format in its history — on … [Read more...]
Black Pumas close SunFest with a set and sound to remember
For many of the SunFest performers, 2022 turned into RainFest between its first three days of April 28-30. Yet hope was kept alive on day four. Following a country music-heavy opening night, plus additional headliners then attempting to deliver whining pop, forced glam, and frat-boy rock between the raindrops, the Austin, Texas-based soul group Black Pumas … [Read more...]
In 40th year, SunFest celebrates the volunteers who make the music happen
Since SunFest unveiled its more youthful pop, hip-hop, and country music-centric 2022 musical lineup in February, there’s been no shortage of opinions about it. Just look at Facebook for proof. Or don’t bother. Yet 40 years after its 1982 inception — and especially after a two-year, COVID-19-necessitated hiatus — it may be time to look backstage, and behind the scenes, of … [Read more...]
Garbage brings out the sun during a soggy SunFest Sunday
By Hali Neal There was a brief two-hour window on a rainy Sunday where it actually looked like SunFest was going to live up to its name. That window was when the Wisconsin rockers by the name of Garbage took the stage. Scottish lead singer Shirley Manson strutted up and down the stage in a white kimono/dress, hot pink hair pulled into a bun as she nailed every note on … [Read more...]
Papa Roach makes SunFest Saturday special
By Hali Neal Although there was an unusual amount of rain at this year’s SunFest, Saturday saw only a few drops in the early evening. Still, it warranted a warning: “Inclement weather approaching. Take necessary precautions.” Like most Floridians, I figured that if the next band was still going to play, I didn’t need to worry about the inclement weather warning yet. That … [Read more...]
Cake leaves out ‘Survive’ dessert from strong SunFest set
Unlike the primary California gold (and platinum) rush of popular music acts between the 1960s and present day, most of them from Los Angeles (The Doors, Van Halen, Los Lobos, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice-T, Jane’s Addiction, N.W.A., Maroon 5) and the San Francisco Bay area (Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Primus), Cake emerged … [Read more...]
SunFest, Day 4: Third Eye Blind and Dafeauxnito
By Hali Neal On the last day of SunFest (May 6), Third Eye Blind went all Depeche Mode for the occasion, dressing completely in black, even on a South Florida afternoon close to summer. Lead singer Stephan Jenkins, hilariously, even had a black water bottle. The only pop of color was Jenkins’ highlighter-yellow tennis shoes. After finishing the anti-suicide anthem … [Read more...]
SunFest Day 3: Ice Cube, 311 in fine form
By Hali Neal Ice Cube, one of the pioneers of gangster rap, was an odd choice to replace 1970s Miami mainstays K.C. and the Sunshine Band (who had a scheduling conflict) on Day 3 of SunFest (May 5), but it proved to be a wise one. He put on an entertaining set while also managing to poke fun at himself: “I bet you thought Ice Cube couldn’t do this s**t no more, huh? … [Read more...]