Recap of the 10th Annual Florida Music Festival
Minus The Bear photo: BVM
For those of you that don’t live in Florida, or were nowhere near Orlando this weekend, two things: one, you really missed out on a bangin’ music festival, and two, no worries, I got all the good stuff for you right here.
If you’re not familiar with the Florida Music Festival let me put it to you this way, three days, 10 venues, 200 shows and 25,000 music fans, all in the streets of Downtown Orlando. All the venues are pretty much next to each other or at most a block or two away, so that means you can venue hop, or like most of us, bar hop while checking out really rad music.
From 6:00pm all the way to 12:00am places like Backbooth, The Social, Wall St. Plaza, Café Annie’s, etc. opened their doors to music enthusiasts to come check out local talent from Orlando, as well as artists and bands from far away states like Tennessee and Mississippi.
The Florida Music Festival not only brings you great music, but also takes you
'Meet The Producers Panel' photo: BVM
deep in the business side of the industry with conferences and seminars. The panels included: How I Broke Into The Business, Meet The Producers, Strategies Of Music, and a Demo Session.
These panels weren’t just with any ‘ol producer, manager, or person with a self-given title, you know who was part of those panels? Top of the line music industry folks like Steve Robertson (Atlantic: Paramore/Shinedown), Kent Marcus (Attorney: Kings of Leon), David Siegel (T.I./FLO-RIDA) and many more!
You think that’s it right? Well, there’s even more!
To kick-off the festival there was a Florida GRAMMY Showcase on Wednesday night, an official kick-off party on Thursday, a rooftop party to mingle and network on Friday, and a BMI brunch and closing party on Saturday.
Wall St. Plaza photo: BVM
Oh yeah, and they partnered up with Miller Lite & Pinnacle Vodka to give you drink specials throughout the three day event.
Affordable alcohol and good music, that’s pretty much heavenly right there, but I’m still not done.
The price to get into the festival is every attendee’s dream, why can’t more festivals learn from these folks! Ten bucks for one night would get you into all the venues or $25 for a three day pass.
Although yes there were thousands of people, but since everyone is venue hoping throughout the night, the spaces don’t get overwhelmingly crowded to the point where you can’t breathe or enjoy the music. I pretty much find that key and genius.
Ponderosa photo: BVM
The folks that work hard to put this festival together really emphasize on both spectrums– which is very important and tells you a lot about the company; they let music lovers find an affordable way to discover and enjoy new music, as well as help artists and bands alike to network and reach out directly to their fans and industry specialists. There aren’t many festivals that bring you that experience.
If I could give the Florida Music Festival more than five stars, believe me I would. As of right now it is on my top five music festivals you must attend. So, mark your calendar for next year folks!
