Sat.-Sun., March 7-8, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Garden, downtown Tampa. Two-day pass: $60, VIP $150; Saturday GA: $40, VIP $100; Sunday GA: $30, VIP $75. VIP ticket includes access to premium viewing spaces, tents with private bars and lounge areas, air-conditioned restrooms, plus three free drinks and snacks each day.
Though the youngest of its ’rilla brethren, Gasparilla Music Festival has established a significant presence, taking steps since its 2012 inaugural edition toward putting Tampa Bay on the national music map. Consider this year’s headliner: indie alt rock darlings Modest Mouse, kicking off the first date of their spring tour in Tampa directly after releasing a much-anticipated new album, Strangers to Ourselves.
GMF remains a nonprofit grassroots endeavor, run by a small group working behind the scenes. “I think people would be surprised at the number of people involved,” observes GMF Executive Director Ty Rodriguez. The combined might of Rodriguez, Programming Director Phil Benito and a 13-member board makes it all happen, from securing sponsorships to booking talent to running outreach programs like Recycled Tunes, which carries out GMF’s objective of promoting music and education in the community.
Many of the indie restaurants, caterers, vendors and food trucks that serve at GMF have been with the festival since its inception, “when all we had to sell them was an idea.” And as always, the fest features an impressive assemblage of local, regional and national talent. In addition to Modest Mouse, the 2015 roster includes bombastic gypsy-punk rockers Gogol Bordello; New Orleans psych rock/soul/electro outfit Mutemath; New Jersey’s grungy punk-heartland favorites The Gaslight Anthem; brass-blasted Afro-funk nine-piece The Budos Band; and charming high-spirited indie pop duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. The focus, explains board member David Cox, is on “creating a great atmosphere, all the time, both days. So there’s always something going on that will hopefully fit your taste.”
GMF’s biggest transformation has been in its scope, growing from one day, three stages and 20 acts to a two-day affair with more than 40 performers spread over four stages. And while the size of Curtis Hixon limits how big GMF can really get, the limitations make for an intimate (10,000-person max cap) fest-going experience. There’s more family-friendly entertainment this year — the silent Kiddo Disco and Mr. Richard on Saturday, Disney-spawned Choo-Choo Soul and the Little Kids Rock Band on Sunday — and GMF’s audience reach has expanded.
“It started with a core group of people — seemed like you knew everybody there that first year,” David Cox recalls. “Each year, that net keeps getting wider. St. Pete, Orlando, Gainesville, it just keeps broadening every year.”
SCHEDULE
Gates open at 10 a.m. daily.
SATURDAY MARCH 7
Soulshine Stage
11-11:30 a.m.: Mt. Zion Baptist Gospel Choir
11:50 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Thomas Wynn & The Believers
1-2 p.m.: The Hip Abduction
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Hiss Golden Messenger
4-5 p.m.: The Budos Band
5:30-6:45 p.m.: MuteMath
7:15-8:30 p.m.: The Gaslight Anthem
9-10:30 p.m.: Modest Mouse
Channelside Bay Plaza Stage at Kiley Garden
11:15 a.m.-Noon: Mr. Richard & the Pound Hounds
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Family and Friends
2-2:45 p.m.: Miggs
3:15-4:15 p.m.: Packway Handle Band
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Roadkill Ghost Choir
6:15-7:30 p.m.: Dumpstaphunk
8-9:15 p.m.: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Sanford-Brown Stage at the Amphitheatre
Noon-12:30 p.m.: Small Fish
1:30-2 p.m.: The Porch Sessions
2:45-3:15 p.m.: Dean Johaneson
4:15-4:30 p.m.: Fistful (acoustic)
5:45-6:15 p.m.: Wax Wings
7:30-8 p.m.: Displace (acoustic)
Shea Barclay Stage at Tibbetts’ Corner
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Kiddo Disco
1:30-2 p.m.: Guthrie Brown & The Family Tree
2:45-3:15 p.m.: UNRB
4:15-4:30 p.m.: Amber Lynn Nicol
5:45-6:15 p.m.: RedFeather
7:30-8 p.m.: Supros
SUNDAY MARCH 8
Soulshine Stage
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: La Lucha
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood
2:15-3:15 p.m.: The Abyssinians
3:45-5 p.m.: Trampled By Turtles
5:30-7 p.m.: Gogol Bordello
Channelside Bay Plaza Stage at Kiley Gardens
10:15-11:15 a.m.: Yoga Rhythm Lounge
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Disney’s Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!
12:30-1:15 p.m.: Margo & The Pricetags
1:45-2:45 p.m.: Suenalo
3:15-4:15 p.m.: Hot 8 Brass Band
4:45-6 p.m.: Laritza Bacallao Y Su Grupo
Sanford-Brown Stage at the Amphitheatre
12:15-12:45 p.m.: Silly Sam
1:15-1:45 p.m.: Gypsy Wind
2:45-3:15 p.m.: Shae Krispinsky
4:15-4:45 p.m.: Dynasty
Shea Barclay Stage at Tibbetts’ Corner
12:15-12:30 p.m.: Little Kids Rock Band
1:15-1:45 p.m.: The Real Clash
2:45-3:15 p.m.: People’s Blues Of Richmond
4:15-4:45 p.m.: Geri X
DO'S & DON'TS
DO arrive early enough to see the locals. These are some of Tampa Bay’s best, most buzzed-about performers and have been vetted for your viewing and listening pleasure, which means they’ve proven worthy of your attention. Show some support — you might discover something you love. Dynasty, Geri X, Selwyn Birchwood, UNRB, The Porch Sessions, RedFeather, The Hip Abduction and Dean Johanesen are all names you should know.
DON’T rush from stage to stage trying to see everything. You’ll just exhaust yourself and enjoy nothing. If you see a band you dig, stick around; likewise, if you end up catching someone you wanted to see but he’s boring the shit out of you, don’t feel bad about bailing. There’s always going to be something else happening elsewhere. Go discover! If all else fails, eat.
DO come hungry, with pocket money. GMF showcases nearly 20 fantastic local eateries. “I look at it as a menu,” Ty Rodriguez explained. “Each place representing what they’re doing really, really well, but on top of that, it’s all the true flavor of Tampa, there’s no corporate restaurants, it’s all heart.” Even if there isn’t a band that appeals to you amid, the amazing food lineup should be a draw all on its own; stinky bunz from Anise Global Gastrobar, prime rib sammies from Malio’s Prime Steakhouse, The Independent’s Indie grilled cheese, the legendary Chicken & Waffle Cone from Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café… ready to eat, yet?
DO pace yourself. I mean, like, duh, right? But seriously, it’s easy to get drawn into the Tito’s tent for repeat trips on the vodka train, and we know those beer offerings are cold, tasty and crafty (Cigar City Brewing returns along with Sweetwater), but you DON’T want to be that gal or you just might end up sloppy on Instagram. And no one wants that.
DON’T forget to bring all the essentials. Sunscreen, throw blankets and hats might seem obvious, but add a hoodie to the mix. You’ll be glad to have the extra layer once the temperature drops a bit in the evening.