05 May Saturday Must Sees
Alright, it’s time to break out the big guns — and by big guns, I mean sunscreen, towels and shoes that’ll last you all day. Because today’s the day of this West Palm Beach festival that I’m always anticipating, the first full day. Gates open at 12 p.m. today, y’all. That’s 11 whole hours that you can be on SunFest grounds!
So, how are you going to spend that time? Obviously seeing our headliners like Nick Jonas, Rae Sremmurd and 311. But that doesn’t mean you should sleep on any of the earlier acts. Here are some of my Saturday “must sees.”
Toots and the Maytals
When we asked Living Colour’s drummer, Will Calhoun, who he was most excited to see at SunFest this year, his answer was clear and concise.
“Toots and the Maytals,” he said. Why? “54-46 Was My Number.” There were no other words, no elaborating required. Just a band and a song title.
For those of you who don’t know, Toots Hibbert and his group Toots and the Maytals are rocksteady/ska royalty. And the group’s single,”54-46 Was My Number,” pioneered ska and reggae music into popularity within the mainstream music industry.
The band originally got its start in 1962 and went through a few different waves of reunions. Its latest regrouping has had the band busy recording and touring across the country, including our own SunFest a few times.
According to Rolling Stone in an article that came out less than a week ago, the group has recorded more than two album’s worth of new material. That means that SunFesters will hopefully get to be amongst some of the first to hear new tracks from the prolific crew. Even more exciting, this is the band’s only Florida performance for its summer tour.
Catch Toots and the Maytals at 2:30 p.m. at the Tire Kingdom stage.
Paul Anthony & the Reggae Souljahs
Paul Anthony & The Reggae Souljahs
Are you a reggae souljah? Paul Anthony wants you to proclaim yourself as part of his army by the end of his set.
A mainstay in the local scene, Paul Anthony & the Reggae Souljahs can be seen playing across South Florida. I’ve caught the combo myself in Hollywood Beach a few times.
The reggae/dancehall group has toured with the likes of Shaggy, Yellowman, Wycleff and more, but don’t let the laundry list convince you. Let the irrefutable island flavor mixed with a hint of South Florida transport you to a happy place.
“There is a fast-growing movement happening here in South Florida,” Anthony said on his website. “Get ready to fall in love with reggae all over again.”
Paul Anthony & the Reggae Souljahs perform at 7 p.m. on the Ford stage.
The Sh-Booms
The Sh-Booms
This group calls itself “soul enterprise” and that doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The Sh-Booms are an Orlando-based six piece that are spreading young, fresh, soul across the country. The band’s music is as bright and charming and fun as its hot pink flamingo logo. It’s this perfectly sweet and sour mix of fuzzy crooners and angsty garage rock (prime example, “King and Queen“).
Last year, the group’s song, “Rolling Down Like Thunder,” was featured in an episode of the CW’s “Supergirl.” With the Sh-Booms being led by self proclaimed “Supreme Queen,” Mizz Bren on vocals, it made for a heightened girl power moment and I’ve been here for the group ever since.
Bren (whose real name is Brenda Radney) has also had her vocals featured on Justin Timberlake’s “20/20 Experience, Pt. 2.” You know, no big deal.
This afternoon, you can hear the soul-psych-garage group for yourself when it takes the Ford stage. The band’s single, “Dry Eyes” — An upbeat, old school charmer — came out last year and helped earn the group recognition nationally and locally, being named Orlando Weekly’s “Best Soul Act” and “Best Pop Band” last year.
Now, it’s your turn to see how the crew earned that accolade.
The Sh-Booms perform at 2:30 p.m. at the Ford stage.