05 May SunFest Saturday: It’s HOT

So hot, I have a frozen lemonade hooked up on IV to my vein.

Today’s bands have, so far, weighed in with appropriately scorchin’ grooves.

SOJA just finished on the BofA Stage. The many-piece band from Arlington, VA laid down super-tight reggae-rock grooves, heavy on heavy-duty bass (played by a white dude with the longest white-dude dreadlocks I’ve ever seen). Lead singer Jacob Hemphill kept the vibe right, dishing  commentary between songs (“the political system of our country is garbage!”) while keeping the music bouncy. He was backed by a sax player and trumpet player, both on cordless horns, which allowed them to wander the stage and blast their brass to and fro. Other dudes hung around the stage contributing percussion or general vibe. They closed with “When We Were Younger,” a bittersweet song about shifting ideals which may or may not have reached the mostly  middle-aged crowd.

Opening the FPL Stage was local four-piece Cypress, who dished out sax-fueled reggae-funk grooves not dissimilar to SOJA or yesterday’s surprise sensation Graham’s Number. Amazing to see a few people dancing in the sun-baked street so early.

The ever-uplifting Michael Franti and Spearhead are next on the BofA Stage. Afterwards I’ll be interviewing Franti for a SunFest.com exclusive, so stay tuned.

I’m stuffing an Italian ice down my shorts and heading out for more.