10 Acts You Don’t Want to Miss at Hulaween 2016
Easily one of my favorite things about music festivals is the ability to discover new music. Multi-genre festivals like Suwannee Hulaween make it easy to just wander until you hear something that catches your attention. But for those who are having trouble figuring out where to start to find some new tunes this weekend, here are some of our staff pics for some of the acts you won’t want to miss!
String Cheese Incident
This kind of goes without saying. Hula IS a Cheese fest, after all. But for a lot of people coming as Hulaween virgins, this may be your first time checking out SCI, and you’re lucky if that is the case. Playing seven sets over the course of the weekend, you will have plenty of opportunities to catch them. But if you have to pick one, their annual themed set is the one you want to go to. The theme this year is “Stringier Things,” a take on the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, so you can be sure there will be tons of awesome ’80s references and costumes to keep you entertained!
Slow Magic
A major moments at last year’s Hulaween was the over-the-top energy from Odesza. If you were anywhere near the Amphitheater Stage on Saturday night last year, it was like a moth to a flame. If you’re looking for something similar this year, check out Slow Magic. With deep drums and a contagious energy, the masked musician will deliver a similar energy. He also has been known to drop some really great Odesza remixes, so be sure to add him to your schedule (9:15 pm, Friday, Spirit Lake Stage) if you want to dance!
STS9
Another Hula veteran, these guys will deliver exactly what you will be looking for come Saturday night, so be sure to check them out on the brand-new Patch Stage at 11 pm. They bring long synth-jams to the table and will be the perfect way to start to unwind from the day (and get you pumped for the weirdness of the Suwannee nights!).
Broccoli Samauri
Broccoli Samurai is an excellent jamtronic quartet from Cleveland. They had a great set at AURA in March and have played Disc Jam, The Big WHAT?, Great Outdoors Jam, Alchemy Rising and the Peach Music Festival just this year. We hope you’re getting to the park early, because they are kicking things off during the Thursday Pre-Party at 5:00 pm on the Campground Stage.
SunSquabi
Boulder’s SunSquabi made their first SoSMP appearance at this year’s Purple Hatter’s Ball, owning the Music Hall with their “electronic hydro funk;” whatever that means, it was awesome. You can check them out Friday at 5 pm on the Spirit Lake Stage.
The Fritz
The Fritz are Asheville’s leading funk export, having ripped it up at festivals all over. Five superb musicians create incredible excitement during their sets, centered around Jamar Woods on keyboards and vocals. They also do amazingly fun and funky covers, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to catch these guys at a fest near you, you won’t want to pass them up this time (Friday, 11 pm, Campground Stage).
Cure for the Common
All the way from Bozeman, Montana, Cure for the Common are making their second trip to SOSMP; they played Purple Hatter’s Ball 2015. They played two killer sets, knocking everybody out with their rock-electro-funk and more. Check them out Saturday at 6:45 pm on the Campground Stage.
Come Back Alice
CBA is one of the MANY amazing Florida bands you can check out at this year’s Hula. If you want a little bit of everything, these guys (and gal) will be right up your alley. A little bit of funk. A little bit of rock and roll. Some fiddle, and a whole lot of chemistry between newlyweds Tony Tyler and Dani Jaye. They will kick things off just right for you on Saturday at noon in the Amphitheater.
If you’re looking for other great local bands, you can check out our write up on all our Florida friends right here.
Future Rock
One of the number one bands I often see requested for lineup wish lists is Daft Punk. Since chances of that are pretty slim, the next best thing is definitely Future Rock. This electronica outfit from Chicago are no strangers to the festival scene (or to SoSMP) including this year’s Electric Forrest, Camp Bisco, Summer Camp and more. They will be lighting up the Amphitheater at 6:00 pm on Friday for your listening pleasure.
Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals
When discussing the Hula lineup with people, one name that has elicited great excitement from people has been Anderson .Paak. This percussionist-turned-leading man really will deliver something different (and pretty dang sexy) to your earholes on Friday night at 11:00 pm in the Amphitheater. Do yourself a favor and breeze by this one on your way out to the rest of the night’s shenanigans; you can thank us later!
But truth be told, this lineup is killer. There is something for everyone, and these are just a sliver of all the magic you’ll stumble upon as you get lost in the moss at the park. Happy hunting, Hulaweeners!
