Wanee Block Party Starts Tonight in Fort Lauderdale
We have certainly been in a funk ever since we discovered that the Wanee Music Festival would not return to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park after a 14-year run. The festival was created by The Allman Brothers Band, but there were changes the past few years, the most important of which was the official retirement of The Allman Brothers Band.
There are, however, two events this spring which give the Sisters and Brothers of the Suwannee a much-needed spirit boost. One of these is the new Suwannee Rising Music Festival set for April 4-5-6 in Live Oak. The other, is a special two-day event starting today, March 22, at Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. The Allman Brothers Band presents Wanee Block Party, with the emphasis on party, because this is going to be a blast!
Since out last post, they’ve filled out the lineup. Here goes:
FRIDAY
Both days feature artists most of whom have all played Wanee in the past — including one who played every year — and one band who never did but should have been invited last year.
Today’s feature will be Jaimoe’s Mississippi Allstars, which you might correctly surmise would be Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band with Cody and Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars. Jaimoe’s band played most (all?) of the Wanee fests, and of course he was a founding member of ABB. His band is fronted by the outstanding guitarist and vocalist Junior Mack. And the Dickinson boys were right at home at Wanee as well.
Opening the evening will be the superb Melody Trucks Band. Her band should have been invited to play at the 2018 Wanee, but obviously things were heading further south for the festival at that time. This band is truly a freight train with an outstanding lineup, performing great originals, some dynamite covers, and a few choice tunes Melody’s dad played with ABB.
SATURDAY
I don’t usually use this phrase, but the Saturday lineup is stacked. Loaded. Jammed. Pick your euphemism — it’s wall to wall music. Make that ear to ear.
The Marcus King Band and North Mississippi Allstars top your dance card. They’ve done a few shows together in March; they just buzzed down St. Petersburg last night. King and his crew have had a well-deserved meteoric rise on the jam scene. This band is incredibly tight, and King is an old soul in a very young and energetic body. And the Dickinsons are back with their band to “shake ’em on down.”
Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band is also back for night two. The King of New Orleans, George Porter, Jr., will be on hand with his trio to represent the Crescent City, and much closer to home The Lee Boys will help you “go to glory” with brilliant sacred steel music and righteous vocals. And Bobby Lee Rodgers, who played more sets at Wanee than anyone, brings his trio; if you haven’t experienced the man and his guitar, prepare thyself.
South Florida is further represented by some of its great exponents, including JUke, the dynamic blues quartet built around the harmonica stylings of of Eric Garcia (and watch out if he and Isaac Corbitt of Melody Trucks Band tangle!). The great Dead tribute band Crazy Fingers will play an acoustic set, and, speaking of acoustic, Fat Mannequin will truly blow you away — Mike Garulli and Jeff Lloyd of The Heavy Pets on acoustic guitars make pure magic.
Outstanding rockers Tand should make a great showing with their original music. Nashville folk singer/songwriter Gabriel Kelley will be there, as will Broken Sound.
Anybody for a Wanee Family Jam? You bet!
Revolution, America’s Backyard, and Stache welcome you to the Block Party! Your presence is requested!
