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Among Tully's favorites are Cowboy Mouth, Damian Marley and The People Upstairs.
UPDATE: The REO-ke contest was on Kool 105.5′s barge and not X102.3′s. We apologize for the error.
Like many of you, I’m having a SunFest hangover today — mine is in my legs. I was informed that the trip from the Bank of America stage to Phillips Point, home of the LaBovick & LaBovick stage, was 1.2 miles.
Some of you jog many times that every day. Not me. Gotta get into shape.
Anyway, I thought I’d share some of my favorites and give you the chance to talk about yours in our SunFest Superlatives:
Best food: I searched for the top concession food during the entire five-day length of the fest, only to realize I had found my favorite on Wednesday: Argentinian skirt steak with beans, rice and chimmichurri sauce. Served behind the Tire Kingdom stage (the Meyer), this was a well-prepared dish, only made better by the sauce. The pineapple chicken ran a very close second, and is worth getting simply for the looks you get when you eat it.
Best non-concert activity (music division): REO-ke on the Kool 105.5 barge was the place to be on Friday, before the band REO Speedwagon took the stage.
Best non-concert activity (sports division): Watching the Kentucky Derby on the ESPN760 north barge. It was like watching the world’s biggest horse race in a nightclub.
Best show (headliner division): I thought Weezer had this sewn up, but along came Nas and Damian Marley on Sunday afternoon. Propelled by what might’ve been both the biggest crowd at this SunFest and the biggest crowd for a SunFest afternoon show in its history, the rapper and the reggae artist combined for a two-hour blast of a show that explored both genres. SunFest deserves big props for this move, getting the guys behind the Distant Relatives album before it has even arrived in stores.
Best show (support division): No one had the energy that was given off by New Orleans’ Cowboy Mouth, who played the LaBovick & LaBovick stage on Friday night. Lead singer Fred LeBlanc wasn’t happy until every single person on Phillips Point was cheering, jumping and having a good time. And there’s a 10-year-old named Ethan out there who’s going to be a huge hit at elementary school this week, thanks to the band bringing him up on stage.
Best show (by a local band, only heard about by word-of-mouth): I’m very sorry about missing what was, by all accounts, a very accomplished show by The People Upstairs. This funk group from Palm Beach County put together one heck of a concert on Friday evening on the LaBovick & LaBovick stage. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of doing another story, and so, only heard it from afar. But a few people mentioned that their show was worth seeing. I owe them a club visit, for sure.
A club visit … check them out at Propaganda in LW on June 5th along with Speaking Volumes.
NAS killed it. Definitely a classic show. One Love.
Why wait til June? This Friday night (5/7) at Slainte in Boynton Beach, The People UpStairs (TPUS) will be playing at 10pm. Come on out and get the REAL deal :-D
The People Upstairs rock! They are definitely my favorite local band.
Not one mention of Patti? She may have been my highlight. Nas and Damian were great, though.
And The People Upstairs did a fantastic job. Really fun and memorable originals. I think I’ll try and make their next show. Their web site (thepeopleupstairs.com) shows them on this Friday at Slainte Irish Pub.
Unfortunately, Patti and Cowboy Mouth were on at the exact same time… tough choice. Leslie really enjoyed Patti though.
Overall, a very good lineup for SunFest.
Agreed, Cowboy Mouth was a killer show. It should be required viewing for anyone wishing to be an entertainer. The way the drummer played the crowd like a thousand marionettes was a mesmerizing thing to watch.
People Upstairs: ennnhhh. I suppose they are ok for a local band. But they are one of those acts you have to be high to watch. Too much jamming, no melody or hooks. After a while it all blends together. I’m sure it was a thrill for them though. And they are nice people. Good luck, guys.
I didn’t cacth Nas, but if that show was better than Weezer, it must have been amazing.
@Nice,
I’m not sure what people upstairs you saw. I thought they were all melodies and hooks with very limited “jamming”. Certainly no Phish!
People Upstairs are always great. Although my favorite show was at AUTEC. That was CLASSIC!! owee owee oh, i think i wanna know ya
The People Upstairs definitely worth a club visit! They’re the unlikliest funk band I’ve ever seen – bunch o band geeks from Atlantic High School – and they’re best live and outside. Infectious.
Shinedowns acoustical version of Simple Man stole the show!!!!
I have to agree on this…and not one mention of Shinedown at all very disappointing…They put on an Amazing show in my opinion very high energy and had the whole crowd on their feet from beginning to end!! Best show I’ve been to yet! helps that I had a front row seat tho…made the experience that much better!
Shinedown certainly impressed me, no question — Brent Smith is a showman. I just thought Weezer and Nas were better.
I’ve been going to Sunfest since the ’80′s and its great to see it get so big and far reaching in musice genres. At the expense of sounding like a crumudgeon, I still don’t understand the economics of the whole thing. $30+ to get in? This is a gem of an event but it simply can’t deliver that much value to a full fare paying patron. The food (though decent with lots of offerings) is expensive and the alcohol isn’t cheap (due to high rent no doubt). Even with all the shows, you can only be in 1 place at a time. I know there are ways to get discounted and free passes, but couldn’t these be made scarce for a cheaper gate charge?
I have been watching TPUS for years. I have heard that “jamming” comment before, i just dont understand it. I dont know one song that lasts longer than 5 min. Which sucks, because they should extend some songs. They dont jam. They rock!
Arrivederci is a local band who played on the BofA stage on Sunday at 12:30. Great music and lots of energy.
Checkout their sound and schedule at http://www.avdtheband.com
The People Upstairs put on a great show…. great music .. high energy…. kept the crowd going the whole set!!! Bring em back next year!!!
Too bad The Flaming Lips didn’t play. They would have DEFINITELY put on the best show.
I thought Speaking Volumes put on the best show with the Break Dancers at the end. Funny their not mentioned on PB Post though as even playing on Saturday.
Weezer, Rise Against, Crash Kings, Were awesome also These United States were very cool in a wacky way but loved it. Cant wait till next year!!!