Orange Blossom Revue marked the conclusion of its 9th annual festival with a record turnout this weekend. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Wailes Park in central Florida, the two-day musical extravaganza continues to rank among the year's most eagerly awaited events, attracting thousands of enthusiastic attendees to the charming town each year.
Friday’s festivities saw no shortage of memorable moments, starting with a sizzling set by rising Americana and soul powerhouse Harper O’Neill. The Dallas-born, Nashville-based phenom treated a lively late afternoon crowd with selections from her newly-released debut album, Dark Bar Daisy, plus a number of impressive covers including an emotive rendition of Susan Tedeschi’s hit song, “It Hurt So Bad.” Later, GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass ensemble Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway delivered a smoldering hour of impeccable picking before joining festival host band The Wood Brothers for a singalong of Rhiannon Giddens’ “Up Above My Head.” Topping off the evening with well-worn favorites from their expansive catalog and standout tracks from their 2023 opus, Heart is the Hero, the award-winning outfit fronted by brothers Chris and Oliver Wood proved the perfect closer for an outstanding first day.
On Saturday, Orlando-based Cat Ridgeway and the Tourists ignited the crowd with an infectious performance of high-octane numbers, including a stellar tribute to the 90s classic, “Dreams” by Irish rock group The Cranberries. Kaitlin Butts then took the stage, serving a well-rounded set of heartfelt tearjerkers and spirited, boot-stomping country anthems before honky tonk heathens Mike and the Moonpies welcomed the close of the afternoon with their signature barroom boogies. Brent Cobb was another highlight of the night, kicking off his set with chart-topping original “Keep ‘Em on They Toes” and going on to perform several choice cuts from his hot-off-the-presses Thirty Tigers release, Southern Star. In true Orange Blossom fashion, Saturday headliners JJ Grey and Mofro closed the curtain on an unforgettable weekend with back-to-back hits including “99 Shades of Crazy,” “Every Minute,” and of course, “Orange Blossoms,” plus tender ballads like “The Sun is Shining Down," and a show-stopping adaptation of The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” featuring the sensational vocal stylings of Katie Dutton.
Bidding farewell to another slam dunk event, Orange Blossom Revue will return next year for its 10th annual festival, coming December 2024 to the heart of the Sunshine State. Follow along at OrangeBlossomRevue.com to get the early scoop on tickets and more.
