Spirits were flying high at the Miami Beach Bandshell this past weekend for the third year of the beloved North Beach Music Festival. With some of the funkiest names in live and jam music gracing the stage to their adoring fans, this winter gathering has quickly solidified its place as one of the year's can't-miss fests. A perfect blend of intimate and tropical, we already can't wait to see what they have in store for us next year.
Anchoring the three-day lineup this year were The Disco Biscuits, whose double-header on Friday made Miami Beach the place to be for any live music aficionado. The festival's first day was graced with stunningly warm Miami weather and endless blue skies—exactly what those snowbirds were hoping for. The headliners gave their fans what they wanted with their signature jamtronica sound, but also paid homage to the host city with plenty of Latin-inspired renditions and even a cover of Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine's "Conga."
The Heavy Pets opened the festival's second day hard, taking no prisoners with their boisterous jams. And "jam" is the name of the game at high-level celebrations of music like North Beach Music Fest, with noted bassist Brad Miller bringing some electrifying artists into his afternoon set. But the true kick-off came in the form of the soulful, female-led funk band Say She She feeding the audience with their retro sound and receiving the warmest of welcomes in return. Backed by legendary musicians in their own right (some of whom made up award-winning acts like Orgone), their infectious energy could not be ignored. Playing plenty of favorites including the protest track, "We Will Not Go Back," the musical prowess was unmatched.
Miami's music scene is not to be overlooked. With some of the industry's most creative and talented recording musicians, it's no surprise that acts like Electric Kif and Twyn righteously represented their roots over the weekend. Saturday continued the previous day's ode to jamtronica with Sunsquabi bringing a well-ranged party to the stage. Following that fiesta came the King of Rhythm himself, Adam Deitch, treating the audience to a Miami-inspired production set. The jams were filled with early Aughts favorites and danceable hits founded on his classic rhythm and bass sound—complete with live drumming and all. Needless to say, The Disco Biscuits had a tough act to follow up, but they delivered.
While the previous night found the Miami Beach Bandshell at its finest—awash in colorful lights in an evening breeze, Sunday morning kicked off hot and sweaty. One of live music's most prolific legends, George Porter Jr., graced the main stage, setting the tone for the incredible day of music to come. The final day of any music festival is usually tinged with a bittersweet feeling—the inevitable end to something special. But Sunday's lineup of jazz, funk, and everything in between was enough to lift the spirits and open up our souls.
Perhaps one of the sweetest treats of the weekend was Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country. Hailing from Tennessee, the young guitarist is a force to be reckoned with and didn't let the insatiable heat get to him. His set featured a mix of everything, taking the crowd on an otherworldly journey anchored by his Nashville and Southern influences. Keep your eyes on this one, he's got a bright future ahead.
Eggy too brought some powerful chops to the stage with their straightforward sound and tight musicianship, filled with grooves, crescendos, and heady solos.
Adam Deitch returned to North Beach on Sunday, this time in the form of his quartet. Anchored by Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce) on the sax, Ashlin Parker (Dumpstaphunk) on the trumpet, and Wil Blades (an all-around keys god) on the organ, Deitch transformed the Park Stage into an intimate jazz lounge straight from the 60s and 70s. The quartet played impeccable grooves, unreleased tunes, and even a rendition of "Sister Sanctified" by Stanley Turrentine and Milt Jackson, sampled by American rapper KRS-One.
While the crowd was still in a jazz-fueled trance, on came the night's headlining act: Cory Wong. Backed by his full live band (complete with five horns), his high-octane energy and signature rhythm guitar riffs immediately had the crowd all smiles. His sets are full of natural showmanship, theatrical choreography, and every song has the epic crescendo of the last jam of the night...but wait! There's more. Fans of Vulfpeck were treated to several featured tracks, including a tightened-up version of "Deantown" that was all fun and games, and no one got hurt.
To the team at North Beach Music Festival: thank you for your unfailing love for true musicianship. Even battling the heat, every note was able to shine bright against such a stunning setting. See you next year!
