Constant intrascene belly-aching aside, a few local (and local-ish) acts are managing to squeeze out of South Florida geographical isolation this summer for big stages.
A number of major national festivals are featuring homegrown talent on the bill. And rightfully so.
Here's a quick rundown of South Florida (and SoFla-related) bands playing this year's summer festival circuit.
The Bamboozle
The Festival Sound: Punk-ish acts old and new, metalcore, radio rock titans, new bloggy hip-hop, random hardcore and classic New Jersey acts.
The Locals: Cris Cab
The Reason: Cris Cab's genre-crossing blend of blue-eyed soul, hip-hop, and rock jibes well with current post-everything, '90s-baby taste. And his DIY grind means he's built up enough of a grassroots fan base to draw a major crowd.
The Other Acts: Mac Miller, Kreayshawn, My Chemical Romance, Comeback Kid, Brand New, Bon Jovi, Skrillex, Hot Water Music, DJ Pauly D.
The Details: May 18 to 20, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Tickets cost $65 to $75 for daily general admission, or $190 and up for various three-day packages. Visit thebamboozle.com
Wakarusa
The Festival Sound: A multi-genre grab bag of live performance from indie to electronic to jam bands
The Locals: The Heavy Pets
The Reason: The Pets are not only South Florida favorites, but longtime staples on the underground festival circuit. Wakarusa is probably the most mainstream fest that they'll play this summer, but their schedule is otherwise pretty full.
Other summer fest gigs they've got slated so far include Perpetual Groove's Amberland from May 25 to 27 in Lafayette, Georgia; the Purple Hatters Ball from May 11 to 13 in Live Oak, Florida; the Mantrabash from June 21 to 23 in Fergson, North Carolina; and the Catskill Chill Music Festival from September 7 to 9 in Hancock, New York.
The Other Acts: The Avett Brothers, Umphrey's McGee, Matisyahu, 12th Planet, Toubab Krewe.
The Details: May 31 to June 3. Ozark, Arkansas. Tickets cost $99 for a two-day pass, $139 for a three-day pass, and $179 and up for a full event pass. Visit wakarusa.com.
Bonnaroo
The Festival Sound: Titans of indie rock, hard rock, hip-hop, and the jam band scene.
The Locals: MonstrO ... OK, so they're local-ish.
The Reason: The guitarist of this band is Miami native Juan Montoya, who's been called "the nicest guy in heavy metal" and trails adoring fans wherever he goes. He's based in Atlanta now. But you know him from Torche -- and a million other fringe acts. MonstrO is a charging, melodic, downtuned kinda heavy band, and the other members have played in outfits like Danzig and Bloodsimple.
The Other Acts: Radiohead, Phish, the Beach Boys, Flying Lotus, the Roots.
The Details: June 7 to 10. Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets cost $259 and up for a four-day pass. Visit bonnaroo.com.
Orion Music + More
The Festival Sound: Metal mixed with alt-radio favorites and a couple of wild cards.
The Locals: Torche
The Reason: Torche takes the "Damage Inc." stage where the festival's slightly more underground acts play. That said, these former Miami-ans have a chunky, crowd-pleasing sound and enough semi-mainstream breakthrough to win even more converts.
The Other Acts: Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Modest Mouse, Cage the Elephant.
The Details: June 23 to 24. Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets cost $90 for single-day passes, and $150 and up for full event passes. Visit orionmusicandmore.com.
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