The Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) presented by Coppertail Brewing Co. has revealed highly anticipated details on the twelfth edition of the Bay Area’s favorite music festival. The event this year will take place over two days on April 29 – 30 in Curtis Hixon Park, with additional neighboring stages in store.
Headliners include critically acclaimed hip-hop super duo Run The Jewels, composed of Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn-based rapper and producer El-P. GMF will be one of a handful of select 2023 dates celebrating the renowned act’s 10th anniversary tour and their first Florida show since 2018. Rounding out the headlining spots will be Canadian electro-funk duo and Grammy Award® Nominees, Chromeo, whose appearance follows the release of their new album and performances at Coachella. Over the past two decades Chromeo has landed three albums in the Billboard Top 200 with multiple club hits igniting dance floors worldwide. Closing out Sunday night is American Rock Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead which features renowned Jam musicians paying tribute to the Grateful Dead. Known by fans as J-Rad, this super-group has been selling out major markets and venues in recent years with their incredible live performances often including exciting surprise guests and high-energy jams.
Additional national acts include West Coast Indie-Rock quintet, Local Natives, the female-fronted Indie-Pop sensation Cannons, Appalachian folk music band led by multi-instrumentalist sisters, Rising Appalachia, cult-classic Rock band, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, rapidly rising Florida based Indie-Rock act, Flipturn, and Florida-based Indie-Folk act The 502s, alongside an eclectic array of Tampa Bay’s finest local talent.
While recent structural issues with the city have prevented GMF from the use of Kiley Gardens, the festival is thrilled to announce a partnership with fellow non-profit, community-arts driven organization, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The Straz Center stage will allow GMF to extend its footprint down the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk and will feature two jam-packed days of diverse local talent overlooking the Hillsborough River.
“GMF did not flinch when informed by the city that Kiley Garden is currently unable to be used due to water intrusion issues.” said David Cox of the Gasparilla Music Foundation. “While this news has led to changes in the festival layout, it has also opened up exciting new opportunities to expand the festival’s footprint and create amazing new experiences.”
Additional local music programming will take place at Sparkman Wharf giving fans an opportunity to catch live music in various venues along Riverwalk and an abundance of ways to get there including the Pirate Water Taxi, TECO Streetcar trolley, E-scooters, bicycles, and by foot.
The festival will be expanding the Bike Valet area which will continue to be FREE for concert goers. With this year’s expansion GMF aims to park over one thousand bikes taking hundreds of cars off the road. Returning this year is the popular Silent Disco, GMF’s amazing local food vendors and a new activation with The Phoenix for our sober active community.
Each year the festival offers an eclectic mix of music styles including rock, reggae, R&B, country, hip hop, gospel, bluegrass, electronic and latin. Past performers have included Brandi Carlile, Gary Clark Jr., Flaming Lips, Cage the Elephant, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of Real ,The Roots, Margo Price, Charles Bradley, Jason Isbell, Erykah Badu, Modest Mouse, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Nas, Talib Kweli, among many other incredible performers.
The Gasparilla Music Festival started in 2012 and quickly earned a reputation as a respected, well-curated festival featuring an exciting mix of performers. A non-profit event, the festival serves as an immersive experience celebrating the best of Tampa culture: its food, music, fashion, art, and, of course, award winning beers. The GMF Foundation works year round to support music education through its Recycled Tunes program which puts instruments into the hands of students who may not otherwise have access to them. The Foundation furthers its mission by providing paid performance opportunities through its GMF Productions program at venues throughout the area. Recently the foundation was awarded the 2022 Exemplary Model Music Project Award from the Florida Music Education Association and the Encore Award from the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educators Council which recognizes outstanding organizations supporting music education in the county. In 2022, over 47 Title 1 schools in the Bay Area have been supported by the organization with over 400 instruments donated and countless repairs and accessories provided. The foundation’s advocacy has led to increased arts funding in Elementary schools throughout Tampa Bay. Ticket purchases directly support the Foundation’s mission and this year the Foundation aims to reach even more schools.
The festival will continue to release more special announcements in the coming weeks including its award winning Food Lineup at Calle Cocina. Keep an eye on Gasparilla Music Festival for updates.
“It’s a transitional year for GMF as we adapt to the challenges of rapidly growing downtown development,” said Melanie Rouse, GMF Board President. “We’re looking forward to celebrating one last year in Curtis Hixon with a sensational lineup. We’re very excited to establish our new home at Julian B Lane Park in 2024 where we can grow for years to come and remain an integral part of the downtown landscape.”
Tickets to the festival are available at www.gmftickets.com
Advance Ticket Prices:
SATURDAY GENERAL ADMISSION $50
SUNDAY GENERAL ADMISSION $50
2- DAY GENERAL ADMISSION (SAT/SUN) $80
SATURDAY VIP $125
SUNDAY VIP $125
2-DAY VIP (SAT/SUN) $200
*plus any applicable taxes and fees No Refunds. Rain or Shine
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