Resonate Suwannee is back for its second year in this format in just three short weeks and I’ll be back in Live Oak to celebrate with the crew. The festival came together under this name last year when Resonance and Resonate joined with the headlining band STS9 to put together a smashing jamtronica, EDM, funk, prog lineup. It’s such a great vibe with minimal, if any, music overlap on the stages so you get to see as much music as you want in what is for me, the best music festival venue in the country, Spirit of Suwannee Music Park.
As usual, FunkCity.net, will be there soaking it in, predominantly at the live band stages. Here’s the rundown of where I expect to be at any given moment of each day. But when it comes to showtime, I’ll end up where my ears take me. Hope I’ll see some of you musicreatures down South!
Papadosio was a mainstay headliner at the Resonance Festivals of the past and it’s great to have them top off Day 1 of the fest. Personally, I’d love to see them do an album-themed, perhaps Microdosio?
The live band lineup for Thursday is particularly strong and I plan to catch all of them!
lespecial has been honing their craft nearly two decades now but has really exploded since the release of their album Ancient Homies in 2020 followed up with the white hot Odd Times in 2023. The power trio’s live performances are as exhilirating as they come. Check out my video of the song “Boundary Dissolution” from this past Hulaween late night — you’ll definitely wanna catch their Resonate set.
Sneezy is a funk band out of Chi-town that puts on a festival party everytime they play. They have all the elements – funky horn licks, slappin’ bass, heavy organ and some bitchin’ vocals. Their playful antics will amp up the ‘tude and the tunes at Resonate.
Sunsquabi is a power trio from Denver and their sets are imaginative, trippy electronic funk jams. That’s a lot to pack into the set but I always go hard with some serious head banging when they play. They just recently added the drummer Scotty Zwang who replaces Chris Anderson so I’ll be pumped to see this version of the band. On top of that, they just came out with a new 4-track EP Cloudburst which is fantastic and I’m hoping to hear at least a couple of cuts from that during their set!
Sauce Pocket was unknown to me up until last month at Whippersnap Fest where I captured this video. Their funk-fusion jams hit just right and I’m really stoked to capture them again. I expect that they’ll be pretty early in the day so make sure y’all get settled in on time – you don’t wanna miss these guys.
STS9 takes over the fest Friday and Saturday with four sets. I’m looking forward to the ChromaLight set which as far as I can tell has never been played in SOSMP? There’s a a live (ChromaLight Set 2) set from Red Rocks last year up on Bandcamp and it sounds awesome. This is gonna be one helluva trip!
Ghost-Note is one of my favorite bands, and one of the funkiest on the planet. The band was formed by Nate Werth and Robert “Sput” Searight, presently and formerly of Snarky Puppy and their sets are always non-stop booty rockin’ jams. This set was from late-night at Hulaween and I’m hoping to hear some of their new shit on the upcoming album Mustard’n Onions. Here’s a taste with the sone “Where’s Danny?” named for and naturally featuring my good Atlanta homie, Danny Wytanis on trombone!
The New Mastersounds are back! They’re about to embark on their first U.S. tour in 4+ years. It’s so rare to be able to see two of my fave bands on the same day but here we are at Resonate Friday. I was lucky enough to catch them at Whippersnap Fest a few weeks back and they haven’t missed a beat (thanks Simon)! On top of that they’ll be out with a new album ‘Old School’ just before the fest so looking forward to hearing a few new tracks, possibly Smoothie!?
LPT is a 10-piece salsa band that first came into view for me at Suwannee Rising 2019. They are super high energy, with totally dance oriented sets, great vocals, tight horns, and pounding percussion. Get out early and start your Friday right!
I believe the last time Axe the Cables was played in SOSMP was Hulaween 2018 — you can preview and purchase that recording at the link. The set will be epic with all acoustic including Alana Rocklin on upright bass!
Cimafunk became a shooting star in 2022 with his first appearance at Hulaween. Tons of people got hip to his Afro-Cuban funk as he played for larger crowds and toured with the ultimate funk band of today, Lettuce. He’s got the chop and his band has all you need to tickle your funky bone! Get out and shake it up with Cimafunk!
Dumpstaphunk gonna invite you to come out and party and “put it in the Dumpsta”! Their dual-bass force of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III will give you all the thump you need. Ivan Neville’s crew including John Michael Bradford (trumpet), Alex Wasily (trombone), Ian Neville (guitar) and Deven Trusclair (drums) are long-standing flag-bearers for that New Orleans funky sound and I’m all in!