Whippersnap Music and Arts Festival is back in 2025 for its second year at Florida Sands Music Ranch (FSMR) and FunkCity.net will be there to celebrate. I didn’t really know what to expect at the 2024 edition since it was my first time and it turned out to be one of the best events of the year! You get big-time, world-class music, a fabulous location and a really cozy, intimate setting with some of the coolest people around!
It’s set in a great ranch campground and has two stages of music at alternating times so you never have to miss a beat. On top of that, the main stage is under a pole barn so you’ll be shielded from the sun during the day and any potential rain at night (we had both in ’24). The sound is great, there’s plenty of room to dance, or sit whatever your pleasure and ample vendors to help you take home some memories. On top of it all, the campsites are just a short walk from the stages!
This year’s lineup has just been released and I’m excited to see The New Mastersounds come back as headliners. There’s a ton of bands I’m familiar with and many more that I’m excited to see for the first time! Here’s a quick rundown of the lineup to date — I’ll have more to say once we’re closer to the date so mark your calendars for February 20 to 22, 2025!
The Lineup
The New Mastersounds are one of my fave bands of all time and I see them every chance I get. They were restricted in travel during the pandemic and only did very limited touring up until earlier this year. The band, formed in Leeds, England have been cranking out the best retro funk music around for 25 years! Here’s a video from Whippersnap ’24 back in February, which was their first return to the U.S. since early 2020! They just closed out Hulaween 24 in OG style – can’t wait to have them back at Whippersnap ’25!
Polyrhythmics are a band I first caught at Hulaween in 2019 and I was hooked. The last time I caught them was at the now discontinued Suwannee Rising back in 2022. Their infectious afro-beat funk with horns, heavy percussion and entrancing melodies was the highlight of that fest and I was glad to capture the full set. The band is Seattle-based so they don’t come around to the East Coast that much. It’ll be a real treat to catch them as a headliner at Whippersnap!
MiniM is another band that I caught for the first time at this year’s Whippersnap and I was duly impressed. They mix funk, rock, and jamtronica with atmospheric elements and were definitely one of the more spacey sets. Combined with the light show and the guest sit in of Eddie Roberts of NMS, it was an unexpected treat. Looking for more fun times with this band next year.
Ajeva is a funk/rock band from St. Petersburg, FL that I first came across at Hulaween back in 2016. I’ve since beome a fan and friend of the band with their funky grooves, and fine vocals and melodies. Their set at this year’s Hulaween on the Meadows stage brought the heat to their midday set.
Guavatron is an improvisational, jamtronica quartet out of West Palm Beach, FL. They’ve been touring a bunch lately in the Southeast, recently opening for Dopapod on a bunch of dates. This set is from a headlining gig at Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta and they also hit Hulaween big time last month.
TruPhonic is another stellar funk and soul band from Central Florida. They have been expanding their loyal fan base, touring around the Southeast. They play a mix of originals and excellent covers (for example Average White Band and Lettuce). I first caught them at Hulaween 2023 and more recently in my area of Atlanta (see video). Our friends at MusicFestNews.com recently interviewed Jake Salter, the leader, guitarist and lead vocalist and you can check that out here (TruPhonic Interview).
The Headtones are a Tampa based experimental funk band. They feature excellent horn work, trumpet and sax, catchy lead and group vocals and stellar guitar work from the newest member Stephanie Perez. I’ve caught them a couple of times now including at Hulaween last month where they opened up the entire festival. Their take on the Star Wars theme and overall energy made a bunch of new fans.
There’s so much more to talk about at this festival.
Joe Marcinek is always full of surprises and I expect another once in a lifetime superset from him and the Whippersnap All Stars. I’m sure this eclectic mix will blow everyone’s minds.
Organ Fairchild is an amazing organ trio that I’m so excited to see live. Their album “Leisure Suit” (album review here) was one of my favorite albums of 2023. Their visit down to the Southeast is not to be missed.
Tire Fire brings some special jamgrass to the festival and always high energy. Greenhouse Lounge is an amazing Florida funk and ska power trio with my bud, Dave McSweeney plunking that deep bass. Sooza Brass Band is oh, so funky and always full of sass, to make everyone’s day. Last and far from least is the absolutely amazing vocalist and superstar Kanika Moore, who last year fronted the festival closer TAUK Moore. Can’t wait to take part in this overall adventure. It’s gonna be hot, hot, hot.