Jazz in the Gardens / Hard Rock
The final day of Jazz in the Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium finished with an impressive lineup of headliners including Esperanza Spalding, the Roots, Andra Day, Common, and LL Cool J. Each performance featured a full band accompanying the unusually lengthy 60-90 minute sets. Local vendors pitched tents in front of the stage offering food, beer and water to a thirsty crowd. Slideshow for Miami New Times.
Wigwood Queer Fest / Gramps
The first-ever Wigwood queer festival invaded Gramps on Saturday, February 4, with an eccentric lineup of local queens, visiting acts from New York and L.A., plus music, panel discussions and a live auction. The all-day affair filled the bar, patio, and back stage room to comfortable capacity with a glittery mix of platform shoes and gender fluid characters drinking and dancing between rowdy sets of performances. Slideshow for Miami New Times.
FM Fest / North Beach Bandshell
Day one of the inaugural FM Festival weekend kicked off on Saturday, January 28, with cool temperatures and crisp blue skies. Local vendors set up shop under a tent on the beach to provide hand-crafted cocktails and munchies alongside acts Steven A. Clark, Arthur Baker, Amtrac, Los Amigos Invisibles, Slow Magic, and Hot Chip.
Day two was initially met with cold and rain, but the storms rolled through by late afternoon for local favorites Millionyoung and Mr. Pauer. By early evening, the punk rock Jacuzzi Boys started drawing a crowd which gained momentum for Sunday's headliners Ghostface Killah and Bomba Estéreo. Slideshow for Miami New Times.
Run the Jewels / The Fillmore
Still hot off the release of their third studio album, Run the Jewels 3 — which is currently #1 on Billboard's hip-hop charts — Killer Mike and El-P packed the Fillmore Miami Beach on Wednesday, January 25, for a high-energy, savage display of rhyme and their notoriously clever rhetoric. Nick Hook, Cuz, the Gaslamp Killer, and Gangsta Boo from Three 6 Mafia warmed up the crowd before RTJ took over with MC Spark Master Tape. Slideshow for Miami New Times.
Bowie's Blackstar Bash / Churchill's
On Tuesday, January 10, Churchill's celebrated the one-year anniversary of David Bowie's passing with a lineup of live tribute acts. Local bands Sofilla, the Citadel, Anastasia Max, Similar Prisoners, and Kill Mama performed original versions of the legendary rock icon's classics. Slideshow for Miami New Times.
