Purple Hatter’s Ball Completes Lineup with Great Additions

Two months ago, we were delighted to announce the first wave of artists for this year’s Purple Hatter’s Ball at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak FL. The festival has moved to June 17-19, and that initial group of artists made a big splash. You can read more in depth here, but the first wave includes:

Papadosio, The Floozies, The Polish Ambassador, DubConscious, The Mantras, Roosevelt Collier Band, The Malah, The Hip Abduction, Sophistafunk, Voodoo Visionary, Catfish Alliance, Trial By Stone, Scott Campbell band with Avis Berry, Funk You, MZG, Herd Of Watts, Kaleigh Baker with The Groove Orient, The Corbitt-Clampitt Experience, Post Pluto, Squeedlepuss, S.P.O.R.E. with Zahira, and Leisure Chief.

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That would have been more than sufficient, but PHB has piled on!

Jerry Garcia Band founding member and longtime collaborator Melvin Seals and JGB will be joining the party. They have thrilled fans at the last two Wanee Music Festivals and are no strangers to the park. JGB are: Melvins Seals, Hammond B3, vocals; Cheryl Rucker, vocals; Shirley Starks, vocals; Peter Lavezzoli, drums; Dave Hebert, guitar, vocals; and John-Paul McLean, bass.

Earphunk, an outstanding prog-funk quintet from New Orleans, have been melting faces everywhere they go and love playing SoSMP. Earphunk are: Paul Provosty, guitar; Mark Hempe, vocals, guitar; Christian Gallé, keys; Michael Comeaux, bass; and Michael Matthews, drums. The two lead guitars are killer!

Gainesville’s Flat Land really put themselves on the map at last year’s Purple Hatter’s Ball with two superb performances. They return this year after performances at Suwannee Hulaween, Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival and dozens of others festivals and show. Their brand of “ethereal funk fusion” comes from: Fae Nageon De Lestang, violin, vocals; Christopher Storey, guitar; Grant McLeod, drums; Ian McLeod, percussion; and Brandon Miller, bass.

Miami’s DJ duo Bedside have been raving it up, including at Okeechobee AND the AURA Music & Arts Festival — on the same weekend! Travis Acker and Trace Barfield are both multi-instrumentalists, and the combination of live and produced elements is truly exciting. They aren’t called “The Future of Miami’s Dance Music” for nothing!

Also joining the party is the Heather Gillis Band. We first saw Gillis perform with Col. Bruce Hampton (Ret.) at Magnolia Fest last October, and since then she and her band have played some great shows. And Gillis is now a member of Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band and has been killing it alongside Vaylor Trucks and Damon Fowler, a truly mighty guitar triumvirate. The Heather Gillis Band are: Heather Gillis, vocals, guitar, lap steel; Kyle Chervanik, bass guitar; Gerald Watkins, drums; and Nyan Feder, tenor saxophone.

That’s icing on the cake! And just to put a cherry on top, The Disco Biscuits’ drummer Allen Aucoin will join MZG for a live band performance!

PHB 2016 will utilize three stages, including the famed Amphitheater Stage, a Beach Stage located along the wild black-water Suwannee River, and a Campground Stage, which will morph into the Silent Disco late night. The event also features live art, yoga and workshops. Festival-goers are encouraged to take advantage of the park’s endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, biking and disc golf.

Be sure to check the official Purple Hatter’s Ball website for information about tickets, VIP, cabins, golf carts and more.

See you in June!

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