grouplove — The Magazine — The Marinade with Jason Earle

Jason Earle and Jenn Ross are covering Gasparilla Music Festival 2022. This is the second installment of Jason’s Journal which chronicles the experiences in and around the festival. To read about the lead-up to the festival, click here.

All photos by Jenn Ross Photography

Getting into this AirBnB feels like an episode of Mission Impossible. There are three codes. One is for the gate and the building, which will expire in thirty minutes. The instructions are almost cryptic and very long. At the bottom of the instructions resides the code to the apartment door, along with an admonishment to not speak with anyone in the building. Not exactly a relaxing start to a getaway weekend.

I am starving so all of this feels like even more of an imposition. I feel kind of dirty that I’m breaking the rules of this place by paying to stay here. It’s messed up that this guy lists his place as if it’s all good and then adds a layer of stress to the conditions.

Good news is, we are just under a mile from Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) and in the grand scheme of things my life is pretty damn easy. It’s too hot to walk now, but on the way home Florida will be dishing out one of those 60 degree winter nights. It’s Friday, opening day of Gasparilla Music Festival 2022. If I open Twitter right now the world will feel on fire. On the way to GMF all feels right with the world.

Food is our first priority, then we have a full slate of interesting bands. Today’s offering includes some acts that are somewhat unfamiliar to me- big and not-so-big names alike. Such is the beauty of GMF.

Hearty Har, which features the sons of John Fogerty, is playing as I sit down with my perogies and french fries from The Independent. At this point in my life I often like to hang back at a festival. If I am shooting photos I will do my time up front in the pit, but today I have the great Jenn Ross with me so no need to tax my ears too much.

This being opening night, and Friday being a new thing for the festival, the crowd is robust but not overwhelming. Finding a comfy spot on the lawn may be a little tougher tomorrow but tonight there’s enough room to spread out and soak in the experience.

The sun is beginning its descent behind the main stage, with The University of Tampa framed by its halo. It is one of those views that never get old. Hearty Har feels part garage rock, part psychedelic. Fun, high energy music. They are the tone setters for the day.

As The Aces take the stage it begins to become clear how many die hard fans of these bands are in attendance. GMF has grown from a hyper-local festival to a destination. Local culture remains the centerpiece but when a band like Grouplove or Black Pumas is in town, folks come from all over the place.

I can see the end of this four cheese pesto pizza from Shadrach’s Fiery Furnace and my eyelids are starting to get heavy. Black Pumas is up next. My first experience seeing them live, and their first in Florida, is not disappointing. I’m trying to hold on but these days I don’t have quite the stamina I did during my first GMF ten years ago.

The walk back to our clandestine AirBnB is an easy stroll in perfect weather. Nights like these are one of the many reasons why I live in Florida despite the fuckery that endures in our legislature.

Jenn and I are both exhausted. A few more social media posts, a glass of wine, and sleep are on the docket. Tomorrow is a big day.

Gasparilla Music Festival 2022 | Photos by Jenn Ross Photography

Jason's Journal | Gasparilla Music Festival Day 1 Recap