WMNF Community Radio's 27th Annual
TROPICAL HEATWAVE
An extravaganza of eclectic and exotic entertainment
Tropical Heatwave is the musical event of the year for the eclectic music connoisseur, an annual rite of spring. An astonishing amount of musical talent and creativity will be here for you to experience.
This year we think the lineup could be one of the best ever, with a great mix of new artists and longtime WMNF favorites. With Graham Parker we will get to see an artist who has been a WMNF favorite since the station began (and who keeps putting out great music) but has never played a WMNF show before. We are bringing back some artists who have played fantastic Heatwave sets in previous years: Sonny Landreth, Brave Combo, and Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. We have invited bands who came through the area and performed terrific, high energy sets that made fans say, “They need to be a Heatwave band!”, including Del Castillo, Mighty Lester, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, and The Zydepunks.
The most fun for many Heatwave veterans is the magical experience of collectively discovering new artists who never have played before this area. We send talent scouts across the country looking for exciting up-and-coming bands and regional artists who meet the Heatwave criteria of fun, visual appeal and musical excellence. This year more than ten bands make their area debut at Heatwave include The Shackeltons (our SXSW discovery); Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Atlas Soul, Hoots & Hellmouth, Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, Groovesect, SoulRebels, Still Alive and Baye Kouyate.
The best venue for dancing is the wood floor of the Cuban Club Ballroom which we have filled with diverse dance bands, and the fourth floor Ballroom leads to the fun of people-watching while traveling up and down the Cuban Club stairs The Cuban Club and El Pasaje Plaza, the big outdoor courtyards , are also good places, usually with enough room to dance. When Brave Combo gets going, you may even find yourself doing the “Hokey Pokey”. A highlight of the 2008 Tropical Heatwave will the plethora of Louisiana music, which led to El Pasaje Plaza getting designated Louisiana Stage, all music from Louisiana. The Cuban Club Cantina, where some of the edgier artists are showcased with bands and audience packed close together, is where a lot of Heatwave magic happens . The Orpheum is a room to see regional and national music in an intimate club setting and will have Heatwave’s diversity in one club: folk, blues, alternative, poetry, electronic, and reggaeton.
While some of the national bands may be on your radar, you should not forget to check out the great local and regional artists who will be at Heatwave. We have handpicked great bands who are ready to compete for audiences with the national bands. It's always thrilling for both local bands and their fans to rise to the occasion by turning in some of the hottest music of the Heatwave. In particular New World Brewery, the showcase of the best local bands, is always hopping with some of Tampa coolest hipsters. With six stages of simultaneous music, everybody gets a unique experience by making their own strategy for seeing the best or the most music. Some people hang out at one or two stages where they know some of their favorite bands are playing. Others try to challenge themselves to keep moving and see as many bands as possible. Some just go with the flow. After Heatwave you will often find two people saying it was one the best nights of music they ever experienced, and they find out their paths never crossed watching the same bands.
Tropical Heatwave is a manifestation and celebration of the sense of community this radio station has created. We invite you to join with the other members of the WMNF family to share the fabulous music and friendship.