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DeLuna Fest organizers at Five Flags Tourism Group announced the initial lineup for the festival on a live webcast carried on GoPensacola.com. Among the big names appearing at the festival:
Stone Temple Pilots: Recently reunited, the band was one of the top alternative rock acts of the ‘90s, with hits including “Plush,” “Interstate Love Song” and “Big Bang Baby.” The band’s self-titled comeback album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart earlier this year, and first single “Between the Lines” topped Billboard’s Modern Rock charts.
311: Reggae-influenced rockers whose hits include “Down,” “Don’t Tread on Me” and a well-received cover of The Cure’s “Love Song.” The band’s most recent album, “Uplifter,” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart last year.
30 Seconds to Mars: Emo-rock band fronted by actor Jared Leto, with hits including “The Kill,” “From Yesterday,” “Kings and Queens” and “This is War.”
The Bravery: Post-punk revival act whose hits include “An Honest Mistake,” “Time Won’t Let Me Go” and “Believe.” The band’s song “Ours” appears on the soundtrack to the hot new film, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”
Michael Franti and Spearhead: The eclectic band blends funk, rock, reggae, hip hopand other styles, and scored a big hit last year with “Say Hey (I Love You).” The band’s next album, “The Sound of Sunshine,” will be released Aug. 24.
Better Than Ezra: New Orleans-based alt-rockers behind such hits as “Good,” “In the Blood,” “Desperately Wanting” and “King of New Orleans.”
Cowboy Mouth: Another New Orleans band, the group is a perennial Pensacola favorite known for raucous live performances and hits such as “Jenny Says” and “Joe Strummer.”
Other acts announced Friday included Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Rebelution, Benjy Davis Project, Blackberry Smoke, Matt Kennon, Piko vs. Island Trees, Neon Trees and local favorites The Gills.
Organizers plan to announce additional acts, including additional headline artists, in two to three weeks.
"There will be something here for everyone," said Nick Bodkins, festival organizer with Five Flags Tourism Group.
"This area has been hoping for a festival like this for years," said Scott Wheatley, Five Flags partner and festival producer. "Bring your beach chair, stake a spot in the sand, and be ready to have a great weekend on Pensacola Beach."
Tickets go on sale July 6 at Seville Quarter in Pensacola, The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge in Gulf Breeze and online at www.delunafest.com. Early-bird pricing for two-day passes is set at $55 at the local locations or $60 online. Limited tickets will be available at the early bird price. After that, the price goes to $80 for a two-day pass for a limited time. No additional ticketing fees will be added to these prices.
Once advance tickets are sold out, the daily schedule will be announced, and two-day passes will go to a final price of $90. Single-day passes will be made available at that time.
"We’re bringing amazing live performances to our area with ticket prices that will encourage everyone of all ages to choose to support Pensacola Beach while having fun," Bodkins said.
Pensacola music fans seemed to share the enthusiasm of the Five Flags team.
“That’s a pretty rockin’ lineup,” Austin Enfinger of Pensacola said. “With that lineup, that’s an incredible deal $55 or $60 for a two-day pass is incredible for that lineup. I’d pay $100 for that. That’s a steal.
Enfinger said he’s especially looking forward to seeing 311, which he called “a great beach band,” and Stone Temple Pilots, whose frontman, Scott Weiland, is Enfinger’s idea of “pure rock star.”
“I know I’m going to be there and most of my friends will be there, and I hope the rest of the community will, as well,” Enfinger said. “There’s no reason not to, with that lineup. If you like rock music at all, you have no excuse not to be there that weekend.”
Brian LeBlanc of Pensacola is another fan who called the ticket price a “steal,” and says he’ll “definitely go” to the festival.
“I think it’s a very good price for the amount of entertainment that’s going to be there. $55 is nothing, It’s a very fair price. Michael Buble is coming and his tickets are $80.”
LeBlanc cited Cowboy Mouth and Michael Franti and Spearhead as being among the acts he’s most looking forward to seeing on Pensacola Beach. And he thinks the festival will be a boon to the community, as well.
“I feel like this is going to be a tremendous boost for us here in Pensacola,” LeBlanc said. “People really, really need this, especially now, with oil pouring onto our sands.”
And Matthieu Rodriguez of Pensacola, who has attended several of the nation’s largest music festivals such as Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, said he thinks the line-up stands up to those of established annual events.
“It’s a great blend of progressive and modern rock music,” Rodriguez said. “The fusion of different styles is what makes it work. I think the energy of all those different bands is going to add up to one of the more interesting and exciting events.”
Rodriguez said he’s looking forward to seeing The Bravery and Michael Franti and Spearhead, and called Franti, and said Franti's positive energy is "worth the ticket price alone."
