Eclectic Sounds in Miami
Guest Contributor: Robert Franzino
For people whose musical tastes aren’t squarely mainstream, it can be hard to find as many good concerts in Miami as in most comparably sized cities. That’s one thing I’ve missed since I moved down here from the Detroit area a few years ago. The biggest acts always come our way to perform at downtown’s AmericanAirlines Arena. Madonna, Mariah and Shakira are a few of the recent divas who have graced the stage at “Triple A” – the local nickname for the big white arena where the Miami HEAT plays and where top acts strut their stuff.
Artists who are serious about their music but who don’t sell out arenas aren’t as likely to make it to Miami. Even local folk/indie hero and former Miami International University of Art & Design film instructor Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, rarely if ever performs in Miami. Back in Detroit in the late ‘90s, on the other hand, it seemed like the White Stripes were playing somewhere every week. You probably wouldn’t want to vacation in Detroit, though.
Fortunately, there are a few organizations and venues that are working to bring more adventurous sounds to Miami. Two such groups are the Rhythm Foundation, which brings about 10-15 world music artists to town each year, and Poplife, which presents a lot of indie acts who ordinarily wouldn’t make it all the way down here. Miami’s multicultural atmosphere assures good crowds for a lot of the visiting artists that the Rhythm Foundation presents.
The two promoters recently worked together to present a concert by a group that bridges the gap between world music and indie rock – Os Mutantes. This legendary psychedelic band – which was at the heart of Brazil’s Tropicalia movement in the Sixties, combining traditional Brazilian music with modern American and British rock along with a lot of crazy noises and sound effects – played an amazing show at the Manuel Artime Theater in Little Havana last month as one of only a few dates on their long-awaited reunion tour. A lot of Poplife’s shows are held at this former Baptist church that is now operated by the City of Miami. Inside, it feels like a high-school auditorium, which is odd at first, but it was actually a great place for this concert because it’s an intimate space with pretty good sound.
The two greatest singers and songwriters of the Tropicalia movement and the authors of some of Os Mutantes’ best-known songs - Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil - also play in Miami every time they come to the U.S. A couple of years ago, the Rhythm Foundation presented a concert by Caetano Veloso at downtown’s Olympia Theater at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. This beautiful old theater, whose ornate ceiling features a night sky with brightly painted stars and billowy clouds, was the perfect setting in which to see him.
Another show at the Gusman Center that promises to be great is Marisa Monte, who has received a lot of international attention after her role as one-third of the Brazilian super-group Tribalistas in 2003. The Rhythm Foundation has just announced that she’ll perform at Gusman on November 10 and 11, as one of only four stops on her first U.S. tour in six years.
I already have tickets for Gilberto Gil’s concert at downtown’s new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts on March 30, 2007. The Center’s Grand Opening will be on the weekend of October 5-8, and they have a great lineup of music, theater and dance performances scheduled for the 2006/2007 season. But this is the show I’ve had my eye on, so I got tickets as soon as they went on sale – even though it’s more than eight months away. I went on a “hard hat” tour of the building while it was under construction last year, so I knew exactly which tickets I wanted – box seats that hover almost right over the stage.
Just like the other concerts I’ve mentioned, Gilberto Gil’s Miami concert is one of only a few scheduled in the U.S. So, even though I’m feeling kind of left out as I look at some of the bands that won’t be touring here this year – I don’t think Iron & Wine is coming back any time soon – I can find comfort knowing there are many great shows that put Miami at the top if their concert itineraries.
Here is a list of some musical resources that offer some of the edgier sounds to be found in this town. As you’ll see, there are plenty of events throughout the year, so even though I’ve been complaining that a lot of acts don’t make it to Miami on their own tours, they’ll often end up here as part of a larger music festival….
MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CLUBS:
Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club
Miami isn’t known for its jazz scene, but that may soon change because Arturo Sandoval lives here. In April, the dynamic Cuban trumpeter opened this Miami Beach club, which features internationally renowned headliners, talented local musicians and gourmet cuisine in a swank atmosphere.
Churchill’s
This English pub in the heart of Little Haiti doubles as a rock 'n roll joint. By day, watch soccer on TV and drink a Black & Tan. By night, enjoy the live music and dedicated local crowd.
Hoy Como Ayer
A live Latin music club on Calle Ocho.
Jazid
The longest running nightclub in Miami Beach, and the only one that presents live local bands seven nights a week.
Tobacco Road
Miami’s oldest bar is open till 5 a.m. seven nights a week, with live music in an upstairs cabaret and out back on the patio.
Greater Miami Music Fest
Sept. 2, 2006
Miami's top indie-rock acts recently performed live on one stage with non-stop music and entertainment.
Bang Music Festival
Nov. 11, 2006
Enjoy music on five stages, with more than 40 DJs and live acts from around the world. Artists include Duran Duran, Modest Mouse, Gnarls Barkley, Los Amigos Invisibles, Daft Punk and many more.
Bob Marley Caribbean Festival
February
A day-long celebration of music, food, crafts and art honoring the life and philosophy of the legendary Bob Marley.
Ultra Music Festival 8
March
America's premier electronic music festival features 15 areas of sound, sight, and wonder; two waterfront main stages; and newly developed VIP areas. Performers last year included The Prodigy, Paul Oakenfold with live orchestra, Carl Cox, Erick Morillo, and many others.
Winter Music Conference
March
This premier international dance music conference attracts renowned international artists and DJs who perform at top music venues throughout South Beach.
Miami Project Hip Hop
May
An annual celebration of music, dance, theater, spoken word and film focusing on the influence of Caribbean cultures on the evolution of Hip Hop in the U.S. Enjoy visiting artists, lectures, workshops, demonstrations and performances.
JVC Jazz Festival-Miami Beach
May
Five days of jazz and special performances by distinguished artists and emerging musicians.
For people whose musical tastes aren’t squarely mainstream, it can be hard to find as many good concerts in Miami as in most comparably sized cities. That’s one thing I’ve missed since I moved down here from the Detroit area a few years ago. The biggest acts always come our way to perform at downtown’s AmericanAirlines Arena. Madonna, Mariah and Shakira are a few of the recent divas who have graced the stage at “Triple A” – the local nickname for the big white arena where the Miami HEAT plays and where top acts strut their stuff.
Artists who are serious about their music but who don’t sell out arenas aren’t as likely to make it to Miami. Even local folk/indie hero and former Miami International University of Art & Design film instructor Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, rarely if ever performs in Miami. Back in Detroit in the late ‘90s, on the other hand, it seemed like the White Stripes were playing somewhere every week. You probably wouldn’t want to vacation in Detroit, though.
Fortunately, there are a few organizations and venues that are working to bring more adventurous sounds to Miami. Two such groups are the Rhythm Foundation, which brings about 10-15 world music artists to town each year, and Poplife, which presents a lot of indie acts who ordinarily wouldn’t make it all the way down here. Miami’s multicultural atmosphere assures good crowds for a lot of the visiting artists that the Rhythm Foundation presents.
The two promoters recently worked together to present a concert by a group that bridges the gap between world music and indie rock – Os Mutantes. This legendary psychedelic band – which was at the heart of Brazil’s Tropicalia movement in the Sixties, combining traditional Brazilian music with modern American and British rock along with a lot of crazy noises and sound effects – played an amazing show at the Manuel Artime Theater in Little Havana last month as one of only a few dates on their long-awaited reunion tour. A lot of Poplife’s shows are held at this former Baptist church that is now operated by the City of Miami. Inside, it feels like a high-school auditorium, which is odd at first, but it was actually a great place for this concert because it’s an intimate space with pretty good sound.
The two greatest singers and songwriters of the Tropicalia movement and the authors of some of Os Mutantes’ best-known songs - Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil - also play in Miami every time they come to the U.S. A couple of years ago, the Rhythm Foundation presented a concert by Caetano Veloso at downtown’s Olympia Theater at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. This beautiful old theater, whose ornate ceiling features a night sky with brightly painted stars and billowy clouds, was the perfect setting in which to see him.
Another show at the Gusman Center that promises to be great is Marisa Monte, who has received a lot of international attention after her role as one-third of the Brazilian super-group Tribalistas in 2003. The Rhythm Foundation has just announced that she’ll perform at Gusman on November 10 and 11, as one of only four stops on her first U.S. tour in six years.
I already have tickets for Gilberto Gil’s concert at downtown’s new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts on March 30, 2007. The Center’s Grand Opening will be on the weekend of October 5-8, and they have a great lineup of music, theater and dance performances scheduled for the 2006/2007 season. But this is the show I’ve had my eye on, so I got tickets as soon as they went on sale – even though it’s more than eight months away. I went on a “hard hat” tour of the building while it was under construction last year, so I knew exactly which tickets I wanted – box seats that hover almost right over the stage.
Just like the other concerts I’ve mentioned, Gilberto Gil’s Miami concert is one of only a few scheduled in the U.S. So, even though I’m feeling kind of left out as I look at some of the bands that won’t be touring here this year – I don’t think Iron & Wine is coming back any time soon – I can find comfort knowing there are many great shows that put Miami at the top if their concert itineraries.
Here is a list of some musical resources that offer some of the edgier sounds to be found in this town. As you’ll see, there are plenty of events throughout the year, so even though I’ve been complaining that a lot of acts don’t make it to Miami on their own tours, they’ll often end up here as part of a larger music festival….
MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CLUBS:
Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club
Miami isn’t known for its jazz scene, but that may soon change because Arturo Sandoval lives here. In April, the dynamic Cuban trumpeter opened this Miami Beach club, which features internationally renowned headliners, talented local musicians and gourmet cuisine in a swank atmosphere.
Churchill’s
This English pub in the heart of Little Haiti doubles as a rock 'n roll joint. By day, watch soccer on TV and drink a Black & Tan. By night, enjoy the live music and dedicated local crowd.
Hoy Como Ayer
A live Latin music club on Calle Ocho.
Jazid
The longest running nightclub in Miami Beach, and the only one that presents live local bands seven nights a week.
Tobacco Road
Miami’s oldest bar is open till 5 a.m. seven nights a week, with live music in an upstairs cabaret and out back on the patio.
Greater Miami Music Fest
Sept. 2, 2006
Miami's top indie-rock acts recently performed live on one stage with non-stop music and entertainment.
Bang Music Festival
Nov. 11, 2006
Enjoy music on five stages, with more than 40 DJs and live acts from around the world. Artists include Duran Duran, Modest Mouse, Gnarls Barkley, Los Amigos Invisibles, Daft Punk and many more.
Bob Marley Caribbean Festival
February
A day-long celebration of music, food, crafts and art honoring the life and philosophy of the legendary Bob Marley.
Ultra Music Festival 8
March
America's premier electronic music festival features 15 areas of sound, sight, and wonder; two waterfront main stages; and newly developed VIP areas. Performers last year included The Prodigy, Paul Oakenfold with live orchestra, Carl Cox, Erick Morillo, and many others.
Winter Music Conference
March
This premier international dance music conference attracts renowned international artists and DJs who perform at top music venues throughout South Beach.
Miami Project Hip Hop
May
An annual celebration of music, dance, theater, spoken word and film focusing on the influence of Caribbean cultures on the evolution of Hip Hop in the U.S. Enjoy visiting artists, lectures, workshops, demonstrations and performances.
JVC Jazz Festival-Miami Beach
May
Five days of jazz and special performances by distinguished artists and emerging musicians.
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