De Luna Fest is the revival of America's original beach
festival, and the start of the city of Pensacola's 50
year count down to its 500 year anniversary. The
annual beach festival event will celebrate the arrival
of Don Tristan de Luna to Pensacola. De Luna was a
Spanish conquistador during the 16th century credited
with settling Pensacola. In 1559, he set out on an
expedition to establish Europe's first settlement in
North America.
De Luna brought with him a fleet of 13 ships, 1500
soldiers and settlers. He encountered difficult winds
that extended the journey across the Gulf of Mexico.
After the long and difficult voyage to what is now known
as Pensacola, De Luna and his crew had a party on the
beach in celebration of the expedition's safe arrival.
De Luna Fest is the revival of his original beach
festival. [courtesy of delunafest.com]
De Luna brought with him a fleet of 13 ships, 1500
soldiers and settlers. He encountered difficult winds
that extended the journey across the Gulf of Mexico.
After the long and difficult voyage to what is now known
as Pensacola, De Luna and his crew had a party on the
beach in celebration of the expedition's safe arrival.
De Luna Fest is the revival of his original beach
festival. [courtesy of delunafest.com]
The
2010 Inaugural festival kicked off with TK101's and De Luna Festival's opening
act contest winners Phunky Blue Moon, of Mobile, AL. These guys brought
their hip hop deep funky rhythm to the gopensacola.com stage, as the gates
opened mid afternoon on Friday. What a great way to start the festival,
with the crowd grooving in and stopping to say "Who is this funky band?"
While Pico Vs. Island Trees played followed by Matt Kenon, I found myself
wandering around taking in the sights and grounds of the festival. Set up
right on Casino Beach, between the pier and The Dock, this festival site just
fit like a puzzle piece. The iconic Pensacola Beach Ball water tower stood
right in the middle of the paved area which housed the gopensacola.com stage.
On the beach was the massive double stage all the way to the water.
Images such as this surf board by Waterboyz could be seen in the vending area.
Down
at the Wind Creek Stage, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero's took the stage.
There was a stage full of people for this very pleasant orchestral style modern
band. They are well known for a Ford Commercial background song, "Janglin"
and yes, this was played to the children of the audience, as Edward Sharpe asked
for them to come forward and sing along. I found this set extremely
enjoyable and listened to the entire performance. 
Next
up was The Submarines, which had a female vocalist; their melodic sounds were
very fitting to their name. They even played a very up- and-down
underwater sounding tune entitled "Submarine Symphonica." This song truly
captured the essence of this band. 
As
the sun finally set, everyone in the festival seemed to be very excited for the
return of Bush to the Pensacola area. The band last
played
Pensacola right before they took an eight year hiatus, and what better way to
have a renuion tour but to visit Pensacola again as one of their first stops on
tour. The fans welcomed Gavin Rossdale and crew with open arms and lots of
screaming. They played a great classic hits set that really had the crowd
buzzing, opening with "Machinehead."
The
final performance of the day would be the huge act, Daughtry; they were a major
success for De Luna Fest. The white sands were packed for this event on
the Wind Creek Stage right beside the Gulf of Mexico. They performed all
the big crowd pleasers. What a great first day!
to sing with him. He played a great set including is new songs "Hey, Hey,
Hey", "Shake It", and "The Sound of Sunshine" 
As
the sun once again disappeared behind the Gulf of Mexico, I was getting ready
for Better Than Ezra, these guys put on great shows and tonight was no
exception, they played crowd pleasers one after another. However I had to
leave this show a bit early to get ready for the much anticipated 311 show back
down by the water. 311 had a huge crowd waiting on them in the white
sands, and they opened with "Come Original" and the crowd went nuts. They
played music off the new album such as "India Ink" to old favorites as "Amber."
The
last show of the evening the reunion of Stone Temple Pilots, and when I say the
crowd was ready for this one, we'll they were crowded around the Bud Light Stage
chanting STP prior to the show in much anticipation. When the lights
finally dropped and the roar of the crowd settled, The STP group, played all the
favorites including Creep, Wicked Garden, amongst many other hits. Another
strong finish to the second day of this fantastic beach festival.
The
third and final day of the Inaugural De Luna Festival kicked off for me at the
Wind Creek Stage for The Revivalists. They were a new alternative style
band that had soulful roots with a newer sound. I really enjoyed their
set. Next up was Big Sam's Funky Nation which was a power set of funky
bass, trombones, and trumpets. Another beautiful day and more great music
to come. Following Big Sam was another trumpet player Kermit Ruffins and
The Barbeque Swingers, wow what great back to back funky, jazz sets. 
It
appeared that Kermit Ruffins, who is a New Orleans native, decided to bring
along the heavy hitters from the Big Easy. Next up was Cowboy Mouth, who
without a doubt are high energy show people. It was Fred Leblanc's
birthday and he was really having a great time and keeping his energy level
through the roof! That set was full of their classics and they had the
crowd up and jumping from start to finish. Following Cowboy Mouth was the
new and upcoming New 
Continuing
with the great New Orleans bands that came to serenade Pensacola Beach this
fantastic Sunday was none other than Galactic. This massive blend of
horns, drums, keys, bass, and guitar will surely impress any music lover.
The fact that they will simply just break down a simple song into a fantastic
jam of funky deliciousness is awesome. What a great time with Galactic, if
you do not know them, You should try it out!
Last
but surely not least was the greatest country icon Willie Nelson, walking onto
the Bud Light Stage with the opening notes of "Whiskey River." Willie was
such a great pleasure to see, he did all the classics from "Crazy" to "Georgia"
to "Always on My Mind." A true honor to see this great legend. There
is no other way to end a great three day festival, I can't wait to see what they
do in the spring 2011???