Deluna Fest is back! Our favorite festival on the beach (we’re just not fans of 35,000+ people in the sand) has returned and is scheduled for September 21st – 23rd in Pensacola Beach! We attended Deluna last year when Weezer, Cut/Copy, Girl Talk, Ghostland Observatory, Diplo, Matt & Kim, and more won the crowds over, but this year’s line up changes things up to add in more variety but keep a fresh mix of independent acts on the bill. Headliners for the three-day, non-camping festival are Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and pop-country stars Zac Brown Band, though we’re most excited about the stacked support line-up that includes Band of Horses, Florence & the Machine, Fitz & the Tantrums, Ben Folds Five, and so many more. 

Deluna is a one-of-a-kind experience. Yes, there are other beach festivals (Hangout, Miami Beach), but the intimate layout and location of Deluna might be its most striking feature. Pensacola Beach is an 11 1/2 sq. mile island off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. The festival ground is set up in a small area outside a few of the main hotels, allowing access to hotel amenities and a variety of food, drink, and craft vendors. Best part about this: very little walking is involved to get to one side of the ground to the other. 

General admission tickets to the festival currently cost $199.95 and are set to go up to $234.95, but you can roll in style with the VIP Beach Club pass, currently $849.95. 

Take a look at our previous Deluna coverage if you’re interested to see how things were and check out our featured artists of Deluna 2012. See you there!

Preview By: David Dorer

TBI’s “6 Bands to Watch at Deluna 2012”

ASTRONAUTALIS

Astronautalis @ Deluna 2012: Friday, September 21st

Self-described as “historical fiction hip-hop”, the Minnesota-based rapper has blurred the definitive lines between live electronic production, spoken-verse rapping, and indie rock since he began performing live in 2003. Originally from Florida, he’s cut his teeth touring the world and is highly revered for his tradition of performing a freestyle verse based on topics suggested by audience members at every show.  He has performed and toured with Tegan & Sara, Flobots, Bleubird and more. Recently, Dan Huitling (Bon Iver‘s “Calgary” video) shot a video for his song “The River, The Woods” which you can see below.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES

Trampled by Turtles @ Deluna 2012: Friday, Sept. 21st

Since forming in Duluth, Minnesota in 2003, Trampled by Turtles always felt they were able to attain an energy on stage that can’t be found in the studio. They were so comfortable playing on the road that they treated their previous albums’ recording processes like tours. For Stars and Satellites, however, Trampled by Turtles didn’t want to simply try to recreate a live show. “We wanted to make a record that breathes,” explains Dave Simonett (guitar/vocals), “musically we wanted to step out of our comfort zone.” “This record is all about going inward,” Erik Berry (mandolin, vocals) adds, “building a focused bond as players and friends, and bringing a different mindset to the sounds Trampled by Turtles can make.” With the help of engineer Tom Herbers (Low, Jayhawks) the band moved into “Soleil Pines,” a log home outside of Duluth, to record. “You know how sometimes they say ‘less is more,’” notes Berry, “that’s what Stars and Satellites is about. “

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MOTOPONY 

Motopony @ Deluna 2012: Saturday, Sept. 22nd

Motopony is the embodiment of the notion that the combination of two opposites makes for a harmony previously unknown, a sum greater than its parts– a band built on a bedrock of contrasts and the gorgeous alchemy of seemingly conflicted sounds, and the feelings mapped over them. Guided by the soulful sounds of Daniel Blue and Buddy Ross along with guitarist Brantley Cady and drummer Forrest Mauvais, there is a warm efficiency to the hard-soul/glitch-folk contained on the quartet’s self-titled debut from this Seattle/Tacoma based group. Motopony is one of the few Deluna 2011 vets on the bill this year and they’re there for a reason.

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PAPER DIAMOND 

Paper Diamond @ Deluna 2012: Saturday, Sept. 22nd

Forward is not just a direction, it’s a way of life for Colorado based producer Alex B who is rolling out big tunes under the new guise of Paper Diamond. The new project finds the trusted producer moving into previously untraveled musical territory. The Paper Diamond sound has raw energy and the kind of dramatic anticipation only a seasoned producer can incite. Driving beats and bass grab on tight while deep, rich tones rumble under layers of spacey synthesizers, sweet melodies, and catchy vocals. One thing is for sure. The energy is high. Paper Diamond has performed at KahBang! Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Camp Bisco and dozens of other high profile events around the country and has a highlighted set at Counterpoint (Sept. 27th-29th) in Atlanta the following weekend.

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TWOTHIRTYEIGHT

Twothirtyeight @ Deluna: Saturday, Sept. 22nd

Possibly one of the most well known bands to emerge from Pensacola, Twothirtyeight started in 1995 as a project of songwriter Chris Staples and his friends. The band released three records before they gained the attention of a label and put out Missing You Dearly, their full length debut on the now-defunct Takehold Records. Staples and his crew eventually signed to Tooth & Nail Records and recorded Regulate The Chemicals and You Should Be Living before calling it quits in 2003. Staples decided to pursue his own work and started writing and recording as Discover America, releasing a handful of albums under the name, as well as solo records. Earlier this year, he announced that Twothiryeight would be reforming for a set at Deluna Festival, eventually adding a date in Atlanta as well a set of solo dates. Prepare yourself for an emotional, hometown reunion show.

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BEN SOLLEE

Ben Sollee @ Deluna 2012: Sunday, Sept. 23rd

It’s no surprise that he’s wound up in the company of fellow virtuoso Andrew Bird, as Kentucky-native Ben Sollee has spent the past few years winning over crowds around the country with his innovated technique with cello and various stringed instruments and his deeply poetic lyrical content. Sollee has been performing live since 2005, where he began playing in a group with world famous musician Bela Fleck. Since then, NPR has named him among the “Top 10 Unknown Artists of 2007”, signed to Sub Pop records, performed at Bonnaroo 2011, individually and alongside My Morning Jacket, and is currently cycling across the country with his band and equipment as an alternative to the tradition van/bus tour. Needless to say, Sollee deserves your attention, whether you’re a fan of classical music or radio rock, his talent is immediately recognizable. We were lucky enough to debut a video of a live performance of his from last year, so we’re looking forward to seeing him live finally.

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