Today, The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park posted a graphic asking fans to “Save The Date” for “something new” coming this spring. Following the cancellation of Wanee Music Festival, which typically took place in mid-April, loyal fans can now look forward to a new event that will take place from April 4th through 6th, 2019.
Fans have been speculating for quite some time about how the beloved festival venue would kick off their spring season without Wanee, and it seems an answer is now closer than ever.
Last week, the Allman Brothers Band and Live Nation announced the inaugural Wanee Block Party, a multi-stage event going down March 22nd-23rd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at Revolution, America’s Backyard, and Stache that would feature performances from Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Marcus King Band, George Porter Jr. Trio, Melody Trucks Band, The Lee Boys, Bobby Lee Rogers Trio, Gabriel Kelley, and more. While it certainly won’t take the place of the original festival tradition, it’s still a continuation of music and legacy.
The Wanee Music Festival began in 2005 and returned to The Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park every spring since. It was founded by the Allman Brothers Band, who headlined the peach and mushroom-inspired event every year until the band called it quits in 2014. After that, the festival continued in the Allman Brothers’ honor, with headlining performances from Widespread Panic, Bob Weir, Gregg Allman, and Trey Anastasio Band.