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Local Natives – Part Three

Ladies and gentlemen, there are less than 14 days between you and SunFest 2016! I am ecstatic to be heading home for five days of music and sunshine.

Before before those gates open, there are more acts to spotlight– a handful of which are from the gorgeous state of Florida. Listen to them now so you can sing-a-long soon.

Jason Derulo

One of SunFest’s biggest acts is from our sunshine state. Twenty-six-years-young Jason Derulo was born in Miramar, Florida, and in a very short time has gained worldwide success.

The singer (and very talented dancer) first began rising the ranks of the music industry by writing songs for the likes of Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Diddy, and Sean Kingston. Then he started singing for himself— and thank goodness he did. We love what we hear! Derulo’s vocal chords have led him to sell more than 50 million singles across the globe.

Our Florida favorite is a five-time winner at the BMI Pop Awards and was honored as its “Songwriter of the Year” in 2011. He has an armful of Teen Choice Awards, and nominations from MTV Video Music, Billboard Latin Music, ARIA, NAACP Image, and MOBO Awards. Insanely impressive for such a young artist.

Last June, Derulo gifted fans with his fourth studio album, “Everything is 4.” The first single, “Want To Want Me” went platinum.

In fact, just this week, he’s stealing headlines (and hearts) for his cover of “If I Ever Fall In Love” with a cappella group, Pentatonix.

I have been crooning along to Derulo’s music for years, and I am so excited to see this talented gentleman steal and break all of our hearts. Don’t guard yours too closely, you know he’s going to make us dance too!

Snag a great spot by the Tire Kingdom stage on Thursday, April 28.

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Trey Libra fka Jacob Izrael

Saint Petersburg’s Trey Libra fka Jacob Izrael really surprised me. Before reading his bio, I turned on “Dreams,” and stopped shuffling through my room to sit down and give him the attention he demands.

Izrael said he began writing music as an outlet to avoid the negative energy and activities that many of us are forced to navigate.

“I was raised by my grandmother who was really strict,” Izrael shares in his press release. “I was too afraid of indulging in the street life because of the consequences. So listening to music and pretending to be a rapper kept me busy.”

Izrael has nine releases on Bandcamp and seems to have no signs of slowing down.

Catch this inspiring and rising artist on Saturday, April 30, on the Ford Stage.

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Fireside Prophets

Reggae to rock? Then you will want to see Boca Raton’ Fireside Prophets. Justin “JD” D’Alfonso (guitar, vocals, bass, piano and ukulele), Oren Gross (bass, vocals, piano, guitar and violin) and Travis Schmeider (drums, percussion and vocals) are a talented troupe who met while attending Florida Atlantic University. With all of those beautiful instruments, and their own relaxing reggae-rock flavors, Fireside Prophets calls their sound “Dirty South Swamp Rock.”

Sounds about right.

If you’re a fan of Slightly Stoopid (also playing SunFest!!), Authority Zero, and Sublime, and haven’t already fallen hard for these groove-worthy guys, you most certainly will. Don’t miss them open up for Goldfinger and Flogging Molly on Saturday, April 30.

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NO TRAFFIK

Last but not least, on Sunday, May 1, you’ll want to get inside the gates early to catch Miami’s No Traffik. The quartet, who banded together in 2012, have a loyal following of hard rock fans in the epicenter of South Florida.

Singer/guitarist Chris Clark, lead guitarist Ryan McLeod, bassist Nix Williams, and drummer Wesley Hoskins frequently play local venues we love, like Dada’s, Kreppy Tiki, and BB King Blues Club.

Their song “Stranger” will sit well with fans of Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Steal some shade, and listen to No Traffik, on the Tire Kingdom stage.

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The fun is almost here! See you soon!