Peace, Love, and Halos and co-owner Alvano. Photo courtesy of Lexi Smith.
This past weekend, the Gasparilla Music Festival made its annual return to downtown Tampa, showcasing diverse artist lineups on multiple stages. The two-day weekend drew in large crowds as attendees came together to enjoy music and celebration.
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By Genesis Muckle
TAMPA, Fla. — The Gasparilla Music Festival returned this past weekend, transforming downtown Tampa into a place of music, connection, and creativity. With the gates opening at 3 p.m. on Saturday, people poured in ready for a full lineup of performances, local vendors, and engaging experiences.
From the start, energy built across multiple stages. Casey Bishop, a Florida native and former American Idol finalist, drew early crowds with her rock-pop sound. As the afternoon continued, indie-electronic duo Forester pulled audiences toward the larger Meridian stage, getting fans ready for the rest of the night’s momentum.
Rising indie acts such as Jane Leo and Hotel Fiction brought a more free-spirited energy to the Sile stage, offering a contrast to the high-energy electric sets later in the evening. Their performances were raw and authentic, showcasing their passion and talent for music. They brought a refreshing change to the festival, breaking away from the mainstream and showcasing the diversity and creativity of indie music.
By nightfall, the crowd swarmed for artists like Bryce Vine, who proved to be one of the festival’s biggest draws. Fans sang along as he performed hits and even covered Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness,” creating a shared moment of nostalgia and excitement.
The night closed with headliners Two Friends, a DJ duo based in Los Angeles, who took on the Meridian stage and kept the energy high all night.
Beyond the main stages, experiences like silent disco — featuring DJs Shine, Jask, and JDog — offered a unique way to engage with music. With headphones on and multiple channels to choose from, audiences created their own personalized party in a large crowd.
But the festival wasn’t just about the music. It was also about community and creativity.
Local vendors lined the grounds, including small businesses like Peace, Love, and Halos, a business that creates handmade flower headbands.
This marked the co-owner, Alvaro’s, first year at the festival. “I’ve been in business with my wife making flower headbands for 15 years,” he said. “But this is our first year here.”
Each piece is handmade with care, emphasizing intention in a fast-paced, mass-produced world.
“Everything we make is handmade, so it’s very intentional,” Alvaro explained. “We want people to have a moment of intention. It’s about resonating in a world of fast fashion.”
The business itself was born from inspiration across cultures, from Brazil’s beachside to life in Maui, eventually evolving into a brand centered on self-expression and creativity. Their motto, “peace, love, and halos,” reflects both their products and their beliefs.
That message aligned with the spirit of Gasparilla. Surrounded by music, movement, and color, attendees embraced anything that added to their experience.
“People come here to dance and have a good time,” Alvaro said. “When they see our bright colors, they resonate with that and carry it with them throughout the day.”
From rising indie artists to major headliners, and from silent discos to handcrafted art, the Gasparilla Music Festival once again showcased the diversity and vibrancy of Tampa’s cultural scene. More than just a weekend of performances, it created a space where music and meaning intersect.