Coral Skies Music Festival – Tampa – 102514

The main reason we went to Coral Skies Music Festival was to see Julian Casablancas + The Voidz live for the first time. Even better – they stopped by our hometown! Between the two of us, we’ve listened to their album a hundred times.

Julian Casablancas + The Voidz

Fantastic show with true Julian fans! Read all about the show, plus watch Jake Bercovici and Beardo drop a beat.

Highlight of the night: We met Julian.

We learned an important lesson that night. Though we tend to think of our favorite musicians as these untouchable bad-asses, they are really just regular people who do extraordinary things. And it really is possible to have a chat. Here’s how it happened: After the show, Julian stepped out from behind the stage to greet some fans. Somehow Juan just knew we were going to have the chance to see him so he made a ridiculously awesome Take Me in Your Army shirt for Julian. We waited our turn, and Juan gave Julian the shirt in a brown paper bag. The conversation went like this:

Juan: Julian!
Julian: Oh, hey.
Juan: (Silence)
Julian: (Awkward wait)
Beth: Hi, Julian. It’s so great to meet you. I’m Beth. This is Juan. Awesome show. Thank you so much for being here. Juan actually have something for you. (Nudges Juan.)
Juan: (Hands Julian paper bag.)
Julian: Is this a sandwich?
Juan: Actually it’s a shirt. (Stares at Julian.)
Beth: Juan is a designer and illustrator. He made these shirts we’re wearing inspired by The Voidz,
Julian: Ah, cool. Thanks! I was kinda hoping it was a sandwich. No one’s ever given me a sandwich after a show. But cool, thanks! I’ll check it out.

Maybe, just maybe, Julian will remember us as the people who almost gave him a sack lunch after his show.

Bombay Bicycle Club

Daytime shows are always a little off, and this one was no exception. No lights, and a crowd that wandered in and out of the pit. I felt bad for these guys, even though they sounded pretty good.

Cage the Elephant

Unfortunately, we don’t have much to say about this show because we didn’t get to watch it. We only heard it while we were waiting in a super long line to meet The Voidz.