Free Friday Concerts feature a mix of music including jazz, swing, R&B, psychedelic rock

The very popular and much anticipated Free Fridays Concert Series returned to downtown Gainesville on May 6 and will continue to highlight local and regional artists each Friday evening through Oct. 21 at the Bo Diddley Plaza at 111 East University Ave.

Nigel Hamm, Bo Diddley Plaza coordinator for Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs at the City of Gainesville, said the Free Fridays concerts will be held from 7-9 p.m., and for the most part, it will feature two bands each Friday playing 45 to 50 minute sets. Hamm noted in previous years the concerts were held from 8-10 p.m. also on Fridays. 

“Having the concerts earlier will give an opportunity for families to enjoy the concert while also having time to support local restaurants and bring the entire family,” Hamm said.

Russell Etling, cultural affairs manager for the city of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said the concert series will include a mix of  music including jazz and swing, soul, psychedelic rock, alternative rock, blues, funk, classic rock, R&B, hip hop, reggae, folk and more. 

 “This concert series will feature live performances, continuing to highlight the diversity of the line-up and bringing bands our audiences have not seen before and bringing back bands that have been popular in the past,” Etling said. 

Etling said headlining the Free Fridays Concert Series are The Leeboys, a nationally recognized band based in Miami “and one of the signature bands we’re bringing back this year for  “Journey to Juneteenth,” a month-long celebration hosted by the city of Gainesville. The Leeboys will perform on May 27.

“We’re bringing  a band with a national profile, rooted in gospel but has elements of jazz, funk, hip hop, and country all mixed together,” said Etling. 

Alvin Lee, the band leader of The Leeboys, describes his music as “Sacred Steel, which he said is a type of music that is an inspired, unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. Lee said he hopes the audience instantly recognizes this is not “sitting and listening” music.

“Dancing and having fun are considered essential parts of our music,” Lee said..“If we can touch one person through our music, then our job is done.” 

Etling said each year “we continue to expand  bands that feature African American artists to meet the needs of the community and make the Bo Diddley Plaza a welcoming place for all,” said Etling, adding audiences at the concert series average 500 - 700 on popular shows.

“We have a good variety, highlighting local and regional groups,” said Hamm. “The takeaway is for concert goers to appreciate the variety of bands and the talent Gainesville has."

Jacob Adams, who plays and sings for Palimony, a local band that plays psychedelic  country music, said he likes to play at the Free Fridays Concert Series because it is a consistently popular show series.

Laila Fakhoury, co-owner of Don Dia Records, said they are local and their music  is hip hop and R&B based but each artist incorporates very eclectic sounds inspired by electronic and other sounds.