After a successful Day 1 at the Innings Festival Florida over at Raymond James Stadium Grounds in Tampa, FL produced by C3 Presents, I was ready for a great lineup for Day 2. The traffic was heavier getting closer to the stadium as I headed towards the same parking lot from the day before, only to be re-routed to a different parking lot. Apparently, the New York Yankees were playing a Spring Training game at the George M. Steinbrenner Field across the way from Raymond James Stadium. After parking, I made my way over to the Press Lounge to meet up with the other media photographers and prepped for a day filled with music and baseball stars.
The first artist to kick off the day on the Home Plate Stage was Liz Cooper a rock artist out of Nashville, TN. She started her pursuit of music in 2012 and released her first EP in 2014. She currently has two studio albums released with her most recent album titled Hot Sass. Her music was a slower side of rock very reminiscent of 60s-70s folk music. But, her vocals were amazing and her guitar skills were incredible. Following her on the Right Field Stage was the All-Star Baseball Jam hosted by former baseball pitcher Jake Peavy. It was a full stage that included a trumpet player, saxophone player, keyboard player, multiple guitarists, and a bass player. It took a little time for them to get the soundcheck done and get started, but once they did, it was a super fun performance. Former New York Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams was playing lead guitar and was absolutely incredible.
Things really got hot when Neon Trees hit the stage. The rock band from Provo, UT formed in 2005 and had a major break when they were selected to open for The Killers in 2008 on a tour. Their studio debut album Habits came out in 2010 and the lead single “Animal” was a breakthrough hit with the band making TV appearances to perform it. And it was full steam ahead success from the band since that point. When Neon Trees hit the stage the Innings Festival crowd erupted and vocalist Tyler Glenn was beaming. He asked the crowd, “Is it OK to say gay? I wasn’t sure because I’m a queen!” showing displeasure for Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. But, the crowd was fully behind Tyler and Neon Trees cheering immediately after he said it. Neon Trees rocked the crowd with songs “Moving in the Dark”, “Used To Like”, a cover of Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me”, and their hit single “Animals”.
Back on the other stage, we had Skip Marley, who is the grandson of the legendary Bob Marley. He started releasing music in 2015 and while hasn’t released a full studio album, was featured and co-wrote the Katy Perry single “Chained to the Rhythm” and was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2021 for his single “Slow Down” and his EP Higher Place. The fans were super excited to see Skip perform who had an amazing musical accouterment and two talented backup vocalists. But, Skip’s presence on stage was chilling with such resemblance to his grandfather with his appearance, his vocals, and that amazing smile. You could feel Skip’s energy wash over the crowd and immediately see and hear how truly talented he is as a musician. And back on Home Plate Stage was the rock band from Rockville, MD O.A.R. (an acronym for Of A Revolution). The band formed in 1996 and released their debut album the same year. They continued releasing studio albums and touring but it wouldn’t be until 2005 where they hit mainstream mistake on their fifth album Stories of a Stranger that debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 40. And their popularity was obvious when they came to the stage. The fans were behind them 100% and the entertaining music of O.A.R. was on full display with songs “Hey Girl”, “Love and Memories”, a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain”, and “Missing Pieces”.
Of course, we can’t forget the amazing lineup of professional baseball players that made their appearances over at the speed pitch and batting cages. Fans were lined up in droves to get a chance to meet Bucky Dent who primarily played for the New York Yankees, former pitcher Brett Myers who was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, the charismatic former outfielder and first baseman Nick Swisher, former pitcher Bronson Arroyo who primarily played for the Cincinnati Reds, power hitter Fred McGriff, the National League Golden Glove winner 13 consecutive times Ozzie Smith, the former fielder and pitcher Rick Ankiel, the former catcher A.J. Pierzynski who won All-State Honors in baseball when he attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL, and former outfielder Dante Bichette.
We were then getting into our final performers of the day. On Home Plate Stage was the rhythm and blues band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. While Nathaniel was making music under his first band Born in the Flood and then as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel, in 2013 he formed Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Their R&B sound and Nathaniel’s wonderful vocals and charisma had their first two albums peak in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200. Their most recent album The Future was released in November 2021. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats had all the fans screaming for them as they delivered an energetic and impactful 19 song setlist that included “The Future”, “Say It Louder”, “A Little Honey”, “Hey Mama”, and “Love Don’t”.
The final performer over on the Right Field Stage was the trio known as Khruangbin. Their music could be defined in various ways, but I felt soul rock or psychedelic rock fit them best. Their music is influenced by varying sources. Their first album was highly influenced by Thai music while their second was more influenced by Middle Eastern music. When they took the stage and began to perform, their mood music, fantastic lighting, and stylish appearances made an impression on the Innings Festival crowd that night. I could hear people singing along to the music and totally in the zone with the band. Some of the songs they performed included “August 10”, “Lady and Man”, “Time (You and I)”, and “People Everywhere (Still Alive)”.
Closing out the festival was the folk rock band The Lumineers. Formed in 2005 the band is known for their melodic and harmonious songs employing use of acoustic guitars, mandolins, pianos, violins, and more. Their debut self-titled album was released in 2012. But, what’s truly amazing is all four of their albums all hit #1 on the Billboard Top Rock Album chart. Their fan base is incredibly as the band constantly sells out shows time after time. And that night the Innings Festival Fans were ecstatic to have them close out the evening. With a beautiful lighting and melodies the fans were singing along to every song from their 22 song setlist that night. Some of the songs included were “Brightside”, “Cleopatra”, “Ho Hey”, “Sleep on the Floor”, “Big Parade”, and “Stubborn Love”.
And with that Innings Festival Florida came to a close. C3 Presents provided the attendees two wonderful days mixed with baseball experiences and great music under wonderful weather in Tampa FL. I easily see Innings Festival Florida making a return in 2022 and hopefully, The Photo Pit will be there to cover it again.
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