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Orlando puts a big mark on
the crowded music festival map

Photo gallery #2
Photo gallery #3

Orlando Calling
Citrus Bowl Park
Orlando, FL
November 12 & 13, 2011

The Avett Brothers

Pixies

Buddy Guy

Story and photos by Nick Masuda

There is Bonnaroo. And, of course, Lollapalooza. Oh, and we can't forget Coachella, SXSW, Austin City Limits and Orlando Calling.

Wait, Orlando what?

Yes, Orlando Calling.

It is the new kid on the block, but after the likes of Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Kid Rock, Pixies, Racounteurs, Buddy Guy, The Roots, The Killers and Avett Bros. helped launch the mid-November music festival, organizers hope that it will stay on the scene for many years to come.

Festival Republic - which puts on international music festivals such as the Berlin Festival, Leeds Festival, Latitude Festival, Reading Festival, The Big Chill and Hove Festival - backed the venture into Orlando, and came out better for the effort. A few highlights:

Each day averaged around 25,000 patrons - mostly a younger crowd on Saturday (with The Killers as headliners) and an older crowd on Sunday (Bob Seger was the headliner). The Citrus Bowl - mostly known for hosting big college football bowls in late December and early January - hosted the event, and filled out nicely as each day got older. You couldn't help but feel bad for bands like the Hindu Cowboys and The Ettes, who both played great sets in front of dozens of fans because they played the main stage so early in the day.

Orlando also put its best foot forward - showing off its chops as the world's No. 1 tourist destination (affordable hotels, restaurants, transportation and an international airport), while also showcasing ideal weather in the mid-70s, with not a drop of rain all weekend. Yeah, you are never going to have to worry about snow in November in Florida.

The event featured five stages - with the most popular being the second stage that featured The Roots, Buddy Guy, OAR, Chris Isaak, Dollface, Parachute, Dwight Yoakam and Lucero - to name a few. And, for a first year, to see bands with this type of clout playing the second stage is only a sign of good things to come ... for music lovers and Orlando.