Big Guava Pre-Festival Kick-Off with Bruce Springsteen

Article Contributed by Woody Graber | Published on Monday, February 10, 2014

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlines a special Big Guava Kick-Off Concert Thursday, May 1 at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, FL.  Tickets for the Kick-Off go on sale Saturday, February 15 / 10AM. This concert launches the 3-Day Festival which brings a great line-up of musical stars to the Florida State Fairgrounds and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. Big Guava is destined to become the biggest and best Live Music Festival in all of Florida.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band made their 2014 live debut on January 26th in South Africa with "a sweat-drenched rock 'n roll spectacle" (Mail & Guardian). They're currently earning similar raves on the road in Australia - where parts of Springsteen's new album 'High Hopes' were recorded - including a 5-star live review from the Sydney Morning Herald, who said, "If you only see two shows this year, see this one. Twice. (And then see it again.)"  Springsteen's latest studio album, 'High Hopes' (Columbia Records), debuted at #1 in 20 countries last month.

They are poised to return to the states and the Big Guava Kick-Off is on the touring list!  Tickets for this Special Concert will are on sale Saturday, February 15 / 10AM.  Go to www.livenation.com for more information.

Already scheduled to perform at Big Guava are: Outkast, their reunion tour with Andre 3000 and Big Boi; Vampire Weekend, considered one of the most creative and critically acclaimed bands in the American music scene today; Foster The People, the popular indie rock trio making atmospheric, psychedelic, and dance-oriented pop; Slightly Stoopid, built on a bedrock of slabs of dubby bass, meditative vocal harmonies, rock-steady guitar licks and tightly syncopated percussive rhythms;  Cake, defying all musical genres to create their own individual sound; Tegan And Sara, with a unique ability to bridge the pop and indie worlds; Violent Femmes, the textbook American cult band of the 1980s who captured the essence of teen angst with remarkable precision and emerged as the soundtrack for the lives of troubled adolescents the world over; Girl Talk, his songs

are built on recognizable samples of recent hit singles, recontextualized into an entirely new piece; Earl Sweatshirt, his languid style is a blend of highly personal alt-rap and morbid horrorcore; Grouplove, a merging of richly narrated, intricate songs with anthemic classic pop production; and HAIM, who are able to switch from instrument to instrument, all while singing in three part harmony.  Rounding out the line-up are: Twenty One Pilots, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Chance the Rapper, Walk The Moon, Blue October, Band Of Skulls, ZZ Ward, MS MR, Timeflies, Hoodie Allen,  American Authors, Deap Vally, St. Lucia, Smallpools, Bear Hands, Morning Parade, Kitten, Magic Man, Jacuzzi Boys, Gringo Star, Unlikely Candidates, Civil Twilight, Vic Mensa, Terraplane Sun, Hunter Hunted, Jessica Hernandez And The Deltas, Fly Union, Betty Who and more to be announced soon.

Four stages, tons of bands and that is only a part of the fun and excitement Big Guava offers.  There is also a Monster Midway of fast paced free unlimited thrill rides. And then there are the epicurean delights of the finest and most unique food trucks that Tampa Bay has to offer as well as a variety of Craft Beer Gardens that provide refreshing libations for even the most discerning aficionados.

3-Day Big Guava General Admission Pass - $165 (on-sale NOW).  Tickets include Free Unlimited Rides and General Admission to All Stages including the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (seats available on first come, first served basis).

There is also the one and only 3-Day Super Guava Pass - $499 (on-sale Now).  This is the ultimate ticket to Big Guava and includes Free Unlimited Rides; Premium Reserved Seat in Amphitheatre; Preferred viewing areas for all other stages; Access to Two Super Guava Lounges with Specialty Food and Complementary Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Limited Samplings of Signature Beer and Wine; Commemorative Super Guava Laminate..

Single Day Big Guava General Admission ($65.00) and Super Guava VIP ($175.00) Tickets will be available Saturday, February 15 / 11AM. The Single Day Super Guava Ticket includes all the amenities as a 3-Day ticket, but for one day.

To purchase tickets for the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and/or Big Guava shows go to www.livenation.com, all TicketMaster outlets or charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000.

All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, parking and service and handling charges.