Go Ahead and Fest: You’ve Earned it

The odds are that you’ve survived at least one of these in the last week: A hellish, sadistic assemblage of final exams. Increased responsibilities at work while everyone else takes their summer vacations (“You don’t mind being a team player this week, do you?”). Or a bear attack. (What? If you don’t work or go to school, you’re probably living a very exciting life.) Regardless of the particulars, you need to blow off steam — so go look out the window. We’ll wait. It’s a beautiful Florida Sunday in early May; it’s time to go out and play.

Sunfest exists for this very reason. Drive (or if you’re a sharp thinker, take Tri-Rail) to West Palm Beach for this five day-long, outdoor party. Now, there are lots of bands today, so here’s our pick for the perfectest afternoon ever: First, don’t miss the Bad Plus at noon; they do jazz renditions of unconventional rock hits. (This group did a 20-minute freestyle version of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” at Langerado, and we loved it.) By 2 p.m., you’ll need to get your heart rate up; don’t miss Miami disco/punk legends the Jean Marie. Their infectiously fun lyrics and knack for celebrating rarely utilized instruments (“Hey! Is that a washboard?!”) work together until you’re shakin’ what your momma gave you, your auntie loned you, and your older sister leased you, simultaneously.

At 3:45 p.m. check out HelloGoodbye; they’ve got the melodic means needed to match their breezy, just-getting-drunk, time-slot. You’re on your own until 7:30 p.m., that’s when Morris Day and the Time take the stage. Have flashbacks to Purple Rain while Day lets loose the Funk Monster. John Legend and Matisyahu will be playing on the other stages, so you should get this gem of a show all to yourself. One-day passes cost between $29 for regular tickets, to fucking astronomical for skybox and VIP. Visit www.sunfest.com.
Sun., May 4, noon, 2008