Sun Drop Music Festival (Daytona Beach)

By in Festivals

Located in the Halifax River (intracoastal waterway) in Daytona Beach, this is Manatee Island.
Accessed via this long, narrow pedestrian causeway and leading us to the island and…..
Sun Drop Music Festival
There were 3 stages of music beginning at the main stage located with this grassy amphitheater area.
The opener was already playing when we first arrived.
Jacksonville-based The Manti (USA).
Playing a mostly EDM set!
The second music stage was called “Boiler Beach” and it was located in this pavilion near the north end of the island.
DJ Kirby James (USA) was the opener at this stage. (Editors Note: There is a DJ in this picture.)
This stage would be dedicated to mostly House music.
Located in a similar pavilion near the south end of the island, the third area of music was called the “Bassbin” stage and it was here we found DJ Cliff Davis (USA) in the booth.
Not unexpectedly, he was mostly on the Breaks side of music.
There was quite an assortment of food trucks located just below the raised lip of the amphitheater area as well as a few scattered further around the grounds.
Plenty of choices even for picky eaters such as myself.
I was able to bag a burger.
After dining-in, headed back to Boiler Beach which now had a small contingent.
For a House set from Palm Coast-based DJ Satellite Frank (USA).
We had just coincidentally met Satellite Frank last month when he played at Bikkuri Lounge in Orlando.
In the Bassbin, DJ DiscoDave (USA) had taken over.
Playing a mostly Old Skool Classics set.
Over the hill we headed next back to the Amphitheater stage.
For DJ Mike Presley (USA).
Playing a mostly Breaks set.
Everyone was hoping for some Beyoncé (USA) but he failed to deliver.
Dance floor action.
It was broiling down here in the afternoon sun but the crowd was still growing.
And the DJ had those here bouncing!
And as 3:30PM approached, he introduced those who were about to follow him on the big stage.
DJ duo Essential Freaks (USA).
Made up of DJ FACTORe (USA)…..
…..and DJ Zak Davis (USA).
The crowd continued to grow during their mostly EDM set.
Ending with a current remix of Imogen Heap (GB) classic “Hide And Seek” and a Dnb version of Avicii (S) hit “Levels”.
Essential Freaks introducing their successor on this stage…..
DJ Filthy Rich (USA)
Tag-teaming with DJ Dave London (GB/USA).
It was hot down there but a cooling breeze off the water kept it tolerable.
And the sun was showing signs that it would soon go away.
Over at the Bassbin, a small contingent was on hand to keep the DJ occpied.
DJ Inspecta Tech (USA)
Going full-fleged Drum & Bass on us.
As the evening arrived, we would see this get much-more crowded though.
The Main Street Bridge. Standing here for awhile we’re pretty sure we saw some humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and penguins out there. Or it could have been the full liquor bar available in VIP; not positive which.
Back at the north pavilion, DJ Jakal (USA).
House music, all day long.
And he had the small crowd here bouncing.
First time seeing Daytona-based DJ Jakal playing.
Meanwhile over at the south pavilion, another takeover.
DJ ZZ (USA)
Playing a mostly Breaks set.
First time seeing ZZ since she played at the “Lioness” fundraising event in Melbourne this past January.
That look you get from great Breaks.
We ran into so many peeps from the area music scene. Most we knew but some were new.
Back to Boiler Beach where the 4PM set was already in progress.
DJ Rich Cheney (USA)
House music for the most part at this stage.
And the crowd slowly growing.
International Speedway Blvd Bridge. Interestingly, we spoke to a number of Daytona “locals” yesterday who admitted they had never heard of Manatee Island or experienced it previously. Everyone agreed it was a wonderful setting for a music festival and indeed it was.
Shortly after 4:30PM we needed to check-out DJ Amber Jane (USA).
Lots of fun Breaks remixes in her set!
Including a Breaks remix of Jimmy Buffet (USA) hit “Margaritaville”. Wow, have not heard that one before!
At the same time, DJ Jennifer Marley (USA) at the House stage playing a lot of Tech House.
Including some Green Velvet (USA) “La La Land” and Puretone (AUS) “Addicted To Bass”
Followed immediately by DJ Johnny Creates (USA).
He kept the beats moving.
First time seeing him play too.
Big crowd at the Bass Bin stage. What was going on?
Ahhh, we should have known!
DJ Supagroover (USA)
Delivering the Breaks he’s known for.
And always drawing a crowd!
More peeps!
As the sun sank lower in the sky, the amphitheater became the main choice for most new festival arrivals.
The legendary DJ Eric Berretta (USA) was now on the main stage.
And he would switch this stage over to vinyl.
Spinning a mostly Old Skool Breaks set off those round black discs.
Not only the expected Daytona and Orlando people here but we saw so many from Jacksonville, Middleburg, Tampa Bay, Sarasota and even south Florida!
Heather was spotted at every stage doing her thing!
Yet another legend, DJ Huda Hudia (USA) checking-in at the booth, flanked by the Berretta Brothers.
If you haven’t noticed, the 90’s wide leg jeans and JNCO‘s are back! You know you’ve still got a pair in the back of your closet!
In the 6:30PM time slot on the main stage, DJ R Fresh (USA).
“It’s A Fine Day” was one of the numerous classic hits played. It was like a day listening to 95.3Party!
First time seeing R-Fresh since he played off both vinyl and CD’s at “The Gemini Party” in Ace Cafe back in 2019.
Orlando Entertainment News archive photo.
Over at the Bassbin stage, NLP in the house with DJ Matrix (USA).
Delivering his famous brand of fast action Breaks.
He also draws an active crowd.
That look you get from great Breakbeats.
A shift change had occurred over at the Boiler Beach stage too.
DJ Josh Lawrence (USA)
An awesome set of House/EDM.
His decks lighting-up as dusk arrived.
At the amphitheater stage, the headliner was now on: DJ Huda Hudia.
The legend delivering a true sunset set.
Who didn’t grow-up listening to Huda Hudia?
The seating area was going crazy for Huda’s set!
Lots of memories!
If you’ve read our annual Festival Fashion Guide you know Crocs are a no-no at music festivals. But not everyone apparently reads our annual Festival Fashion Guide. Is that right, Jennifer?
Big crowd back in the Bassbin.
For DJ Security (USA) spotted here with Sara.
With DJ Matrix helping out.
Joined here by the next DJ on duty, Rob Analyze (USA).
Who would constantly block our attempts to photograph him.
But we snuck one in when he wasn’t expecting it!
Doing a mostly DnB set last night.
Just a small contingent at the north stage.
DJ Atnarko (USA)
Another great House set.
Night peeps.
On the main stage, home to a cavalcade of legends yesterday, DJ Monk (USA).
He was playing some Breaks, he was playing some DnB.
Last night’s festival only ran until 11PM which was great for Gen Z (who don’t want to stay out late) and us old folks (who don’t want to stay out late either).
Diversions on the side.
Tampa-based DJ Santana (USA) was next on the south stage.
A great EDM/House set.
Dance floor stayed busy.
While on the north stage, DJ Stylus (USA) had taken over.
A Progressive Breaks set.
Spotted on the dance floor: The Stylus family.
We were now in the final hour of the festival so one more round! Final visit to the Bassbin stage.
DJ Geebo (USA)
He too had a crowd!
Final visit to the Boiler Beach stage too to see DJ Johnny Park (USA).
Known for his Breaks sets, he was anything but last night.
An amazing House/EDM set.
His set so loud it probably woke-up the old fogies living in the condos across the river!
10:30PM and no one was leaving just yet.
Such a great time down on the dance floor.
And time for our final visit to the Amphitheater main stage for Dynamix II (USA).
Made up of David Noller…..
…..and Todd Walker.
We would describe it as a mostly Electro set.
In this wonderful setting in this wonderful weather, a good time…..
…..was had by all.