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10 Reasons to Start Your Festival Season at AURA

February 25, 2015 By Halina Wilusz

Aura Lineup 2015

In one week we will on the verge of kicking off one of the first events of festival season, AURA Music & Arts Festival. This March 6-8, 2015, the jam and electro-soul lovers of the South will descend upon Live Oak, Florida, for a weekend of amazing music and plentiful vibes. In case you needed any convincing as to why AURA is the place to kick of your first fest of the year, we put together a list of reasons you just can’t miss this sixth annual gathering.

1. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Spirit of the Suwannee - AURA 2014

When the opportunity arises to visit the Spirit of the Suwannee, you take it. This little piece of paradise holds so much magic under those shady trees. It’s truly almost an indescribable experience. It doesn’t get much better than riverside with the sand beneath your toes, and the camping situation is as laid back as it gets. Nightfall brings a whole new dimension to the land as the trees come to life under the festival decor and the star-filled sky. Suwannee is easily the best outdoor music venue on the East coast, and a must see destination for your festival season.

2. A Rare Bisco Southern Appearance

Disco Biscuits - Photo by Andrew Scott Blackstein

Just a month before performing a special Bisco Inferno run with Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, the Disco Biscuits will be right here at AURA. Unless you’re planning a trip to Philly or Colorado in the near future, then their Suwannee appearance will be your best chance for seeing the Biscuits in the South this season.

3. Break Science Live Band Debut

Break Science

You know Break Science as the hybrid part keyboard, part drums, part electronic production team of Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee, but on the last night of AURA, like their Pretty Lights Music forefather, they will close out the festival performing for the first time as a live band. Lettuce’s Jesus Coomes, Adam Smirnoff, Ryan Zoidis and Eric Bloom will accompany the duo in what is sure to be an epic finale to the weekend.

4. The Stacked Yoga and Healing Arts Calendar

AURA 2015 - Yoga & Healing Arts Schedule

AURA does an amazing job of creating the best experience possible for attendees, even beyond the scope of the festival stages. Wellness activities will be available for all skill levels so no need for shyness. Teachers will be ready to welcome you with open arms. Definitely take advantage of this killer opportunity to get your zen on and energize up for the weekend.

5. The Visual Artists

Visual Artists at AURA 2014

Yet another layer of artistic stimulation to look forward to amidst the breathtaking scenery and jammin’ beats.

6. TAUK Times Two

Tauk - Photo by Muffin Man Photography

It was a pleasant surprise when the AURA daily schedule showed an extra set time plotted out for this jam, rock, jazz, funk progressive band. TAUK really fails to fit into any specific musical subgenre – a square peg amongst a sea of circular units. You can get a better feel of just how their unpredictable melodies flow by sampling their latest album, Collisions, but treating yourself of the full TAUK live experience is definitely the way to go.

Your two chances to watch TAUK perform live at AURA will be happening Saturday from 11:45 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. on the Musical Hall Stage, sandwiched between the Bisco double header, and Sunday from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on the Amphitheater Stage.

7. It Won’t Be As Cold As Last Year

AURA 2014

The forecast the week leading up to AURA is looking nice and warm with temperatures in the 70s and 80s for Live Oak. Pushing the festival dates back from the traditional February weekend to March this year was a genius move by festival planners, making for less bundling up and more getting down.

8. Dosio

Papadosio - Photo by Eye and Eye Photography

The boys of Papadosio have been holding down AURA since year one back in 2010, and as a staple of the festival are guaranteed to bring it per usual. Enjoy this clip from Dosio performing “The Sum” last year down in Suwannee, and get ready to catch them on the Amphitheater Stage Friday from 12 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

9. The Main Squeeze x Michael Jackson Classics

The Main Squeeze

On the books for AURA this year, the best of Michael Jackson coming to you live from The Main Squeeze. A good tribute set is the proven not so secret ingredient for a memorable fest, and we’re looking forward to the funky, squeezy twist the boys spin on these MJ classics. It’s all going down Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Amphitheater Stage.