MUSIC: FMF09: Day 2

So rain and a canceled headliner isn't the best way to start off a music festival, but all was not lost last night at the Florida Music Festival in downtown Orlando. Bands, for the most part, actually played on schedule with rarely a technical issue and a stand-out act like Toy Horses made me happy I stood up to the rain.

The night started at 6:30 p.m. with a sopping wet Kelly standing inside BackBooth waiting for Camerae to take the stage. Exactly on time, the band wasn't my thing but many a college student I can see digging their pop-core emoting. Technically proficient, I can't really fault them for anything except most of their songs sounded alike and I wish the lead singer would have opened his eyes once in a while. At one point the lights went out on stage, and I really don't think he realized it. Props to damn good harmonizing with his two lead guitarists however.

Next, it was off to the Gibson Guitar Industry Party where Aaron Wright, owner of BackBooth, told me the news that Asher Roth's (the evening's headiner) plane was delayed in New York and ticket sales for the night dropped from $15 to $10. I could care less, but the obvious theme of the second day was college faves and this definitely put a damper on an already stormy night. Co-founder of the festival, Rick Wheeler, then confirmed the case. Later it was joked that really Asher Roth was partying with Jimmy Fallon (he was on his show the same night) and blew us off. I tweeted this to Jimmy Fallon but I surprisingly didn't get a response.

It was love ballads galore on the main stage of the Wall Street Plaza at 8 p.m. with the James Boyd Band, who were tight and looked to be having a lot of fun. Their heart-felt poppiness would translate fantastic to a college audience. Over at The Social Cindy Santini was running a bit late so I was able to catch her closer to 8:30 p.m. An acoustic set, with nothing but a stool and a guitar I described her after downing my third or fourth beer of the evening on Twitter like this: "To call her a balls-less Jack Johnson would be repetitive; unless speaking figuratively, and I am." In the sober light of day, I wouldn't be as brash but I still invite you to take it as you like.

Nothing, like in years past had jumped out at me so far. It was all pretty much so so, and one of the reasons I love this festival is when you get to find that one band you had never heard of that just blows you away. I was worried it wasn't going to happen. That was until I went back to the Wall Street main stage and got the chance to hear Toy Horses. The band hails from Wales and their indie-pop-rock sound had me bopping my head and dancing around. I couldn't help it, I couldn't even control the huge smile across my face during their whole set. Lead singer Tom rocked a ukuele and after the show shared with me that they're playing another show on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at BackBooth. I was so happy to hear it because the rain prevented the kind of crowd this band truly deserves. If you do anything during this festival, it should be to check Toy Horses out.

I followed that with a beer inside The Globe and a hometown cheering for the Orlando Magic's win against the Boston Celtics. Hightide Blues took the main stage at 10 p.m. and what started out as a very promising roots/Rockabilly sound spiraled into what I can best describe as southern hard rock. It wasn't bad so much, I just loved what they were doing on the rockabilly side I wasn't expecting such a sharp turn off the path I was going down. They injected a good amount of soul in it though which is hard to come by with hard rock these days and for that they deserve a certain amount of praise.

I ended my FMF evening back at The Social watching Break & Repair Method a.k.a. Paul Doucette. A very easy-going, chill set, but I came to the conclusion Toy Horses was my big find for the evening and I should leave it at that. And just seeing them was totally worth the night.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't pack it up and go home. You all know me better than that. I headed over to Will's Pub to catch the end of the opening party for the Orange You Glad Music Festival. My coworker, Orlando Sentinel Music Critic Jim Abbott, can tell you a bit more about that.