This past May, I spent three unforgettable days at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for Resonate 2025.
Resonate stood out from the usual jam and electronic festivals you’ll find around the Southeast. With its intimate size, eclectic lineup, and natural setting, it felt more like a summer camp than a commercial music festival. As a live music photographer, I found myself drawn not just to the music but to the whole atmosphere. The unique energy of Suwannee Music Park, the crowd’s openness, the freedom to roam between stages and riverbanks, etc.
Hammocks swung between towering oaks, sunlight filtered through moss-covered branches, and art installations and flow dancers popped up around every corner. It was the kind of event that reminded me of the magic of my job as a photographer.
The lineup was a well-balanced mix of local and larger acts, each offering something distinct. What really made the experience stand out was how much the local scene held its own. Festivals like Resonate offer a rare opportunity to document and experience the music of rising bands before they explode. That is why I am shining a light on three acts from Tallahassee’s music scene who absolutely killed it: The Yeah Babies, Danitza, and Strictly Liquid.
The Yeah Babies delivered one of the most electrifying sets of the weekend. From the second they hit the stage, the energy was off the rails. The crowd surged forward, not just to listen but to participate by moshing, jumping, and whacking each other with inflatable alien balloons in joyful chaos. It was loud, fast, sweaty, and completely alive. People weren’t just watching—they were in it. The Yeah Babies created a world where nothing was too much. As a concert photographer, moments like these are gold. Every frame had limbs flailing, aliens flying, and faces lit up. I was impressed at the level at which the local acts ignited the crowd even more than some of the larger headliners I saw later that night. There’s something uniquely special about the charm and personality that local bands bring to a festival atmosphere.
From the moment the moment Danitza stepped on stage, she had the crowd’s full attention. Not because she demanded it, but because her presence made it impossible to look away. Her vocals were powerful and soulful, laced with smooth R&B influences that flowed effortlessly through both her original songs and the well-chosen covers she included in the set. Photographing her was effortless, with shots framed by the crowd's genuine joy and the stage's dreamy lighting. Her band elevated every moment, building a sonic backdrop that framed her voice without overshadowing it. Their chemistry onstage made everything feel intentional and seamless.
Strictly Liquid took their audience on a sprawling, improvised journey that left everyone in awe. Seeing the audience’s reactions range from wide-eyed shock, to laughter, to blissful dancing was just as magical as the music itself. Tracks like Eye-Opened Man tapped into their gritty, rock driven side, while Palm Tree Boy felt more like a breezy, sun-soaked groove that had the audience swaying with ease and nodding in rhythm. Then came You Gotta Be a You, which was a total curveball compared to anything else played at the festival...in the best way. In a sea of jamtronica and carefully planned-out backing tracks, Strictly Liquid did a hard pivot into a fully improvised a cappella noisefest. It was authentic, chaotic, and unpredictable. They created a swirl of vocal distortions that felt like a cross between some sort of group meditation and an alien transmission. It was mesmerizing, and nothing else at Resonate came close to it.
While there were plenty of other amazing acts that performed, these were my favorite to photograph. They all took risks and brought an authenticity that made the entire Resonate experience extremely memorable. What I got to capture was more than just someone holding a mic. It was the unfiltered joy of an audience losing themselves in sound. It was the unscripted moments between music acts, and the amazing community that created such a communal energy for the three days I spent documenting the event.
If you’re a band, festival, or event organizer looking to capture the soul of your band or festival, I’d love to help tell your story through my lens. Learn more and contact me here.
