SoWal Insider's Guide to 30A Songwriters Festival 2022

The 30A Songwriters Festival returns to South Walton January 14-17, 2022, with a stellar group of artists on the schedule.

30A Songwriter Festival Schedule by Artist and by Venue *NOTE: the schedule is subject to change
Schedule by Artist
Schedule by Venue

Headliners represent a range of music genres, including Brothers of a Feather featuring Chris & Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, Dawes, Jenny Lewis, and Rickie Lee Jones.

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Current lineup of artists for the 2022 30A Songwriters Festival
Brothers of a Feather feat. Chris & Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, Dawes, Jenny Lewis, Rickie Lee Jones, Rodney Crowell, Amy Grant, Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, Madison Cunningham, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls), Shawn Mullins, Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), Todd Snider, Kathleen Edwards, James McMurtry, Allison Moorer, Hayes Carll, Dar Williams, Will Hoge, Paul Thorn, Ruthie Foster, Jeffrey Steele, Marc Broussard, AJ Ghent, Kim Richey, Gretchen Peters, Tommy Stinson, (Replacements), Chuck Prophet, Steve Poltz, Lera Lynn, Kyshona Armstrong, Brittney Spencer, Carlene Carter, Sierra Hull, Chris Stamey & Peter Holsapple (the dB's), Dan Navarro, Tim Easton, Bob Schneider, John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band), Dan Bern, Boukou Groove, (Donnie Sundal), Will Kimbrough, Chastity Brown, RB Morris, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Grayson Capps, Ken Johnson / Andi, David Ryan Harris, Caleb Caudle, Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters, Annie Mack, Ben Glover, Kyle Jacobs, Joe Leathers, Toby Lightman, Noel McKay, Levi Lowrey, Wyatt Durrette (Yesterday's Wine), Scott Miller, Dan Rodriguez, Rev Shawn Amos & the Brotherhood, Amy Rigby, Kristy Lee, Peter Bradley Adams, Jeff Black, Leigh Nash, Chris Stills, Mary Gauthier, Pat McGee, Towne, Susan Werner, Ross Newell, Liz Longley, Nicole Chillemi, Gurufish, Darden Smith, Crys Matthews, David Berkeley, Mary Bragg, Paul Burch, Pat Byrne, Leslie Mendelson, Granville Automatic, Danielle Howle, Heather Maloney, Kalen & Aslyn, Max Gomez, Alex Guthrie, Charlie Mars, Michael McDermott, Abe Partridge, Alice Peacock, Diane Durrett, Phil Madeira, Chas Sanford, Bradley Cole Smith, Donnie Sundal, The Tall Pines, Michael Tolcher, Reed Waddle, Michelle Malone, The Kennedy's, Troy Bieser, Barnaby Bright, Meaghan Farrell, The Young Fables, Seth Walker, Eliot Bronson, Heather Mae, Amy Speace, Alexa Rose, The Bittersweets, Robbie Hecht, Web Wilder, Peter Karp, Eddie 9V, Brendan Abernathy, Carolina Story, Cousin Curtiss, Wyatt Espalin, Diane, Gentile, Heather Lynn Horton, Nick Leet, Martha's Trouble, Paul McDonald, Casey Noel, Parker & Parker, Sarah Peacock, Vanessa Peters, Molly Stevens, Nora Jane Struthers, Bruce Sudano, Webb Wilder, Laney Jones, James Gilmore, Chris Alvarado, Dave Franklin, Kyle Lamonica, Sammi Accola, Casey Kearney, Casey LeVasseur, The Mosleys, Jennifer Lynn Simpson, Mason Embers, Blake Guthrie, Jesse Terry, Krickets, Davin McCoy, Max McCann

SoWal Insider Tip: most festival tickets sell out early. If the tickets you want are not available at www.freshtix.com/events/2022-30asongwritersfestival, try tickets for resale on the SoWal Forum >

The Venues - Stellar stages and intimate rooms
Caliza Restaurant, AJ's in Grayton Beach, Bud and Alley's Waterfront Restaurant, FOOW - Fish Out of Water, Red Fish Taco, The Bay, Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse, Hilton Sandestin, The Pearl Hotel, Grand Boulevard and many more - see full list >

Some venues are intimate and quiet and you should keep talking to a minimum. Some venues get pretty loud - especially late night.

Update 1/4/22

Check-In Procedure
It is very important to note that this year's check-in procedure is substantially different. In order to receive your wristband, each and every ticket holder must visit the Box Office in-person and provide proof a professionally administered negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to start of the Festival (at-home tests are not acceptable) OR proof of full vaccination. A valid I.D. is also required at Check-In.

*Please Note: If you purchased multiple tickets under your name, each member of your group must visit the box office in-person with a valid I.D. and present proof of negative test or vaccination. You cannot pick up tickets for members of your party who are not present at the box office. We understand group ticket holders may be juggling different arrival times. If this is the case, upon check-in, the purchaser whose name is on the order may provide a list of names of each member of their party which will then be entered into the ticketing system. Your guests can then show up anytime during box office hours with their I.D. and proof of negative test or vaccination and receive their wristband. This can only be done in-person at the box office.

This year’s Box Office will be set up in a spacious tent in WaterColor’s Marina Park (directly next to the Boathouse). We’ve increased the staffing and capacity threefold to insure an efficient check-in process for all. There will be music and a bar - because that's what we do!
Box Office at Marina Park
238 WaterColor Blvd. West
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Wednesday, January 12 | 3PM – 7PM
Thursday, January 13 | 10AM – 10PM
Friday, January 14 | 10AM – 10PM
Saturday, January 15 | 10AM – 2PM
Sunday, January 16 | 10AM – 2PM

Health & Safety Protocol
We have implemented a strict and broad-based series of COVID-19 protocol measures to protect the health and welfare of our audience, crew, and artists. Please be assured that this COVID protocol applies not only to ticket holders, but to all artists, volunteers, employees, and tech personal working for the Festival. Proof of a negative test administered within 72 hours of the Festival is required for entry or participation. Alternatively, participants may choose to voluntarily provide proof of full vaccination (two shots of Moderna or Pfizer or one shot of Johnson & Johnson). All Festival volunteers, crew, and staff will be masked throughout the weekend. Likewise, all venue servers in contact with artists and patrons will wear masks at the venues.

We strongly recommend you wear a mask throughout the weekend as well for your own protection and the protection of the artists and your fellow audience members.

Download The 30A Songwriters Festival App
The official festival app can be downloaded for Android or for iPhone. The festival app has the schedule which will be updated with any changes as well as directions to venues, bios and photos of all performing artists, etc. A favorite function of the app is that you can pull up any hour of the day or evening, scroll through, and see who is performing at all of the venues in real-time.
 
Wristbands
This year the wristbands will include a chip which enables you to upload your credit card information and then simply scan your wristband to pay for food, drinks, and merch at the box office, at the headline stage at Grand Blvd, and at the CAA bars at Rosemary Beach Town Hall and The Pavilion at Watersound Town Center. You can count on shorter, faster lines and contact free transactions!

Thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with the new check-in guidelines and procedure and thank you for your shared commitment to safety this January as we gather on the beautiful Gulf Coast for our 13th year of 30A Songwriters Festival!

Be sure to stream the official Spotify Playlist and start planning your weekend. We can’t wait to share in live music with all of you once again.

Update 12/9/21
Regular weekend and VIP weekend 30A Songwriters Festival passes are sold out. We are now offering day passes for the afternoon headline shows at Grand Boulevard as follows:
Saturday, January 15th, 2022 - Headliners Brothers of a Feather featuring Chris and Rich Robinson (of the Black Crowes), Dawes and Jenny Lewis. Doors: 11:00 a.m.
TICKETS - $140 for all three acts at Grand Blvd ONLY. These tickets are for admittance to the SATURDAY headline shows only.
Sunday, January 16th, 2022 - Headliners Emmylou Harris and Mavis Staples, both with full bands. Third act TBD. Doors: 11:00 a.m.
TICKETS - $140 for all three acts at Grand Blvd ONLY. These tickets are for admittance to the SUNDAY headline shows only.
 

The Festival is, as always, a benefit for the non profit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, which supports artists and non profit cultural events and businesses throughout the county. 100% of the net proceeds from the event are paid to the CAA to help fund its annual budget. Thank you all for your continued support!

"The 30A Songwriters Festival is a unique cultural event like no other in this area. The Festival brings together nearly every South Walton community and many businesses to showcase our home as a destination not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its musical and creative excellence, which is the purpose of the Cultural Arts Alliance," says Jennifer Steele, the Executive Director and Festival Co-Producer. "The Festival is critical to the mission of the Cultural Arts Alliance and by far our biggest fundraiser. 100% of the Festival's net proceeds go back into our non-profit and enable the CAA to continue to be a champion for the arts in Walton County."

Click here to see the lineup with artist info.

- Click here for 30A Songwriter's Festival Photos to share on your facebook, website, email, etc.

The Setting - Florida's amazing Scenic Highway 30A with our string of postcard-perfect towns & communities.
 

The Producers - Russell Carter, co-producer/Festival Chair, Russell Carter Artist Management Jennifer Steele, co-producer/Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) - Jennifer and Russell form a dynamic duo from two organizations that bring together talent on the stage and behind the scenes. Russell's contacts and wealth of talent on hand fill the stages and venues, bringing together every year a surge of great music hitting our beaches. Jennifer is a mainstay on the South Walton art scene (a formidable acting and singing talent herself), who marshals the forces of sponsors and volunteers to handle the thousands of details to make the magic happen. 100% of the net proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the CAA and help it to fulfill its mission to support the arts throughout Walton County.

The Artists - We have amazing stages, but what makes the 30A Songwriters Festival so special is the depth and diversity of writers who perform their own music, and performers who write their own songs. Surprises happen during the festival and create the sweetest moments and fondest memories. It's the thrill of an unexpected artist who catches your ear as you walk between venues. The unknown songbird that grabs your heart as you arrive early for the "bigger name" show.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) - CAA is the officially designated local arts agency that serves as an umbrella organization and supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. The vision of the CAA is to be the catalyst for Walton County's growth as a center for artistic and cultural excellence through which lives are enriched, economy is stimulated and community is strengthened. Visit www.culturalartsalliance.com to learn more and become a member!

The CAA is always looking for volunteers to help out with the 30A Songwriters Festival - you'll get insider access, see some great music, and help support the arts in Walton County.

Lodging - Be sure to check the lodging section on the 30A Songwriters Festival website for information on specials from festival lodging partners, including Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals, WaterColor Inn & Resort, Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Residence Inn at Grand Boulevard, Courtyard Sandestin at Grand Boulevard - for many more options check out SoWal.com Rental Partners.

The Inside Scoop - The 30A Songwriters Festival has gotten bigger and better every year. And more popular with more locals and visitors who snap up tickets - they sell out so don't wait, get yours now! Take a look at the lineup and take advantage of all the shows you can in a fun-filled weekend at the world's most beautiful beaches.

Yes, there are plenty of great shows - but try to slow down. As the excitement of the 30A Songwriters Festival builds, you might find yourself rushing to get to the next venue. Stop yourself and slow down! The best moments are often the unexpected ones between the jams - meeting new friends or talking to an "unknown" performer who you won't be able to get near - later on when they hit it big.

The Links -  The official 30A Songwriters Festival Website, The 30A Songwriters Festival on Facebook, The 30A Songwriters Festival on Twitter @30AFest, #30AFest

Take a look at some individual performances and compilations from past 30A Songwriters Festivals on the SoWal Youtube Channel.

TIP: do not wait in ANY long lines unless house managers assure you that you will get inside in a reasonable amount of time. Inevitably a few venues become very popular and, given the first-come, first-served rule, they fill up for the night. However at any given hour of the night, most of the venues have room for more customers. Take the advice of house managers and pivot to nearby venues that are not crowded. There are so many artists and so many shows and you can't  walk into a venue and see anything other than amazing music. Become a new fan of artists that you were unfamiliar with. The weekend is a great opportunity to discover new music! Many people have learned to find a cool venue and settle in for a night of discovery and new music. 

See 30A Songwriters Festival Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) >