A poet once said, “The earth has music for those who listen.” It certainly isn’t hard to find on St. Simons Island, and we’re not just talking about the symphony of crashing waves. From amateurs
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testing their skills before an audience on open mic nights to Grammy-award winning artists in our backyard, we have a rich local music scene if you just know where to look. For those of you who might need a guide to find the music that moves you, we’re here to lead the way.
Monday nights at Palm Coast Coffee Café & Pub mean Open Mic Night. This musical showcase is not only popular with budding performers but also with veteran musicians who want to jam with others.
Things are pretty quiet around town on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, but veteran performer Joey Thigpen from Backbeat Boulevard currently has standing gigs at Tortuga Jack’s on Jekyll Island Tuesday evenings and here on SSI at Demere Grill on Wednesdays. He’s been known to have some excellent guest musicians sit in with him from time to time too.
Thursdays are for weekend pre-gaming. Tony and Beth Adams have a running gig at The TreeBar at Bennie’s Red Barn, and they know how to get the crowds up and dancing. The Pub at Village Inn has live music every Thursday-Saturday. Other local venues like Brogen’s South, ECHO at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, Mellow Mushroom, Mullet Bay, and Sea Palms also host music on Thursdays, seasonally.
Every Friday and Saturday, there are AT LEAST a dozen local venues hosting live music. St. Simons Island locations include all of those listed above, as well as Bubba Garcia’s, Catch 228, Ember, and Gnat’s Landing. Popular Brunswick venues include Moondoggy’s, Tipsy McSway’s, Toucans Ale House, Zachry’s Seafood & Steaks, and The Study speakeasy at Reid’s Apothecary, where you have to call before 4:00 p.m. to get a password for access. Also noteworthy is The Blue Door, which brings in some of the finest blues musicians from around the world. On Jekyll Island, Tortuga Jack’s and The Wharf are the live music mainstays, but the Beach House, Sunrise Grille, The Westin, Hampton Inn, and Zachry’s Riverhouse often host music, including daytime sets on the weekends.
On Sundays, treat yourself to brunch and some tunes at Golden Isles Olive Oil or Bubba Garcia’s in Redfern Village. Coastal Kitchen offers evening music to wind down the weekend. Of course, some of this is seasonal, and schedules may be altered during winter months or impacted by inclement weather.
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During the week, if you’re looking for dining ambiance instead of a night out at the bar, you’ll find talented performers tickling the ivories at Georgia Sea Grill and NANCY on St. Simons and in Jekyll Island Club’s Grand Dining Room. There’s musical entertainment happening offshore too. The dulcet tones of smooth crooner Tony Adams are what you’ll hear most weekends on board
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the Emerald Princess II Casino boat.
“But what KIND of music is out there?” you might ask. Our local bands truly run the gamut from classic rock, 90s covers and jazz to Southern blues and country. We can help you find where the music you like is being played each week in the I’m With the Band blog. This comprehensive and frequently updated list of when and where the live music is happening each week is available at elegantislandliving.net. We also keep guides to local artists and music venues there. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates.
Beyond the regular weekly music scene, we are also lucky enough to have fantastic music brought in by concert associations like Golden Isles Live! (goldenisleslive.org) and the Island Concert Association (islandconcertassociation.org), concerts by the Coastal Symphony of Georgia (coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org), and performance series concerts booked by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association at The Ritz Theatre (goldenislesarts.org). These range from opera performances to tribute shows to classical virtuosos. We urge you to check their websites for incoming concerts.
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated and widely popular music experience on St. Simons Island is the summer concert series. We’re home to two different series: A Little Light Music, presented by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, which takes place on the lawn of the lighthouse, and the concerts in Neptune Park presented by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association.
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Light Music
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Light Music The Tams
A Little Light Music concerts are held on select Sunday evenings May through September at 7:00 p.m. on the oceanfront lawns of the St. Simons Lighthouse when the tide is just right to bring a breeze. These concerts are the biggest and best “block party” where you’ll find all of your friends and neighbors. Picnic dinners accompanied by your favorite beverages are encouraged. Tickets are $15 at the gate. Children under 12 and Keepers of the Light are admitted free. So bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a musical evening with friends under the stars. For details and information about scheduled performers, see coastalgeorgiahistorical.org.
Golden Isles Arts & Humanities Association will also continue its tradition of bringing outstanding concerts by the sea to St. Simons Island in the summer. Local artists and great regional musicians will have the crowd dancing in Neptune Park. More information about dates, scheduled performers and ticket prices will be released as we get closer to summer at goldenislesarts.org.
Also keep your eye out for concerts at Rainbow Island hosted by Sea Island. We’ve had some incredible entertainers there, including Amos Lee, the Indigo Girls, Marshall Tucker Band, and JJ Grey, as well as some fantastic tribute acts. We’ll let you know if any scheduled concerts are on the horizon! Village Creek Landing has been hosting some awesome music too, so make sure you’re following their social media for announcements. Another concert to watch for is the annual concert during November’s RSM Classic, which always brings in a big name. Stay tuned! On Sunday, November 15 in Brunswick’s Old Town, PorchFest returns. It’s a free afternoon live music extravaganza with 40+ musical acts performing on various porches downtown. This will be the 3rd year for the event and it just keeps getting bigger and better. Save the date and plan to join the fun.
Julie Andrew
If all of that information doesn’t convince you that we have a local music scene that is alive and well, you’ll just have to come out and hear for yourself. Bookmark the Elegant Island Living website so you’ll have the I’m With the Band blog and the events calendar at your fingertips, and follow the I’m With the Band social media accounts. We’re passionate about music and want to make sure you don’t miss a beat
