2025 marks the 16th anniversary of the 30a Songwriters Festival. Over 125 singer-songwriters, from Devon Allman to Jeffrey Steele, Levi Lowrey, Wyatt Durrante, and Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) will perform in 32 venues from Rosemary Beach to Miramar Beach, Florida from January 16 through the 20th.
Local 30a singer-songwriter Dion Jones is making his second festival appearance and joined me to preview this year’s lineup. You can catch Dion and his band weekly at AJ’s and Chringo in Grayton Beach, Cabana Cafe in Seascape, Papa Surf Burger Bar, and North Beach Social.
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A former college baseball player, Dion picked up a guitar at 13. However, he didn’t consider pursuing music until he enrolled in a chorus class in college. Today, Dion writes and performs full-time and recently cut an 11-track album in Muscle Shoals that will be released in the spring of 2025.
Finding your way into the 30a festival lineup remains a goal of many up-and-coming artists. Dion’s invite came because his drummer had a relationship with one of the festival organizers. More experienced artists such as Jeffrey Steele, Abe Partridge, Brian White, Charlie Mars, and Dan Navarro have played the 30a festival for years and remain crowd favorites.
Dion Jones joins the I-65 to 30a podcast to review the 30a Songwriters Festival.
We’re also fortunate to have several talented local acts like the Pickled Pickers, Outro, Christon Birge, Sugarcane Jane, Chris Alvarado, and playing practically every night at local venues.
This year’s festival takes place January 16 – 20 in various venues, including the main stage at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach. Headliners include Melissa Ethridge, The Devon Allman Project, Amos Lee, The Jayhawks, Secret Sisters, and Maggie Rose.
Events on the main stage are exciting. However, some of the best performances occur in intimate settings in venues such as Fish Out of Water, North Beach Social, Old Florida Fish House, AJ’s and Raw & Juicy in Grayton Beach, and Caliza in Alys Beach.
Singer-Songwriter Dion Jones makes his second appearance at this year’s 30a Songwriters Festival.
Tickets can only be purchased on the festival website or at the box office near the Watersound Marina. You need a wristband to enter a venue, and individual venues can’t sell tickets, so make sure you purchase them in advance. Prices range from $1,400 for weekend VIP passes to $445.00 for weekend passes to all shows. Day passes range from $225 to $175.00.
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Monday performances at four locations are free and open to the public. In my opinion, the best Monday venues are North Beach Social and The Bay, located across from each other on Highway 331, just north of Highway 98. Monday performances begin at 11 am and go until about 6 pm.
I recommend reviewing the list of artists on the festival website and picking the ones you want to see. Some attendees choose a location and park themselves to hear the evening’s lineup. Either way, you’ll hear outstanding music.
You’ll also want to consider travel time if you move between venues. For example, artists such as Jeffrey Steele attract a large following, so the venues he’s playing will fill up quickly. I recommend arriving at least 20-30 minutes before showtime to snag a good seat. Even if you’re not familiar with many of this year’s performers, you’ll hear some outstanding artists, and I’m sure you’ll recognize some of your favorite songs.
Some Recommended Artists and Venues
You can’t go wrong listening to any performer. Below are a few artists I would recommend you catch:
Friday:
1:15 pm, Jennifer Lynn Simpson & Kyle LaMonica at Beach Happy Cafe in Watersound.
4:00 pm, Dion Jones & Neon Tears at AJ’s Main Stage
5:00 pm, Alice Wallace & David Borne at North Beach Social
6:40 pm, Abe Partridge & band at Drive the Coast
8:50 pm, Jeffrey Steele at The Big Chill
Saturday:
9:45 am, Jessica Sharman & Wyatt Espalin at Raw & Juicy in Alys Beach
11:00 am, Charlie Mars at Raw & Juicy in Alys Beach
1:30 pm, The Jayhawks at Grand Boulevard
3:00 pm, Amos Lee at Grand Boulevard
6:00 pm, Charlie Starr with Benji Shanks, at Red Fish Taco
7:40 pm, Colton Bowlin & Tommy Price at Havana Beach Bar & Grill at the Pearl Hotel
9:20 pm, Levi Lowery & Wyatt Durrette at Corcoran Reverie
Sunday:
9:30 am, Gospel Brunch with Brian White, Ethan Hulse & Karyn Williams at Caliza
11:00 am, Amy LaVere & Will Sexton, Raw & Juicy Alys Beach
1:30 pm, The Devon Allman Project at Grand Boulevard
6:30 pm, Dan Navarro & Kyle Davis at Old Florida Fish House
7:45 pm, Adam Hood & Dan Bern, North Beach Social
Monday:
All performances open to the public. I recommend North Beach Social and The Bay beginning at 11 am.