By now I hope that you have purchased your tickets for the 30a Songwriters Festival 2022. As of this posting, day passes for the Main Stage were still available. Mimi’s tips to navigate 30a Songwriters Festival 2022 may help you avoid rookie mistakes.
If worried about how to navigate 30a songwriters festival the problem is all inside your head. Of course Paul Simon says, you need to make a plan man. The answer is easy if you take it logically. I’d like to help you in your struggle to avoid rookie festival mistakes.
Mimi’s tips to navigate 30a Songwriters Festival 2022
1.0 The best tip ever is to make a plan. The festival boasts 289 shows from January 14-17 in 30 plus venues. Since the schedule is released, take time to zero in on your top musician picks and make a list. Please build a list around the time slots and venues. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a Greek tragedy with no way out.
2.0 Before the festival, study the entire list of musicians and songwriters. Now is the perfect time to use technology in order to listen to artists that you’re not familiar with. Print the list and use as a guide to help navigate. On the way to work, traveling or while cooking in your kitchen, shout out to Alexa, Spotify etc. Grill Man and I have discovered great musicians with this random tip.
Review the current line-up and listen. Sadly if you find yourself without tickets this year, make a plan for 2023. Once tickets go on sale, they will not last for too long.
2022 30a Songwriters Festival Lineup
| Brothers of a Feather feat. Chris & Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, 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 |
3. Define your ideal listening venue. Keep in mind that its Coastal Florida in January. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor while jamming? If outdoor, bring an extra wrap or portable blanket to share. Gloves, hats, scarves are great to layer up and layer off. Are you happy with standing room only or seating in a small or large listening room? If you scan the venue’s website ahead of time you will be happier with your choices.
Plan for nourishment and foodie options
4.0 It is all about the music. After a long day of listening to music food is vital. If you want adult beverages, food and water is part of your survival skills. Make time to eat in between venues or dine while listening to your favorite artist. Look at the menus for the locations that provide food and keep this in mind when creating your schedule. Grill Man’s entry into Hangry-Land is to be avoided. I still love him when he goes there but he loses his pleasing personality.
Seaside and Grayton Food and Beyond Options
Check out the random samplings available around the center of Seaside and on 30a from shopping to food trucks and air steams. Here are a few of the spots that we linger in occasionally.
Breakfast or Lunch: Black Bear Bread Co. has multiple locations but I love the Grayton spot for sure.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner or Nightcap– Bud & Alleys. The Pizza Bar, The Taco Bar and don’t forget to check out the Rooftop Bar for stunning views.
Gourmet Market- Modica Market Items are a bit pricey but the gourmet selection is amazing. There is something to be said for accessibility and not having to get back out into traffic or drive anywhere. Full range of wine, beer, pastries and most everything else that you will need for 30a Songwriters Festival 2022.
How to travel from venue to venue during 30a Songwriters Festival?
5.0 Indeed if you plan to enjoy adult beverages, select your venues and housing accordingly. 30A Songwriters venues are distributed on 30a throughout South Walton. Hop on the bus Gus, you don’t need to discuss much. From limousines to Taxi, Uber or Lyft as needed make a plan, man and drop your keys.
If my memory serves I recall more than one unnamed group riding a bicycle to see shows. Of course, this is only a good idea for shows during the day. Also, keep in mind that you don’t want a PWI- Peddling While Intoxicated. No one wants to land on the news for evading police on a low-speed-pursuit.
Find the musician that you will love next
6.0 Plan to attend the acts that you really want to see. If you think that this artist is crazy popular and the venue is small, go early and stake a spot. Otherwise you risk standing in a long line for the one group that you didn’t want to miss.
Never underestimate the zeal of groupies to get up close and personal with you while trying to get closer to the object of their affection. Meanwhile, you may discover a new artist to love. Grill Man and I have discovered several artists using this method for example the dreamy Chris Stills, lovely Liz Longley and dynamic Reverend Shawn Amos and The Brotherhood.
More than once I have been surprised by the exceptional musicianship of a band that I had never heard of. As an example a Nu Grass Band was playing at AJ’s which for us was the “band before the band we wanted to see”. Old Salt Union came out and rocked the house. Much to my rock-n-roll and R & B soul, I actually liked it. After the encore was over, the crowd started throwing money on the stage for them to keep playing.
What about Covid and 30a Songwriters Festival?
7. Last year covid killed the festival and left many avid music lovers in mourning. This year the festival has implemented a new covid policy “requiring valid ID, Vaccine card or proof of professionally administered negative covid tests within 72 hours of festival for all artists, volunteers or ticket holders. ” The Watercolor box office will issue wristband for use during the weekend.
8. Since this year the wristbands will also include a chip that allows you to upload credit card data to easily pay for food, drinks, merch etc. The press release was unclear to me if this was at all locations or a select few. If you choose to use this feature “you can count on shorter faster lines and contact free transactions.” Of course the cynic in me wants to know if I would be tracked during event? How will this information be used, sold and how safe is the data? Inquiring minds…..
What else should I need to bring ?
9.Of course pack an emergency travel kit ahead of time. Here are a few options for your travel pack:
Snacks, protein bars, waters, headache or allergy meds, portable phone charger, rain poncho, antiseptic wipes, batteries for camera or charger, phone charger, disposable cameras, gloves, extra wool wraps and flask of your favorite “patience-juice”
10. While enjoying the festival take time to enjoy the lovely natural settings around 30a. All along the water ways, nature is calling you for a walk on the beach or in one of the State Parks. Go early and get your walking miles in before the music starts and the calories pile up.
Enjoy it all while it lasts
Clearly, if you arrive to 30a Songwriters Festival with a plan you will be able to make the most of the event. Keep in mind, planning is a guide only. Be flexible and adapt as necessary. The best discoveries will surprise you when you allow yourself to be open. Do not let Mother Nature’s curve balls or long lines ruin your pleasing personality. Be kind and lean into the joy of live music. Celebrate that you are alive and on your way to another live show despite Messy Rona.
In summary, I hope that Mimis tips to navigate 30a Songwriters Festival 2022 may help you avoid rookie mistakes. Check out my impressions from the past of 30a Songwriters Festival for additional tips. Mimi’s Tips to Navigate 30aSongwriters Festival 2020
Grasshopper, seek first to know your own journeys beginning and end…But in this seeking, know patience.”
– Master Po.
Alexa, shout out to Paul Simon, 50 Ways to Leave your Lover
Hey, thanks for the tips — very handy! I found this, and the one from 2020, while googling around for info — I’m going to attend (and volunteer) for the first time next month. It looks like a pretty great festival. You might like a similar festival in Nashville every September, AmericanaFest. I’ve been the last two years, and it’s so, so good.
Thank you. I will check out the Nashville AmericanaFest. Gril Man and I are always looking for ways to travel and see good music. What did you think about 30a? Were my tips useful in practice? Keep checking the site for content. I am about to leave my “Day Gig” and start writing full time. I hope to get back to my Dining With Mimi site and continue with my book. Thanks for stopping by.
Very useful primer Mimi! No reason to be overwhelmed by this event if you heed this advice!
Merci! 30a Songwriters Festival is a must for any music lover that enjoys a personal connection to songwriting and artists. I hope to see you there one day.