Sing Out Loud returns to St. Augustine with national and local bands, singers and songwriters

America’s oldest city welcomes back the Sing Out Loud Festival celebrating September as the month for musicians, singers, songwriters and music enthusiasts to relish in the joy of all things music.

Free concerts featuring more than 100 national and local bands, singers, songwriters and musicians spanning the genres of rock, indie rock, bluegrass, hip hop, country, comedy and the spoken word will be showcased in multiple venues throughout St. Augustine along with workshops, a record fair and a stellar lineup of activities, including a Songwriters Festival and Music Business Panel hosted at Flagler College.

Headliners include Eric Church, Noah Kahan, Norah Jones, JJ Grey & Mofro, Ryan Bingham with the Texas Gentlemen, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Breeders, Ole 60, Marcus King, Sierra Ferrel, Keving Morby and Nat & Alex Wolff at Francis Field on Sept. 21 and 22. Tickets for the Live Wildly Showcase, the festival’s marquee event are on sale now.

According to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, the free concerts and community events stand as pillars of the Sing Out Loud Festival.

“These events, in addition to Sing Out Loud’s marquee Live Wildly Showcase at Francis Field on Sept. 21-22, are the foundations of what makes Sing Out Loud a beloved celebration of music and community in the Nation’s Oldest City,” they said in a news release.

"Sing Out Loud’s Live Wildly Showcase exemplifies a long-standing commitment to collaborating with various non-profit organizations," Ryan Hall said in the release. "This year’s partnership with Live Wildly Foundation aims to raise awareness of the importance of conserving wild Florida — the natural landscapes and wildlife that make the state so exciting to explore. Attendees are encouraged to “Join the Movement” to protect wild Florida. For every new member who joins, Live Wildly will donate $1 to land conversation efforts within the state. Additionally, a portion of ticket sales from Sing Out Loud Festival’s Live Wildly Showcase will be dedicated to conservation efforts within St. Johns County."

Cari Baker, the festival’s chief programming officer described the Local Artist Showcases, presented by PNC Bank as a festival staple.

“PNC Bank’s support of the Local Artist Showcases is an investment in our local artist community,” she said in a press release. “We are proud to partner with an organization that celebrates and supports the creative spirit of St. Johns County.”

“At PNC, we believe the arts help us create stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Chris Kalin, PNC regional president for North Florida. “We’re thrilled to support this event and join the Sing Out Loud Festival in showcasing all our region has to offer.”

Sing Out Loud underscored the importance of the Music Business Panel. Aspiring songwriters will be able to ask the experts how to publish a song, how to improve your songwriting skills, how to succeed in the music industry, and how to navigate industry trends, music licensing and songwriting techniques.

Panelists include Luke Pierce (music executive and general manager, WORKS Entertainment), Wade Metzler (founder/CEO of Number13), Reece Tennery (head of Creative Sync and Licensing, Trailer and Promos at Pitch Hammer Music), and Brandon Young (senior director of Music Affairs at Activision Blizzard). The Music Business Panel will be held at The Markland House at Flagler College on Wednesday, Sept. 25. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

Other guests include the eclectic troubadour Pokey LaFarge at Colonial Oak Music Park on Friday, Sept. 13, and The Watson Twins at Spinster Abbott’s on Saturday, Sept. 14.

ToneVendor will host the St. Augustine Record Fair at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Sunday, Sept. 15. The free event will showcase – and sell – limited-edition vinyl records, '90s tour posters, vintage rock t-shirts, cassette tapes and even record players. A variety of food trucks, vendors — including screen-printing and the St. Johns County Book Mobile will be on site with a backdrop of music sets by DJ Papi Disco.

Sing Out Loud Festival's participating venues include The Backyard at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Colonial Oak Music Park, Dog Rose Brewing Co., Francis Field, Shangai Nobby’s, Prohibition Kitchen, Sarbez, Spinster Abbott’s, The St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine Distillery, Tradewinds Lounge, and The Waterworks.

The Sing Out Loud Festival is curated and produced by SJC Cultural Events Inc., which operates under the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. Sing Out Loud Festival 2024 partnered with the Live Wildly Foundation, the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, the St. Augustine Distillery, Sunbelt Rentals, Bozard Ford, Champion Brands, Intuition Ale Works, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, Flying Saucer Presents, AVL Productions, Jalaram Hotels and Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Sing Out Loud Music Festival returns to St. Augustine in September