Get in The Groove at the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva

Lovers of live music, it’s time to rejoice. The Island Hopper Songwriter Writer Festival in Captiva is ready to bring sweet sounds to Southwest Florida. Do you have questions about this music festival? We have answers and are ready to help you plan a great visit to Captiva Island.

The annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva is part of a 10-day music festival with venues across Southwest Florida. You’ll find the fest brings some of the greatest singer-songwriters from Nashville and nationwide right here to Captiva, Downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach.

Let’s get some details on the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva and share some information about how you can make the most of your time on the island.

What is the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva?

For the past 6 years, the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has brought premier talent to Southwest Florida. This live music event and concert series lets artists who might not usually don’t tour our region a chance to wow crowds and share their music.

The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has won some serious awards and accolades. It has been deemed a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and has won multiple Sunsational Awards from the Florida Festival & Events Association.

All these awards mean the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva promises a great time. You’ll find events and shows at several different venues in Captiva. Not only will you hear great music, but you’ll also get to see new parts of the island.

Many of the artists who perform at the fest come from Nashville. Their music might have a bit of a twang or an Americana feel. 

When is the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival?

The Island Hopper Music Festival is a fall tradition in Southwest Florida. It takes place over 10 days in mid-to-late September. Captiva Island is the festival’s first “hop.” You’ll enjoy 3 nights of music on Captiva Island before the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival jumps to the next location.

You’ll find that the 2021 Island Hopper Songwriter Festival starts on September 17, 2021, and wraps up on September 26, 2021.

2021 festival location dates are:

• Captiva Island: September 17-19, 2021
• Downtown Fort Myers: September 20-21, 2021
• Fort Myers Beach: September 24-26, 2021

Who Is Performing at the Festival?

The lineup for the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is robust and inclusive. You can count on seeing some of the most talented artists in the country take the stage.

The 2021 Island Hopper Music Festival will feature headliners Jimmie Allen (who will perform in Fort Myers Beach) and Micheal Ray (who will perform in Downtown Fort Myers).

The Island Hopper Music Fest features artists with a truly American sound. You’ll likely see a few headliners with lights around their names, but most of the artists performing are the creativity behind the hits. 

In fact, many of the music artists who perform at the Island Hopper Music Fest have written hits and acclaimed songs for artists like Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and even Garth Brooks himself. 

2021 Captiva Island Festival Lineup

Nearly 30 artists will perform at various venues on Captiva Island. A handful of the artists performing on Captiva Island include:

• Aaron Barker, who has written songs performed by Willie Nelson, George Strait, Lonestar, and many others.
• Bobby Tomberlin, who has written songs performed by Barbra Streisand, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Faith Hill, and Kenny Rogers.
• Charlene Thissen, who performs everything from ballads to country rock
• Clint Daniels, who has written songs performed by Montgomery Gentry, Eric Church, and Brooks and Dunn. 
• Dylan Altman, who has written songs for Trace Adkins, Will Hoge, and Gabe Dixon.
• J. Robert, who has written the score for favorite TV shows like “The Big Bang Theory,” among others.
• Leighton Fields, who cites Otis Redding as a major musical influence.
• Phil O’Donnell, who has written hits for George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, and others.
• Steve Dorff, who has written music for television and movies in addition to songs for  Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Anne Murray, George Strait, and Garth Brooks.
• Wynn Varble, who has written songs for Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley, Darryl Worley, and Kellie Pickler.

You’ll find many other musicians playing on Captiva Island during the Island Hopper Songwriter Festical. The Captiva Island festival headquarters is at Cone Rooms, located at 5400 Plantation Road Captiva Island. You’ll find musicians performing at venues around the island, though.

Ready to hear great live music on island time at this year’s festival? Learn how to get to Captiva Island and chart the course to fun!

The songwriters put their hearts and souls into their product. Hearing them perform their own work is a truly touching experience and lets you take in the true motive and emotion behind each song. 

How Much Does it Cost to Attend the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest?

The only ticketed shows during the entire Island Hopper Music Festival are the headline shows in Downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. This means the shows on Captiva Island are all free! 

Nothing beats free live music. Keep in mind that space might be limited at some venues and social distancing will likely be encouraged at the 2021 festival.

What makes so much of the festival free? Great sponsors. Sponsors for the 2021 festival include the Lee County Tourist Development Council, BMI, iHeartMedia, and local radio station Cat Country 107.1.

Can’t wait for the festival? Check out Songs from the Sofa on Facebook. This weekly live stream broadcasts music from artists you’ll see at the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.

Make Jensen’s Marina Part of Your Captiva Experience

The Island Hopper Songwriter Festival in Captiva Island is a can’t miss event. Make the most of your time on the island by making Jensen’s Marina part of the experience.

Why Jensen’s Marina? This sweet Southwest Florida spot offers all kinds of amenities and activities. Find cozy cottages to rent, island tours to enjoy, charter fishing excursions to make a fresh catch, boat rentals for a daytime cruise, and kayak rentals for a peaceful paddle.

There’s so much to enjoy on Captiva Island, from the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest to white-sand beaches. Make the most of your time on the island with Jensen’s Marina! Contact us now.