To Date, Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival Has Raised Nearly 5 Million For Ocean Conservation Efforts

Rock The Ocean’s “Tortuga Music Festival,” in partnership with Live Nation, hosted fans for a weekend of unmatched entertainment featuring headliners Lainey Wilson, HARDY, and Jason Aldean. Praised for having an “eclectic” lineup that is “deep in talent” (Sun Sentinel), the 11th annual festival brought over 40 artists ranging from country’s hottest new stars like Bailey Zimmerman and CMA Award winning “Group of the Year,” Old Dominion, to icons like Bret Michaels, former BELLA cover stars, Boyz II Men, and TLC.

On Friday, the Sunset Stage kicked off Tortuga right with performances from Shwayze, Boys II Men, Teddy Swims, and Ashley McBryde. On the Main Stage, Warren Zeiders invited Teddy Swims to perform a special rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey.” Shortly after, Turnpike Troubadours’ driving country-rock welcomed in the first scenic sunset of the festival. A crowd favorite, Lainey Wilson closed opening night with her signature “Bell Bottom Country” sound, belting her GRAMMY-winning hits as fans danced along under the warm night sky.

The uplifting energy continued Saturday with nearly 20 performances set against a sunny backdrop and a sea of fans. Appropriately, Michael Franti & Spearhead filled the main stage with their vibrant 'sounds of sunshine,' setting the tone for Old Dominion, whose performance elicited enthusiastic sing-alongs from the crowd. Meanwhile, multi-platinum entertainer Russell Dickerson brought his “unstoppable energy” (E! News) to the Sunset Stage and was followed by rock icon Bret Michaels. Singing Poison classics like “Your Mama Don’t Dance” and “Nothing But a Good Time,” Michaels surprised fans by inviting Cooper Alan up for a “Sweet Home Alabama” duet. HARDY closed the night and pushed genre boundaries with his one-of-a-kind blend of nu-metal and country on the Main Stage.

Rounding out the sunny, star-studded weekend, fans at the Sunset Stage were able to experience the carefree songs of the Wheeland Brothers, much-anticipated 90s legends TLC and country-folk singer Charles Wesley Godwin. The Main Stage opened with DIAMOND-selling superstar Brian Kelley, followed by Bailey Zimmerman delivering an energetic set proving why he’s "Country's Biggest New Star" (Grammy.com). ACM “Artist of the Decade,” Jason Aldean followed, closing out the 2024 festival with hits like “My Kinda Party” and “Lights Come On" featuring Bailey Zimmerman. 

The weekend also showcased the next generation of country music featured on the festival’s first year of the “Next From Nashville” stage, giving attendees a chance to discover the genre’s hottest acts including Sadie Bass, Annie Bosko, The Castellows, Kolby Cooper, Logan Crosby, Hannah Ellis, Dylan Gossett, HunterGirl, Greylan James, Meg McRee, Peytan Porter, Josh Ross, Austin Snell, Anne Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr.

Since its inception in 2013, Tortuga has raised nearly $5 million supporting 100+ nonprofits dedicated to saving our oceans and marine life as well as groundbreaking research in the United States, Bahamas, South Africa, and Asia. Last year, the festival received the prestigious 2023 Bronze Stevie Award for Sustainability Leadership in the US and Canada at the 20th Annual International Business Awards. Sustainability at the 2024 Tortuga Music Festival focused on three major goals involving all departments – “Reduce, Rethink and Restore” – to reduce CO2 emissions and waste going to landfills, to explore green products and technologies, and to implement policies to protect Marine ecosystems and support ocean conservation efforts. Rock The Ocean’s on-site Conservation Village gives festival guests the opportunity to learn more about where a portion of the proceeds from their passes go and how they can help make a difference.

For more information, visit TortugaMusicFestival.com/conservation/.

About Rock the Ocean

The Rock The Ocean Foundation is dedicated to supporting scientific research, education and increasing public awareness about the issues impacting the world’s oceans. Rock The Ocean teams up with high profile musical artists and entertainers, who will perform and participate in events that educate the public on marine conservation. Rock The Ocean founder Chris Stacey is an avid ocean lover, diver and 20-year music industry veteran. Tortuga Music Festival will bring to life his vision, uniting the best and brightest in music, working to raise awareness about the issues currently impacting our oceans and their delicate ecosystems.

For more information visit RockTheOcean.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockTheOcean, Tweet @RockTheOcean or Instagram @rocktheocean.

About Tortuga Music Festival

Tortuga Music Festival is part of Live Nation’s premiere family of country music festivals spread across the country, including Watershed in George, WA and Faster Horses in Brooklyn, MI.

For more information, visit TortugaMusicFestival.com, Tweet: @FestivalTortuga #TortugaFest, Instagram: @TortugaMusicFestival #TortugaFest, Snapchat: @TortugaFest, Facebook: Facebook.com/TortugaMusicFestival.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship.  

For additional information, visit LiveNationEntertainment.com.

Drone Photo Credit: FlyHi Films

Artist Photo Credit: Alive Coverage