Inkcarceration Tattoo + Music Festival Set for July 16-18, 2027 at Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio After Massive, Sold-Out 2026 Event Drawing 90,000; Subscriber Presale Begins August 21 first appeared on Game On Media.

• My Chemical Romance: Celebrating 20 years of The Black Parade
• Wu-Tang Clan: The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees perform as part of their Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour
• Circa Survive: West Coast Reunion show (and one of the first shows since 2021)
• The Story So Far: Hometown show
• Dance Gavin Dance: Hometown show and exclusive Bay Area performance
• Cavalera: Exclusive West Coast performance of the iconic Sepultura album Roots, live for the first time in nearly a decade.
• Wolfmother: 20th Anniversary Tour
• Chad Gray: The voice of Mudvayne and Hellyeah in his “30 Years of Madness” solo performance with the hits of both Mudvayne and Hellyeah
• DRAIN: Home area show
• Thursday: Celebrating anniversaries of three albums: 25 years of Full Collapse, 20 years of A City By the Light Divided, and 15 years of No Devolución
• From First To Last: Reunion show and rare performance
• Kylesa: Reunion show and first West Coast performance since 2015
• Municipal Waste: 25th anniversary set
• Oleander: Hometown reunion show (and one of the first shows  since 2018)
• Spite: Hometown show
• Drowning Pool: 25^th anniversary performance of Sinner
• The Union Underground: First California show in 24 years
• Drop Dead, Gorgeous: Reunion show
• Ünloco: Reunion Show
• Red: Celebrating 20 years of End of Silence
• Austin Carlile: The original voice of Of Mice & Men

Aftershock Announces Daily Music Schedules: West Coast’s Largest Rock, Punk & Metal Festival Returns to Sacramento October 1-4 with My Chemical Romance, TOOL, Limp Bizkit, Pierce the Veil & 140 More Bands first appeared on Game On Media.

Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival Sold Out With 90,000 Fans July 17-19 At Ohio State Reformatory With Disturbed, Bad Omens, Limp Bizkit, & More, Plus Tattoo Artists & Tours Of The Prison Made Famous In ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ first appeared on Game On Media.

ANTHRAX

PLAN MIDNIGHT IN-STORE SIGNING

IN LOUISVILLE, KY

TO CELEBRATE

SEPTEMBER 18 RELEASE OF

‘CURSUM PERFICIO’

BAND WILL VISIT GUESTROOM RECORDS

FOLLOWING THEIR SEPTEMBER 17 PERFORMANCE

AT LOUDER THAN LIFE

ANTHRAX will celebrate the release of their long-awaited 12^th full-length studio album CURSUM PERFICIO (Megaforce Records) with a late night in-store signing in Louisville, KY. Immediately following their September 17 performance at the city’s annual Louder than Life festival, ANTHRAX will meet fans at Louisville’s Guestroom Records (1330A Bardstown Rd). Beginning at 12:01 AM on September 18, the multi-GRAMMY® Award-nominated New York hard rock titans—Scott Ian (guitar), Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass), Joey Belladonna (vocals), and Jonathan Donais (guitar)—will be signing copies of the new album. Space for the event is limited. To attend this special release event, fans must pre-order the album directly from Guestroom Records HERE. Only albums pre-ordered via the link will be eligible for the signing.

CURSUM PERFICIO marks the band’s first record in ten years since 2016’s For All Kings, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The phrase Cursum Perficio is Latin for “My journey has come to an end”, “My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.” It proves apropos for such a complete body of work. It will be available in various configurations including an indie exclusive – red, orange yellow vinyl double LP with pop-up gatefold. To pre-order/pre-save, click HERE.

CURSUM PERFICIO album cover

Thus far, ANTHRAX have released two singles and videos from CURSUM PERFICIO: “It’s For The Kids” a classic ANTHRAX ripper locked and loaded with buzzsaw-sharp riffs, explosive drumming, and a howling and head-banging hook. It undoubtedly has all the makings of a future live staple. Listen HERE and watch the official music video HERE. It was followed by “The Edge Of Perfection,” highlighted by clean guitar echoes and cymbals that gently shake until a blastbeat blows open the doors. Guitars buzz like a motorboat on the River Styx, making waves through the darkness. In their wake, a crushing rhythm trails the melody of lead singer Joey Belladonna’s lament, “My heart breaks…I’m on the edge…I’m on the edge of perfection.” Listen to “The Edge Of Perfection” HERE and watch the official music video HERE.

L-R: Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna, Jonathan Donais, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

The band dove into recording CURSUM PERFICIO in earnest during 2022, working out of Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles. They carefully pieced together what would be this magnum opus, mining their history with reverence, delivering on fan expectations tenfold, and broadening the scope of their signature sound. Produced by Jay Ruston and ANTHRAX, the result is an album that’s as angry, aggressive, and alive as their most celebrated fare. 

The CURSUM PERFICIO track listing is as follows:

Persistence of Memory

The Long Goodbye

It’s For the Kids

Everybody’s Got A Plan

The Edge Of Perfection

Infectious

NYC93

Cursum Perficio

T.O.M.B

Watch It Go

My Victory

Their journey has brought them to CURSUM PERFICIO — a powerful, pummeling, and poetic milestone in ANTHRAX’s 45-year career.

ANTHRAX’s North American tour dates are as follows: 

 

DATE

LOCATION

VENUE

Thursday, September 3

Montréal, QC

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Saturday, September 5

Harrison, NJ

Sports Illustrated Stadium

Sunday, September 6

Harrison, NJ

Sports Illustrated Stadium

Thursday, September 17

Louisville, KY

Louder Than Life 2026

Friday, September 25

Los Angeles, CA

BMO Stadium

Sunday, September 27

Los Angeles, CA

BMO Stadium

Tuesday, September 29

San Antonio, TX

Alamodome

Friday, October 2

Mexico City, Mexico

Estadio GNP Seguros

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |

X | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY

ANTHRAX Celebrate September 18 Release Of ‘Cursum Perficio’ With Midnight Louisville, KY In-Store Signing first appeared on Game On Media.

DOGMA’S NEW SINGLE “MY MATRICIDAL” ASKS A DANGEROUS QUESTION: WHO DO YOU TRUST?

LISTEN | WATCH

Photo credit: Pol Van Dark

Following a breakout year that saw DOGMA sell out every European headlining show, complete its largest Latin American tour to date, and continue its rapid international ascent, the band returns today with “My Matricidal,” the highly anticipated new single and music video. 

“My Matricidal” is a theatrical collision of aggressive guitars, ritualistic percussion, haunting cinematic soundscape, soaring vocal performances, and a relentless series of sonic blows that steadily escalate toward a towering climax. The result is a dark, emotionally charged composition that expands the band’s signature blend of hard rock, metal, and provocative storytelling.

Accompanying the single is an ambitious new music video that expands the narrative introduced in “Fate Unblinds,” revealing another key piece of the puzzle while raising new questions about everything that came before.

Watch “My Matricidal” Video Here

Regarding the new release, Lilith comments, “The themes explored in ‘My Matricidal’ are not really about betrayal. They are about recognition. There comes a moment in every person’s life when something they believed, trusted, or accepted can no longer withstand reality. Most people spend their energy focusing on the deception itself, but I think the more important question is what happens after the truth becomes impossible to ignore. Some people retreat into anger or denial. Others choose to learn from it and move forward with greater clarity. That moment of choice has always fascinated me because it ultimately shapes the direction of a person’s life. The truth reveals itself in time. What you do with it is your responsibility. You shape your fate.”

The release arrives at a pivotal moment in DOGMA’s continued growth. During the first half of 2026, the band completed its largest European and Latin American touring cycle to date, performing for thousands of fans across both continents. Every European headlining show sold out, including appearances in London, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Eindhoven, Hamburg, and Munich.

The momentum continues this summer as DOGMA returns to Europe for appearances at major festivals including Copenhell, Basinfire, Tuska, Rockharz, Rock Imperium, and Resurrection Fest, alongside a special headlining performance in Istanbul.

With the release of “My Matricidal,” DOGMA maintains a single position: The truth reveals itself in time.

Upcoming festival dates:

Jun 29: Istanbul, Türkiye · Blind
Jul 2: Ballenstedt, Germany – Rockharz Festival
Jul 4: Viveiro, Spain · Resurrection Fest
Jul 5: Cartagena, Spain · El Batel Park

Follow Dogma:

Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
YouTube

Dogma Unleash Cinematic New Single – My Matricidal first appeared on Game On Media.

Tortuga Music Festival Reveals Daily Lineup and Single Day Tickets for 2026 first appeared on Game On Media.

Bourbon & Beyond

Announces Largest Lineup In History For Festival’s 8^th Year:

Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Goose (Thursday),

Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves, Foster the People (Friday),

Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Saturday),

Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows (Sunday)

Featuring 100+ Music Artists On 5 Stages, Along With

Premium Spirits And Culinary Experiences

September 24-27 At Kentucky Exposition Center

In Louisville, Kentucky

All Pass Types, Including 4-Day, Single Day, GA, Mint VIP & Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP
Passes On Sale Now At BourbonAndBeyond.com

Festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents has announced the largest lineup in history for the 8^th year of Bourbon & Beyond — the World’s Largest Bourbon, Food & Music Festival — set for September 24-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bourbon & Beyond 2026 will feature 100+ artists on 5 stages, topped by superstars including:

Thursday, September 24: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Goose

Friday, September 25: Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves, Foster the People

Saturday, September 26: Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Sunday, September 27: Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows

The complete music lineup for Bourbon & Beyond is as follows: Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Queens of the Stone Age, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Foster The People, Goose, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jesse Welles, Jessie Murph, Of Monsters and Men, The Flaming Lips, The War on Drugs, Charley Crockett, 4 Non Blondes, Portugal. The Man, Gary Clark Jr., Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Father John Misty, Max McNown, The Fray, Squeeze, Cheap Trick, Marcus King Band, Angus and Julia Stone, Cameron Whitcomb, Adam Ant, Amos Lee, Fitz and the Tantrums, Violent Femmes, Maddox Batson, Maoli, Lindsey Stirling, Noah Cyrus, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Devil Makes Three, Better Than Ezra, Durand Jones & The Indications, Jet, Plain White T’s, Buffalo Traffic Jam, The Return of Jackie and Judy, Our Lady Peace, Sons of Legion, Avery Anna, Matt Hansen, The Church, Gabriella Rose, Lisa Loeb, Uncle Lucius, Yächtley Crëw, Stella Lefty, Joan Osborne, Paula Cole, Vertical Horizon, Kaitlin Butts, Langhorne Slim, The Creekers, Henrik, The Infamous Stringdusters, Amigo The Devil, Howie Day, Tonic, Cracker, Sierra Hull, Kitchen Dwellers, Nine Days, The Verve Pipe, Congress The Band, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Noah Rinker, The Stews, Couch, hey, nothing, Bryan Martin, Penelope Road, S.G. Goodman, Magoo, Atlus, Sawyer Hill, Rattlesnake Milk, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Levi Turner, Ben Chapman, Clover County, Nathan Bess, Palmyra, Kevian Kraemer, Ryman, Shelby Means, Caleb & Reeb, The Steel Wheels, Rainbow Girls, Fireside Collective, Woodbox Heroes, The Fretliners, Meels, Mason Via and Vickie Vaughn Band.

Some of the highlights and special appearances at Bourbon & Beyond 2026 include:

• Performance from Foo Fighters, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and 15x Grammy Award winners
• Mumford & Sons’ first show in Louisville in nearly a decade
• Performance from Kentucky native Chris Stapleton, 2026 Grammy Award winner for Best Country Solo Performance
• Dave Matthews Band celebrates 30 Years of their most popular album, Crash
• Hootie & The Blowfish performs their first show in the state of Kentucky in 20+ years
• The Return of Jackie and Judy, a Ramones tribute supergroup comprised of Sleater-Kinney and comedian/film & TV star Fred Armisen, in a select live appearance
• In addition to Chris Stapleton (Lexington/Staffordsville), other performances from “Kentucky’s Own” include Joan Osborne (Anchorage), SG Goodman (Hickman), Vickie Vaughn Band (Symsonia/Paducah), The Creekers (Leslie County/Appalachia)

“Bourbon & Beyond is built to be the best weekend of your year. Plain and simple. From the second you arrive, everything is designed so you can fully experience what a music festival should be,” says Danny Wimmer of Danny Wimmer Presents. “It’s an escape with soul — a place where you can unplug from real life, let loose, be a kid again, and really live in the moment. You can ride roller coasters at Kentucky Kingdom, discover new artists and see your favorites, sip great spirits, and eat incredible food — and it all just works. At its core, it’s about creating memories. It’s a vacation inside a vacation. This lineup reflects everything Bourbon & Beyond stands for. And I say this with humility and confidence — there is nothing else quite like it in this space. It truly is the best weekend you can have at a festival of this scale.”

“Bourbon & Beyond captures the spirit of Kentucky like no other music festival,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “Last year’s move to the heart of the Kentucky Exposition Center set a new standard, and together with Danny Wimmer Presents, we’re proving the Commonwealth is the premier destination for world-class events.”

In 2026, Bourbon & Beyond will roll out a revitalized Fork & Flask curated by Kroger experience, bringing fresh momentum to the festival’s spirits and culinary programming. This year’s edition will highlight bold spirit and food pairings, unexpected flavor combinations, and a dynamic mix of talent and taste that reflects the pulse of Louisville’s ever-evolving food and drink scene. Fork & Flask curated by Kroger will showcase a diverse lineup of beloved local restaurants, innovative speakeasies, and standout bars, blending iconic favorites with rising talent. Designed to be immersive and high-energy, the experience will celebrate creativity, culture, and the next generation of flavor with more details announced soon.

In addition, the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar is home to The Bluegrass Situation Stage and features the best bluegrass bands as well as line dancing.

Bourbon & Beyond attendees can enhance their festival experience further with FREE access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which became part of the festival footprint in 2025. Kentucky Kingdom will be open exclusively to festival attendees during Bourbon & Beyond.

Fans in the Louisville area can celebrate the Bourbon & Beyond lineup at the official Bourbon & Beyond lineup announcement party at Whirling Tiger in Louisville on Wednesday, February 18 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. The event will feature performances from Bourbon Revival and Scott T. Smith, as well as custom cocktails, photo opps, vintage festival merch, giveaways, and service fee-free passes. All who attend will have a chance to win two GA passes to Bourbon & Beyond.

Passes are on sale now at https://bourbonandbeyond.com/passes/ starting at $1 down using layaway, with over 6 months to pay in full. Options include:

• 4-Day and Single Day GA
• 4-Day and Single Day Mint VIP
• 4-Day and Single Day Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP

A very limited supply of Single and 4-Day Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP passes are available for the most exclusive access and luxury amenities. And for fans who want to celebrate the biggest eight days of music in the United States, an Exacta Pass offers GA entry to back-to-back weekends in Louisville at both Louder Than Life (September 17-20) and Bourbon & Beyond (September 24-27). Starting at $700 (all in, fees included), an Exacta Pass is less than $88 per festival day. Find more info here.

New for 2026, the Bourbon & Beyond Group Reward Offer gives fans an easy way to bring their friends together. After purchasing a pass, fans can create a group and share a unique link to track purchases. Groups that reach 10 or more passes will receive a $10 refund per pass (processed the week after the festival), and the largest group (with a minimum of 50, after sales close) will earn the Ultimate Bourbon & Beyond Experience. Find more details here.

Bourbon & Beyond Single Day GA Lawn Chair Passes are on sale now, offering fans access to designated viewing areas at the main stages where they can bring a lawn chair and relax while enjoying the music. These passes sell out every year, so fans are encouraged to secure theirs early here.

A Bourbon & Beyond Student Pass is also available, allowing those with a valid .edu email address access to a $130 (all-in, fees included) Single-Day GA Pass via FEVO. Find more details here.

DWP has also partnered with GOVX to offer exclusively-priced Bourbon & Beyond passes for 4-Day GA and Single Day GA for military, nurse, firefighter, and police personnel. Find more info here.

For a fully immersive weekend experience, fans are encouraged to explore the Bourbon & Beyond RV Camping and Car + Tent Camping options. Barrel Cove Glamping Packages are also on sale now.

For those looking to stay off-site, Bourbon & Beyond hotel packages that bundle festival passes with hotel nights are available through Jampack, starting at $10 down and including daily festival re-entry and additional perks – find more information here.

All details on festival passes, including Jampack hotel packages, camping and parking passes can be found here.

Bourbon & Beyond was named Pollstar’s Global 2025 Festival of the Year, and is produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America. It was also named one of Garden & Gun’s Ten Standout Southern Bourbon Festivals.

In 2025, Bourbon & Beyond welcomed fans from over 50 states and around the world to Louisville. Bourbon & Beyond and DWP’s Louisville companion festival Louder Than Life, which take place back-to-back weeks, generated over $43 million in local economic impact in 2025 and drew more than 450,000 attendees booking over 60,000 hotel room nights and creating a visitor boom at local restaurants and other businesses, including bourbon distilleries along the Urban Bourbon Trail.

The DWP Foundation will be supporting the following nonprofits in 2026: Dare to Care and the Preston Area Business Alliance, with additional partners to be announced.

Bourbon & Beyond is teaming up with an incredible lineup of partners for 2026 including Angel’s Envy, Bud Light, Cutwater, Ford Bronco, Jack Daniel’s, Kroger, Monster Energy, Old Forester, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and White Claw. Stay tuned for additional partners to be announced.

Bourbon & Beyond’s community partners include: Crowne Plaza, Galt House Hotel, Kentucky Proud, Kentucky Venues, Louisville Metro, Louisville Tourism, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and Team Kentucky.

Kentucky Exposition Center is located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville, Kentucky 40209.

For more information on Bourbon & Beyond please visit:

Website: https://bourbonandbeyond.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bourbonandbeyond/

Twitter: https://x.com/BourbonNBeyond

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bourbonandbeyond/

Hashtag: #BourbonAndBeyond

Bourbon & Beyond 2026 in Louisville: Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band first appeared on Game On Media.

ShipRocked 2027:

Music Festival Cruise Sails From Miami, Florida To

Mahogany Bay In Roatan, Honduras And Cozumel, Mexico

January 24-30, 2027 Onboard Carnival Horizon

ShipRocked 2026 Wrapped Sold Out 16^th Year With

Over 4,100 Guests Onboard Carnival Horizon From January 25-31,

Marking The Largest ShipRocked To Date

Music Performances Included

Halestorm, Motionless In White, Knocked Loose,

Wage War, AWOLNATION, Suicidal Tendencies, Avatar, Starset, Sleep Theory,

As Well As The Stowaways All-Star Band Featuring Members Of

I Prevail, Hollywood Undead, Ice Nine Kills, P.O.D., Atreyu & Many More

Cancer Sucks! Onboard Charity Auction Raised $200,000

(February 10, 2026): After wrapping up the largest ShipRocked yet with over 4,100 guests on board for the sold-out 16^th year, event producer ASK4 Entertainment has announced the dates, ports, and theme for the  2027 edition of the premier rock music cruise vacation. ShipRocked 2027 will depart from Miami on Carnival Horizon, sailing to Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras (a first-time visit for ShipRocked) and the sun-drenched shores of Cozumel on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The Caribbean cruise will feature a “ShipRocked Samurai” theme and is set for January 24-30, 2027, promising fan favorite rock and metal music artists, comfortable staterooms, a first-class spa, boatloads of bars and delectable dining options, a wet and wild water park, and even an IMAX theater.

ShipRocked 2026 guests are already pre-registered for the 2027 sailing, and others can find information on the ShipRocked 2027 public pre-sale soon at www.ShipRocked.com.

Check out a 2027 preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL6LEVvv6Sk

This year, ShipRocked guests and bands enjoyed 6 days and nights of fun from January 25-31 on board Carnival Horizon from Miami to Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key–Carnival’s newly-opened private cruise port on the island of Grand Bahama–and Nassau in The Bahamas. The Greek mythology-themed ShipRocked 2026 featured more than 30 bands onboard, with a special Halestorm “ShipDocked” show on the ship’s deck stage just before departing Nassau, along with multiple performances from Motionless In White and Knocked Loose, plus Wage War, AWOLNATION, Suicidal Tendencies, Avatar, Starset, Sleep Theory, From Ashes To New, Kittie and more.

Check out some of the ShipRocked 2026 highlights here, with the full Aftermovie coming soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCgoxgQPipA

The overall music lineup for ShipRocked 2026 featured Halestorm, Motionless In White, and Knocked Loose, along with Wage War, AWOLNATION, Suicidal Tendencies, Avatar, Starset, Sleep Theory, From Ashes To New, and Kittie. The full SR26 lineup was rounded out by ’68, Andy Wood Trio, Archetypes Collide, aurorawave, The Barbarians of California, Dead Poet Society, DeathByRomy, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Emi Grace, Fox Lake, The Funeral Portrait, GANG!, Holy Wars, House Of Protection, Kemikalfire (Arejay Hale & Taylor Carroll), Lowlives, LYLVC, Not Enough Space, The Pretty Wild, Shepherds Reign, UnityTX, Zero 9:36, and all-star band The Stowaways.

Some of the highlights and special moments during ShipRocked 2026 included:

• A Meet & Greet and special “ShipDocked” performance from Halestorm on the ship while in port in Nassau in The Bahamas.
• Motionless In White performed their version of Rammstein’s “Du Hast” for the first time since 2018.
• Wage War played a surprise acoustic set in the ship’s Atrium lobby lounge the last night of the trip.
• Vocalist and founder Aaron Bruno treated fans to multiple sets with his bands AWOLNATION (including a euphoric singalong of “Sail”) and The Barbarians Of California.
• No mere stage was enough to contain the perpetual motion of Suicidal Tendencies, whose Tuesday afternoon deck set carried the energy of the Half Moon Cay beach party – with Shepherds Reign, Aurorawave, and a chaotic Beach Wars led by GANG! – into the night.
• Avatar brought a fitting ShipRocked twist to their trademark theatrical flair, as they emerged in matching bathrobes, drinking rum punches for the coveted “sailaway set” as the Carnival Horizon pulled away from the Port of Miami.
• Starset live debuted their new song “We Are Empire,” performing in their classic space suits.
• In addition to their two electric sets, Sleep Theory treated fans to a special unplugged performance at the ShipRocked loyalty party for longtime ShipRockers.
• The DJ set with J-Dog, Charlie Scene, and Funny Man of Hollywood Undead turned into an impromptu performance of sorts, with members sometimes singing along with Hollywood Undead tracks.
• Eric Vanlerberghe (I Prevail) joined Wage War on “Nails.”
• Ricky Armellino (Ice Nine Kills) took the stage with The Funeral Portrait for “Suffocate City,” singing the parts originally done by Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills.
• Brandon Saller (Atreyu) joined Aurorawave onstage for “INFERNO” (a song he recorded with the band).
• Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire) guested with The Funeral Portrait for “Voodoo Doll,” the track she recorded with the band for their Greetings From Suffocate City album.
• Acclaimed illustrator and cartoonist Jay Howell (Bob’s Burgers, Sanjay And Craig) created unique caricature portraits of guests and band members during the cruise.
• The Music Experience lounge hosted a guitar clinic with Marcos Curiel of P.O.D.
• Fans packed the Ocean Plaza lounge for a special one-night-only performance from Kemikalfire, featuring Arejay Hale (Halestorm) and Taylor Carroll.
• Many ShipRocked guests got up early on Thursday to enjoy a packed “Morning Music” acoustic set with Brandon Yeagley and Chris Bishop from Crobot.
• The ShipRocked onboard tattoo parlor featured artists from Paradise Tattoo in Florida, and Chris Bishop (Crobot) of Snake Eyes Tattoo in Austin.
• The Stowaways’ all-star band punctuated ShipRocked‘s “Rock Hard, Vacation Harder” mantra with a “party hardest” Wednesday deck stage set that spanned a half century of good-time hits (including, of course, Andrew W.K.’s “Party Hard” with Chad Nicefield and Leo Moracchioli on vocals). Eric Vanlerberghe (I Prevail) and Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire) got the party started with Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out”; Crobot’s Brandon Yeagley reached back to the ’50s for The Isley Brothers’ “Shout,” joined by Ricky Armellino (Ice Nine Kills) on guitar; Hollywood Undead’s Funny Man and Charlie Scene traded vocals on Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” with J-Dog on bass; With Dylan Bowman (I Prevail) on guitar and Matt Wantland (10 Years) on bass, Brandon Saller (Atreyu) and Sonny Sandoval (P.O.D.) had 3 decks of the Carnival Horizon singing along with Papa Roach’s “Last Resort”; Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Bumblefoot led vocalists Moriah Formica (Plush), Amanda Lyberg, Matt James (Blacktop Mojo) and Leo Moracchioli through a set-closing “Paradise City.”
• The Weather Gods proved no match for the Rock Gods, as The Stowaways’ Friday night finale “Zeus Medusa” set brought heavy metal thunder to the Horizon‘s intimate Ocean Plaza stage (moved inside from the deck stage) with a set featuring classics from Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, White Zombie, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, and more.

The stellar group of musicians joining The Stowaways in 2026 included Eric Vanlerberghe and Dylan Bowman from I Prevail, Charlie Scene, Funny Man and J-Dog from Hollywood Undead, and Ricky Armellino from Ice Nine Kills, along with Al McManus (ASK4 Entertainment), Andy Wood (Andy Wood Trio), Matt Wantland (10 Years), Johnny Hetherington (Art of Dying), Brandon Saller (Atreyu), Doc Coyle (former Bad Wolves), Brandon Ellis (Black Dahlia Murder), Matt James (Blacktop Mojo), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Chad Nicefield (Chad Nicefield Trio), Kiarely Castillo and Kristen Sturgis (Conquer Divide), Brandon Yeagley (Crobot), Leanne Bowes (Demi Lovato), Diamante, Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire), Tom Hane (former In This Moment), Leo Moracchioli (Frog Leap), Marcos Curiel and Sonny Sandoval (P.O.D.), Moriah Formica (Plush), Bobby Amaru (Saliva), Shaun Smith (Shaun Smith Trio), Jackson Foster (Silly Goose), Tavis Stanley (Saint Asonia), Alex Bent (former Trivium) and Joey Varela (VRSTY).

During the 2026 cruise, the annual ShipRocked Cancer Sucks! onboard charity auction raised a record-breaking $200,000, bringing the total amount to more than $1.2 million raised on ShipRocked to date for innovative medical research and finding a cure for cancer.

In addition to nonstop music, photo meet & greets, tropical port visits, wild activities and games, theme nights, an onboard tattoo parlor and more, ShipRocked includes traditional cruise activities with a rock/metal twist, such as ShipRocked Beach Wars, a blackjack tournament, dodgeball tournament, live band karaoke, game shows, singles mixers, trivia contests and heavy metal morning yoga.

A floating music festival, a rock & roll summer camp held in the dead of winter, a family reunion for the growing number of ShipRockers who have forged lifelong relationships out of a shared passion for music (and an occasional bucket of beer) – ShipRocked is the premier rock music cruise vacation, offering dozens of performances and unique collaborations, artist-hosted events and activities, theme nights, and ample opportunity for fans and bands alike to unwind and create new friendships in tropical paradise.

Amy Harris with Consequence.net aptly described ShipRocked, saying it “wasn’t just a party at sea; it was a living, breathing ecosystem of metal, community, and collective release…this isn’t just a music festival on a boat — it’s a full-blown community forged at sea.”

For more information on ShipRocked, visit:

Website: www.ShipRocked.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GetShipRocked

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shiprocked

Hashtag: #VacationHarder

ShipRocked 2027 Save The Date Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL6LEVvv6Sk

(ShipRocked 2026 Family Photo)

(Halestorm on the Deck Stage)

(Motionless In White on the Deck Stage)

(Knocked Loose on the Deck Stage)

(DJ set with Funny Man, Charlie Scene & J-Dog of Hollywood Undead in the Atrium)

(Johannes Eckerström of Avatar on the Deck Stage)

(The Stowaways all-star band on the Deck Stage)

(Fans at From Ashes To New’s theater show)

(Aurorawave at Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas with Carnival Horizon in the distance)

(Avatar photo meet & greet with ShipRocked guests)

(Deck Wars champions with UnityTX)

(ShipRocked guests in costumes for theme nights)

Note: All photos courtesy of ShipRocked / ASK4 Entertainment.

ShipRocked Sails Again January 2027 From Miami To Honduras & Mexico; ShipRocked 2026 Caribbean Cruise Sold Out With Halestorm, Motionless In White, Knocked Loose & More first appeared on Game On Media.

Tortuga Music Festival 2026 Is Calling: Three Days of Sand, Songs, and Sea Turtle Season

If your ideal spring weekend includes boots and beach towels, Tortuga Music Festival is lining up a big, salty comeback. The 13th annual Tortuga takes over Fort Lauderdale Beach (1100 Seabreeze Blvd.) April 10–12, 2026, turning the shoreline into a three-day blend of country, rock, and roots—with the ocean as the loudest “stage design” flex imaginable.

Start your planning here: the official festival hub is https://tortugamusicfestival.com/ and passes/ticket details live at https://tortugamusicfestival.com/passes/ (the festival notes that Front Gate Tickets via Tortuga’s site is the valid ticketing provider).

First-line headliners: a three-headed main-stage monster

Tortuga 2026’s top line is built for maximum singalong whiplash: Post Malone, Riley Green, and Kenny Chesney headline across the weekend.

Post Malone at a beach festival is the kind of genre-blender Tortuga loves: a stadium-sized hitmaker who can pivot from pop-rap swagger to guitars-and-heartbreak energy without breaking a sweat. Riley Green brings the lived-in storytelling and barroom charm that country crowds practically require by law. And Kenny Chesney? He’s basically a coastal weather system—rolls in, turns thousands of people into a single chorus, leaves happy wreckage in his wake.

Second-line firepower: the “how is this not a headliner?” tier

The next row down on the lineup reads like a festival promoter showing off. Dwight Yoakam adds legendary country credibility, while Tyler Hubbard and Russell Dickerson bring the modern radio-friendly rocket fuel for sunset sets.

Then Tortuga swerves—in the best way—by pulling in Ice Cube and The Fray, giving the weekend a throwback jolt and cross-genre range that keeps the vibe from being “same hat, different day.” Add names like Dustin Lynch, Clay Walker, Flatland Cavalry, Lukas Nelson, and more, and you’ve got undercards that can easily become the stories you tell after the fact (“We only came early to get a good spot and then… wow.”).

Music with a mission (and a reason to feel slightly less guilty about sunscreen)

Tortuga is hosted by the Rock The Ocean Foundation, and a portion of ticket proceeds supports ocean and marine-life conservation. So yes, you’re partying—but you’re also (indirectly) helping protect the watery kingdom that makes the whole beach-festival idea possible.

Passes are on sale now, and the festival notes single-day passes aren’t available at this time—plan for the full three-day immersion.

For the full lineup and official info, go straight to the source:

• Festival site: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/
• Lineup: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/lineup/
• Passes/tickets: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/passes/

Tortuga Music Festival 2026: 3 Days of Sand and Song with Post Malone, Riley Green and Kenny Chesney first appeared on Game On Media.

Yelawolf’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was a controlled explosion—part rap show, part rock gig, part Southern-roadside revival. Tortuga loves a genre curveball, but Yelawolf didn’t feel like a novelty booking dropped into a country festival for shock value. He felt like an alternate headliner from a parallel universe where hip-hop and outlaw energy grew up in the same garage.

From the first beat, the performance had velocity. His flow stayed sharp and relentless, cutting through wind and shoreline noise like a blade, while the instrumentation and low-end punch gave the set a physical presence you could feel in the sand. He knows how to pace a festival crowd: quick transitions, no dead air, and enough call-and-response to turn a mixed audience into a unified mob within minutes. People who wandered over “just to check it out” got trapped—in the best way—by the momentum.

Stage presence is where Yelawolf really wins. He performs with a wiry intensity that reads honest rather than theatrical, moving like he’s chasing the song instead of posing for it. The vibe stayed rowdy but focused, with a sense of catharsis that’s rare in daylight. And even if country fans didn’t know every word, they recognized the attitude: grit, swagger, and a refusal to sand down edges for easy approval.

In a weekend built on big choruses and beach-friendly comfort, Yelawolf brought something spikier and more adrenaline-forward—a set that made Tortuga feel bigger than its own boundaries.

Artist: https://yelawolf.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Yelawolf Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Yelawolf at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Wheeland Brothers’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like the festival’s mission statement made audible: sunshine music, ocean breeze grooves, and a crowd that suddenly remembers it has hips. Tortuga can swing from stadium-country spectacle to emotional ballads fast, but Wheeland Brothers owned the “beach-party sweet spot” — that moment when the day is young, your sandals are full of sand, and the only sensible plan is to move with the tide.

Their sound translated perfectly outdoors: bright guitars, buoyant rhythms, and a laid-back pocket that still had real drive underneath. The band played tight without feeling rigid, letting choruses breathe so the crowd could jump in naturally. Even from a distance, the set carried—those melodies ride the wind in a way that makes you wander closer almost by accident, like the music is pulling you by the sleeve.

What stood out most was the vibe discipline. They didn’t try to muscle their way into attention; they earned it by being the most in-sync with the setting. The between-song moments were quick and friendly, more “hang with us” than “watch us,” and it worked: you could see people who were on their way to get food or find friends suddenly stop, dance for a song, then… stay. That’s a win at Tortuga, where the crowd is constantly in motion.

In a lineup packed with big-name intensity, Wheeland Brothers delivered something just as valuable: an hour that felt like vacation. Not background music—soundtrack. The kind you wish could follow you home, still smelling faintly like sunscreen.

Artist: https://www.wheelandbrothers.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Wheeland Brothers Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Wheeland Brothers at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

The Original Wailers’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt less like a “booking” and more like the beach remembering what it was built for. Tortuga has plenty of high-octane moments, but reggae belongs on sand in a way that feels almost geological—like the rhythm is baked into the shoreline. The Original Wailers leaned into that truth and turned their slot into a warm, swaying reset button for the entire day.

What hit first was the groove: deep, unhurried, and locked-in. The rhythm section sat right in the pocket, letting the bass carry the emotional weight while the guitars skanked with crisp, sunlit precision. Even with ocean wind trying to steal details, the mix translated cleanly—steady drums, thick low end, and those melodic accents that make reggae feel both relaxed and purposeful at the same time.

Vocally, the performance balanced reverence with lived-in confidence. Nothing felt like cosplay. The songs carried history, but the band played them like they still matter right now—which is exactly why the crowd responded. You could see people drifting in from other stages, hearing the pulse, then staying because the vibe was too good to walk away from. It wasn’t the loudest set of the weekend, but it may have been one of the most unifying: strangers swaying together, couples dancing in the sand, and that unmistakable festival calm that only happens when the music stops trying to impress and just starts feeling true.

At Tortuga, The Original Wailers didn’t need fireworks. They brought roots—and the beach did the rest.

Artist: https://www.originalwailers.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

The Original Wailers at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Shaboozey’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like the future showing up early—boots in the sand, hip-hop pulse in the low end, and country attitude riding shotgun. Tortuga thrives on genre lines getting blurred, and Shaboozey didn’t just blur them. He stomped them into the beach like a fresh footprint and dared the crowd to keep up.

Live, the performance had a kinetic snap that’s hard to fake. His delivery moved smoothly between rhythmic swagger and melodic hooks, never sounding like he was switching “modes” so much as speaking in the language the moment required. The band/track blend hit with real weight—bass you could feel under your feet, drums that punched through the wind, and enough space in the mix for the crowd to become part of the rhythm. It played perfectly in a festival environment where subtlety can get eaten by surf and chatter; Shaboozey brought clarity by bringing energy.

The crowd response was immediate. You could spot the turning heads first—people walking by, hearing the groove, then stopping like they’d just remembered they actually came here for music. By the middle of the set, it was a full-on beach party: phones up, hands up, and that Tortuga moment where strangers start moving together because the beat makes the decision for them.

What really sold it was his presence. He performed like he belonged on that stage—not as a novelty booking, but as a head-turning statement. Shaboozey didn’t just entertain Tortuga. He expanded its definition.

Artist: https://www.shaboozey.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Shaboozey Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Shaboozey at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Rodney Atkins’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like the festival version of flipping on a familiar playlist and realizing every track still hits. In a weekend packed with new-school chart toppers and genre crossovers, Atkins brought something simple and powerful: songs the crowd already lives inside. The moment he started, Fort Lauderdale Beach turned into a multigenerational singalong—no warm-up required.

Live, Atkins has that steady, no-frills vocal delivery that works perfectly outdoors. He doesn’t oversing or overact; he just plants his feet, lets the band lock into a groove, and trusts the hooks to do what they’ve always done. His catalog is built for festival call-and-response, and the crowd leaned in hard—arms up, voices out, strangers singing like they’d carpooled together.

The band kept everything punchy and clean, with guitars bright enough to cut through the ocean breeze and drums driving the set forward without turning it into mush. The pacing was smart too: a steady run of recognizable choruses that kept momentum high, with just enough breathing room between songs for the crowd to reset and roar again. Between tracks, Atkins’ stage talk stayed warm and brief—grateful, a little playful, and never enough to stall the energy.

At Tortuga, not every set needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes the wheel is already rolling, and you just need someone who knows how to steer it straight down the shoreline. Rodney Atkins did exactly that—classic country, delivered like it still matters, because it does.

Artist: https://www.rodneyatkins.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Rodney Atkins Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Rodney Atkins at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Restless Road’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was tailor-made for the beach: big harmonies, big smiles, and choruses that practically demand you throw an arm around whoever you came with (or whoever is standing next to you in the sand). In a festival environment where subtlety often gets swallowed by wind and waves, the trio leaned into their superpower—stacked vocals—and turned the shoreline into a pop-country choir.

The harmonies were the headline. Live, they stayed tight and clean, even with the outdoor mix doing its usual trick of smearing detail. Instead of fighting that, Restless Road performed in a way that cut through: clear lead lines, crisp blend on the hooks, and just enough vocal push to keep everything present without getting shouty. Their band backed them with bright, radio-ready polish—drums driving, guitars sparkling, and dynamics that kept the set moving without feeling rushed.

What also worked was their crowd awareness. Restless Road didn’t overtalk, but they didn’t feel anonymous either. The between-song moments were quick and genuine—gratitude, a little humor, a few “we can’t believe we’re here” beats that actually felt real. The result was a set that built momentum song-by-song, pulling in passersby and keeping them planted.

Tortuga is a festival of massive names, but it’s also a festival of moments where you discover an act that just fits the setting. Restless Road fit like sunscreen and a cold drink: easy, bright, and exactly what you wanted at that hour.

Artist: https://www.restlessroadmusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Restless Road Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Restless Road at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Parker McCollum’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 landed like the perfect bridge between beach-party energy and real-deal songwriter weight. Tortuga crowds love a hook, but they respect an artist who can make thousands of people feel like the song is happening to them personally. McCollum did both—turning Fort Lauderdale Beach into a giant singalong while still letting the lyrics breathe.

Vocally, he was sharp and steady, with that slightly ragged edge that keeps his delivery from sounding too polished. The wind-and-surf festival mix can flatten detail, but his voice carried clean across the sand, and the band kept everything muscular without crowding the vocals—guitars bright, drums driving, and dynamics that let the biggest choruses explode at the right moments. He paced the set smartly, stacking the crowd-pleasers in a way that kept momentum high while slipping in quieter, emotional turns that made the party feel grounded.

McCollum’s stage presence is a big part of why this works live. He’s not overly theatrical; he’s focused, confident, and tuned into the crowd’s energy like he’s steering a boat through choppy water. Between songs, the banter stayed minimal and sincere—no long speeches, just quick gratitude and a return to the music. That restraint actually amplified the impact: less talking, more feeling.

In a lineup full of big names, McCollum delivered the kind of set that feels both massive and intimate—exactly the combination that makes Tortuga’s best moments stick long after the last chorus fades.

Artist: https://www.parkermccollum.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Parker McCollum Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Parker McCollum at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Noah Hicks’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 played like the festival equivalent of a cold drink in the sun: easy to like, deceptively refreshing, and gone way too fast. In the early-day churn—people arriving, orienting, negotiating meeting spots—Hicks managed to do the hardest thing at Tortuga: make a moving crowd stop moving.

His sound sits in that sweet spot between modern country polish and barroom grit. Live, the vocals came through steady and warm, with enough edge to keep the songs from feeling overly glossy. The band kept everything crisp and driving—tight drums, clean guitars, and choruses that opened wide enough for the shoreline to sing back. Even with wind and surf trying to blur the mix, the performance translated well: punchy, clear, and built for outdoor momentum.

What stood out most was his pacing and presence. Hicks didn’t overtalk or overhype; he let the songs do the selling. When he did speak, it was quick and genuine—just enough to make the crowd feel seen before launching back into the next hook. That balance matters at a festival, where too much chatter can drain energy and too little can make a set feel anonymous. Hicks threaded the needle.

By the end, you could feel the conversion happening: phones up, heads nodding, strangers singing fragments of choruses they’d only heard once. Tortuga is famous for big names, but it’s sets like this that build the “I discovered them here” stories people take home. Noah Hicks delivered one of those.

Artist: https://www.noahhicksmusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Noah Hicks Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Noah Hicks at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Meghan Patrick’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like a shot of pure, sunlit confidence—equal parts country swagger and “let’s make this a party” precision. Tortuga crowds can be notoriously in-motion early in the day, but Patrick pulled people in fast with the simplest weapon in live music: undeniable momentum.

From the first song, she performed like someone who understands festival physics. You don’t have time for a slow warm-up when there’s surf, shade, and food lines competing for attention. Patrick came out loud, bright, and locked in—vocals forward in the mix, choruses built for shout-backs, and a band that kept everything tight without sanding off the edge. Her delivery had that satisfying bite: playful when the lyrics called for it, tougher when the groove needed muscle.

Stage presence is where she really won. Patrick doesn’t just “work the crowd”—she builds a connection that feels less scripted and more like a friend grabbing your arm and dragging you toward the front. Between songs, her banter was quick and warm, with just enough humor to keep the vibe loose and just enough sincerity to make it land. You could see the ripple effect: people who meant to keep walking stopped, started moving to the beat, and suddenly stayed.

In a weekend stacked with giant names and big emotional closers, Patrick’s set delivered a different kind of Tortuga magic: that mid-day jolt that resets your energy and reminds you why you came. No overthinking, no overproducing—just songs, swagger, and a beach full of people happily swept up in it.

Artist: https://www.meghanpatrickmusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Meghan Patrick Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Meghan Patrick at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Marcus King’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was the weekend’s reminder that a beach festival isn’t just for big choruses—it’s also a great place to watch a musician absolutely cook. While a lot of Tortuga leans party-forward, King brought something richer: Southern soul, blues-rock fire, and that “this might get spiritual” intensity that makes people stop mid-conversation and actually listen.

From the jump, his guitar tone was thick and expressive—less about flashy speed, more about phrasing that talks. He’ll bend a note and hold it just long enough for the crowd to feel it in their sternum, then snap back into a groove like nothing happened. Vocally, he’s got that raspy ache that makes even upbeat moments feel earned, not shiny. It translated beautifully outdoors, cutting through wind and shoreline noise without needing to bulldoze the mix.

The band deserves serious credit too: tight, dynamic, and locked into King’s push-and-pull pacing. When the songs opened up, they gave him space to roam; when it was time to hit the pocket, they dropped in together like a single machine. That kind of discipline is rare on a festival stage where everything wants to become “loud all the time.”

King didn’t try to out-party Tortuga. He out-played it—turning a stretch of sand into something closer to a sweaty club set, just with more sunscreen and better scenery. If you caught him, you didn’t just see a performance. You caught a moment.

Artist: https://www.marcuskingofficial.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Marcus King Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Marcus King at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Luke Combs closed out Tortuga Music Festival 2025 like a human campfire—one spark, and suddenly the entire beach was singing in unison. By the time he hit the stage, Fort Lauderdale Beach had that Sunday-night mix of exhaustion and “don’t let this end,” and Combs leaned into it perfectly: no overproduction distractions, no flashy detours, just massive songs delivered with blue-collar conviction.

Vocally, he was steady and powerful in that deceptively simple way that separates real singers from “studio magic.” Even with the ocean breeze messing with the mix, his voice cut clean through the air—warm, gritty, and built for big choruses. The band stayed tight but never crowded him, keeping the grooves driving while giving the lyrics room to land. And that’s the secret of a great festival closer: it has to feel huge without turning into noise.

Combs’ stage presence is part everyman, part arena general. He doesn’t need choreography; he’s got authenticity and a catalog that does the heavy lifting. The crowd response was instant and constant—phones up, arms around shoulders, strangers singing like they’d rehearsed together. The emotional peaks hit hardest when he let the audience carry the hooks, stepping back just enough to turn the beach into the lead vocalist.

In a weekend packed with party moments, Luke Combs delivered the most satisfying kind of finale: communal, loud, and a little bit cathartic—like the festival itself exhaling on the last chorus.

Artist: https://www.lukecombs.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Luke Combs Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Luke Combs at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Ludacris at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was the definition of a “genre detour” that actually works—a jolt of pure charisma that snapped the beach out of country cruise-control and into full-on party physics. The second he hit the stage, the energy shifted from singalong to shutdown-the-group-chat-and-jump.

What makes Luda such a cheat code live is command. He doesn’t just perform songs; he conducts a crowd like it’s a choir that already knows the punchlines. The call-and-response moments landed hard, the pacing stayed relentless, and his delivery was sharp enough to cut through wind, surf, and the general Tortuga chaos of people constantly moving. Even from the back, you could feel the bass hits ripple through the sand—one of those sets where you don’t need to be close to be caught.

And for a festival slot (where rap can sometimes feel like a novelty booking), his show felt built for the environment: big gestures, big hooks, and a catalog that turns strangers into temporary best friends. The vibe was playful, chest-thumping, and oddly wholesome—because nothing bonds humans faster than yelling iconic lines together while holding overpriced water bottles.

In a weekend stacked with country heavyweights, Ludacris didn’t try to fit the mold. He cracked the mold, laughed about it, and kept the beach bouncing.

Artist: https://www.ludacrisofficial.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Ludacris Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Ludacris at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Lily Rose’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was a jolt of modern country attitude—the kind that makes a beach crowd stop drifting and start locking in. Tortuga can sometimes blur into a haze of sunshine and predictable choruses, but Rose brought a sharper edge: swagger without posturing, vulnerability without melodrama, and a voice that sounds like it’s lived a little.

Live, she balances grit and control in a way that plays perfectly outdoors. Her lower register hits with weight, and when she leans into a hook, it carries across the sand like a dare. The band matched that energy with a tight, punchy mix—drums that snapped, guitars with enough bite to feel rock-adjacent, and dynamics that kept the set from flattening into one volume level. Even with wind and waves trying to steal frequencies, the performance stayed clear and intentional.

What stood out most was how naturally Rose connected with the crowd. She didn’t oversell the moment; she owned it. Between songs, her banter was quick and real, the kind that reads as “I’m here with you” instead of “I’m doing my festival script.” The result was a set that felt both communal and personal—people singing back, phones up, and that classic Tortuga scene where strangers become temporary friends because a chorus hits at exactly the right time.

In a weekend full of heavy hitters, Lily Rose delivered a different kind of headliner energy: bold, current, and unmistakably hers.

Artist: https://www.lilyrosemusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Lily Rose Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Lily Rose at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Lauren Watkins’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 had that perfect “rising artist who already knows exactly who she is” energy—confident, unforced, and built to cut through the beach-day chaos. Tortuga crowds can be distracted creatures (wind, waves, wandering, snacks), but Watkins pulled attention the old-fashioned way: sharp songs, a steady voice, and a presence that didn’t beg for approval.

Live, her vocals land with a bright clarity that reads country-first, but there’s a little edge underneath—just enough grit to keep the sweeter melodies from feeling overly polished. She paced the set smartly, balancing momentum with breathing room so the lyrics could actually register. That matters at a festival, where too many early-day performances turn into “nice background music.” Watkins didn’t do background. She did focus.

Her band stayed tight and tasteful—rhythm locked in, guitars supporting without crowding—and the mix translated well. The bigger choruses opened up like they were designed for sunlit singalongs, and the quieter moments didn’t get swallowed by the shoreline noise because she knew how to hold a line and let it hang.

Between songs, Watkins kept things short, warm, and genuine—no overtalking, no forced hype—just quick connection points that made the set feel personal without slowing it down. By the end, you could see the conversion in real time: people who meant to keep moving… didn’t.

Artist: https://www.laurenwatkinsmusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Lauren Watkins Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Lauren Watkins at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Lanie Gardner’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like one of those “wait – who is this?” moments that Tortuga does so well: you wander over with a drink and a vague curiosity, and you leave fully converted. On a beach festival lineup packed with big, shout-along choruses, Gardner won the crowd a different way – by sounding effortless.

Her voice is the headline. Live, it carries a smoky strength that reads rock-ready, but she can pull it back into a soft, conversational tone without losing the room. That dynamic range mattered in the Tortuga environment, where wind and side-chatter try to blur everything into background noise. Gardner cut through it anyway, not by over singing, but by placing lines with confidence and letting the emotion do the heavy lifting.

The set itself was paced like a smart introduction: enough energy to keep people from drifting, enough breathing room to make the quieter moments feel intentional. Her band stayed tight and tasteful – supportive without crowding her vocals – while she worked the stage with a grounded presence that didn’t feel like “festival hustle.” It felt like an artist settling into her lane.

The biggest compliment you can give an afternoon Tortuga set is that it changes people’s plans. Gardner had that effect. You could see folks who meant to “catch a song” staying put, phones coming out, friends getting tugged closer. Lanie Gardner didn’t just fill a slot – she made a case.

Artist: https://www.laniegardnermusic.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Lanie Gardner Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Lanie Gardner at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Jordan Davis’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was the kind of beach-friendly hit parade that makes you forget you’ve been standing in sand for hours—because suddenly you’re just in it, singing like the ocean can harmonize. Davis has a rare festival superpower: he delivers radio-sized hooks without feeling canned, and he knows exactly how to turn a sprawling crowd into a single, sunburned choir.

From the jump, the vibe was bright, tight, and built for maximum shout-back. His vocals were steady and clean even in the inevitable wind-and-surf swirl, and his band kept everything punchy—guitars crisp, rhythm section driving, choruses opening wide enough for the whole shoreline to fit inside. The pacing was smart, too: no dead air, no overlong speeches, just enough quick banter to keep it personal before snapping right back into the next wave of singalong fuel.

What really landed was Davis’ stage presence. He’s relaxed without being passive—confident, warm, and tuned into the crowd’s energy like a DJ reading a dance floor. You could see the ripple effect: people drifting past the stage stopped “just for a second,” then stayed for two songs, then stayed for the rest of the set. That’s the Tortuga tell.

In a weekend stacked with big names, Jordan Davis delivered exactly what a festival set should: momentum, melody, and a stack of hooks that sounded even better with salt in the air.

Artist: https://www.jordandavisofficial.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Jordan Davis Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Jordan Davis at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Jelly Roll’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 hit Fort Lauderdale Beach like a tidal surge of gratitude, grit, and giant-heart catharsis. In a festival built for sunburned singalongs, he delivered something heavier and somehow more uplifting: a communal exhale. The moment he walked out, the crowd snapped from “vacation mode” into “we’re all in this together” mode—phones up, voices ready, emotions already halfway out of the bottle.

What makes Jelly Roll such a force live is the way he turns confession into a chorus. He doesn’t perform at people; he performs with them. Vocally, he moved between full-throated country power and rap-rooted rhythmic phrasing with ease, and the transitions never felt like genre tourism. It felt like a lived-in story being told in whatever musical language fit the sentence. The band hit hard, too—big drums, thick low end, and dynamics that gave the biggest moments room to explode without turning into noise soup (no small feat on a windy beach).

Between songs, Jelly Roll’s stage patter was as important as the setlist: equal parts humor, humility, and hard-earned perspective. Instead of killing momentum, it deepened it, turning the crowd into a temporary support group that also happened to dance. Tortuga loves artists who can make thousands feel like a single room. Jelly Roll made it feel like a family reunion with a soundtrack—and the beach was better for it.

Artist: https://jellyroll615.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Jelly Roll Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Jelly Roll at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Gary Allan’s set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 was a masterclass in how to quiet a beach crowd without ever asking for silence. While Tortuga is built for big, bright, beer-in-the-air moments, Allan brought something rarer: a mood. The second he walked onstage, the atmosphere shifted from party to presence—that slow-burn, neon-at-midnight country energy he’s always worn so well.

Live, Allan’s voice still has that smoky ache that makes heartbreak songs feel less like performance and more like confession. Even with wind, surf, and side conversations doing their usual festival chaos, his delivery cut through—steady, textured, and emotionally direct. He doesn’t oversell it. He just lets the lines land, and the crowd does the rest. You could feel people inching closer, not to rage, but to listen.

His band kept everything tight and tasteful: guitars with bite when the songs needed grit, and a laid-back pocket that let the choruses open up without rushing. The set pacing was smart too – balancing the darker, gritty material with enough lift to keep Tortuga’s daytime vibe intact. Between songs, Allan’s stage talk stayed minimal, which only amplified the effect: no distractions, no filler, just song after song hitting like a familiar bruise you don’t mind pressing.

In a weekend full of fireworks sets, Gary Allan delivered something that lingers longer than a chantable hook: atmosphere, attitude, and that unmistakable outlaw-romantic weight.

Artist: https://www.garyallan.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Gary Allan Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Gary Allan at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Ezra Ray Hart’s Tortuga Music Festival 2025 set was pure “time machine with sunscreen”—the kind of cross-generational crowd-pleaser that turns Fort Lauderdale Beach into a singalong you didn’t realize you still had memorized. The supergroup (Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, and Emerson Hart of Tonic) didn’t waste time explaining the concept; they just proved it, stacking recognizable hooks and big-chorus dopamine like it was their civic duty.

What hit hardest was how effortless the chemistry felt. This wasn’t three frontmen taking turns with polite handoffs. It was a shared victory lap—one minute you’re in glossy, sunlit pop-rock mode, the next you’re in throat-grab emotional alt-rock, and somehow it all works because the through-line is confidence and craft. Vocally, they balanced crowd-leading swagger with moments that actually landed with weight, which is rarer at a festival than it should be.

The band kept everything punchy and tight, built for outdoor sound: crisp guitars, drums with real snap, and just enough space in the mix for the crowd to become the fourth instrument. Ezra Ray Hart also understood Tortuga’s chaotic physics (wind, sand, side conversations, people drifting in and out) and played to it—big gestures, quick banter, and momentum that kept passersby from passing by.

In a lineup dominated by country heavyweights, Ezra Ray Hart delivered a different kind of headliner energy: nostalgia with teeth, executed like pros who still love the punchline.

Artist: https://www.ezrarayhart.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

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Ezra Ray Hart at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Corey Kent rolled into Tortuga Music Festival 2025 with the kind of gritty, open-road energy that plays perfectly on a beach that’s already halfway to a full-on singalong. His set hit like a shot of black coffee in the middle of the day: loud enough to wake up the wanderers, sharp enough to hold attention even with the Atlantic doing its best “look at me” impression in the background.

Kent’s biggest live strength is how naturally he bridges modern country polish with red-dirt bite. The hooks land clean, but there’s still dust on the edges—guitars with some muscle, a rhythm section that pushes forward like a pickup truck with something to prove, and a vocal tone that stays warm even when he leans into the grit. When he’s in that pocket, the beach crowd stops feeling like scattered pockets of people and starts moving like one organism: shoulder-to-shoulder, head-bobbing, chorus-ready.

What also worked was his pacing. No long detours, no “hold please while I find my vibe.” He kept the set moving with quick, genuine crowd moments and a steady build that made the bigger choruses feel earned rather than spammed. The band stayed tight and loud without turning the mix into mush—always a win in wind-and-sand festival conditions.

Tortuga is built for artists who can command a chaotic environment without fighting it. Corey Kent didn’t fight the beach. He drove straight through it—windows down, volume up.

Artist: https://www.coreykentofficial.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

Corey Kent Tortuga 25 by Jaggar

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Corey Kent at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.

Cody Jinks’ set at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 felt like someone quietly taking control of the whole beach without ever raising their voice for attention. In a weekend built for fireworks moments and giant pop-the-top choruses, Jinks did the outlaw thing: he lowered the temperature, tightened the focus, and let the songs do the flexing.

Live, his music lands heavy in the best way—baritone vocals with gravel and authority, melodies that don’t sprint for radio gloss, and lyrics that sit in the chest instead of floating over the crowd. That kind of honesty plays surprisingly well on sand. You could see it happen in real time: people who’d been chatting or drifting suddenly faced forward, like the set had quietly asked for respect and actually got it.

The band was a huge part of the impact. The guitars stayed thick and cinematic, the rhythm section locked into a slow-burn pulse, and the dynamics were disciplined—no unnecessary noodling, just a steady build that made the biggest moments feel earned. Jinks’ stage presence is minimal but magnetic: less “look at me” and more “listen to this,” which is exactly why it works in a festival environment where distractions are basically a sport.

Tortuga is famous for big, breezy vibes, but sets like this are the counterweight that make the lineup feel complete. Jinks didn’t try to out-party the beach—he gave it a backbone.

Artist: https://codyjinks.com/
Festival: https://tortugamusicfestival.com/

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Cody Jinks at Tortuga Music Festival 2025 first appeared on Game On Media.