Duval Street Main Stage photo by Carol Tedesco for BMI
KEY WEST, Fla. (April 10, 2025) -The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, the largest and most renowned event of its kind, returns this spring from April 30 to May 4, 2025, featuring 200+ BMI songwriters performing 60+ shows for 30,000 music lovers over five days in paradise. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents will bring together industry veterans and emerging talent, through multi-day offerings of free and ticketed shows. Throughout the event, performances range from acoustic story-telling sessions in the round at theaters, bars, and beaches, to full band, full-throttle performances on concert stages.
“The artists really enjoy coming to Key West each year because it’s not just about performing—it’s a vacation and a chance to gather with their fellow songwriters,” said Kelly Norman, Vice President of Operations at Rams Head Group, “It’s a unique opportunity to perform in an extraordinary setting where music is everywhere.”
“The songwriters festival in Key West offers a rare opportunity to listen to songwriters and their stories in arguably one of the most beautiful spots in the world,” said Raul Malo, frontman of genre-defying, GRAMMY Award-winning band The Mavericks. “The setting is inspiring and the whole atmosphere lends itself to creativity. Key West is good for the soul and a lovely place to hang and play music for a few days.”
The 29th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival is presented by BMI with Rams Head Presents, with support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. In addition to ticketed events, attendees can look forward to over 50 free shows throughout the island at bars, restaurants, resort beaches, cafes, and hotel pools.
“Key West is a music town — during the festival, you can walk down the street and hear music from every direction,” Norman said “At any given moment, you might bump into an artist with a guitar, moving from one gig to the next. You may not recognize an artist by name when you first see them, but years later, you’ll be able to say, ‘I saw them perform here before they were huge.’”
Highlights Include:
- The FREE festival kickoff party at Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier on April 30, featuring DJ Smoke, Gable Bradley, Guthrie Trapp, Robert Randolph and more.
- A spectacular sunset performance from three-time Grammy nominee Nate Smith with Chase Matthew at Key West Amphitheater on May 1. Tickets
- A free show on the Duval Street Stage featuring platinum-selling country duo LoCash with Thomas Edwards on May 3.
- Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas, a brunch + live music event at Williams Hall on May 4. Tickets
“The best way to experience the festival is to just wander,” advised Norman. “Stumble across a stage, and you might find yourself standing in front of the person who wrote some of your favorite songs—it’s those ‘a-ha’ moments that make the festival special.”
Music lovers can purchase tickets to individual shows or “Platinum Pass” multi-show VIP tickets at www.
New venues such as the Marquesa Hotel, The Alamo, and Island Dogs will join returning festival favorites, including Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant (the event’s headquarters), Key West Theater, Southernmost Resort, Blue Heaven, Dante’s Key West Pool Bar & Restaurant, and the San Carlos Institute.
“The Key West Songwriters Festival is as unique as a shiny turquoise sand dollar — you can feel the heartbeat in the salt air of poetic legends Hemingway, Silverstein, Buffett, Tennessee Williams, Billy Collins, and so many others who have been drawn like magnets to this crazy, eclectic, gotta-love-it tropical rock,” said James Slater, a famed two-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. “I’m looking forward to fried shrimp, late night bicycle rides, ceviche, fresh mango jam, my Cafe Con Leche Sunset shows with Storme Warren at Southernmost Mansion and performing ‘Key West Address’ and ‘Guys Named Captain’ on the beautiful grand piano on my favorite stage in the world Saturday night — the San Carlos Theatre.”
Proceeds from the five-day event benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through various grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need.
For high-resolution still photography and credit information, visit this link.
For tickets and more information, visit www.
For more Florida Keys events, visit www.fla-keys.com/calendar/.
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