Sun Sets On Successful 13th Annual Tortuga Music Festival

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Tortuga 2026

Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival hosted fans in the Sunshine State for a packed weekend of entertainment from headliners Post Malone, Riley Green and Kenny Chesney.

Post Malone

The 13th annual festival brought over 50 artists to Fort Lauderdale ranging from Dwight Yoakam, Russell Dickerson and Tyler Hubbard to rap and rock favorites like Ice Cube, Afroman and The Fray. On Friday, the Sunset Stage kicked off with performances from Emily Ann Roberts and Flatland Cavalry, who led sing-alongs and even tapped the crowd to cover Kaitlin Butts’ part in “A Life Where We Work Out.” Ice Cube delivered legendary hits like “It Was a Good Day” and “Straight Outta Compton,” and for the first time in Tortuga history, SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour broadcast live from Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village. The Main Stage opened with Chayce Beckham, Ashley Cooke, Lukas Nelson, and Dwight Yoakam, who ushered in the first sunset with his signature pedal steel-laced honky-tonk sound. Post Malone kept the party going and closed out opening night with hits like “I Had Some Help” and “Rockstar.”

Riley Green

The high energy carried into Saturday, with nearly 20 performances set against the breezy backdrop. Colbie Caillat surprised fans with an intimate pop-up at Conservation Village before heading to the Main Stage, where Graham Barham and Clay Walker also delivered sets. Tyler Hubbard welcomed his wife Hayley and their three kids onstage, later leading the crowd in a sing-along to “Cruise.” On the Sunset Stage, Buffalo Traffic Jam and Brittney Spencer had fans dancing under the Florida sun before Afroman thrilled the crowd with favorites “Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags)” and “Because I Got High,” along with his viral hit “Lemon Pound Cake.” G. Love & Special Sauce followed, and as the sun went down on Day 2, the band’s frontman jumped into the crowd for a rendition of “Hurricane,” along with iconic hits like “How to Save a Life” and a rocking take on The Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl.” Riley Green wrapped the night on the Main Stage with originals like “Worst Way” and “Don’t Mind If I Do” joined by Colbie Caillat, as well as a string of covers, including “Dixieland Delight,” “In Color,” and a double dose of Toby Keith with “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”

Kenny Chesney

Wrapping the star-studded weekend, fans at the Sunset Stage were treated to performances from Brandon Wisham, The Wheeland Brothers, Amanda Shires, Josh Ross and Dustin Lynch, who had the audience “Seein’ Red” with “Thinking ‘Bout You.” Over on the Main Stage, festivities kicked off with Greylan James and Uncle Kracker, who lit up the stage with his take on “Neon Moon” and easy-going hits including “Smile.” He was followed by red dirt rockers Shane Smith & The Saints and Russell Dickerson, who brought the energy as the crowd sang along to his viral hit “Happen To Me.” As the sun went down on Tortuga 2026, fans welcomed Kenny Chesney back to the Main Stage for a historic sixth time. Chesney performed sunsoaked favorite “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” and “Summertime” as well as TikTok trending “Out Last Night” then  welcomed Kracker to the stage for “Follow Me” and “Drift Away.” The crowd went wild when Megan Moroney made a surprise appearance as well for three songs, including the duo’s hit “You Had To Be There.”

The festival was just announced as a nominee for “Festival of the Year” at the upcoming 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, further cementing its impact on the live music landscape.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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