Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art to feature tributes to chart-topping bands

Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art to feature tributes to chart-topping bands

Travelers and lovers of the arts are already purchasing tickets and making room reservations as they look forward to the return of the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art this fall.

One of the most popular events along South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, the 9-day Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art will run from Oct. 1 through Oct. 17, 2026, and feature a full concert lineup. It all starts with the 26^th Annual Pawleys Island Wine & Food Gala.

“We are beyond excited,” said Susan Bryant, PIFMA’s executive director. “We are always so happy to hear live music and see our friends. We feel like it’s going to be one of the best years we’ve had.”

The Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art will host Thursday, Friday and Saturday night concerts, all outdoors, allowing fans to enjoy a variety of entertaining shows in the Hammock Coast’s idyllic fall weather.

At the heart of the PIFMA’s appeal is the range of its concert offerings. From Motown and a Chicago tribute band to a trio of tenors and country music, as well as tributes to Jimmy Buffet, Journey, Queen and Tony Bennett, PIFMA has something for everyone.

The concert lineup for the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art‘s 37^th annual celebration is:

• Oct. 1 Annual Pawleys Island Wine & Food Gala

Sample over 65 wines from renowned vineyards around the world and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by the area’s best chefs during the Pawleys Island Wine & Food Gala. The evening will also include live music, delicious desserts, a silent auction full of wonderful items, and a complimentary wine glass. Wines will also be available for purchase at prices well below retail during this special event. Casual cocktail attire is required, and the event will be held rain or shine. The Wine Gala is a benefit for The Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art.

• Oct. 2: “Trouble Man” – A Tribute to Marvin Gaye

Step into the timeless groove of “Trouble Man,” a powerful live musical tribute to the incomparable Marvin Gaye — the “Prince of Soul.” Starring the sensational L. Young and powerhouse vocalist Crystal Starr as Tammi Terrell, this electrifying show features over 20 of Gaye’s most iconic hits, from smooth ballads to socially conscious anthems that still resonate today.

Sing along to unforgettable classics like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “What’s Going On,” “Sexual Healing,” “Let’s Get It On,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Mercy Mercy Me,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Trouble Man,” and many more.

L. Young, known for his viral social media performances and a spotlight feature as America’s #1 trending pop news story on Good Morning America, brings charisma, soul, and powerhouse vocals to the stage. With two Top-40 Billboard hits and two #1 songs on the UK Soul Charts, L. Young’s talent is undeniable. His indie single “Love Is a Verb” also soared into the Billboard Urban A/C Top 20.

• Oct. 3: Girl Named Tom

Girl Named Tom is an American folk trio from Pettisville, Ohio composed of siblings Bekah, Caleb, and Joshua Liechty. They grew up making music together but officially formed their band in 2019, hitting the road with a self-funded tour and their debut EP, Another World. Their tight harmonies and heartfelt songwriting captivated audiences, leading them to make history as the first group to win “The Voice”.

They are the winners of season 21 of the American talent competition “The Voice”, with the distinction of being the first trio on the American version of The Voice to win the competition. They competed on the team coached by Kelly Clarkson, taking her fourth win as a coach.

• Oct. 8: The Landsharks – Jimmy Buffett Tribute

The Landsharks Band’s Jimmy Buffett Concert Experience is one of the most popular tribute acts in the world.
After performing with The Landsharks in Key West, Jimmy Buffett said that “The Landsharks knew the songs better than I did”, and he hired The Landsharks “on the spot” to be the house band at Margaritaville.

The Landsharks perform everywhere, honoring Jimmy Buffett, and they somethimes perform with members of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band at major concerts, in theaters, on cruises, and at other events. The Landsharks are an interactive band, and a Landsharks concert experience includes great musicians and lots of fun audience participation.

• Oct. 9: Trial by Fire – Tribute to Journey

Experience the Journey tour that never was. Join Trial by Fire Tribute to Journey as they bring to life the 1996 Trial by Fire Tour that never happened. In 1996, Journey reunited with legendary frontman Steve Perry and released Trial by Fire, their first album together in a decade. Plans for a worldwide tour were cut short when Perry suffered a devastating injury, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.

Now, Trial by Fire pays homage to that lost moment in rock history. This unforgettable show imagines the setlist, energy, and spectacle of the tour Journey fans never got to see, packed with iconic hits from the Trial by Fire album and classics from the Steve Perry era. Don’t miss this chance to relive the magic and experience the Trial by Fire Tour as it might have been.

• Oct. 10: The Kings of QUEEN

The Kings of Queen were formed by frontman and lead singer Emo Alaeddin after taking on a project to record the main vocals for a Queen project. After delivering over twenty Queen songs with explicit instructions to sound as close to Freddie Mercury as possible, Alaeddin knew what path lay before him. Consequently, it was time to cut his long curly locks, grow a mustache, and embody one of the greatest rockstars to ever walk the earth.

What makes The Kings of Queen truly unique is that they are purists in that they do not sing to tracks. All of the music and the vocals that you hear are 100% live by the members of The Kings of Queen. The band members who complete The Kings of Queen are guitarist/vocalist Gregg Thompson, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Joel Case, bassist/vocalist Chris Trimmer and dummer/vocalist Matisse Passillas. Moreover, Emo Alaeddin visually brings Freddie Mercury to life with his mannerisms, movements, costume changes, and looks.

• Oct. 15: The Good Life – Tony Bennett Tribute featuring Joe Gransden Orchestra

Join Joe Gransden and his orchestra as they take you on an unforgettable, swingin’ stroll through the life and career of Tony Bennett. One of the greatest performers ever of the American Songbook, Tony Bennett’s tone, phrasing, and feel were second to none. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of Tony Bennett through Joe’s exceptional performance in this swinging tribute.

Gransden hopes folks of all ages will turn out — from those who grew up listening to Bennett on vinyl to younger fans who discovered him through his more recent collaboration with Lady Gaga.

• Oct. 16: Seals & Crofts2

Brady Seals, Lua Crofts and the band deliver the Seals & Crofts classics “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” “Get Closer,” “I’ll Play for You,” “Hummingbird,” “We May Never Pass This Way Again,” and more — the soundtrack of a generation. At the heart of Seals & Crofts2 is connection: iconic songs, personal stories and a family legacy that turns every concert into an experience audiences cherish.

Seals & Crofts2 brings the legacy to life, from the unmistakable opening of ‘Summer Breeze’ to harmonies that linger long after the final note. Don’t miss the opportunuty to see them live. It’s a night of music, memories and the stories behind these unforgetable songs.

• Oct. 17: Tabled Event – CeCe Teneal’s Divas of Soul

Take a ride on the “Midnight Train to Georgia” over “River Deep, Mountain High” while award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal delivers you the “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” you deserve in Divas of Soul, a one-of-a-kind concert event.

This spectacular celebration of 50 years of chart-topping music from artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and more has wowed audiences worldwide, featuring hits “Ring My Bell,” “Best of My Love,” “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “I’m Every Woman”.

An award-winning songstress in her own right, Ms. Teneal has been nominated for four Independent Music Awards and claimed the title for 2011 Best Gospel Song, “I Heard You Prayin’”, and 2011 Best R&B Album Train from Osteen, as well as 2018 Best Soul/Funk/Fusion Song, “Danger”. She was chosen as the halftime headliner for the 2019 Citrus Bowl, and in 2022, Mayor Buddy Dyer and Mayor Jerry Demmings proclaimed September 17th as Annual Cece Teneal Day in Orlando and Orange County, respectively, to celebrate her twenty years of arts and entertainment contributions.

Up to 1,000 people can attend each concert and if early interest is any indication, tickets might be hard to come by in the fall. Each show starts at 7 p.m. at The Reserve Club in Pawleys Island, a highly regarded private golf club.

“Ticket sales are going great,” Bryant said. “We’re thrilled. I think there are going to be some concerts that are complete sellouts. My biggest message to people is to get your tickets now and make your reservations.”

Ticket prices range from $40 to $185, depending on which show. For tickets, click here.

A non-profit organization, the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art’s mission is to provide diverse music, arts and educational events that create cultural experiences for Georgetown County residents and visitors. Money generated by the PIFMA benefits the arts of all kinds, including scholarships, instruments, instruction and more.

For more information on the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, visit the official website here.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®