WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A brand-new country music festival is heading to West Palm Beach this summer.
The 5 O'Clock Somewhere Fest, led by country star Alan Jackson, is set for June 12–13 at the waterfront off Clematis Street.
The festival is named after Jackson’s hit song that topped the charts for two months back in the summer of 2003, and its music video was filmed in South Florida at the Square Grouper in Jupiter.
Jackson's long-time tour manager and CEO of Peachtree Entertainment, Nathan Baugh, said this area felt like an obvious fit for the event.
“South Florida, especially the Palm Beach area, has been a massive part of (Jackson’s) life for many years," Baugh said. "So when ideas were being tossed around of what’s next for him, this felt like a natural first place and first opportunity to do something like this.”
Organizers announced the headliners Wednesday, and the lineup includes Ella Langley, Old Dominion and Clint Black.
“You’ve got the Ella fanbase, which spans all ages, and you got the Alan fanbase which spans all ages for sure, and then you add in the Parrotheads and the Margaritaville group and you just got a collection of wide demographics, but people who embody that lifestyle," Baugh said.
This festival is expected to have an elevated VIP feel, with high-level food and drink offerings included. Baugh said this will make 5 O'Clock Somewhere Fest stand out differently from events like Tortuga Festival taking place in Fort Lauderdale, which will host some of the biggest names in country.
"What (Tortuga Festival) is doing is vastly different than what we’re doing," Baugh said. "We’re focusing primarily on higher-level offerings on a smaller footprint, and more hyper-focused on the coastal lifestyle.”
Baugh says what makes this festival special is Jackson's direct connection to putting together the event.
"There’s plenty of music festivals, there’s no question about that. But something that is directly connected and curated by an artist, by also having A-level talent, is something super special for this area and that’s something that no body is offering, and we believe that will connect with fans," Baugh said.
Tickets go on sale online Friday, March 27.
