Jake Owens headlines first ever Annapolis Songwriters Festival
The multi-day event featured live music at venues large and small throughout downtown Annapolis
The Naptown is officially a music scene.
For three days musicians from across the country have descended upon the state capital, giving shows in just about any space downtown has to offer that’s large enough to hold a guitar and for 10 people to watch. From the Graduate patio to the city dock, live performances have dominated the landscape.
The festival has proven to be a huge success, bringing in attendees well beyond the city limits. On Saturday I spoke with show-goers from Baltimore, Washinton D.C., and the Eastern Shore, eager to see the final day’s headliner perform at City Dock.
Before Owens took the stage Mayor Buckley addressed the crowd to praise the musicians who had taken part, while assuring the audience that the Songwriters Festival was officially a new yearly event. Not only that, but over the next few years a major renovation project of City Dock would be coming, turning the existing parking lot into a beautified pedestrian plaza that would be even more befitting of festivals of the future.
When Jake Owen did finally take the stage, the crowd did not hesitate to show their excitment. The entire atmosphere was typically Annapolitan—a striking balance between a large scale show packed into a seemingly intimate setting. Owens seemed to feed of the crowd’s stadium like energy, responding with the passion of a jam session.
Owens captivated the audience with song after song, taking few moments between, along with his characteristic tossing of the occasional beer to fans. He spoke just enough to endear himself to the fans as just a guy next door there to have good time along side them.
Previously, seeing a show like this would mean traveling to major venues in Baltimore or D.C., at the least. Now Annapolis will be hosting this yearly event, which has the potential to eventually rival SXSW in Austin before long.
See photography from the Annapolis Songwriter’s Festival.