The start of May signals the unofficial kickoff to festival season in Galveston, and this year’s lineup captures the spirit of the island in full.

Looking for Galveston Spring Break hot spots? We’ve got you covered. Why settle for crowded shores and copy-paste vacation shots when you can have Galveston's hidden beaches and crowd-free magic, reserved for those in the know? The weather is warming up, tourists haven’t taken over yet, and the streets are full of the grit and charm only Galveston locals understand. Want to know how to do spring break in Galveston the local way? To spring break like a Galveston local , start

We were in Galveston last August, right after the hurricane. It was wild—but incredible. The community vibe was unlike anything I’ve seen. People were just out, laughing, helping each other. There was this feeling that everything was going to be okay.

Dandy Wellington jazzes up Galveston Island.

Galveston's musicians get together and discuss the local music scene.

Galveston, Texas, has officially been designated as a Texas Music Friendly Certified Community, a recognition awarded by the Texas Music Office (TMO). This achievement marks a major milestone for the island, underscoring its dedication to supporting local musicians, venues, and cultural experiences while carving out a place alongside other iconic Texas music cities like Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. According to Tony Lyle, Executive Director of the Galveston Park Board, “

The Galveston community is thrilled to host a hands-on program for children to participate in music instruction, music theory, event promotion, and production. The Galveston Musical Youth Camp mission is to seek out motivated children who may or may not have the resources to participate in the costly purchase of instruments and instruction in music. With complete inclusion, this camp hopes to discover talent that could otherwise be overlooked or underappreciated and offer re

Galveston, often overshadowed by Houston’s booming hip-hop scene, has a deep yet underrecognized connection to the genre. Local artist Jo3 B1 Kenobi, who began releasing music in the early 2000s, has spent over two decades building his craft while struggling for visibility on the island. “Galveston’s always had hip-hop roots,” Jo3 explains, citing local pioneers like Witch Doctor and Jack the Ripley. Yet, the challenge remains: “It’s hard for any one artist to break out of Ga

Galveston Island might be known for its sun-drenched beaches and haunted history, but beneath the salt and sea air, a new wave of musicians is stirring up something wild and wonderful. From porch-front poets with beat-up guitars to synth-slinging dreamers reimagining Gulf Coast soundscapes, the local music scene is having a moment—and it’s loud, proud, and unmistakably original. As someone who’s watched this island evolve from both the stage and the sidelines, I’m here to tel

We spoke to a few artists that are Galveston transplants to find out why they came to the island and how it has affected their art.

Galveston’s Surf and Music Festival goes Galactic Beach Central, 2102 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77550 May 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2024 Mark your May the 4th weekend for La Izquierda Surf and Music Fest, aka La Izzy Fest, making its grand return to Beach Central, Galveston, TX, this May 3rd-5th. A stellar lineup of musical guests bring a constellation of the different genres and sounds of the third coast while the waves sport surfers competing for prizes in longboarding and S

Music is everywhere and anywhere in our daily lives. We listen to the tunes on the radio, sing along to one of a kind television show theme songs like in Friends or The Big Bang Theory, and many play instruments, taking the role of making music into their own hands. Furthermore, if you look among the youth nowadays, I can most certainly guarantee that you will see a number of people with headphones listening to the one and only Spotify. Not many people realize how prominent m

Galveston island is cool. I’m biased you might say; you’ve lived here your entire life, of course you’re gonna have some kind of island pride, right? But live here for any amount of time and you’ll see it too- it’s a vibe throws island culture into a blender, shaken and stirred with one part vacation, one part subversion, and garnished with a uniquely DIY flavor that flourishes when your connections to the mainstream are separated by literal bridges. I remember how, back in h

My heart hurt, I mean physically hurt when I found out Lemmy was dead. Who knows what wonders Amy Winehouse could have produced had she not died way too soon. Now, flashback to high school, sweaty gym dances, flashing lights, mad moves, and awkward first kisses. Five years ago, an acoustic mix strummed from a guitar being played on the sand, melodically Colbie Caillat's song “Bubbly” carried on the wind, down an aisle of seashells and surf crashing in the background. The so

Chords: D, C, G Capo on 3rd There’s an old town down on the Texas shore A soft spot on the map you might have never seen before There isn't much to do there and there ain't much to see But it's got a gas station, mailbox and a place called the Stingaree We’d play chicken with barges on the intercoastal canal And you can't put mayo on a chili burger down at OK’s Corral Barefooted and loose running on the Dirty Pelican pier And late nights at Sharky’s is for all the lovers a

As soon as you walk in the Old Quarter Acoustic Café, the patron saints of Texas song writing stare down from the walls. From paintings, pictures, album covers and posters, Townes, Blaze, Guy, Lucinda, Lightnin’ all watch over the revered Galveston venue. Just like any good Texas songwriter, the Old Quarter has moved around a bit, faced its share of hardships and survived where no one would have imagined a fountain of originality and music could thrive. Despite hurricanes, fl

My heart hurt, I mean physically hurt when I found out Lemmy was dead. Who knows what wonders Amy Winehouse could have produced had she not died way too soon. Now, flashback to high school, sweaty gym dances, flashing lights, mad moves, and awkward first kisses. Five years ago, an acoustic mix strummed from a guitar being played on the sand, melodically Colbie Caillat's song “Bubbly” carried on the wind, down an aisle of seashells and surf crashing in the background. The so

Below is an earnest attempt at gathering an inclusive list of current original musicians in Galveston who have a URL to share their work. Please enjoy and forgive us for any mistakes. Galveston’s voice is special and worth listening to. Have fun and perhaps discover someone new! BANDS EL LAGO (dream pop indie rock) www.ellagoband.com KALICO (psychedelic progressive rock) kalicoband.bandcamp.com KEVIN ANTHONY & G-TOWN (country cajun swing) www.reverbnation.com/kevinanthony

Santo Nuno de Atocha is the patron saint of illness, particularly those who are crippled, travelers or prisoners. Here’s to the traveling musician. “Music is an illness” some say. Music is love. Santo Nuno, shine light upon the dark road ahead, we need to make it to the next town by tomorrow night. I think it is funny that the Catholics put travelers in the same group as cripples and prisoners; the down but not out. “Mother thinks the road is soft and lovely,” said the Old Q

Galveston has always been about music. Whether it was Lyle Lovett at the Grand reminiscing about the Island before Ike, listening to up and coming student musicians at Selena’s Blue Room, or getting all teary eyed over Lee’s “Something in the Way She Moos” at the Acoustic (played to the Beatles tune of the same name), we all have our own soundtrack to life off the coast of Texas. Is there a beginning and an end to a story like this? Maybe. But then I’d have to get my shit tog