Founded as much to raise awareness about ocean conservation and coastal environmental issues as providing three great days of music on historic South Lauderdale Beach, Kenny Chesney was the obvious headliner for the first Tortuga Music Festival. Known for his passionate love of the islands, boats, the ocean and living in concert with those things, the 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee embodied the mission of Rock The Ocean, as well as the spirit of tens of thousands of people who packed the sand, set anchor or even crowded the sidewalk to listen, as Chesney’s two hour set delighted the sold-out audience.
That night established Tortuga’s most consistent and beloved headliner relationship. Having played the festival five times already, Rock The Ocean and Tortuga Festival Founder, Chris Stacey, wanted to honor Chesney’s consistent support, especially given this year’s April 12 appearance will be the songwriter/superstar’s only concert beyond his double precedent-setting Sphere Las Vegas residency.
“Kenny’s lifestyle and music celebrate everything people love about the ocean—the adventure, the energy, the deep connection we feel when we’re near the water,” says Stacey. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Kenny, who headlined the first Tortuga Festival in 2013, and returned more than any artist. We’re proud to work with such a legendary artist who authentically embodies Rock The Ocean’s mission—a love for the ocean and a commitment to protecting it.”
“At Tortuga, we’ve always believed when people fall in love with the ocean, they’re more likely to protect it. Kenny’s music’s inspired millions of fans to develop a deeper appreciation for the ocean, and his presence here signals that reality,” Stacey explains, “Not to mention, it gives all the charitable organizations an opportunity to talk to people one-on-one about conservation. For all those reasons, we wanted to recognize not just six shows, but how he’s engaged and invested people in the larger mission.”
With sailboats, row boats, yachts and cigarette boats all bobbing a few hundred feet from the shore with their party lights blinking, Chesney’s Tortuga sets have truly been a moment for ocean culture to celebrate the convergence of music, joy, friendship and the power of nature. Marking his sixth appearance, the man who was Pollstar’s only country artist on their Top 10 Touring Acts of the Millenium and Billboard’s Country Artist of the 21st Century, as well as their Country Airplay No. 1 record holder with 33 chart-toppers and as many Top 5s recognizes the mission and the euphoria Tortuga delivers.
“To me, when people can come together to learn about the ocean, how to treat it and have a great time with their friends, that’s a total win,” Chesney says. “Even though we’re not touring this year, I do love playing on that beach, seeing all those boats in the water and fans having the best time on that beach. To be given an award for doing what I love somewhere that brings every bit of it together almost feels wrong, but I’m honored if I could be part of bringing how we treat the ocean into focus.”
Since 2013, Tortuga and Rock The Ocean have raised over $6,000,000 for ocean conservation, supporting more than 100 non-profit organizations and university programs. Thirteen years in, Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival is recognized as one of the most sustainable large-scale music festivals in the world, a distinction the promoters are extremely proud of.
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell
COACHELLA VALLEY COUNTRY 