Live Review

Snapshots: Annapolis Songwriters Festival @ Annapolis, MD — 9/14-9/17/23

September 29, 2023

Blondie performs at the 2023 Annapolis Songwriters Festival. (Photo by Steve Satzberg)

Editor: This article is adapted from a press release.

The Annapolis Songwriters Festival is modeled after the hugely successful Key West Songwriters Festival, which continues to be the largest festival of its kind in the world. Highlighting the specialized craft that is the essence of music, this festival aims to give music lovers a chance to get to know the names and faces behind the songs in an up-close and personal setting.

The second annual Annapolis Songwriters Festival took place Sept. 14-17, 2023, throughout Downtown Annapolis. Blondie and Leann Rimes headlined the festival at the City Dock stage located in Downtown Annapolis at Susan Campbell Park. Other venues included Rams Head On Stage, Watermark Cruises, and Maryland Hall. Free events took place in bars and restaurants throughout Downtown Annapolis along Songwriters Trail from Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge to City Dock.

Steve Satzberg traveled the festival to capture 50 photos of artists in performance.

Performers included the following headliners:

Michelle Branch at Maryland Hall Thursday, Sept. 14
Amanda Shires at Rams Head On Stage, Sept. 14
Blondie with Thomas Dolby at City Dock, on Friday, Sept. 15
James McMurtry at Rams Head OnStage on Friday, Sept. 15
Songwriters on the Severn Watermark Cruise Friday, Sept. 15
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives at Maryland Hall on Saturday, Sept. 16
K. Michelle at Rams Head On Stage Saturday, Sept. 16
Patty Griffin at Maryland Hall Sunday, Sept. 17
Leann Rimes at City Dock Sunday, Sept. 17

The event was presented by Rams Head, in conjunction with BMI, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and the City of Annapolis.

The festival kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 14, with Striking Matches, Amanda Shires, and Jeffrey Steele on the Ram’s Head Patio and Sara Jean Kelley and Carly Winter at Red Red Wine on Main Street.

Highlighting the specialized songwriting craft that is the essence of music, the Annapolis festival gave music lovers a chance to get to know the names and faces behind the songs in an up-close and personal setting while showcasing Annapolis as a destination for music lovers.

Here are 50 photos of songwriters performing at the Annapolis Songwriters Festival in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sept. 14-17, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.

Tommy Sims