South Padre's huge music fest is... not coming back

The South Padre International Music Festival has died. It was 2 years old.

During its life, the show booked dozens of musical acts, scheduling them over three days during the last weekend in October (see Festiva's coverage here). Bands played on stages set up inside or near local businesses. Previous performers included Willie Nelson, Los Lonely Boys, Ghostland Observatory and Robert Earl Keen.

In its place, officials have booked a new event, said Dan Quandt, executive director for South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We got a proposal on this, which is a different angle, and we decided to go with it,” he said.

That different angle is a hybrid cooking and music celebration, dubbed South Padre Island Seafood and Music Festival. It will take place Sept. 18 and 19 on the Island. Quandt said the event will feature two stages set up in the parking lot of the South Padre Island Convention Center. The festival will also feature a food court for vendors.

The line up for the new festival boasts Kevin Fowler as a headliner (read more about him). Notables on the under card include Ryan Bingham, Bowling for Soup, Vallejo, and Michael Salgado. The new event palces emphasis on Texas music.

Tickets are on sale now at www.frontgatetickets.com. A two-day pass costs $40, single day tickets run $20, and a VIP pass for both days is $300. For more information visit www.sopadrefest.com.