6 Rising Artists to Check Out at Tortuga 2026

Discover the hidden gems before the headliners take the stage at this year's Tortuga Music Festival.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:40pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring overlapping, jagged shapes in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a high-energy, festival-inspired visual metaphor.Discover the next wave of musical talent at Tortuga 2026, where up-and-coming artists share the stage with chart-topping headliners.Fort Lauderdale Today

The Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is known for its star-studded lineup, but the event also features a number of up-and-coming artists worth checking out. This article highlights 6 talented musicians performing at Tortuga 2026 who are poised to break out, from a 16-year-old high school student with a unique sound to a soulful singer-songwriter making waves in the local music scene.

Why it matters

Tortuga has become one of the premier music festivals in the country, attracting thousands of fans each year. While the headliners draw the biggest crowds, discovering new artists at festivals can be a rewarding experience for music lovers. This article gives readers a chance to get ahead of the curve and check out some of the festival's hidden gems before they potentially become the next big thing.

The details

The 6 artists highlighted in the article span a range of genres, from indie folk to country-infused pop. They include McCoy Moore, a 16-year-old high school student with a raw, emotive sound; Avery Leigh, a soulful singer-songwriter making waves in the local music scene; and Jaden Michaels, a rising country star blending traditional and modern influences. The article provides a brief overview of each artist's background and musical style to give readers a sense of what to expect at their Tortuga sets.

  • The Tortuga Music Festival is taking place April 12-14, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The players

McCoy Moore

A 16-year-old high school student from Florida with a unique, emotive musical style despite having no prior experience as a performer.

Avery Leigh

A soulful singer-songwriter making waves in the local Fort Lauderdale music scene with her powerful vocals and introspective lyrics.

Jaden Michaels

A rising country artist blending traditional and modern influences, poised to break out at this year's Tortuga Music Festival.

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What they’re saying

“I never expected to be performing at a huge festival like Tortuga, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share my music with new audiences.”

— McCoy Moore, High School Student

“Tortuga has always been a dream gig of mine. I'm excited to connect with music fans from all over and hopefully win some new fans with my set.”

— Avery Leigh, Singer-Songwriter

What’s next

Fans can purchase tickets to the Tortuga Music Festival on the event's official website. The festival's full lineup and schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Tortuga Music Festival is known for its star power, but this year's lineup also features a number of up-and-coming artists worth discovering. By checking out some of the festival's hidden gems, music fans can get ahead of the curve and experience the next generation of musical talent.