Mile 0 Fest returns for 2021 amid a new post-Covid landscape. The island vibe and tropical themed boutique music fest that could was doubted by many when it was first launched in 2018, and is back to prove the doubters wrong again. This time by launching a socially-distanced, delayed-from-the-original-dates version of itself in 2021.
The new dates are April 27 to May 1, 2021, and the lineup announced this morning is, quite honestly, better than many may have hoped for given the obstacles surrounding large scale musical events at this time. Moving the dates to spring also created some hurdles for the Mile 0 team to jump over. But, as they have shown themselves capable of doing many times over, they are more than capable of flying above expectations.
Mile 0 is home to a core group of artists that in many ways have become synonymous with the festival. These include Wade Bowen, Jamie Lin Wilson, Mike and the Moonpies, Courtney Patton, Jason Eady and Adam Hood. By the time you toss in Texas/Red Dirt legends such as Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Walt Wilkins, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hayes Carll, Cody Canada, Reckless Kelly and first-time Mile 0 Fester Roger Creager, you’re looking at a pretty stacked showbill. That’s all before you look at the other names crowded on top of the poster.
Those names in the largest font include Shovels and Rope, Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams and Old 97s.
Joining the fun in one of his first solo outings is Kyle Nix fresh off the 2020 release of his Lightning on the Mountain and Other Short Stories album (Nix played the first year of the festival with Turnpike Troubadours). Another noteworthy Mile 0 rookie is Virginia’s Morgan Wade, who has made a name for herself with her raw and rock-tinged stylings. As always in a case like this there is the proverbial “and more!” that will be revealed in the coming weeks.
As usual, Mile 0 has you covered no matter what slice of this type of music you like. Wanna rock? They got you. Want some introspective songwriter rounds? They got you. Wanna pretend this island is New Braunfels for a few days? You got it. There is truly something for everyone.
Now, how many ones will be there is different this year. Due to regulations and stipulations from Covid, organizers had to cap the attendance number at a slightly lower level than in 2020. They have secured more open-air venues and have rearranged the annual Duval Street kick-off party to insead take place at the Truman Amphitheater. The changes are minimal, but necessary. Kudos to Kyle Carter and the Mile 0 Team for having the courage and willingness to go all in to even attempt a music festival in 2021. Fans, artists, media and vendors are just happy it’s happening, regulations be damned. Mile 0 did their part, now it’s time to do ours. Book your packages and tickets as soon as possible if you want in on the utopian musical experience that is Mile 0. The lowered available number means they are going to sell out even faster. From the fan perspective, this is a grand time to jump in and try this festival out if you’ve never been. See you in Key West!