PANAMA CITY, Florida (September 12, 2026) – Backstage Pass returns to Historic Downtown Panama City for a six-concert series featuring bands from across the region starting Thursday, September 17. The concerts are free and open to the public, offering an unforgettable evening of live music set against the stunning backdrop of the Bay.

Backstage Pass grew out of the Concerts in the Park series begun in 1986, by Florida First Federal and late community leader, Roger Schadd. From 1986 to 2008, free outdoor concerts were held every summer featuring local bands. In order to keep the series going during the recession, Backstage Pass began welcoming guests through the Backstage Door of the Marina Civic Center in 2009, and the first band was “On Call”, led by the late Hulon Crayton. Tickets were $5 and the community embraced it from the first downbeat. We are so grateful to continue this wonderful tradition—Free to the public!

Bay Arts Alliance is grateful to HMX Productions for continuing this special tradition and keeping the event free to the public.

The concerts will begin at 7:00pm each night at the Marina Lawn, between Hotel Indigo and Harrison’s Kitchen & Bar. Here’s this year’s lineup:

• September 17 • The Rock Mob
• September 24 • Flow Tribe
• October 1 • Gage Cowart Band
• October 8 • J and the Causeways
• October 15 • Goodbye to Sunshine
• October 22 • Cat Ridgeway and the Tourists

Backstage Pass is free to the public and only requires bringing your own chair for seating.

Rain decisions will be made by 4:30 PM on the day of the concert and reschedule dates will be determined and announced should they be necessary.

The concerts are made possible by the following organizations: St. Joe Community Foundation, ReliantSouth Construction Group, Inc., Destination Panama City, Innovations Federal Credit Union and the City of Panama City.

More About The Rock Mob

Step into a high-voltage time machine with The Rock Mob, the Southeast’s most electrifying rock tribute experience. Led by virtuoso guitarist Jason Harlow, this powerhouse ensemble delivers arena-worthy performances of rock’s greatest anthems. Our mission: recreating the magic of legendary bands with tribute-level precision that will transport you straight back to rock’s golden age.

More About Flow Tribe

Founded in 2004, Flow Tribe was solidified in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction with the mission to bring the next generation of the New Orleans’ sound of unstoppable rhythm and passion to the world. The next 21 years would find Flow Tribe performing over 120 shows a year crossing the country multiple times from the biggest festival stages to the nicest venues.

Flow Tribe is made of seasoned blue-collar musicians who grind out the good times. They carry on the tradition of following the highway to wherever the next crowd congregates. Always full of energy and ready to go with a sound that is sure to get your backbone cracking and feet moving. The soul of the Crescent City can be heard in their high-energy sound and performance while the passion and love of New Orleans is evident in their demeanor and performance.  Flow Tribe will bring the soul, funk, and fire to a crowd through various genres of music ranging from soul, funk, blues, rock, and so much more.  At the heart of each tune is their passion for the beautiful music of New Orleans and the melting pot of influences can be heard in their music and performance.

More About Gage Cowart

Alabama native Gage Cowart is a Red Dirt country artist blending traditional country storytelling, Southern rock energy, and the independent spirit of today’s Red Dirt movement. Drawing from years spent in songwriting, life on the road, and the communities that shaped him, Cowart writes songs rooted in real people, hard work, and Southern culture.

Since pursuing music full-time, Cowart has become one of the Southeast’s busiest independent artists, performing more than 150 shows annually across the region. His relentless touring schedule has earned him opportunities to share stages with Morgan Wallen, Silverada, Treaty Oak Revival, The SteelDrivers, Shane Smith & The Saints, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, Deana Carter, and more.

Whether performing solo acoustic or with a full band, Cowart delivers a live show built on honest songwriting, audience connection, and songs that resonate long after the last note. Influenced by artists like Turnpike Troubadours, Muscadine Bloodline, Whiskey Myers, and Cody Johnson, he continues to build a loyal following throughout the South while establishing himself as one of the region’s hardest-working independent country artists.

More About Cat Ridgeway And The Tourists

You can’t help but be excited when talking about Orlando singer songwriter Cat Ridgeway.  Her infectious energy and contagious enthusiasm in everything she creates is electric, while her passion and commitment to her music radiate through her fiery blend of indie-rock and punk with hints of dream pop and folk.  A skilled lyricist and melodist, Ridgeway is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who can play guitar, harmonica, trumpet, trombone, drums, piano, mandolin, and bass – sometimes playing three instruments at once.

Ridgeway, along with the revolving members of her touring band, The Tourists, create a sweaty, energetic, exciting party with each live show. It’s not uncommon to see them play musical chairs as they switch places and instruments on stage. Expect the unexpected. With Sprinter, Ridgeway’s 2025 album release, she draws the listener in as she strives to understand life’s trials and emerge with a better sense of perspective and self. Ridgeway, along with Mike Savino (Kishi Bashi, Tall Tall Trees), played multiple instruments on the album. Mastered by Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, Foo Fighters) and mixed by Dan Molad of Lucius and Coco (JD McPherson, Here We Go Magic), Sprinter features all-star players including Claude Coleman, Jr. (Ween) and Josiah Wolf (WHY?) on drums, and Adam Schatz (Sylvan Esso, Japanese Breakfast) on sax, among others.  

Her first single “Epilogue,” is a stomp and holler-esque punk rock explosion hinging off a recklessly played, overdriven banjo.  Named Orlando’s “Best Singer-Songwriter” three years running and “Best Rock Act” twice by Orlando Weekly, Ridgeway has played many notable stages and festivals (30A Songwriters Festival, Okeechobee Music and Arts Fest, and House of Blues Orlando), supporting and sharing bills with acts like Lucy Dacus, Sylvan Esso, Houndmouth, and Arcade Fire, among others. 

With Sprinter, Ridgeway is poised to catapult herself onto the national stage.

Bay Arts Alliance

Since 1978, Bay Arts Alliance has served as the local arts agency for Bay County and provides opportunities for cultural enrichment through broad based educational experiences, music and arts programs, exhibitions, and events. Their mission is to inspire a lifelong appreciation of the Arts. They are committed to responding to the ever-changing needs of the community, supporting innovation, and connecting endeavors of all arts organizations. Bay Arts Alliance has brought countless national touring performances to the area and is the primary force behind the annual Backstage Pass concert series at the Marina Civic Center. Bay Arts Alliance also hosts the Very Special Arts Festival for exceptional children, and its Arts in Education Program provides many cultural opportunities for Bay County schools and non-profit organizations at no charge—serving over 10,000 children annually.