Shake Hatteras Music Festival is coming to Rodanthe on Monday, August 12

The 3rd annual Shake Hatteras Music Festival is returning to the Tri-Villages on Monday, August 12, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., and this year’s event has some big changes, including a new venue, and an exciting line-up of bands and musicians.

The annual event is the brainchild of Barry Wells – a longtime resident of the Outer Banks, and a fixture in the local entertainment and music scene.

Back in 2022, and through several decades of musical connections and friendships, Wells put together an impressive lineup for the first-ever official summertime music festival, with well-known local musicians, and Outer Banks newcomers from as far away as Chapel Hill and Asheville, N.C.

The first several festivals were held at “Tina’s Tavern,” which is an inside-joke name for Wells’ private Salvo home.

For 2024, however, the stage is moving to a new venue on the edge of the Pamlico Sound – Neptune’s Kitchen and Dive Bar in Rodanthe.

“I feel like I’m sending my baby off to college, as we are moving this year’s location from my private property in ‘Downtown Salvo’ to Neptune’s in Rodanthe,” said Wells.

“Howard Adams, the owner of Neptune’s, just built an awesome stage in the back that we’ll all get to christen this coming Monday,” he added. “Neptune’s also has all the amenities that my property was lacking – parking, sufficient power, public exposure, weather contingencies, etc. – with a similar backyard vibe right on the Pamlico Sound.”

“The event is still free and open to the public. The only key difference is that now we have a full-service bar, so BYOB is no longer allowed.”

The festival has a heftier line-up of musicians for 2024 as well, which includes familiar and regional acts like Mary Joy McDaniel, Anchor Blazer, VSTLTY, and The Sweaters.

“[We’re also] adding some other great budding traveling acts like Porcelain Parrot, Teets & Elliot, and my favorite, Zulitas,” said Wells.

The full-day and night event will also feature a lively Art Vendor Market, MUSEBUZZ CBD coffee & beverages, HennaVibe’s henna tattoo artist Alyssa Crespo, SO SWEET Ice Cream & Bubble Waffles, Stick Burning BBQ, as well as other food trucks and vendors.

Raffles and games will also be held throughout the day, with proceeds benefitting the local Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue team.

“Seeing the evolution of that outfit grow has been amazing to me,” said Wells, noting that he was part of the water rescue team when he landed on Hatteras Island roughly 15 years ago. “It’s just hands-down full of the best bunch of guys the Tri-Villages and beyond has to offer.”

There is no fee to attend, and everyone is welcome to check out this building festival that is continually garnering new waves of attention and popularity.

“Technically, this is the 4th annual [festival], but only the third [festival] named Shake Hatteras,” said Wells, explaining the origins of the festival’s “Shake Hatteras π” moniker for 2024.

“My aim is to keep trying to figure out how to make the next event a little better than the last…  The idea is to legitimize the festival as it grows, similar to how Shake’s sister event Shuck Hatteras is.”

“To me, it’s always been about bringing together the community for a good fun time in a positive manner. Add in some rock n’ roll, and now you’ve got a party!”

For more information about the August 12 Shake Hatteras Music Festival, which starts at 1:00 p.m., check out the event’s Facebook page.