Last month, the BGS team once again embarked on Cayamo: A Journey Through Song, the 18th edition of the beloved week-long floating roots music festival that crisscrossed the Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Pearl. With performances by Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Dawes, Watchhouse, Patty Griffin, and many, many more, plus port visits in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic, our team was more than ready to yet again partner with Cayamo and Sixthman to bring you special Basic Folk podcast live tapings on board and our fan favorite BGS Nightcap jam set, our fourth edition of the event.
There’s no festival or live music event quite like Cayamo, where ardent roots music fans and the best and most buzzed-about artists and bands come together on a floating sanctuary to enjoy music, art, community, and togetherness – and a break from the wintry weather, too. Below, enjoy a couple of clips captured on board and a series of photos from Cayamo 2026 that clearly demonstrate the joy and fun of this one-of-a-kind event.
Great news, too! The 2027 lineup for Cayamo: A Journey Through Song has already been announced (see above). Tickets go on sale on April 16th at 2pm EDT, but you still have time to join the final presale. More info here.
Days 1 & 2
It's time for Cayamo: A Journey Through Song!
Welcome aboard...
Tommy Emmanuel arrives.
Fans brave the less-than-perfect weather before setting sail from Miami, FL.
Dawes perform for the sail away set on the pool deck.
Rissi Palmer.
Sister Sadie.
Patty Griffin performs to a packed theater.
Patty Griffin.
Erin Rae.
Did you bring your instrument? You can take part in the music, too!
One of our live Basic Folk podcast tapings, hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No and presented by the BGS Podcast Network.
Martina San Diego.
Rose Cousins.
Enjoying tunes while soaking in the hot tub.
Ron Pope.
Crys Matthews.
Palmyra.
The adoring fans of Cayamo, filling out the pool deck.
Ken Pomeroy.
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and band with special guest Sierra Hull.
Pynk Beard
Tommy Emmanuel.
Jason Isbell strapping up.
Sierra Hull and the Milk Carton Kids perform “Everybody’s Talking” at the Stardust Theater during Cayamo 2026, captured by BGS on board.
Days 3 & 4
A gorgeous day to port in San Juan, Puerto Rico and leave the 'Norwegian Pearl' for some exploring.
Fortifications in Old San Juan.
Jason Isbell and Tommy Emmanuel talk backstage.
Jason Isbell.
Jon Muq.
Rodney Crowell.
Sierra Hull performs on the pool deck.
Jobi Riccio and Lizzie No.
Leon Timbo and band.
Victoria Canal.
Kathleen Edwards.
Brandy Clark and Rodney Crowell share songs and stories.
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and her guitarist Grant Dresnok join Tommy Emmanuel on stage.
The Milk Carton Kids.
During our favorite event of the voyage – ahem, the BGS Nightcap of course – Kathleen Edwards joined Della Mae to perform “Six O’Clock News.” Thanks to Della Mae for recording and sharing this clip.
Days 5 & 6
It really is a floating festival!
Rodney Crowell performs.
Palmyra with Della Mae.
Judy Blank.
Kaia Kater.
The entire ship becomes a setting for so many different sorts of events, panels, and sessions.
Banjoist Gena Britt of Sister Sadie.
Pynk Beard performs on the pool deck.
Brandy Clark and Patty Griffin, another crowd favorite event.
Della Mae.
Alicia Blue.
Sierra Hull and band joined by Milk Carton Kids.
Lizzie No.
Chuck Cannon.
BGS Nightcap
Jobi Riccio joins our evening's hosts, Della Mae.
Rose Cousins.
Tommy Emmanuel and Celia Woodsmith of Della Mae.
Palmyra and Della Mae together, a match made in heaven.
Pynk Beard clearly got along great with our hosts!
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes made an appearance.
Kathleen Edwards. Watch a clip of her performance with Della Mae above.
Sister Sadie and Della Mae together equals real musical power.
Kaia Kater, Crys Matthews, and Della Mae on the BGS Nightcap.
Tommy Emmanuel on the BGS Nightcap with Della Mae.
Sierra Hull.
What a night! Sister Sadie and Della Mae bid the audience goodnight.
The BGS highlight of the week! A Nightcap jam session is our favorite pastime, especially aboard Cayamo. What a lineup of artists and bands and special collaborations. And this year it happened to fall on St. Patrick’s Day itself – perfect for a roots music party.
Day 7
Everywhere you look, Cayamo, Sixthman, and Norwegian make the voyage a musicful experience.
Shawn Mullins.
Kashus Culpepper brings country cinema to Cayamo.
Kathleen Edwards.
Brandy Clark's full band set.
Tylar Bryant.
A star-studded round and a full house aboard Cayamo.
Photos courtesy of Sixthman, credits as listed in each watermark. Lead image: Will Byington.
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