The Merritt Island Fest, scheduled for June 6-7 at the Merritt Island Veterans Amphitheater, will feature Landon McNamara, a surfer and musician known for his laid-back demeanor and community-focused career. The event marks the first festival at the new Veterans Memorial Center Amphitheater, a venue that has drawn attention for its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its capacity to host 2,500 people. McNamara, 34, grew up in Hawaii but has called Brevard County home for the past seven years, splitting his time between Cocoa and the Space Coast’s coastal areas.
McNamara’s music career began in 2012 at a local open mic night in a Hawaiian surf shack, a far cry from the sold-out shows he now plays across the country. He performed his first original song, “Saltwater Dreams,” on a borrowed guitar for an audience of 15 people. That gig, he says, taught him more about music than any studio session ever could. “I didn’t play for fame or money then,” he told a local radio station last month. “I played because I had something to say.”
His approach to gigging remains unchanged. McNamara has no “worst gig” in his repertoire, crediting every performance—whether for 20 fans or 2,000—for offering unique lessons. He often performs at community events, including beach cleanups and school fundraisers, and donates 10% of his concert proceeds to environmental causes. His music, a blend of folk and surf rock, frequently references ocean conservation and the importance of coastal communities.
The Merritt Island Fest will include live music, food trucks, and activities for children, with tickets priced at $15 for adults and $10 for seniors. Organizers say the event is designed to celebrate both the arts and the region’s military heritage, given the amphitheater’s location near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. For McNamara, the festival is more than a performance—it’s a chance to connect with the Space Coast’s unique culture. “This place has a rhythm all its own,” he said. “I want people to hear it through my music.”