Best SW FL concerts to see in September: Thomas Rhett, Latin Music Fest, Island Hopper

The annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is back with dozens of singer-songwriters performing all over Lee County, including a Fort Myers Beach pool party with country singers Chris Janson and Kristian Bush.

But that's not all happening this September in Southwest Florida. Other big concerts include country star Thomas Rhett (although that show's nearly sold out), the new Fort Myers Latin Music Festival, and beloved singer-songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin. Plus a lot more.

Here are our top picks for the best shows to see this September in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and the rest of Southwest Florida.

DONEFOR album release at Ollie’s

Southwest Florida metalcore-infused pop-punk act DONEFOR performs and releases its new album, “Sleep On It.” The show also features Orlando’s Felicity and local bands For The Moment, What We Seek, Gravity’s Good and Roxx Revolt & The Velvets. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Ollie’s Pub, 1019 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral.  540-7867 or facebook.com/olliespubCC 

Wilderpalooza fundraiser concert for Soapy Tuna, Cinder guitarist

Southwest Florida bands perform Labor Day weekend to raise money for James Wilder, guitarist for local rock acts Cinder and Soapy Tuna. Wilder has been diagnosed with stage 4, metastasized colon cancer and needs help with his medical bills and other expenses. The lineup includes Soapy Tuna, 420 Brothers, Smack Daddy, Radio Ghost, Geek Skwad, A200 and Crowley’s Alibi. There will also be raffles and shirts for sale. 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3. $15 in advance, $25 at the door. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

CANCELED: Denny Laine of The Moody Blues and Wings

THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO "ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS" Singer-songwriter Denny Laine was a founding member of rock bands Wings (with Paul McCartney) and The Moody Blues. The Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will play an acoustic concert and tell stories from his career. This concert was originally scheduled for July 7 but postponed due to illness. 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7.  $49. Limited tickets left. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

James 'Blood' Ulmer at Arts Bonita

The acclaimed singer and guitar virtuoso plays his own soulful style of music blending his jagged guitar sound with jazz, funk and blues. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

The Country Bumpkin Tour at Ranch

This national tour features country rappers Dusty Leigh, Bezz Believe, Jamie Ray and Bubba Sparxxx. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Doors open at 7 p.m. $32. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Bigger Than Music rap show at HOWL

Some of Southwest Florida’s top hip-hop acts perform at this group show, including Killa Vanilla, Fame Faiella, Ed Words, Chase Rhyme, Mayan Kulture and Big Riik. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. $15. Ages 21 and up. HOWL, 4160 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. 332-0161 or facebook.com/HOWLFTMYERS

Thomas Rhett at Hertz Arena

The country star performs in this nearly sold-out show. Cole Swindell and Nate Smith open. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. A handful of seats in the nosebleed sections are still available for $110-$115. Verified resale tickets are also available for $130-$750. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com

The Blues Beatles at Arts Bonita

The name of this touring Brazilian band says it all: They mash up songs from The Beatles with traditional blues arrangements. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

Fort Myers Latin Music Festival at Caloosa Sound

Salsa, bachata, merengue and reggaeton acts from Cuba, Puerto Rico and South America perform at the all-new Fort Myers Latin Music Festival. The lineup includes Osmani Garcia, Lucy Grau, Bianca Leony and The Celia Cruz All Stars. There will also be food trucks and a kids zone with four bounce houses. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. $40 in advance, $50 at the door. VIP tickets are also available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Music ALIVE SWFL, a nonprofit helping local musicians impacted by Hurricane Ian. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. niceguysproduction.com

Victor Wainwright & The Train at The Buck

Popular American singer/songwriter/pianist Victor Wainwright has won six Blues Music Awards and was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. $35. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com

MercyMe and Matthew West play Ian benefit at Hertz Arena

Popular Christian musical acts MercyMe and Matthew West play a benefit concert for Hurricane Ian victims. Net proceeds from the show will go to The Disaster Relief Foundation’s Disaster Relief Benefit. 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. $18-$150. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero.  948-7825 or hertzarena.com

Brett Young at Hertz Arena

The country singer’s hits include “Dance With You,” “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Mercy,” “Sleep Without You” and “Like I Loved You.” 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. $36-$66. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero.  948-7825 or hertzarena.com

Marlow Rosado at Arts Bonita

Two-time Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado is known for his high-energy salsa shows. The composer and multi-instrumentalist performs with a 12-piece orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 23. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

Juan Luiz Guerra at Hertz Arena

The Dominican singer/songwriter/composer has won many Grammy Awards and sold more than 70 million albums worldwide with his blend of merengue, bachata and other Latin genres. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. $104-$304. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero.  948-7825 or hertzarena.com

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at The Ranch

Florida pop-punk act The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus are best known for their hits “Face Down,” “False Pretense” and “Your Guardian Angel.” Show starts at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. $20 general admission, $55 for reserved seating. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest

Country singers Chris Janson and Kristian Bush of Sugarland headline the sprawling, annual music festival. Dozens of singer-songwriters perform Sept. 22-24 on Captiva Island, Sept. 25-26 in Cape Coral, Sept. 27-28 in downtown Fort Myers and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 on Fort Myers Beach. Most shows are free. Janson and Bush play a pool party at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Tickets are $45. island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com/

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin at Seminole Center

Grammy winning singer-songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin share the stage in Immokalee. Their combined hits include Carpenter’s “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” and Colvin’s “Sunny Came Home” and “Boulder to Birmingham.” 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28. $59-$89. Seminole Center at Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. For news tips or other entertainment-related matters, call him at 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Thomas Rhett, Island Hopper: Fort Myers, Naples concerts in Sept.