Orange Beach, AL - The Wharf Amphitheater
June 1st, 2025
Orange Beach, AL
The Wharf Amphitheatre
Preface: The Wharf has been on our bucket list since we first learned about it so we were more than thrilled to make this trip!
CJ Cain, Tyler Childers, and Jesse Wells
Show Notes: Man, what a place! The Wharf is equally unique as it is great to hold Tyler Childers and the Food Stamps concerts!
We got to the venue super early so we actually got to hear soundcheck! Our first one we’ve ever heard! Based off this we had a good idea of what we’d be hearing that night but nonetheless we were still blown away! Hot off the tail of Gulf Coast Jam the boys started the set with Trudy!
This jam was played during the soundcheck but given how seldom it seems to be on sets now we weren’t sure if that was just a warmup they use or not. We were pleasantly surprised to see it as the opener!
Trudy was then followed by Rustin’ in the Rain which is another jammed out song by the Food Stamps. These two back to back set the whole tone for the night and that tone was simple: Jam!
Jumping ahead a couple of songs we get Jersey Giant, then a couple of songs later I Swear (to God) followed by Creeker, Mules and Tulsa Turnaround! The Food Stamps were being given a platform to show their talents and they were showing everyone why they’re just as important to the show as Tyler is.
Tulsa Turnaround led into the acoustic set which featured Lady May, Bottles and Bibles, Nose on the Grindstone, and Follow You to Virgie.
Any set that has Bottles and Bibles is a great thing! We love seeing this song live and hearing the passion in Tyler’s voice when he sings this song is something to behold.
Back on the mainstage the band was allowed to flex even more with Old Country Church welcoming them back to the stage and then Two Coats only a couple of songs later.
Again, the band closed with a familiar four: Honky Tonk Flame, Way of the Triune God, Universal Sound and House Fire. All of which are absolute masterpieces to see played live.
This was a Food Stamps show with Tyler Childers as the singer. The band was able to flex their skills all while showcasing Tyler’s voice. And, this set was something to behold.
The Wharf
Venue Notes: For anyone who’s never heard of this venue do yourself the favor and check out the photos we took.
Tucked away into the woods, yet somehow also in the middle of a shopping center, the Wharf is as beautiful and unique inside as it is outside. The walkway leading you to the venue reminds you of a bridge you would have taken as a child over a creek in your local park.
Once inside you’re greeted with a stage that just opens up in front of your face giving you the visual of something much bigger than it actually is. This is reinforced when you look into the seats.
Blooming out behind the lower level seating is stadium like bleachers at a steep incline which appear to be much higher than they actually are. The bleachers are only about 30 rows high but give the appearance of a massive stadium.
The Wharf was designed with feel in mind, something a lot of amphitheaters lack. The Wharf is welcoming, appearing large, but also comforting because of how small it actually is.
Outside of the venue are TONS of restaurants and shops. Most of which line the waterway which the Wharf sits off of. Please, please, please, do yourself the favor and get there early and go walk around this complex!
Parking Notes: Best parking we’ve ever gotten. Not even close. We got there so early that parking wasn’t even established yet. Around 2pm we got to the venue and literally parked in the first parking spot nearest the entrance; no more than 30 foot from where the metal detectors would end up being.
This was also for FREE - our favorite cost! Like we’ve said over and over, get there early, get a good free parking spot, and walk around the complex!
Travel Notes: We were leaving Gulf Coast Jam so prior to the show we spent some time on the beach and then headed to the venue. There’s plenty of places in this area to check out that are ocean front and we can’t even begin to tell you what would be the best to stop at.
What we can say though is that you should eat at Villaggio Grille. This is located right inside the Wharf complex and, while expensive, has amazing pizza! Regardless of why you’re in the area you have got to stop into this place!