What’s better than listening to music outdoors on a sunny Saturday in Savannah? Knowing that the great music is going to last all day, in both outdoor and indoor venues throughout the city. Savannah Stopover’s fourth and final day meant music starting at noon, this year at the beautiful Ships of the Sea museum. I had no idea that this venue had a gorgeous, meticulously manicured back courtyard perfect for the acoustic, folksy rock that played throughout the day like Electrophoria, Young Benjamin, Dare Dukes, Powerkompany, Young Benjamin and The Viking Progress.

Next on the agenda was Congress Street Social Club, which featured fun sets from Sincerely Iris, The Head, Quincy Mumford and the Reason Why, and the Hill and Wood. The laid back vibe on the outdoor stage, full house and yummy snacks equaled a perfect afternoon.

During the short break between acts, we headed to The Sparetime, which hosted the VIPs, bands, and the after parties each night. Unique cocktails, quality wines, and delicious small plates make this stop a welcomed addition to our downtown nightlife.

We hopped back over to Ships of the Sea right across the street to hear Buxton, Country Mice, and highly anticipated The War on Drugs that played for a packed house, then sneaked away to catch the end of Chelsea Crowell’s performance inside the ethereal atmosphere of the Telfair Museum. We didn’t want to miss Johnny Cash’s granddaughter in action, and her sweet voice paired with powerful lyrics did not disappoint.

To end the night, we headed to The Jinx, which is known for hosting edgy, excellent music in their evening Stopover shows. With the three and a half days of Stopover action starting to take its toll on me, The insanely fun Japanese band The Suzan brought me back to life. The all-female group featured a singer, guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer with a big mohawk and kick-ass skills. The crowd bopped along with this high-energy group, and you couldn’t help but feel the pure joy they had for performing. They preceded PUJOL and The Love Language, both showcasing their different styles of rock that ended the Stopover festivities with a bang.

If you missed this year’s Stopover, put 2013’s on your calendar as a can’t-miss event so you can see some of the most buzzed-about up-and-coming bands as they head to SXSW. I’m sad to see the weekend end and will be waiting anxiously to see which bands will be on the schedule for next year.