Can't-miss concerts in Charlotte's thriving music scene

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May 04, 2024

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Thanks to the Queen City’s evolution, 2024 has plenty of robust shows. Here’s our expert’s top 5, plus a full list of performances across genres.

by Jay Ahuja

Charlotte finally has a three-day summer music festival to rival Atlanta’s incredible Shaky Knees Festival. The Lovin’ Life Music Fest kicked off the summer music season Friday with an extraordinary roster of artists.

When I moved to Charlotte in 1986, there were few places to see live music and even fewer touring acts coming here. Bigger acts stopped in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., but often skipped the Queen City.

As Charlotte has grown up, we have more performances than ever at more and better venues.

I’m a veteran concert-goer who loves listening to live music, so here are my five “can’t miss shows” coming our way as well as a more complete list of concerts, from classical to country and everything in between.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s May 18 performance of Holst’s “The Planets” at Belk Theater is the first show on this list for which I already have tickets. I’ve attended only a handful of classical concerts, but this is one I’ve been looking forward to all season. William Eddins conducts a program of two short pieces inspired by space before an intermission. It concludes with “The Planets.” If you’ve never attended a classical concert, this is a very accessible work, and Belk Theater is a wonderful venue to experience it.
The Charlotte Bach Festival may be the best-kept secret on this list. From June 14-22, this year’s festival features Italian Renaissance and Baroque period works, including Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” on June 15 and Monteverdi’s “Vespers of 1610” on June 22. Both are at Sandra Levine Theatre at Queens University. A host of other Bach-related concerts are held at locations throughout the city.
PNC Music Pavilion is bringing one of the best lineups of the summer with the Outlaw Music Festival, featuring Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on June 22. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. and opens with up-and-coming guitarist and vocalist Celisse. If you plan to purchase lawn seats, it is important to remember that Live Nation venues, like PNC and Skyla, no longer allow outside lawn chairs.
One of my must-see acts is Cake. They will return to Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on Aug. 7. Skyla, part of the AvidXchange Music Factory just outside uptown, has become one of my favorite venues in town. There are no bad seats, concessions are well-run, parking is adequate and ride share can get in and out quickly. Because of local noise ordinances, shows end promptly at 11 p.m. Cake typically plays all their hits and finishes with a surprising cover song. One of my favorite memories at this venue is Cake’s version of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” at a Halloween show.
Grammy-winning jazz diva Samara Joy is performing at Belk Theater on June 5. This Bronx-born artist may not be familiar to people outside serious jazz circles, but she is a rising star who you will have a chance to say you saw when she was just 24 years old. She already has three Grammy Awards, was named Jazz Artist of the Year following her debut album and her second album reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Members of Cage the Elephant, Beck, and Spoon performing an encore at PNC Pavilion in 2019. (Jay Ahuja photo)

Here are 25 other terrific concerts worth considering

Long gone are the days when Charlotte music fans had limited concert options. Now, most of us have to pick our spots and allocate our discretionary dollars wisely, but that’s a nice problem to have. So, get out there and catch some of these incredible touring acts, but also be sure to support local live music at places like the Comet Grill, Smokey Joe’s Café, Thirsty Beaver, and Amos’ Southend.

The Nighthawks, a legendary blues band, were regulars at The Double Door Inn for decades and they’re coming to Neighborhood Theater on May 5.
The US National Whitewater Center’s music offerings are not limited to Tuck Fest, which happens every April. They also offer their River Jam Series. Sol Driven Train, a 5-piece roots rock band I first saw in St. John are playing on May 9.
The Record Company may not be a household name, but they put on a terrific rock show. They will be at The Visualite on May 10 and tickets are just $25.
On May 17, country music star Tim McGraw will play one of the last concerts at the Spectrum Center before it closes for renovations this summer.
Allman Betts Band will be at Knight Theater on May 20. Featuring Duane Betts and Devon Allman, these southern rockers have deep roots and unrivaled pedigrees.
Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke boasts a fingerpicking style with blues, jazz and folk influences. He’s playing at Neighborhood Theatre on May 23.
Charlotte will host another country music legend, George Strait, at Bank of America Stadium on June 1.
Ben Folds, who hails from Greensboro, has hit the big time and returns to Charlotte to play at the Belk Theater on June 4.
Atlanta-based R&B, jazz, swing and hip-hop band The Voltage Brothers return to Charlotte at Middle C Jazz on June 6.
The very next night, X Ambassadors are playing at The Underground. Their radio-friendly electronic-tinged pop features the heartfelt vocals of Sam Harris.
American Roots band The Wood Brothers, featuring Chris Wood on upright bass and Oliver Wood on guitar, are playing Knight Theater on June 9.
Drive-By Truckers, an Athens, Ga.-based band, is bringing its Southern Rock Opera Revisited 2024 Tour to The Fillmore on June 14. They will play the entire 2001 double album and other songs that pertain to its themes and a short encore set that change each night.
The Evening Muse may be the best-sounding room in Charlotte and they are bringing guitarist and vocalist Kim Richey for one night on June 15. Richey’s style is hard to define, but this show is sure to sell out.
That same night, jazz pianist and composer David Benoit will be playing at Middle C Jazz.
Rock and country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams is performing solo at Knight Theater on June 20^.
Bluegrass jam band Goose is playing at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater on June 23. These guys put on an epic show that will likely bump up against the 11 p.m. noise ordinance.
Another PNC Music Pavilion highlight is Janet Jackson, who will bring her elaborate stage show and incredible dance moves to town on July 14. Nelly is the evening’s opener.
Three nights later, jazz legends Spyro Gyra is bringing its 50th anniversary tour to Middle C Jazz.
Cage the Elephant is playing at PNC on Aug. 4. I saw them in a triple bill there years ago with Beck and Spoon, and Cage the Elephant stole the show. If you have never seen them, you should.
Four nights later, 311, AWOLNATION and Neon Trees are playing at Skyla. This triple bill promises to be a raucous night of alternative rock.
East Bay California indie rock band Green Day has been touring for decades and returns to PNC with The Saviors Tour on Aug. 26.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are playing at Ovens Auditorium on Sept. 5. The opening act is Alejandro Escovedo, so this promises to be a tremendous evening of music.
Hip Hop artists Boyz II Men return to Charlotte, playing PNC Music Pavilion on Sept. 7. Robin Thicke is the opening act.
Airborne Toxic Event, a rock band from Los Angeles, is playing at The Underground on Sept. 14. You may not know the name, but you have likely heard some of their music on the radio.
Just announced this week, Iceland rockers Kaleo are playing at Skyla with special guest Chance Pena on Sept. 19. Only three years since their debut album, Kaleo has played Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. Now’s your chance to see them in what I consider to be Charlotte’s best outdoor concert venue.
The following night, country superstar Cody Johnson brings his “Leather” tour to PNC on Friday, Sept. 20. Ashley McBryde is the opening act. Tickets just went on sale.
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers are bringing their Spirit Trail 25th Anniversary Tour to Knight Theater on Sept. 22.
On Sept. 25, pianist and jazz bandleader Herbie Hancock will perform at Knight Theater. Most famous for his 2013 “Rockit” video, Hancock and his band put on an incredible, energetic concert.

Pro Tips

If you’re like me, there are certain bands that are must-see. It’s often worth joining their fan clubs to have early access to the best seats. Some have a cost involved and offer perks like music or merchandise, but many are free.

➡️ To save yourself considerable time getting into shows, familiarize yourself with what venues allow and do not allow you to bring. It changes from year to year (like outside lawn chairs no longer being allowed at PNC and Skyla), so don’t assume you can bring what you brought last time. I generally bring a slimmed-down wallet, ear plugs, my phone, a can koozie and my keys.

➡️ Hydrate! Liquid Death canned water is sold at many concert venues. Sure, it’s over-priced, but you’ll thank yourself the next morning. And these days I find it easier to take Uber or Lyft to a concert, especially at venues with limited egress and access or particularly expensive parking.

➡️ Lastly, it’s fine to take photos and videos at a concert, but please don’t be one of those people who holds their phone over their heads for long stretches of time. Take a few shots, put the phone away and enjoy the concert while allowing those behind you to do the same. I never understand why somebody wants to watch a concert through their phone rather than taking in the entire spectacle.

Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and two dogs. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He works for WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station.

Related Ledger article:

“How to concert better after 50” (Sept. 9, 2023)

Today’s supporting sponsor is Carnegie Private Wealth:

This week in Charlotte: The city mourns, as fatal police shootings marked the deadliest day for law enforcement in the U.S. since 2016

(Photo courtesy of the city of Charlotte)

A memorial service for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer Joshua Eyer on Friday drew hundreds of police and many onlookers.

Eyer was one of four law enforcement officers killed Monday in east Charlotte in a shootout that also left the suspect dead. The fatal shootings made national news, prompted a visit to Charlotte from President Biden and spurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to help the families and first responders. It was the deadliest day for law enforcement in the United States since 2016.

The 39-year-old shooter had a long history of arrests in several North Carolina counties. Officers were trying to serve arrest warrants after he failed to show up for court on firearms and drug charges, and after he fled from a traffic stop in Lincoln County in January, police said.

🎥 WATCH: CMPD released a heart-wrenching 90-second video Friday with clips from Eyer’s funeral procession and memorial, including remarks by his widow, Ashley

How to help: Fundraising pages and ‘adopt a cop’

Several fundraising and support efforts took shape this week to assist emergency workers and the families of the slain officers, including:

A “Help Our Heroes” fund by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation, to “allow employees of the local public safety, first responder agencies impacted by the events to receive mental health care” and addresses other needs.
A GoFundMe page by Back the Blue NC, designed to “provide support for those affected, offering a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of this tragedy”
A GoFundMe page by City Council member Tariq Bokhari, to support the wife and 3-year-old son of CMPD officer Joshua Eyer.
A SignUpGenius to “adopt a cop” later this month, in which residents can show gratitude to officers in different CMPD divisions.

From The Ledger family of newsletters:

Monday: It’s a big summer for internships, with internship-hunting tips; Charlotte Symphony takes its show on the road; Music boosters say Charlotte can ‘rival every city’ on music; Charlotte Checkers season ends
Tuesday (🔒): This week’s Ways of Life obituaries newsletter examined the life of Ron Payne. He was a band director who taught in schools for 42 years. A friend recalled: “I could see in his eyes that hearing the difference he made for kids completed him a little bit.”
Wednesday (🔒): Lansdowne neighbors sue to block new triplex; Governor says gambling tax structure unfair; Lawsuit filed over Pineville substation; A review of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
Thursday: In our weekly Transit Time newsletter, we examine transit and transportation ideas from foreign countries that might make some sense to implement here.
Friday (🔒): Is Mecklenburg in a sports field ‘crisis’?; Lawyers give advice in light of possible ban on noncompete agreements; Inside a new South End office tower; Burlington signs lease at the Metropolitan
Fútbol Friday: A new, second mascot for Charlotte FC

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