Turn it up: Summer’s best concerts
Plus: The news of the week — Transit referendum bill clears major hurdle; Wells Fargo sign hits skyline; New Lake Norman hospital
Good morning! Today is Saturday, June 21, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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From Ringo to Ryan Adams, Charlotte’s concert calendar is stacked with legends, local favorites and everything in between.
By Jay Ahuja
As the dog days of summer approach, Charlotte’s music scene is heating up with a packed calendar of concerts.
Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band will play Ovens Auditorium on June 25, performing a mix of Starr’s solo work and Beatles classics. Edgar Winter is often among the rotating lineup of All-Starrs. Three nights later, on June 28, Three Dog Night takes the stage at the same venue, performing hits like “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Joy to the World.”
Toad the Wet Sprocket brings their melodic alt-rock sound to The Amp Ballantyne this August. (Photo courtesy of The Amp Ballantyne)
Charlotte locals may remember Doubting Thomas — featuring Gina Stewart and Brenda Gambill — from their legendary performances at The Double Door Inn. The band returns to share the stage with Shake the Dust on July 11 at Visulite Theatre.
That same night, Talking Heads tribute band Same As It Ever Was will perform at The Amp Ballantyne. They don’t try to look like David Byrne and company, but their sound is spot-on and always draws a lively crowd.
Two nights later, on July 13, Boulder-based jam band Leftover Salmon brings its signature blend of bluegrass, rock, country and zydeco to The Amp.
Indie-alternative group The Head and the Heart takes the stage at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on July 15, in support of their new album, “Aperture.” Opening acts Wild Rivers and Marfa have been joining them throughout the tour.
Knight Theater hosts three stellar rock acts on consecutive nights. The Wallflowers, featuring Jakob Dylan, kick things off on July 22. Alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams follows on July 23, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his solo debut album, “Heartbreaker.” Todd Rundgren — still going strong at 76 — closes out the run on July 24. Best known for “Bang the Drum All Day,” Rundgren also had a major hit with “Hello, It’s Me.”
The Goo Goo Dolls, a melodic rock trio from Buffalo, N.Y., are touring with Dashboard Confessional and will perform at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on July 25. The following night, the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius welcomes Sister Hazel. The band, formed in Gainesville, Fla., took its name from Sister Hazel Williams, who operated a local homeless shelter.
On July 27, Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes take the stage at Neighborhood Theatre, fresh off an appearance at FloydFest. Cumbia music is believed to have originated in the jungles of Peru, but Prophet first encountered it in San Francisco’s Mission District and has been championing it ever since.
July wraps up with country music star Vince Gill at Ovens Auditorium. Gill is one of the slickest guitarists in any genre, and this show is likely to sell out quickly.
Georgia-based Americana folk band Blackberry Smoke — known for straddling the line between rock and country — plays Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on Aug. 8. Also from Georgia, Atlanta Rhythm Section began more than 50 years ago as session musicians at Studio One in Doraville. With 15 albums to their name, they’ll perform at Neighborhood Theatre on Aug. 10.
Country music legend Travis Tritt brings his powerhouse vocals and extensive catalog of hits to Ovens Auditorium on Aug. 22.
The next night, concert-goers will have a choice between two fan favorites at newer venues: Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Amp Ballantyne and The Verve Pipe at the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius.
On Aug. 30, genre-blending jam band Umphrey’s McGee brings their Cruising Altitude Tour to The Fillmore at the NC Music Factory. Their sound fuses rock, funk, blues, jazz, reggae, folk and bluegrass for an electrifying live experience.
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair brings her genre-blending jazz and rock sound to The Amp Ballantyne. (Photo courtesy of The Amp Ballantyne)
And last — but certainly not least — two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair will showcase her saxophone skills at Middle C Jazz Club on Saturday, Aug. 30.
So there you have it — a sampling of this summer’s live music lineup. Whether it’s a familiar favorite at a well-known venue or someone new in a spot you’ve yet to visit, I encourage you to get out, support live music, cheer for the artists who make it happen, and show some love to the venues that bring them to town.
Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and one dog. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He serves on the Charlotte advisory board of North Carolina Outward Bound School and recently retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station.
Today’s supporting sponsor is VIA Health Partners, delivering compassionate and comprehensive care to patients with serious illnesses. As the Carolinas' largest independent non-profit hospice and palliative care provider, we serve over 5,000 patients daily, spanning 38 counties.
Teen Talk — Build your vocabulary. Today’s lesson: enemies.
Impress and delight the teens in your life by using the words they use! The Ledger shows you how in this occasional Saturday feature.
Today’s word: OPP
Pronunciation: ahh-p
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Abbreviation for “opponent” or “opposition.” This term is commonly used if someone has wronged you, betrayed your trust or is in conflict with you in some way. It can be used to describe someone personally or as a general term for someone who tries to undermine you or does not have your best interests at heart.
Examples:
“I can’t believe Sarah told all of my friends that my new skirt is ugly. She’s such an opp!”
“My ex-girlfriend just liked my Instagram story. That’s such weird behavior from an opp.”
“Jack and I used to be pretty good friends, but after he snitched on me to my mom, he’s a full-on opp.”
Teen Talk related bonus phrase: ‘did me dirty’
An opp is typically someone who has wronged you, or someone who did you dirty.
Definition: To “do someone dirty” means to treat a person disrespectfully or betray them—most often in a deliberate and hurtful way. The phrase is commonly used when someone acts against another person’s interests, whether it is through gossip, deception or wrongdoing.
Examples:
“She really did me dirty by posting that photo on Instagram. I look horrible!”
“Olivia stole your boyfriend and took him to prom! Are you really going to let her do you dirty like that?”
“Tell all of my opps that if they do me dirty, it’s over for them.”
—Caroline Mecia, age 22
Reminder: 🍺 Ledger ‘Reader Appreciation Night’ happy hour on Tuesday
On Tuesday (June 24), The Ledger is holding an after-work get-together for Ledger members.
Here’s the plan: We’ll buy the beers, and our community of paying Ledger members will supply the good cheer! If you’re not a Ledger member and would like to attend, join us as a Ledger member today! We hold members-only gatherings several times a year.
➡️ Details on Tuesday’s Ledger happy hour (🔒, members-only)
The Ledger would not exist without our paying members — who fuel our ability to deliver smart and original local journalism — so we like to celebrate them and thank them.
This week in Charlotte: Charlotte to host Club World Cup matches; Park Church to build 300+ homes; Mother sues CMPD, city of Charlotte; Ardrey Kell gets new principal
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Petition to keep Lansdowne assistant principal: More than 500 people have signed a Change.org petition urging CMS to keep Lansdowne Elementary’s assistant principal, part of a growing pushback against district staffing changes.
New principal named at Ardrey Kell: (Queen City News) Susan Nichols takes over as Ardrey Kell High’s principal after predecessor Jamie Brooks’ controversial exit.
Politics
Mecklenburg transit referendum clears major hurdle: (Queen City News) In a second reading, the N.C. House overwhelmingly passed House Bill 948 (called the P.A.V.E. Act) that will allow Mecklenburg County to put a sales tax referendum on the November ballot.
N.C. GOP demands Democrat’s ouster over Trump depiction: (WRAL) The North Carolina GOP has called on state Rep. Julie von Haefen to resign after she shared a video on X from a “No Kings” protest in Raleigh that included a sign of a mock severed Donald Trump head and guillotine.
Local news
Mother sues city of Charlotte, CMPD officers: (WBTV) The mother of Jovontay Williams has filed a federal lawsuit claiming Charlotte police caused his death during a June 2022 arrest.
Free box fans offered to seniors, adults with disabilities: (Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation). Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is giving away free box fans to help residents stay cool this summer.
Business
‘Wells Fargo’ added to Charlotte skyline: (Fox 46) Wells Fargo added its name to Charlotte’s skyline on Sunday, installing 14-foot-tall letters on the “handlebar” portion of the 550 South Tryon office tower, which was formerly the Duke Energy Center.
New Lake Norman hospital: (Observer) Atrium Health will open its new 200,000 s.f. hospital in Cornelius on July 1, offering emergency, maternity, surgical, and specialty care services to northern Mecklenburg County as part of a broader $1B investment in health care infrastructure, according to a press release.
Church housing development: (Real Estate Whispers) The Park Church, one of Charlotte’s largest churches, plans to build 300+ homes behind its sanctuary on Beatties Ford Road, the latest in a trend toward churches developing unused land.
Sports
Charlotte set to host Club World Cup matches: (WSOC) Bank of America Stadium will host four high-profile FIFA Club World Cup matches, including two group-stage games and two Round of 16 showdowns featuring global powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The first match is scheduled for Sunday.
NASCAR teams turn to AI for a competitive edge: (Observer) NASCAR teams are turning to artificial intelligence to stay ahead, using machine learning to analyze performance data, fine-tune car setups, and make quicker decisions during races.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
Ambulance companies are seizing wages and tax refunds to collect millions. Plus: S.C. shrimpers warn of 'shrimp fraud'; 2 arrests and pepper spray after big uptown protest; ‘Squawks’ having best year yet; McColl calls out rival; Wells Fargo sign video
Wednesday (🔒)
Charlotte homes are adding sauna and spa spaces. Plus: Black box theater opens at Ballantyne YMCA; New podcast episode on how community colleges fuel N.C.’s workforce
Friday (🔒)
Western North Carolina wineries are bouncing back, but some challenges remain. Plus: Investment lawsuit pits restaurateur vs. Optimist Hall developers; Uptown tour company offers animal scooters; Small businesses embrace AI; Opening of McColl Park
Real Estate Whispers (🔒)
Park Church plans to develop 300+ homes behind its sanctuary. Plus: Rezoning for South End hotel; TowneBank eyes redevelopment by Specialty Shops in SouthPark; What's up with home demolitions by Shalom Park?; Kuykendall rezoning approved
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Loved the Teen Talk Lesson today! As a 75 yr old, I learned some new words to try on my friends! Great job, Caroline! Thanks.