Part of the famed Americana duo Indigo Girls, Amy Ray, who has released six solo albums and several live recordings since 2001, will play at this outdoor venue on the banks of the French Broad River, just minutes from downtown Asheville.
468 Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 707-8902
salvagestation.com/events/amy-ray-band
Grab a lawn chair and head over to this historic manor turned cozy getaway in downtown Blowing Rock for an annual concert series that is held every Friday from May through October. The August lineup includes The Harris Brothers, Soul Benefactor, Mike Thompson Band, and The Note Ropers.
203 Sunset Drive
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-9703
ragged-gardens.com/music-on-the-lawn
Ten years ago, the Reevestock Music Festival started as a fundraiser to restore the historical Reeves Theater. Now, the event raises money for the Reevestock Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to local high school seniors. This year, the festival will kick off in front of The Reeves Theater on Friday with music by Emanuel Wynter. The festivities will continue Saturday at Elkin’s Hidden Amphitheater with performances by John R. Miller, Time Sawyer, Alexa Rose, and more.
129 West Main Street
Elkin, NC 28621
357 Ivy Circle
Elkin, NC 28621
reevestock.com/lineup
Hosted in downtown Valdese, Family Friday Nights are just what the name suggests — an opportunity to kick back and spend time with family and friends while enjoying live music by local and regional artists. August’s line-up includes 28690 & Friends, Darrell Harwood, Dirty Grass Soul, and the Night Move Band.
100 Main Street West
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-2129
townofvaldese.com/community/what-to-do/family-friday-nights
Enjoy a concert by award-winning mandolinist Sam Bush at this venue in the historic Montford neighborhood.
Bush co-created the band New Grass Revival and helped popularize the “newgrass” genre, which consists of bluegrass with added influence from the rock and jazz genres.
100 Gay Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 407-0388
hazelrobinsonamphitheatre.com
Take in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains while relaxing at Tom Johnson Marion Campground, located on the Catawba River, for the annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, which will feature an extensive line-up of artists from North Carolina and beyond, including the Lonesome River Band, Carolina Blue, Backline, and more.
1885 U.S. Highway 70 West
Marion, NC 28752
(386) 385-3500
blueridgemusicnc.com/find-music/event/annual-north-carolina-state-bluegrass-festival
Formerly a single-screen movie theater, this family-owned music hall and restaurant with an outdoor and indoor stage will host the Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio. Pierson is known for her piano-playing and singing skills, and has a wide range of inspirations, including Americana, jazz, folk, and classical music.
743 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)-575-2737
isisasheville.com/event/heather-pierson-acoustic-trio-8-19-2021
Come by La Vita Dolce, a café with an extensive menu of coffee, gelato, wine, sandwiches, and more, for an evening of refreshments and live music that’s part of the café’s Wine Down Wednesday schedule. The August music lineup will give a platform to local musicians: Four on Six, Popcorn Blue Band, Vinyl Revival, and Neville’s Quarter.
610 Market Street
Suite 101-C
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 968-1635
lavitadolcecafe.com/wine-down-wednesdays
Watch local musicians perform at The Carolina Inn during its Fridays on the Front Porch series. This historic inn, located on the west side of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is nearly 100 years old.
211 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 933-2001
destinationhotels.com/carolina-inn
Located on the banks of the Tar River in Franklin County, the 24th annual Preddyfest Bluegrass Music Festival will bring together bluegrass musicians and fans from throughout the state for “a weekend of non-stop jammin’ by the river.” This year’s line-up includes Blue Highway, Cliff Waddell and Friends, and more.
2284 Green Hill Road
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 494-7471
preddyfest.com
Bynum Front Porch is a nonprofit organization created in 2006 that turns the front porch of the Bynum General Store into a community gathering place with music as the main event. The August performers that are part of this year’s music series are the 8:59’s, the Straight 8’s, Kelley and The Cowboys, and the Chatham Rabbits.
950 Bynum Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 357-5830
bynumfrontporch.org/events
Join Louis the Child for a night of electronic dance music at Red Hat, which is located within walking distance of an abundant range of restaurants and shops — plus, it’s got a great view of the Raleigh skyline.
500 South McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 996-8500
redhatamphitheater.com
Listen to live music off of Kings of Leon’s latest album, When You See Yourself, at one of North Carolina’s largest outdoor venues.
707 Pavilion Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 549-1292
charlottemusicpavilion.com/tickets/
Help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Train’s Drops of Jupiter album at the White Oak Amphitheatre, which opened in 2011 and is part of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
1921 West Gate City Boulevard
Greensboro, NC 27403
(336) 373-7400
greensborocoliseum.com/events/detail/train
The Phantoms, an alternative electronic duo, will play at The Music Yard, one of Charlotte’s newer venues that hosts a wide range of concerts and outdoor events.
2433 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 912-1889
eatsouthbound.com/the-music-yard
With 30 years of performances under its belt, Coastal Credit Union Music Park is a classic Triangle concert destination. Watch singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, alternative-rock singer-songwriter Liz Phair, and band Garbage in the covered seating section, or grab a picnic blanket and enjoy the music from the lawn.
3801 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 831-6400
walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
The beer garden at this local craft brewery in South Durham is a go-to destination for live music, trivia nights, food trucks, and more. Stay tuned for the beer garden’s August lineup, which will be available in mid-July.
5410 NC Highway 55
Suite V
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 813-0135
glass-jug.com
Finish off your weekend on a high note with a Sunday summer concert series that’s been a Greenville summer staple since 1973. The August’s artists that will be hosted at this open-air theater, located in the Town Common, are East Coast Rhythm & Blues, David Lee Jones, Spare Change, and Built for Comfort.
105 East 1st Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 329-4567
greenvillenc.gov
Come down to the pavilion beneath the Holden Beach Bridge for an evening of free live music. The August performers include the Carolina Breakers, Jim Quick & Coastline, The Embers featuring Craig Woolard, Too Much Sylvia, and The Entertainers. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair.
131 Jordan Boulevard
Holden Beach, NC 28462
(910) 842-6488
holdenbeachnc.com/holden-beach-concert-schedule
The Town of Oak Island Summer Concert Series at the Middleton Amphitheater is a great family outing for locals and out-of-towners alike — what better way to end the week than with live music at sunset? The August lineup consists of The Sand Band, Carolina Line Bluegrass Band, Rivermist, and Old Man Mafia Band.
4610 East Dolphin Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465
oak-islandnc.com/summer-concert-series/
Catch the sunset and live performances by local bands on Friday and Saturday nights at the Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar, which is located on top of the Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront and offers a great view of downtown and the harbor.
9 Estell Lee Place
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 726-9227
cloud9ilm.com
The Circle, a popular public beach access, will host performances by North Carolina shag bands, including the Band of Oz, The Embers, and The Mighty Saints of Soul, during the Atlantic Beach Music Festival.
115 Atlantic Boulevard
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
(252) 726-2121
atlanticbeach-nc.com/events/abbmf
Located on the banks of Greenfield Lake and surrounded by towering cypresses, this amphitheater is a picturesque setting for a concert by Eric Gales — a left-handed guitarist who draws inspiration from a wide range of blues and rock musicians.
1941 Amphitheater Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401
greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com
Dig your toes in the sand or dance in the surf while enjoying the tunes of the 35th annual Carolina Beach Music Festival headliners, including Band of Oz, Black Water Rhythm & Blues Band, and Jim Quick & Coastline.
Cape Fear Boulevard & Carolina Beach Avenue South
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-8434
wilmingtonandbeaches.com
From the end of May until the end of October, Saturday nights in Morehead City can be spent dancing and singing in Jaycee Park as part of Morehead City’s Saturday Sunset Serenades series. Enjoy a refreshing shaved ice treat from Kona Ice food truck while taking in the beautiful scenes of the downtown waterfront and listening to Built for Comfort on August 14, and Revolution on August 28.
1600 Fisher Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 726-5083 ext. 1
moreheadcitync.org/260/Concert-Series
Spend the night singing and dancing to songs from Journey’s 10th studio album, Trial by Fire, as well as classics like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Wheel in the Sky” from a Journey Tribute Band at the Union Point Park as part of New Bern’s Footloose on the Neuse Summer Concert Series.
210 East Front Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 639-2901
visitnewbern.com
Washington — Washington Waterfront
Get your fill of fireworks, rides, live music, and more at the 38th annual Washington Summer Festival at the Washington Waterfront. Friday night’s performer is The Castaways, and Saturday night’s is The Monterio Experience.
301 West Stewart Parkway
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-9168
wbcchamber.com/summer-festival
In North Carolina, spring brings the scent of fresh-cut grass and memories of helping Dad mow the lawn.
Nostalgic burger joints are like time machines, delivering something extra special that keeps us coming back.
This tiny city block in downtown Greensboro once had a gigantic reputation. Not so much for its charbroiled beef patties — though they, too, were plentiful — but for its colorful characters and their wild shenanigans.
In the 1950s, as Americans hit freshly paved roads in shiny new cars during the postwar boom, a new kind of restaurant took shape: the drive-in. From those first thin patties to the elaborate gourmet hamburgers of today, North Carolina has spent the past 80 years making burger history.
