18 free outdoor music series you need to hit this spring and summer
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This list will be constantly updated as more lineups go live. Did I miss your favorite? Let me know.
Alive After Five
The city’s largest happy hour is back for its 18th year, kicking off this Thursday, April 5, with a performance by Diamonds & Whiskey.
Location: The EpiCentre
Dates: Every Thursday through September
Time: 5-10 p.m.
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Bearden Music Series
Every last Saturday of the month during the summer, the series will explore a new genre. This summer’s lineup: Blues Beatles, Sidecar Social Club, Orquesta Mayor and Chubby Carrier.
Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: June 30, July 28, August 25, September 22
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Friday Night Live
This year’s lineup includes Coming Up Brass, Blackwater Rhythm & Blues and Steve Owens & Summertime.
Location: Stowe Park, Belmont
Dates: May 4, 18; June 1, 22
Time: 6 p.m.
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Front Porch Friday
Spend the evening on Catawba’s patio for award-winning beer, live music and food trucks. The lineup includes acts like Greg Adams, Matt Bush & Mike Nolan, Province of Thieves and Crystal Fountains.
Location: Catawba Brewing Co.
Dates: Every Friday beginning this Friday, April 6, through October 26
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Lake Norman Summer Concert Series
Hang out at D9 Brewing for live music, food, beer and games.
Location: D9 Brewing Co.
Dates: Every last Saturday of the month, May-October
Time: 5-10 p.m.
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LangTree Live
This 22-week concert series will hear every type of genre, from 80’s pop to Billy Joel and The Eagles tributes.
Location: LangTree Lake Norman
Dates: Every Thursday, May-September
Time: 7-9 p.m.
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Live at The Family Tree
Join NoDa Company Store and artists like Manolamb, Chandler Martin and Christy Snow for this 5-concert series.
Location: NoDa Company Store
Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 18
Time: Times vary, but most start at 8 p.m.
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Live on the Green
First Ward Park will be home to this rock-, Americana- and bluegrass-centered concert series. Lineup includes Sinner & Saints, Trongone, Chris Jacobs and Donna the Buffalo.
Location: First Ward Park
Dates: June 1, 2, 15, 29; July 13, 27; August 10, 24; September 14, 15
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Music at the Fountain
Make your way to StoneCrest for this 6-month long series that sees performers like Dukes & Smith, Brubakers, Flute Praise and Greg Lilley.
Location: StoneCrest at Piper Glen
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday through September 29, beginning this Friday, April 7
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Music Box Lunch
Head to the park for some easy listening over your Tuesday and Friday lunch breaks. Linup includes Tom Stainkamp, J’Michael Peeples, Minsky Delmonte and Colby Dobbs.
Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: Every Tuesday and Friday through August 31
Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
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Party in the Park
Spend a few summer nights at Romare Bearden listening to a lineup that includes The Band of Oz, The Tams and The Catalinas.
Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: Every Wednesday night through August 29
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Picnic in the Park
Beat the Sunday Scaries with an afternoon concert. Lineup includes Todd Murray, Maya Beth Atkins, Jeff Brown and Jeremy Davis.
Location: Fourth Ward Park
Dates: Every Sunday from June 3 to August 26
Time: 4-6 p.m.
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River Jam
Wrap up your day at the Whitewater Center with a show at the Center’s outdoor concert venue in the middle of the whitewater river. Genres include rock, americana, bluegrass and more, with a lineup that sees the Jon Stickley Trio, Mike Strauss Band, Elonzo Wesley and Nora Jane Struthers.
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, May-September
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Spring Concert Series
TGIT every week on University City’s boardwalk beginning tomorrow, April 5. Lineup: Straight Fire, Minutes and Years, Too Much Sylvia and Voltage Brothers.
Location: Shoppes at University Place
Dates: April 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Spring Concert Series
You’ll find the city’s newest music venue on South Boulevard between SouthBound and Mac’s Speed Shop. Acts include Zack Mexico, Black Masala and Swift Technique.
Location: The Music Yard
Dates: Every Saturday beginning April 7, through May 26
Time: 6 p.m.
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Summer Jazz Series
The hit concert series is back for another season at Freedom Park with a lineup that includes The Brubakers, Jonathan Fritzén, J’Michael Peeples, Art Sherrod Jr., Adrian Crutchfield and Gerald Veasley.
Location: Freedom Park
Dates: June 16, July 14, August 11
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Summer Music Series
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Lineup includes Hipshack and Leslie and Friends.
Location: Blakeney Village Green
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday, May-September
Time: 7 p.m.
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Sunset at Metropolitan
Soak in the sunset and the skyline view with this 5-concert lineup on the stage between Dressler’s and Hickory Tavern. Genres include top 40, classic rock, jazz and soul.
Location: The Metropolitan (between Dressler’s and Hickory Tavern)
Dates: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
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