Where to find electronic music in Charlotte
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The laser show at Trio is pretty impressive. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
House, techno, drum and bass, trance, disco. Whatever your electronic genre preferences are, Charlotte has you covered with its growing EDM scene — just bring your earplugs.
The big picture: Charlotte is home to a few venues that primarily focus on electronic music, plus a slew of other organizers, promoters and private venue spaces that cater to house and techno shows.
- Plus, there are two big electronic festivals at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Another World in May and Breakaway in September.
Trio
The vibe: Mind-blowing light show, packed dance floor and touring EDM artists.
Tickets: From $0 for early entry to local shows like Housework to $30 tickets for touring headliners, via Trio's website.
Stop by: 1513 S. Mint St., open 9pm-2am Thursday-Saturday, plus special events.
Music Yard
The vibe: Relaxed outdoor venue with a focus on house music, indie dance and jam bands. Music Yard is attached to Tex-Mex restaurant SouthBound, speakeasy Backstage Lounge and intimate indoor venue The Studio.
Tickets: $15-30 for advance tickets via Dice.
Stop by: 2433 South Blvd. Show times vary but are typically 6-11pm — plus the occasional day party, which is always a blast.
Related Axios story: Popular South End music venue launches an open-air fitness series
Blackbox
The vibe: Don't forget your earplugs for an EDM show here. It may be a bare bones "gritty-sheik" space, but Blackbox is one of Charlotte's largest music venues with one of the biggest sound systems.
Tickets: $20-25 for advance tickets via Blackbox's site.
Stop by: 421 E. Sugar Creek Road, 10pm-2am most Fridays and Saturdays, plus special events.
Bassment
The vibe: Bassment has been quietly — errr, loudly — hosting house, techno and bass music shows in the basement of Dilworth Neighborhood Grill for over a decade.
Tickets: $15-30. Find details on Instagram.
Stop by: 911 E. Morehead St. Open 10pm-2am most Fridays and Saturdays.
Rebel
The vibe: New venue opening on Independence Boulevard after a bustling year in its former Central Avenue space.
Tickets: $22-$25 for the couple of shows with tickets for sale now.
Stop by: Once Rebel reopens in March, it'll be located at 6432 East Independence Blvd.
More venues
A number of local spots host recurring electronic nights.
- Petra's Hazy Sunday: Every other Sunday, Petra's in Plaza Midwood packs out its back patio — and one of Charlotte's most-fun dance floors emerges. $10 cover.
- Snug Harbor's Deep Fried Disco: Expect a two-stage house music takeover every month at this Plaza Midwood favorite. $10, plus fees.
- Crown Station: Find 80s and 90s new wave DJs at this NoDa coffee shop and bar most weeks.
- Read our full guide on hot new nightclubs in Charlotte.
Other major players
Charlotte is home to various organizers and promoters focusing on electronic music. They may host events at the venues listed above or at other private venues, so keep an eye on their Instagram.
- House Vibrations: Organizer with house and techno shows at venues like Trio, Blackbox, Broken Promises and Novelty House.
- Girls Room: Events created by queer women and designed to spotlight women, non-binary individuals and other under-represented groups in Charlotte's local music scene. Find shows across Charlotte at Music Yard, Clutch, Broken Promises and Snug Harbor.
- Sugar Society: Exhaustive resource and organizer of electronic events across North Carolina.
- Afta Orbit: Afrobeats, amapiano, house, reggaeton and much more across various locations. Celebrate Black rave culture and listen to global dance music at these underground events.
- Kouch Kollective: A record label and events organizer, Kouch Kollective hosts event at Rabbit Hole on Commonwealth, Blackbox and Trio.
- Ape Audio: Event organizer and equipment rental company. Find their house music shows primarily at Starlight near NoDa.
- Midnight Society: Local organizer with house and techno shows at Bassment, Rebel and other venues.
- Groovy Bone: Record label hosting house, garage, and drum and bass parties at Bassment, Trio, Crown Station and more.
The bottom line: Charlotte's electronic music scene is constantly evolving. Poke around enough on Instagram, Reddit, Facebook or EDM Train, and you'll find what you're looking for.
- 🤫 You might even find some after parties.