New survey checks the pulse of Charlotte's music scene
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Confluence 2024.Photo: Courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners
Charlotte's music workers are being asked for their perspectives in the city's "most extensive survey ever" about the realities of the local scene. It went live Wednesday.
Why it matters: The 2025 Charlotte Music Census aims to help stakeholders measure the health of the entertainment ecosystem, which could help Charlotte get closer to its goal of becoming a true music city.
- The results will be presented to decision-makers like local government officials to inform public policy that will help musicians, venue owners, promoters and others in the industry thrive.
- "If there's going to be public policy to support music, we need data to inform that public policy," says Rick Thurmond of Music Everywhere CLT, which is leading the "music census."
The big picture: Charlotte's musicians and industry insiders are pushing to cement the city as a "regional hub for music" — and we've made progress, from hosting a three-day music conference to landing a major music festival.
- News venues, such as The Amp Ballantyne, have opened, and fans have kept longtime venues alive.
- Tepper Sports & Entertainment is planning for a new, 4,400-seat indoor venue near the Panthers' stadium, building on its success of booking big-name performers at Bank of America Stadium.
How it works: The online questionnaire is open through Nov. 12 at CharlotteMusicCensus.org. It takes about 13 minutes to complete.
- The "music census" will ask respondents questions about themselves as well as their takes on the challenges of working in Charlotte's music scene.
- Participants should be 18 or older and live and/or work in Mecklenburg County.
Between the lines: Music Everywhere CLT, a nonprofit backed by Charlotte Center City Partners, is teaming up with community groups like Charlotte Is Creative and the Arts & Science Council to put out the census.
- "It really is about the community pulling together to support ourselves moving forward," Thurmond says.
Zoom out: The organization Sound Music Cities is conducting the census in about a dozen cities. They've found success with similar efforts in Nashville, Columbus and Cleveland.
Case in point: Nashville's survey revealed parking was a costly hurdle for musicians to play gigs downtown. In response, a parking lot operator rolled out a discount program for working musicians.
What's next: Charlotte's results are expected to come out in early 2026.