Confluence expands with outdoor music festival in South End
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Confluence returns this month.
Why it matters: Charlotte's fourth annual music industry conference is bringing a festival approach to this year's event by expanding its live music offerings with Confluence Music Fest.
What they're saying: This type of music festival is a little different than Charlotte is used to, Confluence and Confluence Music Fest organizer Rick Thurmond tells Axios.
- The goal isn't to be Lovin' Life, but instead to connect more music fans and people in the music industry to more artists and venues.
What to expect: More than 45 artists will perform this week, Oct. 8-10. In addition to Confluence's traditional showcase format for emerging and independent artists, there will be an outdoor festival on Saturday, making it three days of live music.
- The new outdoor festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, will take place at Suffolk Punch South End (2911 Griffith St.) from 2-10pm. There will be six bands performing. It's free to attend as long as you register. Full schedule
- After the festival, there will be an after-party at DeepCuts HiFi (2433 South Blvd.) featuring DJ Emma Way (yes, Axios' Emma Way). RSVP for the free party here.
- Live music venues include: Petra's, The Evening Muse, Rabbit Hole, The Music Yard, Neighborhood Theatre, Snug Harbor and Amos' Southend. These locations highlight Plaza Midwood, NoDa and South End with the goal of people being able to walk from one venue to the next.
- Artists include Ripe, Rising Appalachia and Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, to name a few.
Yes, and: Confluence itself remains a daytime music industry conference. It runs Oct. 7–9 featuring panels, workshops and networking events.
By the numbers: Last year the live music portion of Confluence drew around 1,200 people. This year the expectation is to draw between 3,000 and 4,000, Thurmond says. That's due to bringing in more artists and adding more shows.
- There were around seven shows last year, and there will be 13 this year.
- Last year there were around 35 acts, compared to more than 45 this year.
- The conference side is still expected to draw 250-300 people, Thurmond says.
If you go: Music festival passes start at $64 for access to all three days. Single-show tickets are also available here. See conference pass options here.
The big picture: It will be a busy week for live music fans in Charlotte, from intimate shows to arena tours.
Go deeper: The 11 biggest concerts in Charlotte this October