Breakaway is back — and it's going to be bigger than ever.

Why it matters: Charlotte is the largest stop on the traveling EDM festival's circuit of 13 U.S. cities, and organizers say this year's event will feature more stages, larger production and new experiences.

Catch up quick: Breakaway Carolina launched in 2017 and, over nearly a decade, has established itself as the Charlotte area's signature EDM event.

• The two-day event returns Sept. 25-26 to zMAX Dragway in Concord.

What to expect: More than three dozen artists will perform, including headliners Tiësto, Kettama, Chris Lake and Cloonee b2b Chris Lorenzo.

• Typically, Breakaway features two stages. This year, there will be five. The biggest change is the main stage, which is expanding from 80 feet to 200 feet.
• "We're talking about this huge grand production that rivals the biggest electronic festivals or touring festivals in the world," Breakaway president Jarrod Fucci said.

Other additions include:

• A new Leave It All Behind (LAB) stage with a nightclub feel, overhead production and a focus on dubstep and bass music. Festivalgoers will cross through a tunnel to reach it on the opposite side of the drag strip.
• The Block/Beatport Stage, featuring local artists and surprise sets that have yet to be announced.

What else to expect at Breakaway Carolina 2026

A Hamptons-based restaurant, flora, will open in South End this summer.

Why it matters: The Atherton Mill restaurant marks flora's first expansion beyond New York with the owners choosing Charlotte for reasons that go beyond business.

What they're saying: Co-founders David and Rachel Hersh say Charlotte is where they first built a life together, and they always knew one day they'd return.

• "When Rachel and I first got together, we moved here, bought our first home in South Charlotte, and built some of our most meaningful memories," said David. "Now, with our two young boys it feels like the perfect moment to come home."

Context: The Hershs' Rooted Hospitality Group, owns several New York restaurants, including the original flora in Westhampton Beach. They're also behind Cowfish (no relationship to the Charlotte restaurant with the same name), Fauna, AVO TACO and RUMBA, which has three locations.

What to expect: The menu will feature New American cuisine with dishes like seared scallops, pickled deviled eggs and sweet basil chicken.

• Inside you'll find a large centered bar with plenty of seating, booth and some patio seats outside.

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Get ready to sing your heart out because we're moving and grooving through the weekend.

🎤 Friday: Hear rapper J. Cole in concert at Spectrum Center. Tickets start at $72.

🎸 Saturday: Vibe to AC/DC "Power Up Tour" at Bank of America Stadium. Tickets start at $100+.

🎤 Sunday: See NE-YO & AKON live in concert at Truliant Amphitheater. Tickets start at $35.

Full weekender

🚊 CATS starts drainage work near Scaleybark Station on Monday, July 13, with Blue Line delay and closure of southbound South Boulevard between Clanton Road and Old Pineville Road expected through Aug. 14, the City of Charlotte tells Axios.

🌩️ Roof Above, one of Charlotte's largest nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness, experienced damage from severe overnight storms Tuesday, causing part of the building's roof of the Day Services Center to collapse. The campus remains open with modified operations. (WFAE)

🏈 Carolina Panthers' annual Fan Fest returns to Bank of America Stadium on July 31. Gates open at 5pm. The team's practice culminates with fireworks.

• Tickets are $5. Proceeds benefit Carolina Panthers Charities. PSL owners can buy tickets starting today at 10am. Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow at 10am.

🩰 Doug Singleton, Charlotte Ballet executive director, will leave the organization this fall to become executive director at The Washington Ballet. Kim Lanphear as the interim executive director, per a release.

💪 Motion Fitness in SouthPark is hosting a community HYROX workout with world champion Dylan Scott on Saturday, July 11, at 9am. (Instagram)

🎹 Eighty Eights is adding dueling pianos to Thursday nights from 8–11 p.m. with Uptown Dueling Pianos. (Instagram)

🍝 Customshop and Emmy Lou's are taking over Community Matters Cafe on July 20 for a special dinner, with all proceeds benefiting Charlotte Rescue Mission. (Instagram)

Editor's note: This speed read has been corrected to reflect that Roof Above's Day Services Center remains open with modified operations (not closed) after experiencing storm damage.

When Charlotte hosts the MLS All-Star Game later this month, it will include fan events, the game itself and a skills competition element called "Goalie Wars."

State of play: Tony Meola, MLS and USMNT legend, coached several media members, including myself, through Goalie Wars yesterday at Charlotte FC's headquarters.

How it works: The intent is to score more goals than your opponent during a set amount of time. For me, that meant one diving save and several more saves with my feet.

What they're saying: "If you had told me 30 years ago we would be doing an All-Star game in Charlotte after we just hosted a World Cup, and Scotland was in town [training in Charlotte] and the people love it, I would've told you you were crazy," Meola tells Axios. "It doesn't seem so crazy anymore, because that's where we've gotten as a league."

What's next: The skills challenge will take place July 28 at Truist Field at 8 pm. The All-Star Game is July 29 at Bank of America Stadium.