WILMINGTON — The local concert schedule continues to evolve as Wilmington inches closer to seeing Riverfront Park open June 28. While the Live Nation-managed venue will launch a soft opening with local bands July 4th weekend, the park will be christened with its first national tour when Widespread Panic — which sold out within minutes — lands for a three-night run, July 16-18.
RELATED: City gets almost everything it wants in Riverfront Park, possibility of river access uncertain
Greenfield Lake will welcome its first show of the season (so far) on June 29 with the sold-out Tedeschi Trucks: Fireside Live.
Both venues have announced more concerts over the last few days. Here’s a rundown of what to expect and when tickets go on sale.
Band of Horses
South Carolina’s indie crooners Band of Horses will make their debut at Greenfield Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Founded in 2004 by Ben Bridwell in Seattle, Band of Horses has released five studio albums and was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2010 for “Infinite Arms.”
Bridwell relocated to his homestate of South Carolina before recording 2007’s “Cease to Begin,” which gave the outfit its first U.S. hit. The album debuted on Billboard 200 at number 35.
Since, the band has released three more LPs and undergone numerous band-member shifts. Currently, Band of Horses consists of Bridwell, Creighton Barrett, Ryan Monroe, Matt Gentling, and Ian MacDougall.
Tickets are $33 to the Greenfield show; the presale goes live June 3, 10 a.m. Tickets for the general public are on sale Friday, June 4, 10 a.m.
Big Something
Hailing from Burlington, NC, Big Something’s rock, funk, pop, and improv sounds — on guitar, synth, horns, electric wind instruments — will blast through a three-night run at Greenfield Lake.
Yep, you read that right: three nights.
Each night will feature a different opening act. Andy Frasco & The UN play with them on Oct. 29, while Saxsquatch will open on Oct. 30.
On Halloween, Oct. 31, the band will step into some big shoes as they transform into “Talking Something” — a tribute to the one and only Talking Heads.
Tickets are $27.50 and will be on sale Thursday, Jun. 3, 10 a.m.
GRiZmas in July
He’s baaaccck.
GRiZ has smashed quite a few parties in Wilmington, including a pop-up island throwdown in 2017 and 2019 at Mason’s Inlet.
This July the Detroit-based DJ, Grant Kwiecinski, who always sells out Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, will be coming to Riverfront Park. Santa’s coming early with a little GRiZmas in July.
The shows are slated for July 30-31; tickets are $42.50 or two-day passes will be $85 and go on sale Friday at noon.
Moon Taxi
The American alt-indie band out of Nashville, TN, will be headed to Greenfield Lake on Aug. 13. Moon Taxi is heading embarking on a 30-plus-stop tour in support of their latest LP “Silver Dream.”
The Alabama-bred rockers recorded “Silver Dream” in the throes of the 2020 pandemic. The release is more pop-oriented and upbeat.
Tickets to Greenfield Lake’s show are $28 in advance and $33 the day of, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
From being a touring member with the Grateful Dead, to founding the Range, and playing with Ricky Skaggs as part of the Noisemakers, Bruce Hornsby has brought numerous iterations of his music to the masses.
He has scored GRAMMYs, including 1987’s Best New Artist with Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 1990’s Best Bluegrass Album and ’94’s Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Hornsby has released 18 albums over the last three decades, including 2020’s “Non-Secure Connection.”
He’ll make his return to the Greenfield Lake stage with the Noisemakers on Sept. 24. Tickets are on sale now for $35 in advance and $42 the day of.
Infamous Stringdusters
The GRAMMY-winning jamgrass quartet just released a new album — a tribute to the one-and-only Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. They’re also touring in its support, which includes a stopover in Wilmington on Oct. 13 at Greenfield Lake.
Tickets will be $27 and go on sale Friday, June 4, 10 a.m.
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