SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Concerts have been at the forefront of discussion in the southeastern North Carolina region this week.
Aside from the fact T-Pain and Chase Rice were touring through downtown Wilmington’s Live Oak Bank Pavilion to officially kick off the season, many free live shows have begun dropping their schedules (scroll to the end to see the lineups).
Not among them is a popular downtown marina’s 2024 bill of tribute bands; the private venue announced this week it would begin charging patrons for what was once a free beloved concert series.
Meanwhile in neighboring Pender County, a national concert series hosted by a small beach town has come to a halt.
Surf City Live
The November concert known as Surf City Live was launched two years ago by the town of Surf City, to bring national acts to the small coastal community’s Soundside Park.
Diamond Rio and Paige Johnson were featured in 2022, followed by Scotty McCreery, with openers George Birge and Catie Offerman, in 2023. Roughly 2,500 people showed up for the November shows outdoors, with tickets priced anywhere from $30 to $65.
The goal of the concert series was two-fold: Give out-of-town visitors a reason to come back to Surf City during slower months — the town of almost 4,500 people more-than doubles during summertime months — and provide local businesses a boost.
“The Town was seeking an opportunity to provide additional events in the off-season to bolster visitor spending,” town manager Kyle Breuer wrote in an email to PCD Friday.
But after two years of hosting the shows, he said the resources needed to put forth an “event of this magnitude” with small staff became taxing across multiple departments — fire, police, EMS and the town. In the town alone, more than 545 paid hours were put toward its planning.
This was an issue council took up at its Feb. 16 budget workshop.
“I think it creates an undue burden on the staff,” councilman Hugh Cannady said at the meeting. “It creates stress on me and I don’t even work on it; it probably puts undue stress on our town manager on our parks and rec director. It’s not part of your regular job description up until two years ago.”
While the artist cost takes up the bulk of the expense, there are also expenditures for an emcee, off-duty police, security, off-duty fire, EMS, chair rentals and event management. In both years, the town worked with East Coast Entertainment to help secure artists and oversee production.
The costs and revenue for each show was:
2022 — Diamond Rio
- Expenditures: $148,800
- Sponsorships: $90,250
- Revenue: $162,250
2023 — Scotty McCreery
- Expenditures: $208,578
- Sponsorships: $93,250
- Revenue: $257,197
Feedback from sponsors and businesses seemed positive, for the most part at February’s budget workshop. Many praised the town’s efforts for executing an event that brought out the community in support.
“This was well planned, well organized and well orchestrated,” resident Jerry Emond told council on Feb. 16.
A mother of five children praised its approachable prices, explaining normally her family of seven couldn’t afford going to concerts, where tickets for larger acts can cost $150 and up.
“And that’s probably going to be the nosebleed,” Desiree Taron said. “I can afford to take them to this.”
Other Pender County government leaders — such as Brent Springer who served on the school board and Tim Zizack, a Topsail Beach commissioner — also were in favor of Surf City Live being budgeted for 2024. Springer suggested the concerts increase to one in spring and one in fall.
Zizack called the regional event a solid business decision.
“There’s only limited channels of revenue and when someone comes up with an idea you go with it, and if it’s profitable, you continue to do it; this event is a revenue channel for Surf City,” he said, adding the investment was successful for two years. “Increasing your investment increases profit.”
The town expanded the budget at the meeting in a 4-2 vote from $250,000 to $300,000 to put on the concert again in 2024. It’s paid for out of the accommodations tax fund, generated through certain short-term rental income to the town.
However, not everyone was onboard with the spending.
Marty Martin said the city “is not in the business of doing concerts,” but should focus instead on governing and looking after the people’s needs. He considered the taxpayer money put toward hosting the shows a waste, especially if they could go toward more important needs such as road improvements and infrastructure.
“Take your money and go down and fix Canal Street,” he told council. “They are in horrible conditions. You do patch jobs. … Go down there sometimes when it floods and try to get through there.”
Chris Medlin, owner of East Coast Sports, expressed his business was down 80% the day of the event. He asked council not to expand it to two days.
“I’m OK with sacrificing one day of business for this,” he said. “But if you guys increase it at all, I mean it’s like Surf City is taking money out of my pocket and putting it in their pocket.”
Joseph Mosley agreed. He owns JM’s on the Water and said his parking lot is utilized during the event.
“When my business inside is empty and my parking lot is full, there’s not enough tow trucks in eastern North Carolina to get rid of all of them to bring in business,” he said. “So it just leaves us with a full parking lot and our sales are decreased, obviously.”
Loggerhead Inn owner Mike Harrington, who sponsored the event, reported an uptick in numbers during the show weekend. He lauded its effect, compared to hotels he owns in other markets.
“I understand the fact that it’s a little unique for a town to put on something like this,” he said. “But we own hotels in Outer Banks, Oak Island, and I can tell you, this event — without a shadow of a doubt — is better than anything those markets have ever tried to put on.”
Breuer told council members in February during his research he could find only one other town in North Carolina that bankrolls an event to this degree — in Kannapolis.
Two years ago City of Wilmington and New Hanover County funneled in $35,000 each to bring a fourth concert to the Azalea Festival lineup. The goal was to have a concert that cost only $5 or $10 for the community; it lasted only one year and now the festival hosts local bands at Greenfield Lake for free.
Council member Alicia Hawley questioned Surf City Live numbers and revenue projected for 2024.
“Last year, we made $48,000 and we spent $208,000,” she said at the meeting. “This year we’re trying to spend $300,000 to make $29,000 and that, from a business perspective, does not make sense to me.”
Breuer told PCD some areas of benefit were not trackable, such as sales tax revenue and accommodations tax revenue.
“They are not provided to the town on a granular level, only on a gross amount,” he said. “The Town attempts to seek data around larger events and can sometimes gauge direct impacts like increased parking revenue, etc.”
Mayor Batts conceded in February’s meeting that better parking needed to be considered to not affect the businesses on Roland Avenue. She also took issue with the little amount of revenue that comes in compared to the man hours put in by town employees.
“Over 100 of our employees — every employee we have — is involved in this project up until the concert takes place,” she said.
Despite concerns, the concerts were well-received by most stakeholders and community members, Breuer said Friday. This was gathered not only by feedback at council meetings and workshops but also in surveys sent to businesses.
Still the town manager said: “Sometimes we simply have to move in a different direction.”
According to Breuer, council didn’t have to vote to deauthorize funds.
“Since this item has specific revenue tied to it (i.e. ticket sales/revenue), this does not equate to a ‘surplus’ of funds,” he added. “No funds will be expended out of this account.”
There has been dialogue for a nonprofit to take over the event, according to Breuer, but it wasn’t explored at grave length. He conceded potential is there for a private entity to use the mold created by the town to bring forth another concert at Soundside Park.
The town wanted to launch the series first due to the newly constructed high-rise bridge and Intracoastal Waterway providing a serene backdrop against its park’s amphitheater.
“With the venue, we knew it was a matter of time before someone requested to host a concert event and the town wanted to provide the template of what our expectations were when it comes to organization and creating a safe, family-friendly environment,” he said.
A special event application for more concerts could still come through in the future, he added.
Friday Night Live at Port City Marina
When Wilmington Downtown Inc. dropped its free concert series, Downtown Sundown, featuring tribute acts, a private business picked up the baton to keep the party going.
The Pier at Port City Marina began hosting Friday Night Live from May through August, with the first year bringing in nine free tribute bands to the pier. This year seven are scheduled from May 24 through Aug. 23.
However, this year it comes with a cover fee.
A letter posted to Port City Marina’s social media states the $10 entry will go into effect for the first May 24 concert, featuring a Fleetwood Mac cover band. The new fee was put into place due to rising costs, particularly travel and services, according to the letter.
“We’ve always strived to offer our events free of charge,” it states. “However, as a business we’ve worked tirelessly to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible while ensuring the sustainability of our operations.”
Some concert attendees have taken issue with the fee — despite the fact it’s not an anomaly for private venues to charge for live music.
One person noted on the social media thread that changing perception is the hardest obstacle to overcome — “charging for something that’s been free since it started.”
Others were more accepting: “Bands are not free and most band members are not making a sustainable living simply by playing and often have other jobs.”
Part of Friday Night Live’s operation included featuring a different nonprofit organization at its shows. Participants purchase $1 arm bands to buy alcohol, with the money from the wristbands going to the nonprofits. In previous years, up to $1,000 was split 50/50 between the marina and nonprofits.
“With your support, we’re able to collaborate with several local charities, channeling a portion of the proceeds towards meaningful causes that benefit the Wilmington community,” the letter states.
PCD asked the concert promoters if more money from the newly instituted fees will go to the nonprofits and whether the writsband program will continue. An answer wasn’t received by press.
All tickets can be purchased here and the schedule for the season is:
- May 24: Tell Me Lies (Fleetwood Mac)
- May 31: War Hippies (country music and top 40)
- June 14: Breakfast Club (‘80s cover band)
- July 12: Broken Hearts (Tom Petty)
- July 26: Texas Hill (Country, soul, Americana)
- Aug. 9: Departure (Journey)
- Aug. 23: Greggie and the Jets (Elton John)
Free concerts region-wide
Annually, every spring through fall, multiple free concerts are held at town parks and centers, as well as private venues, free to the public. This year concertgoers can find more than a dozen from Pender to Brunswick counties.
Here are a few; email info@portcitydaily.com to add to the list.
Burgaw Summer on the Square
All shows are free and take place Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Pender County Courthouse Square. Food trucks are parked on site for each event, including dessert trucks. Picnics are welcome — just no alcohol. Attendees can also bring blankets and chairs; pets should be kept at home.
- May 30: The Pink Slips (Beach, Motown, soul, country)
- June 13: Carl Newton Review (R&B, soul)
- June 27: Autumn Tyde (R&B, rock, country, oldies)
- July 11: Chocolate Chip and Company (R&B, soul, dance)
- July 25: Jim Quick and Coastline (Southern rock, blues, soul, country)
Calabash Summer Concert Series
Concerts take place 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Calabash Town Park, 868 Persimmon Rd. Chairs and blankets welcome.
- June 4 — The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard (Beach, R&B)
- June 18 — Thomas Road Band (Country)
- June 25 — Too Much Sylvia (funk, ‘70s, ’80s, Motown)
- July 2 — The Extraordinaires (R&B, classic rock)
- July 16 — The Tonez (Rock, Motown, dance, funk)
- July 23 — Band of Oz (Beach, Motown)
- July 30 — Southside Saints (Rock, funk, soul, dance)
- Aug. 6 — Chocolate Chip and Company (R&B, soul, dance)
Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast
Concerts take place at the gazebo stage for free beginning at 6:30 p.m. The show is followed by fireworks over the beach at 9 p.m.
- Friday, May 24 — Carl Newton Review (R&B, soul)
- May 30 — Southern Trouble (country rock)
- June 6 — The Conspiracy (’70s and ’80s rock)
- June 13 — Feebs (Blues, classic rock, funk)
- June 20 — The Goodloves (Acoustic, classics)
- June 27 — Dani Kerr and the Skeleton Krew (Soul, rock ‘n’ roll)
- July 3 — Port City Shakedown (Motown, soul, Top 40, hip-hop)
- July 11 — Dane Britt Band (High-energy rock)
- July 18 — Resoul (Dance, rock and country)
- July 25 — Bibis Ellison (Classic, current hits)
- Aug. 1 — The Old North State (Country, roots)
- Aug. 8 — 8 Track Memories (Classic, nostalgic hits)
- Aug. 15 — Frank Grant and the Feelin’ (Ultimate groove band)
- Aug. 22 — Jen and Tonic (Rock, pop)
- Aug. 30 — The Main Event (Beach, classic rock)
Eagle’s Dare
Located at 420 N. Third St., gates open at 4 p.m. with openers at 7 p.m. and headliners taking the stage at 8 p.m.
- May 3: Trial By Fire (Journey)
- May 10: Nirvani: (Nirvana)
- May 17: Signs of Sacrifice (Creed)
- May 24: Signal Fire (Reggae)
- May 31: Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads)
- June 7: All My Rowdy Friends (Hank Williams Jr.)
- June 14: The Conspiracy (‘70s and ‘80s)
- June 21: Angry Chair (Alice In Chains)
- June 28: The Phantom Playboys (Ska, rockabilly)
- July 5: Hey Johnny Park (Foo Fighters)
- July 12: Johnny Folsom 4 (Johnny Cash)
- July 19: Nashville Nights Band (‘90s country)
- July 26: Emo Kids (Emo rock)
Hampstead Alive After Five
Four free concerts take place from May through July 6:30 p.m. at Hampstead Kiwanis Park, 586 Sloop Point Loop Rd. Attendees can bring blankets and chairs, and there will be food trucks on site. No pets or alcohol allowed.
- May 17 — Carl Newton Review (R&B, soul)
- June 7 — Heart Stop (Classic and modern rock, blues, country)
- June 21 — British Invaders (‘60s rock)
- July 19 — Jimmy Dreams (Jimmy Buffett)
Holden Beach Concert Series
Taking place on Sundays from May through September, Holden Beach hosts free concerts 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the pavilion under the Holden Beach bridge, 131 Jordan Blvd.
- May 26 — The Main Event (Beach, classic rock)
- June 2 — Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot (Beach music, R&B, soul)
- June 9 — Carolina Kool (Beach, jazz, oldies)
- June 16 — Cat 5 Band (classic rock, country)
- June 23 — Blackwater Band (top 40, fun, blues, country)
- June 30 — The Tams (Beach, Motown, Oldies)
- July 7 — The Extraordinaires (R&B, classic rock)
- July 14 — Continental Divide (Classic rock, country, pop, blues)
- July 21 — Chairman of the Board (Beach, dance)
- July 28 — Embers featuring Craig Woolard (Beach, R&B)
- Aug. 4 — Band of Oz (Beach, Motown)
- Aug. 11 — Jim Quick and Coastline (Southern rock, blues, soul, country)
- Aug. 18 — The Entertainers (Beach, rock, R&B, country, Top 40)
- Aug. 25 — Too Much Sylvia (Funk, ‘70s, ’80s, Motown)
- Sept. 15 — North Tower (Top 40, beach, funk, oldies)
Kure Beach Boogie in the Park
Beach chair or blankets welcome for free, live music by the sea on the first and third Sunday of the month, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., May through October. There will not be a concert July 4th or Labor Day weekends.
- May 5: The Phantom Playboys (Ska, rockabilly)
- May 19 — Brown Dirt Cowboys (Rock, funk, soul)
- June 2 — Lilly and the Loud Music Company (rock, pop, top 40)
- June 16 — Blackwater Band (Top 40, fun, blues, country)
- July 21 — Down South Thunder (Country, rock)
- Aug. 4 — School of Rock (Rock)
- Aug. 18 — Into the Fog (Bluegrass, Americana)
- Sept 15 — David Dixon (Singer-songwriter)
- Oct. 6 — Carl Newton Review (R&B, soul)
- Oct. 20 — Port City Shakedown (Motown, soul, Top 40, hip-hop)
Mayfaire Sunset Music Series
Takes place in front of Regal Cinemas on Wednesdays in June and July, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No pets or alcohol allowed.
Schedule not available by press; check back.
Oak Island Bands by the Beach
Free concerts are planned to take place Fridays (unless otherwise listed) at the Middleton Park Complex Amphitheater, 4610 East Dolphin Dr. They take place May through September, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Blankets, chairs, picnics welcome.
- May 24: Blackwater Band (Top 40, fun, blues, country)
- May 31: Christine Martinez Band (Rock, country)
- June 7: Ntranze (Beach, Top 40, Motown)
- June 14: Too Much Sylvia (funk, ‘70s, ’80s, Motown)
- June 21: The Entertainers (Beach, rock, R&B, country, Top 40)
- June 28: The Sand Band (Beach, R&B, soul)
- July 1: 20 Ride (Zac Brown tribute band)
- July 12: Chocolate Chip and Company (R&B, soul, dance)
- July 19: The Tonez (Motown, beach, R&B)
- July 26: Rivermist (Classic rock, R&B)
- Aug. 2: Autumn Tyde (R&B, rock, country)
- Aug. 9: The Tams (Beach, Motown, Oldies)
- Aug. 16: The Salty Dawgs (Rock, blues, country, pop)
- Aug. 23: LunaSea (Rock)
- Aug. 31: The Main Event Band (R&B, jazz, funk)
Ocean Isle Beach Free Concerts
Shows take place Friday night beginning May 24 and run through Aug. 30 at 6:30 pm at Town Center Park. 11 E 2nd St. Chair set-up for the concerts begins at 5 pm and no smoking, vaping, glass or pets are allowed in the park during the concerts.
- May 24: Band of Oz (Beach, Motown)
- May 31: Bailout (Pop, rock, dance)
- June 7: Special Occasion Band (Dance, pop, Top 40)
- June 14: LunaSea (Rock)
- June 21: Too Much Sylvia (funk, ‘70s, ’80s, Motown)
- June 28: Blackwater Band (top 40, fun, blues, country)
- July 5: The Extraordinaires (R&B, classic rock)
- July 12: The Entertainers (beach, rock, R&B, country, Top 40)
- July 19: Chocolate Chip and Company (R&B, soul, dance)
- July 26: The Catalinas (Beach)
- Aug. 2: Jim Quick and Coastline (Southern rock, blues, soul, country)
- Aug. 9 — The Main Event (beach, classic rock)
- Aug. 16: Continental Divide (Classic rock, country, pop, blues)
- Aug. 23: The Magnificents (Dance, R&B, Motown)
- Aug. 30: Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot (Beach music, R&B, soul)
Riverlights
The 1,400 development on River Road hosts free concerts in the Marina Village, 109 Pier Master Point, this summer. Chairs and blankets are welcome; food trucks will be on site as well.
Schedule not available by press; check back
Sunset Beach Concert Series
Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome to Sunset Beach’s Town Center Park, 206 Sunset Blvd. North. The shows take place on Wednesdays, June through August, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- May 29: The Extraordinaires (R&B, classic rock)
- June 5: Chocolate Chip and Company (R&B, soul, dance)
- June 12: Cat 5 Band (Classic rock, country)
- June 19: 100 Grand Band (Pop, funk, R&B)
- June 26: JB & the Get Down Browns (Beach, classic rock, disco)
- July 3: Tuesday’s Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute act)
- July 10: The Switch (‘80s-’90s hits)
- July 17: Julio & the Saltines (Classic rock)
- July 24: The Entertainers (Beach, rock, R&B, country, Top 40)
- July 31: North Tower (Top 40, beach, funk, oldies)
- Aug. 7: Band on Fire (Classic rock, Motown, pop)
- Aug. 14: Blackwater Band (Top 40, fun, blues, country)
- Aug. 21: Too Much Sylvia (Funk, ‘70s, ’80s, Motown)
- Aug. 28: Southside Saints (Variety)
Topsail Sounds
Lawn chairs welcome to enjoy free live music on Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. once a month through August. Shows take place at Topsail Beach Town Center, 624 S. Anderson Blvd.
- May 28: JT Parrothead (Acoustic, singer-songwriter, Jimmy Buffett)
- June 25: Dos Eddies (Acoustic, country, folk, reggae)
- July 23: Bacon Grease (Pop, rock, reggae)
- August 27: Jimmy Dreams (Jimmy Buffett)
WECT’s Sounds of Summer
Takes place at Wrightsville Beach Park, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome, but no alcohol is allowed.
- June 13 — The ReSOUL Band (Dance, rock, country)
- June 20 — Port City Shakedown (Motown, soul, Top 40, hip-hop)
- June 27 — Jack Jack 180 (Dance, party)
- July 11 — No Regretz (Classic rock, blues)
- July 18 — British Invaders (’60s British tribute)
- July 25 — Southern Trouble (Contemporary country/Southern rock/blues)
- Aug. 1 — Christine Martinez Band (Rock, country)
- Aug. 8 — Machine Gun Band (Rock, Top 40)
Have tips or concerns? Email info@localdailymedia.com
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