SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Just in case readers missed Port City Daily’s free concert listings first published in April, here is a reminder of all of the free shows in the tri-county region.
READ MORE: Airlie Gardens announces lineup for summer concert series
Below’s list has been beefed up with a few additions that have come in since April. Please, note: This list only is for free concerts in the region.
While some series already began, many kick off this Memorial Day weekend, including Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast, Mayfaire Town Center, Oak Island and Ocean Isle.
Here’s the rundown, listed in alphabetical order by series name:
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 at 6 p.m. on the lawn in front of Fuel Fitness; no pets or alcohol allowed. Blankets and chairs allowed.
- May 25: Hatch Brothers
- June 8: Shotgun Taxi
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)
Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar
In Carolina Beach, Ocean Grill halted its concert series last year but is returning in 2024, welcoming fans to enjoy live tunes on the pier overlooking the Atlantic. Double check dates, as most shows are on Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; however, some may fall on other days of the week
- May 30: Tonk (Rock)
- June 6: The Old Ceremony (Folk rock)
- June 9: The Woggles (Garage rock)
- June 19: Cut Worms (Indie rock, retro pop)
- June 20: Summer Set and Schooner (Indie rock)
- June 27: Birdwell Beat (Surf rock)
- July 11: The Whom
- July 12: Turnstyles (Garage, surf rock)
- July 14: Bicycle Face (Melodic pop)
- July 18: Lauds (Shoegaze)
- July 25: The Shoaldiggers (Americana)
- Aug. 1: Benji Hughes (Indie pop)
- Aug. 9: Skylar Gudasz (Indie)
- Aug. 11: Zack Keim (Indie, alternative)
- Aug. 19: Phatlynx (Instrumental rock)
- Aug. 22: Kicking Bird (Pop-rock)
- Aug. 29: CoverLip (Cover band, rock)
Saturday Sunset Series
Downtown’s Marina Grill hosts concerts throughout the season on the deck on the Cape Fear River. The Saturday night shows are free from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- May 25: David Peterson
- June 1: Bad Billy’s
- June 8: Uptown Easy (soul, funk, R&B)
- June 15: Dekker Road (Rock)
- June 22: Machine Gun (rock)
- July 20: Port City Shakedown (Motown, soul, Top 40, hip-hop)
- July 27: Machine Gun (Rock, Top 40)
- Aug. 3: Port City Rockers (Classic rock)
- Aug. 10: Bad Billy’s
- Aug. 17: LunaSea (Rock, funk, ’60s to modern day)
- Sept. 7: Dekker Road (Rock)
- Sept. 14: DAZR (Rock)
- Sept. 28: Machine Gun (Rock, Top 40)
- Oct. 5: Bad Billy’s
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)
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