Top Concerts and Tours Coming This Spring
The spring inevitably brings out warm weather, blossoming flowers and hungry musicians emerging from a winter hibernation, ready to turn their collective amps up to 11 for our live music enjoyment.
by Andy Goh Mar 09, 2023
Bojangles Entertainment Complex
This article is brought to you in partnership with Bojangles Entertainment Complex, home of historic venues Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium.
This spring promises to give Queen City music fans plenty to choose from, including Dead & Company’s final tour, MTV-era icons and up-and-coming artists pushing the envelope for what music will sound like for the next generation. Throw those sweaters and scarfs back in storage – it’s time to warm up the stage with some of our most anticipated concerts of the spring season.
Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell Tour
When: Wednesday, March 22
Where: Ovens Auditorium
The blues remains one of the most uniquely American forms of popular music, a genre that has been endlessly imitated around the world, but never quite perfected the way true pioneers of the artform did in Mississippi, Louisiana and Chicago in the middle of the twentieth century. It was from that era that Buddy Guy, the son of sharecroppers, would help blaze new trails for the blues that would forever alter the course of music itself. Now at age 86, Guy embarks on what he calls his “Damn Right Farewell Tour,” and music fans would do well to not miss this show with a true living legend.
Tickets
Tosco Music Party
When: Saturday, April 1
Where: Knight Theater
Music is known as the universal language, absolving us of the need to know any particular spoken language to understand or communicate a culture or story, allowing us to become immersed in any style of music, and that’s what Tosco Music Party celebrates. See more than a dozen area musicians come together to celebrate the community of music live on stage at Uptown’s Knight Theater.
Tickets
Of Good Nature
When: Saturday, April 8
Where: Visulite Theatre
Charlotte’s favorite rock, pop and party funk band makes a stop at the fan-favorite Visulite Theatre in April. In addition to core members Cameron Brown, Brandon Hucks, David Hamilton Jr. and Clifton Bundick, the band has also been performing with Charlotte saxophonist Harvey Cummings, introducing another spicy brass sound to the mix. Get your kicks at this show in one of Charlotte’s most unique venues.
Tickets
Masego: You Never Visit Me Tour
When: Sunday, April 9
Where: The Fillmore
A young and up-and-comer in the R&B world, Masego has created significant buzz thanks to his smooth and funky brand of music he calls “Traphouse Jazz.” The infectious, head-bopping “Tadow” became a staple of 2018 and helped make the release of Masego’s eponymous second album in 2023 a much anticipated one. Check out this young creative, who grew up in both South Carolina and Virginia, at Uptown’s THe Fillmore.
Tickets
The Wallflowers
When: Tuesday, April 18
Where: Neighborhood Theatre
Though the Wallflowers have gone through several different lineups, the one constant remains band leader Jakob Dylan. The Greenwich Village-born singer-songwriter has been the creative driving force throughout the band’s history, which includes several Grammy awards and nominations for 1996’s “Bringing Down the Horse.” Songs like “6th Avenue Heartache,” “One Headlight” and “Three Marlenas” are instantly recognizable to anyone from the MTV generation. See them live in the heart of NoDa this spring.
Tickets
Lil’ Wayne: Welcome To Tha Carter Tour
When: Thursday, April 20
Where: The Fillmore
It’s been almost 30 years since young Dwayne Carter from Hollygrove, New Orleans, burst onto the national rap radar as the youngest, but perhaps most talented, MC on the upstart Cash Money label. Five years later, Lil’ Wayne would forever etch his name into hip-hop and pop culture by coining the term “bling bling.” Make no mistake, Weezy F. Baby is recognized today as one of rap’s all-time greats thanks to his dazzling wordplay, one-of-a-kind flow and galactic creativity – not a catch phrase. Legends of any genre deserve your attention and Lil’ Wayne is no exception.
Tickets
Tuck Fest
When: April 21-23
Where: U.S. National Whitewater Center
An annual celebration of the outdoors, Tuck Fest returns to the U.S. National Whitewater Center for a three-day event with a little something for everyone. Tuck Fest features all kinds of live exhibitions, competitions, great food and vendors and, of course, live music. Headlined this year by Amanda Shires, Moon Taxi and Bahamas, Tuck Fest is something every Charlottean needs to be circling on their calendars.
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MAVI: Laughing So Hard, it Hurts World Tour
When: Saturday, April 22
Where: The Underground
Don’t look now, but Charlotte’s next homegrown rap star is already selling out shows in London and Paris. Hip-hop heads in the know have spoken feverishly about the young Queen City rapper’s intricate storytelling, emotional candidness and immersive stream-of-consciousness flow that fans of Earl Sweatshirt will surely appreciate. MAVI’s 2022 album “Laughing So Hard, it Hurts” was named Best New Music by Pitchfork and a sure-to-be sold out show at The Fillmore is a great way for Charlotteans to welcome him home. Tickets
Josiah Johnson
When: Saturday, April 30
Where: The Evening Muse
Known as one of the founders of Seattle-based indie folk band The Heat and the Heart, Josiah Johnson has been forging a solo path of his own since the release of his debut album “Every Feeling on a Loop” in 2020. This spring, Johnson makes a trip to NoDa’s beloved The Evening Muse to play a set of songs that promise to be authentic and refreshingly honest.
Tickets
Seal: World Tour 2023
When: Thursday, May 4
Where: Ovens Auditorium
While you may remember Seal from the 1996 Grammy-winning Song of the Year “Kiss From a Rose,” the British-born musician has a deep catalog worthy of a 30-year world tour. Celebrate hits like “Killer” and “Crazy” at historic Ovens Auditorium. Tickets
Breakaway Music Festival: Spring Carolina
When: May 6-7
Where: zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway
What’s quickly becoming a staple of the live music season in Charlotte is the Breakaway Music Festival, a celebration of EDM and house music, headlined this year by DJ and producer Deadmau5, as well as Zedd, Illenium and Tiësto. Hosted by the zMAX Dragway in Concord, Breakaway will cover two exciting days in May. Tickets
Jill Scott: Who is Jill Scott? Tour 2023
When: Tuesday, May 9
Where: Belk Theater
An indispensable voice in R&B celebrates 23 years since her landmark debut album “Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds: Volume 1” made the neo-soul singer from Philadelphia a nationally-known name. Discovered by Questlove (stylized ?uestlove) of The Roots, Scott’s first appearance came on the single “You Got Me,” writing and singing the chorus that MCA Records would eventually have Erykah Badu re-record due to Scott being a relative unknown at the time. Scott quickly made a name for herself on par with Badu, and on this tour will celebrate some of her biggest moments and brightest hits. Tickets
Janet Jackson: Together Again
When: Friday, May 12
Where: PNC Music Pavilion
At one time, Janet Jackson’s pop superstardom and influence rivaled that of her brother Michael. Irreplaceable hits like “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “All for You” wore out many CD players around the world. While Jackson's late-90s notoriety has shifted, she’s every bit the pop icon that helped define a genre and pave the path for many of today’s pop elite. Don’t miss this chance to see one of music’s true legends in the open-air PNC music Pavilion. Tickets
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising the Roof
When: Monday, May 15
Where: Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
Long gone are the days of golden gods and lemon squeezing for Robert Plant. And just as well, I’m sure he’d say, as he’s found an innate musical connection to country singer Allison Krauss. The duo have found a place writing and singing mournful country and folk songs, and the listening public has only wanted more. Nearly 16 years have passed since 2007’s debut “Raising Sand” and three since their most recent project “Raise the Roof” but the chemistry the two have make it sound like mere weeks. Tickets
Paramore: This is Why Tour
When: Thursday, May 23
Where: Spectrum Center
One of the premier post-emo pop punk bands makes their highly-anticipated return to touring after a pandemic-induced hiatus. Paramore’s latest release “This Is Why” has fans of the band eager to welcome them back to the stage. With lead singer Hayley Williams as explosive as ever, the band is using the tour and album to break out of the fog of the last few years. Expect high-energy and thrashing guitar play along with luscious melodies. Tickets
Dead & Company
When: Tuesday, May 30
Where: PNC Music Pavilion
Perhaps the most anticipated concert of the season, the final tour of this iteration of The Grateful Dead makes a stop in Charlotte at the end of May. Composed of original Dead members Bob Weir, Bill Hart and Mickey Kreutzmann (as well guitar player named John Mayer), this very well may be the last time we get to see original touring members of the Grateful Dead on tour. Break out the dancing bears and Steal Your Face shirts, and make one last trip down to Shakedown Street. Tickets
More Can't-Miss Concerts
Vance Joy
When: March 24
Where: The Fillmore
Ella Mai
When: April 25
Where: The Fillmore
The Goth Babe
When: May 3
Where: The Fillmore
The Backseat Lovers: Waiting to Spill the World
When: May 26
Where: The Fillmore
Bastille
When: June 14
Where: The Fillmore
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