Good morning! Today is Saturday, July 25, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Today’s Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by Atrium Health Levine Children’s. Since 2007, Atrium Health Levine Children’s has led the Carolinas in children’s care – helping reimagine the future of pediatrics nationwide.
From Hilary Duff to James Taylor, this summer’s live music scene is packed with some heavy hitters and hidden gems
Pianist David Benoit will perform two shows at Middle C Jazz Club on Aug. 2. (Photo courtesy of Rebecka Nelli/Middle C Jazz)
by Jay Ahuja
As July rolls into August, the summer concert calendar is heating up. Here’s a look at acts heading our way.
On July 30, John Mellencamp returns to Truliant Amphitheatre with his Dancing Words Tour, where he promises to play his greatest hits.
A show I’m looking forward to is Tame Impala, the psychedelic band led by Australian singer and instrumentalist Kevin Parker at Spectrum Center on Aug. 1. That same night, Hilary Duff is performing at Truliant. Middle C Jazz is bringing pianist David Benoit for two shows at 5 p.m. and 7:30 on Aug. 2. Raleigh’s own American Aquarium is an alt-country band that will be at Neighborhood Theatre on Aug. 5. English folk-rockers Mumford & Sons will take over Spectrum Center on Aug. 9. Two nights later, music fans will have to choose between Scottish rockers, Franz Ferdinand at Neighborhood and Brit Floyd at Ovens Auditorium. As cover bands go, Brit Floyd is next level, and their shows are quite the extravaganza.
Another first-rate cover band is Same As It Ever Was. This Talking Heads tribute will be at the Visulite Theatre on Aug. 28. This same venue one night later hosts Macon, Ga., jam-grass band Jupiter Coyote. That same night, at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater, you can expect long jams and a bunch of classic songs from Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors.
September starts with 11-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile at Spectrum Center on the 1st with indie folk rockers The Head and The Heart opening. Worth noting: Carlile has also won two Emmys and been nominated for an Academy Award.
Speaking of awards, Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter Will Hoge will be at The Evening Muse for a show with reserved seats and standing-room-only spots on Sept. 12. This show is already getting tight. On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, Iron Maiden will be at Truliant that same night.
Also at Truliant, James Taylor and His All-Star Band will be there on Sept. 13. John Fogerty, the former leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, will bring his stellar songbook of solo songs and CCR hits to Truliant on Sept. 16. Steve Winwood will be there with Fogerty, so that should be a terrific evening of classic rock.
That same night, Phantogram, the electronic indie duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, from Greenwich, N.Y., will be at The Fillmore. The very next night, North Mississippi Allstars will perform their repertoire of American blues and Southern rock at Neighborhood Theatre. This band, from Hernando, Miss., is led by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson.
On the 19th, Australian rockers Jet will be at The Underground. R&B fans will be excited to know that TLC and Salt-N-Pepa will play a double bill at Truliant on Sept. 20. And for something completely different, percussionist and vocalist Cyril Neville, who was with both The Meters and Neville Brothers, will be performing the music of The Grateful Dead at Neighborhood Theatre on Sept. 22.
Wrapping up the summer concert season, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs original scores from Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes classics, including “What’s Opera, Doc?” and “The Rabbit of Seville,” with George Daugherty conducting, while cartoons play on the big screen. At the risk of revealing too much, this show was my introduction to CSO decades ago. This year, it is at Belk Theater on Sept. 25 and 26.
Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and one dog. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He has retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station and has started working on a new documentary with his partners at Ahujadaddy Films.
Today's supporting sponsor is Atrium Health Levine Children’s. Since 2007, Atrium Health Levine Children’s has led the Carolinas in children’s care – helping reimagine the future of pediatrics nationwide.
This week in Charlotte: Local ripple effects of cyclospora outbreak; New figure for Charlotte region newcomers; Charlotte foreclosures jump; Duke halves rate increase
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
CMS superintendent receives $14K off-cycle payment: (Ledger🔒) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools paid Superintendent Crystal Hill an additional $14,322 while she remains on paid leave, which appears to be a payment for a retroactive raise as outlined in her contract. The district says its outside investigation should wrap up within the next few weeks.
Many students use cellphones in school despite state law: (NC Local) Despite a bipartisan bill signed last year that limited how and when students could use their cellphones in schools, varying local policies mean students can still use their phones during the school day.
Politics
Harrington reports no financial conflicts: (Ledger🔒) Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington disclosed no potential financial conflicts on his annual statement of economic interest, listing only his Cotswold home as a real estate holding. The filing also reported no significant company ownership or nonprofit roles that could be affected by city decisions.
Commissioners maintain strong attendance: (Observer, subscriber-only) Mecklenburg County commissioners attended more than 90% of meetings on average between January 2025 and mid-2026, with Susan Rodriguez-McDowell posting the highest attendance rate at 98.7%.
State board approves stricter mail ballot rules: (WFAE) The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved new absentee ballot rules that could lead to more mail ballots being rejected if voters do not follow envelope requirements. The changes, which split the board along party lines, require approval before taking effect.
Elections board withholds voter names: State election officials are declining to release the names of more than 34,000 deceased voters identified on North Carolina’s voter rolls, citing potential investigations and legal restrictions. (NC Local)
Local news
Gut check for Charlotte’s food industry: (Ledger🔒) Fears over a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak are rippling across Charlotte, prompting some shoppers to seek out local farmers while grocery stores and restaurants adapt to recalls and shifting consumer habits.
New figure for Charlotte region newcomers: (Ledger🔒) An updated analysis from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance shows an average of 135 people move to the Charlotte region each day, down from 157 a year ago.
Charlotte foreclosures jump: (Ledger🔒) About 1 in 500 homes in the Charlotte metro faced a foreclosure filing during the first half of the year, up 71% from the same period in 2025.
West Nile virus detected in county mosquitoes: (Press Release) The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health has detected West Nile virus in a mosquito sample collected this month, though no human cases have been reported.
Business
Settlement trims energy rate increase: (WFAE) Duke Energy Carolinas has agreed to cut its proposed rate increase roughly in half under a new settlement, reducing its requested return on equity after customer opposition. If approved, residential electric bills would rise 5.9% in 2027 and 3.6% in 2028, adding about $6.50 a month for the average customer.
American says it could lose money: American Airlines said higher ticket sales are being outweighed by sharply rising jet fuel costs, prompting the airline to warn it could lose money this quarter and lower its outlook for the rest of the year despite strong travel demand.
Sports
BofA Stadium renderings for $1.3B renovations: (Ledger) New renderings released Thursday offer a first look at the $1.3B renovation of Bank of America Stadium. The announcement coincided with an extension of Bank of America's stadium naming rights agreement with the Carolina Panthers. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who attended the event, said Charlotte could eventually host a Super Bowl or NFL Draft as the city continues to grow.
Military World Games venue deals still pending: (Ledger) Several Charlotte sites promoted as hosts for the 2027 Military World Games have not yet finalized agreements with organizers. American Legion Memorial Stadium and Truist Field are among the venues still working through availability and other details.
Panthers win on the Runway: Thursday night’s episode of fashion competition show Project Runway imposed a challenge in which four teams of three designers created a three-piece mini collection inspired by their NFL team of choice. The challenge’s winning team chose, you guessed it, Charlotte’s own Carolina Panthers. Read a recap of the episode here.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Searching for courage across party lines. Plus: Toppman reviews “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors”; Checking in on Military World Games venues; Charlotte FC's return this week; New rules for Thanksgiving parade?; Charlotte Water's top customers; Dozens of heat illnesses at uptown concerts
Wednesday (🔒)
Gut check for Charlotte’s food industry. Plus: Charlotte foreclosure rate rises; New mayor reports no financial conflicts; Latest alcohol violations; New podcast on liberal arts colleges; West Nile found in local mosquitoes; Duke halves rate increase
Friday (🔒)
Club West cuts jobs amid focus on taproom. Plus: New figure for Charlotte region newcomers; CMS superintendent receives $14K off-cycle payment; Levine Museum of the New South's plans; 24 Hours of Booty begins; New BofA Stadium renderings
Summer roster shuffle resumes: As Charlotte FC continues to reshape its roster during the summer transfer window, winger Kerwin Vargas appears close to a transfer to Brazil, while teammate Liel Abada has also drawn overseas interest. Plus, Charlotte prepares to host the MLS All-Star Game next week.
Run from the sun, toward the laughter: “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” runs through Aug. 9 at Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.
The Levine Museum’s South End vision. Plus: Consultant evaluates city’s development processes; Next phase for The Colony project in SouthPark; Charlotte’s Q2 office market by the numbers; Hines exec talks Design Center deal; More on future Ballantyne project; Octapharma incentives renegotiated; SouthPark rezoning