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From Davidson to Ballantyne, outdoor concert series offer free and low-cost ways to enjoy live music all summer long
by Jay Ahuja
Since I started writing about concerts and venues for The Ledger, the primary feedback I’ve gotten over the past two years is about the high cost of attending shows, especially as a family. I get that.
The good news is that there are some affordable outdoor concert series across the region, for free or at a very reasonable ticket price.
Here’s a roundup of upcoming shows in our area:
A view from the stage at TD Amp Ballantyne’s Community Concert Series, one of many family-friendly, affordable concert series in the area. (Photo courtesy TD Amp Ballantyne)
Ballantyne Beats
The TD Amp presents Ballantyne Beats featuring local concerts on Friday nights at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are just $15 and are free for kids under 5.
July 31: Mo Money, a six-piece ensemble that plays genres ranging from modern pop to Motown.
Aug. 7: Tell Me Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band.
Sept. 11: The Broken Hearts, a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tribute band.
Tickets can be purchased at www.tdampballantyne.com.
Summer Pops
Also at Symphony Park, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Pops series on Sunday nights has similar restrictions, but tickets cost $18.59 for adults and $6.20 for teenagers. It started June 7 and continues the entire month. Kids 12 and under are free. Gates open at 5 p.m., a prelude performance is at 7 p.m., and the concerts start at 8:15 p.m. Most seating is general admission, but a reserved section can be accessed by purchasing a season pass.
June 14: Best of Broadway consists of showstoppers from the Golden Age of Broadway to modern hits.
June 21: Hollywood Hits is a collection of musical scores from iconic American films, with an emphasis on works by composer John Williams.
June 28: Celebrate America is another rousing evening of American music, closed out with a fireworks display worthy of the United States’ 250th birthday. Tickets are $25 at the gate or $7 for teenagers. Tickets for kids 12 and under are free.
Common Market Oakwold
In June, Common Market at 4420-A Monroe Road has live free music offerings that start at 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.
June 13 (today): Jason Herring and The Mystery Plan are a local indie-pop band that started a decade and a half ago as a duo by Jason Herring and Paul Jensen. They have since added five members. This show is at 7 p.m.
June 14: The Gator Gumbo Band is a high-energy Cajun, zydeco and Creole band that has been around for decades. This show is at 4:30 p.m.
June 21: Eastland Jazz Trio will play the first set. Afterward, other musicians are invited to sign up and play a pair of songs. This show is at 4:30 p.m.
June 28: The Leah Darling Band performs light rock, R&B, funk, soul and jazz. This show is at 4:30 p.m.
Davidson
The longest-running outdoor music series on this list is Concerts on the Green in Davidson. These events are on the Town Green and are typically held the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 6-8 p.m. Some shows are on Sundays.
June 14: Band of Oz, a beach music outfit.
June 27: September, an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band.
July 4: Yacht Rock Radio, yacht rock music.
Nearby, Concerts at the Circles (605 D, Jetton Street) will start with an opening act at 5 p.m. and the headliner performing at 7 p.m. The entire block of Jetton Street will be shut down from 12-10 p.m. on the days of these shows.
June 20: Crucial Fiya, a reggae band.
July 18: Buffett & Beyond, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.
Aug. 1: Rock the 90s, 1990s tribute.
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 retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station.
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ICYMI: Ledger’s Reporters’ Roundtable goes over the big stories of the past two weeks (including ‘Love Island')
Want to learn about the application process to become Charlotte’s next mayor, the data center moratorium, an emerging neighborhood north of NoDa, Carowinds’ next ride and the North Carolina tie in the latest season of “Love Island”?
Then check out the YouTube version of The Ledger’s latest Reporters’ Roundtable, a live Zoom conversation that took place yesterday afternoon with Ledger editors Tony Mecia, Ashley Fahey and Lindsey Banks, plus a guest appearance by Taylor Douglas, one of The Ledger’s summer interns.
This week in Charlotte: CMS passes free-speech policy; NC treasurer favors AI over SpaceX; American suspends two routes amid war; Longtime nonprofit leader to retire
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 approves student free-speech policy: (WBTV) The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted 7-2 to adopt a new student free-speech policy that takes effect this fall, months after a controversy over a political message painted on an Ardrey Kell High School spirit rock that sparked a federal lawsuit.
Politics
NC treasurer favors AI investments over SpaceX: (CNBC) State Treasurer Brad Briner said North Carolina’s pension fund has invested heavily in AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic while passing on a direct stake in SpaceX, arguing the aerospace company’s lofty valuation leaves less room for future gains.
Local news
Data center pause highlights growth debate: (Ledger🔒) Charlotte’s 150-day moratorium on new data centers is fueling broader questions about how the city balances growth, regulation and business interests as its political landscape evolves.
American suspends two routes at CLT amid war: (WBTV) American Airlines will temporarily suspend its Charlotte-to-Ontario and Charlotte-to-Sacramento routes in August and September, due to rising jet fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Area parks system ranks 90 out of 100 cities: (Axios) Charlotte-Mecklenburg remains near the bottom of the Trust for Public Land’s annual park rankings, placing 90th out of the 100 largest U.S. park systems, though county officials argue the methodology unfairly penalizes its sprawling geography and fragmented park network.
Business
Longtime nonprofit leader plans retirement: (Ledger on LinkedIn) Carol Hardison, who has led Crisis Assistance Ministry for 26 years, plans to retire in early 2027 after overseeing the organization’s expansion into one of Charlotte’s leading housing stability nonprofits.
Hospital systems defend proposed merger: (Business North Carolina) Atrium Health and WakeMed leaders made their case to Wake County commissioners this week, arguing the combination would strengthen the Raleigh-based system and support future growth. The proposal remains under review amid concerns from some state officials and competing offers from other health systems.
8 local companies on Fortune 500: (Observer/Yahoo News) The Charlotte region is home to eight companies on the Fortune 500 list this year, one more than last year, with the addition of Davidson-based industrial manufacturer Ingersoll Rand. Bank of America was again the region’s largest public company, at No. 20 overall.
Sports
Military World Games releases venues: (Ledger🔒) Organizers of the 2027 Military World Games say more than 20 sites across North and South Carolina will host competitions, with UNC Charlotte serving as the main hub for athletes and many events.
Wolfpack gets commitment from Rip’s son: (Yahoo Sports) A high school offensive lineman from Florida named Colt Houser committed this week to play for N.C. State’s football team. He might be better known as the son of actor Cole Houser, who plays Rip on TV series “Yellowstone” and “Dutton Ranch.”
New football coach is dad of NFL QB: (Observer, subscriber-only) Myers Park High School has hired Duke Howell, the father of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell, as its next head football coach.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
The Panthers’ relationship-builder. Plus: Toll lanes planned for Independence; Readers weigh in on 'The Charlotte Way'; Toppman reviews Bechtler exhibition; 8 local companies on Fortune 500; Inmate dies in Mecklenburg jail; Area parks rank 90 out of 100; American suspends two routes
Wednesday (🔒)
Data center pause highlights growth debate. Plus: City passes budget with tax increase; Red-light camera plan detailed; Venues chosen for Military Games; Log flume ride for Carowinds; Mayor candidates; Last day of school today
Friday (🔒)
Atrium land deal clears way for 1,200 homes. Plus: Liquor suppliers rumble with N.C. ABC Commission over price drops; High-end housing hangs on; Mayor replacement contest heads toward finale; Real Estate Whispers; World Cup guide
10 things to know for the World Cup: Primer for the world's premier soccer tournament coming to the Americas through mid-July, with a crash course on the U.S. men's national team; plus Charlotte FC poised to sign French winger
A modern griot at the Bechtler: 'David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale' runs through Aug. 23 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte’s CRE newcomers. Plus: City’s planning director has bold population prediction for Charlotte; New life for building near Blue Line station?; Plaza Midwood uproar; Analysis of data center moratorium; Opportunity Zone deadline extended; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. buys area distribution center