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From legends to rising stars, the city’s stages will showcase reggae, rock, country, jazz and more this season
Billie Eilish, seen here performing in The Netherlands in 2019, comes to the Spectrum Center for two shows in October. (Ben Houdijk/Shutterstock)
By Jay Ahuja
Charlotte’s fall music calendar is stacked — reggae, rock, country, classical, blues, jazz and more. Here are a few standouts you won’t want to miss:
The Amp at Ballantyne jumps in first on Sept. 21 with a reggae double bill: Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear. The next night, Sept. 22, Vance Joy — the Australian singer-songwriter behind “Riptide” and “Mess Is Mine” — takes over Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. Then on Sept. 26, pianist Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers team up with the Charlotte Symphony at The Amp for a genre-bending night.
Sept. 27 brings Connecticut jam band Goose to PNC Music Pavilion, where their marathon sets keep fans buzzing until the last note. That same night, the Steep Canyon Rangers deliver bluegrass fire at Knight Theater. On Sept. 28, blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis — a Charlotte favorite from his Double Door Inn days — rocks the Neighborhood Theatre. And to wrap up the month, country legend Lyle Lovett headlines Knight Theater on Sept. 29.
Speaking of Knight Theater, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brandy Clark share the stage there on Oct. 4 — the same night J.J. Grey & Mofro roll into The Amp. Blues guitarist Samantha Fish opens that show, and don’t be surprised if she steals the spotlight.
Guitar wizard Eric Johnson brings his blues-rock mastery to The Carolina Theatre on Oct. 17, while uptown heats up with Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour playing two sets at Middle C Jazz. Ritenour’s résumé is staggering — he’s worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to B.B. King and Pink Floyd.
Catch Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour at Middle C in October. Jazz (Photo courtesy of Middle C Jazz)
On Oct. 18, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Little Feat team up for a powerhouse double bill at PNC Music Pavilion. Then, the Spectrum Center hosts two icons back-to-back: Billie Eilish plays Oct. 19-20, followed by Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks on Oct. 21.
New wave fans will have a field day Oct. 24 when the B-52s and Devo take over PNC Music Pavilion. That same weekend, the Charlotte Symphony performs Beethoven’s Fifth at Knight Theater on Oct. 24–25, led by conductor Tianyi Lu. And across town on Oct. 25, country star Lainey Wilson headlines the Spectrum Center.
November keeps the momentum going. Grammy-winning country and bluegrass singer Kathy Mattea hits the Cain Center on Nov. 1. Rising stars A.J. Lee & Blue Summit — who packed The Evening Muse last time they were here — return for a Nov. 6 show at Neighborhood Theatre with their shimmering blend of bluegrass, Americana and folk. The next night, Nov. 7, Greensky Bluegrass electrifies The Fillmore with their jam-grass style, while Pigeons Playing Ping Pong funk things up at Neighborhood Theatre. On Nov. 8, Delta blues powerhouse Tab Benoit and his 1972 Fender Telecaster bring Otis Redding-like soul to Neighborhood Theatre.
The Visulite Theatre hosts Richmond’s Carbon Leaf on Nov. 20, delivering their signature alt-country, Celtic-tinged indie rock. And one of the city’s true annual treasures, The Last Waltz Experience, returns to the Visulite on Nov. 28. Since 2011, Josh Daniel & Friends have been channeling The Band’s legendary farewell concert — complete with classics from Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and more. If you haven’t been, take it from me: Don’t miss it again.
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 serves on the Charlotte advisory Board of North Carolina Outward Bound School and recently retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Arts+. Drop your grade K-5 students off at the Arts+ Community Campus on Wednesdays from Sept. 17 to Oct. 22 from 3:30-6:15 p.m., and get more time back in your afternoon!
This week in Charlotte: Food Network loves Lang Van; CMPD chief settlement investigation completed; CMS board split over contract; N.C. mountains hope for rebound
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.
Politics
Voters oust 2 City Council incumbents: (Ledger) Democratic Charlotte City Council incumbents Tiawana Brown and Marjorie Molina lost to challengers in Tuesday’s primary election, while other incumbents won easily.
Settlement investigation completed: (Office of State Auditor) The Office of the State Auditor released its investigation into the city of Charlotte’s secret $305,000 settlement with police Chief Johnny Jennings. It recommended that the city improve transparency in settlement reporting, release meeting minutes in a timely fashion and re-evaluate use of the general fund for settlements. The city disputed some of the findings.
Local news
Light rail stabbing goes national: The Aug. 22 light rail stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska became national news following the release of the video of the killing by the Charlotte Area Transit System. Politicians called for tougher enforcement and more anti-crime policies, while state and federal officials said they planned investigations.
Food Network host loves Lang Van: The host of the Food Network show “Top Chef,” which is filming its upcoming season in Charlotte, said her most memorable dish since she has been here is the Vietnamese pancake at Lang Van. “I’ve had it now three times. Delicious. That has been my most frequented restaurant,” she told the publication Unpretentious Palate.
Education
JWU Charlotte launches three-year hospitality degree: (Press release) Johnson & Wales University is introducing a three-year bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at its Charlotte campus, the first in-person program of its kind in the Southeast. The program is designed to reduce costs and get students into the workforce faster, with the first class starting in fall 2026.
CMS board split over consultant contract: (Observer, subscriber-only) After new state data showed strong academic gains, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education members defended a six-figure consulting contract with SYDKIMYL that raised questions earlier this year over family ties to the district.
Business
Seven new retailers coming to SouthPark: (WBTV) The shopping center will add seven stores by the end of 2025, including Boll & Branch, New Balance, Reformation and more.
Mountains hope for tourists: (Ledger 🔒) Businesses in the N.C. mountains are hoping for a rebound in visitors this fall, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene put a stop to tourism in the crucial leaf-changing season.
Sports
The Carolina Panthers lost their opening game to the Jacksonville Jaguars, raising questions of whether this will be another tough season for Panthers fans. The Dilworth Neighborhood Grille updated its marquee after the loss, posting “Great opening day, just not for the Panthers.”
Charlotte FC goes for record: (Fútbol Friday) Charlotte FC hopes to tie an MLS record with its ninth straight victory on Saturday, at home against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Will Duke Health shake up Charlotte healthcare? Plus: Lyles chides media for sharing stabbing video; Remembering lawyer Russell Robinson; 'Roofman' movie gets early Charlotte premiere; Wealthiest Charlotte ZIP codes
Wednesday (🔒)
Voters toss 2 incumbents off Charlotte City Council. Plus: Stabbing video gains national attention; Spotlight on local teen recovery school; Pay for city employees; 7 new retailers coming to SouthPark Mall; Johnson & Wales launches 3-year degree
Friday (🔒)
The mountains are calling. Plus: ABC Commission fines Queen Park Social; Review of CAST's 'The Sunset Limited'; Ledger wins national award; Legislative leaders vow to get tougher on crime; 'Top Chef' host loves Lang Van
Ways of Life (🔒)
In memoriam: John Barringer, founder of the predecessor of Park Road Books. Also remembered: Entrepreneur who founded Bryant Realty; a First Union Bank executive; a leader in mental health advocacy; an elementary school secretary at Rama Road and Landsdowne
Charlotte cyclists are calling for a mindset shift: The $25B transit plan on November’s ballot promises 144 miles of new bike lanes and more racks at bus stops, but many Charlotte cyclists say safety won’t improve without a cultural change on the roads.
‘The Sunset Limited’: Wrestling with hope and nothing: It runs through Sept. 27 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St., at Johnson C. Smith University.
Charlotte FC shoots for a record against Miami; Coach Dean Smith on being sidelined for one game; why the upper deck will remain closed
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