Your 2018 fall music guide to must-see shows from October through December
Summer is great: lazy Sundays by the pool, BLTS with heirloom tomatoes, ice-cold drinks after sweating in the sun. But then there’s also 97-degree days and 88-degree nights, network reruns, blood-suckin ‘skeeters, and the empty vacuum in my soul that is the Panthers off-season… Okay, now I’m over summer. Bring on fall.
Celebrate the new season by planning out your calendar of music using this guide to upcoming shows in the last few months of 2018:
Tuesday, October 2
Bill Murray with Jan Vogler, and Friends
Comedy legend Bill Murray met violinist, Jan Vogler, on a plane, which started this unlikely performing duo. Expect from Vogler, beautifully played stringed music and expect from Murray oddly curated excerpts from Mark Twain and James Fenimore Cooper sprinkled with show tunes. But it should be a night of fun with Murray’s impeccable comedic timing and years of experience for performances like this. So, he has that going for him, which is nice.
Thursday, October 4
Led by the unblemished face of Adam Levine, Maroon 5 has evolved over the past 17 years to remain popular to a wide spectrum of ages.
Friday, October 5
Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker and Russell Dickerson @ PNC Music Pavilion
If you only know Rucker as ‘Hootie,’ then you should definitely check out his brand of country music. Nashville-based band Lady Antebellum and Rucker will close their Summer Plays On tour in the Queen City.
Tuesday, October 9
Alice Cooper—a Paranormal Evening @ Ovens Auditorium
With 27 studio albums under his belt, Alice Cooper is a heavy-metal icon. “Does this guy know how to party, or what, huh?”
Wednesday, October 10
‘Slide’ on over and catch this band perform hits that stretch back to the early 90s. Expect a greatest hits of sorts with this type of show.
October 10-November 4
Hamilton: an American Musical @ Belk Theater
Mega-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster musical features songs ranging from pop to soul to hip-hop and is a can’t-miss occasion in Charlotte’s music scene. Rumor: Hamilton may make it to the silver-screen soon…
Thursday, October 11
Chris Stapleton @ PNC Music Pavilion
From Rolling Stone: “He may appear to be a thick-bearded Seventies outlaw-country throwback, but make no mistake: Chris Stapleton is a soul singer.” Oh, I’ll be there for sure.
Thursday, October 11
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band @ Visulite Theatre
The funk that exudes from this band lights up the stage—literally. I’ve been to a private wedding show they’ve played where the electricity went out. So, they grabbed their horns and did an acoustic set complete with a Michael Jackson tribute. Only second to the bride, it was the talk of the wedding weekend.
Saturday, October 13
This jam band has been playing together for three decades. Expect long, tight grooves in this sweet new venue in South End.
Thursday, October 18
During his long career, Polish-born pianist Emanuel Ax has performed with heavy-hitting performers like Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma, winning two Grammys and many other achievement awards in the process.
Kyle Bridges Live Fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation @ Draught Charlotte
Singing and playing guitar is only a side gig for Kyle Bridges, but don’t let that fool you. Bridges’ North Carolina twang harmonizes perfectly with his honky-tonk country sound. And with all proceeds going to such a worthy cause, this is a show fit for starting off your boot-scootin’ weekend early.
Saturday, October 20
Lead singer and founding member John Popper’s style of music ranges from jam to soul to blues. And no one can top his incendiary harmonica solos.
Sunday, October 21
Hopefully rapper Lil Xan is healed up from his hot Cheetos injury last week to put on a good show for his Charlotte fans.
Monday, October 22
Still rockin’ for over 35 years, Metallica is legendary in the canon of heavy metal music.
Saturday, October 27
Halloween Spooktacular @ Knight Theater
Dress up in your best Halloween outfit (maybe leave the sexy John Oliver outfit at home) and listen to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra play the shrill out of your favorite scary tunes from Jaws to Harry Potter.
Sunday, October 28
Dweezil Zappa @ McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
Trippy rock icon Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil, will play a collection of dad’s tunes in this intimate concert in Uptown.
So So Def Anniversary Cultural Curren$y Tour @ Spectrum Center
Ten groups and individual artists including legends, Jermaine Dupri and Anthony Hamilton, will perform at this Sunday night show.
Thursday, November 1
A Perfect Circle @ Bojangles Coliseum
This year, A Perfect Circle released its first album in almost a decade and a half. Lead singer Maynard James Keenan is a busy man so that’s understandable. Expect tattoos, thrash dancing, and hard-bending bass lines.
Friday, November 2
St. Lucia and Arkells @ The Underground
I freakin’ love everything about St. Lucia’s songs “Dancing on Glass” and “Walking Away.” They sound much like the 80s music I force my wife to listen to on road trips—but with a definite EDM backbone. Think Devo sped up 150 percent.
Kandace Springs @ Stage Door Theater
Her voice is electric and her music is clean and melodic. Hopefully Springs will play her version of Etta James’ “At Last.” She does it full justice. The Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts will certainly be a venue to showcase her style of music to its fullest potential.
Tuesday, November 6
Walk Off the Earth @ The Fillmore Charlotte
WOTE is known for their wacky on-stage antics and custom-made instruments they tend to exchange between songs. This should be a fun midweek show.
(Worth mentioning: Elton John @ Spectrum Center: Sir Elton John is a living legend and this show on Nov. 6, 2019, just announced for his final tour, will sell out quickly.)
Friday, November 9
At age 77, Dylan’s deeply personal lyrics have been major influences on countless songwriters for half a century, from The Beatles to Tom Petty. This would be one to tell your grandchildren about—which will be easy because you may run into them at the show.
Saturday, November 10
The Dirty Guv’Nahs @ Neighborhood Theatre
After a farewell tour in 2015, the Dirty Guv’nahs have reunited to play select cities between spending time with their families.
Steep Canyon Rangers @ Knight Theater
This six-piece bluegrass band is widely respected in the Americana music scene. This should be a tight, professional show with plenty of alternating bass lines and walk ups.
Saturday, November 17
Southside Watt @ The Visulite Theatre
A true amalgamation of country, bluegrass, and hip-hop—Charlotte’s own Southside Watt will make you stand up and dance with their intense vibes or make you stand out for not joining in the party.
Saturday, December 8
Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ The Spectrum Center
With the holidays comes super fast electronic symphony music. It is to Christmas like “Eye of the Tiger” is to Rocky.
Thursday, December 13
The Shana Blake Band at Smokey Joe’s Cafe
This fun cover band from Charlotte is perfect for grabbing a seat early, and kickin’ back with a few friends to start an early weekend right—and maybe close out the year if you have the vacation days.
Thursday, December 20
Lisa De Novo at Growler USA Ballantyne
Charlotte artist, Lisa De Novo, has been described as “bubblegum blues,” playing acoustic guitar and singing originals while covering the likes of Johnny Cash and others.
This story was originally published October 2, 2018 at 2:01 AM with the headline "Your 2018 fall music guide to must-see shows from October through December."