16 must-see concerts and performances coming this spring
Concert season is upon us, Charlotteans.
As a city we can have a little musical chip on our shoulder. In the past, citizens have grumbled that Charlotte gets skipped by some of the big touring acts. I was one of those people when I saw that my BFF, Pink (and, I don’t care about your pop music induced eye rolls – she is a bad ass), wasn’t bringing her tour to the Queen City.
However, we shouldn’t despair. While we wait on the megastars to come later this spring and summer, there is already an incredible music and cultural scene that you can check out every week in Charlotte. Here are 16 must-see concerts and performances:
breatheINK Youth Poetry Slam
Knight Gallery at Spirit Square
345 N College St
breatheINK, a performance poetry based organization, is hosting a poetry slam that is open to all 13-19 year olds.
When: March 9, 8 p.m.
Charlotte Ballet: “The Most Incredible Thing”
Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts
430 S Tryon St
“The Most Incredible Thing”, a fairytale pop performance that combines a Hans Christian Andersen fable and music from the Pet Shop Boys, makes its American debut in Charlotte.
When: March 9-18, Various Times
Dirty Art Club (Record Release) w/ Don Telling’s Island Mysteries, Zodiac Lovers, Blank Ocean
Snug Harbor
1228 Gordon St
via Dirty Art Club’s Instagram
Dirty Art Club, a Charlotte-based group that fuses sample-based instrumentals with analog and digital instrumentation, is hosting its record release for Basement Seance at Snug Harbor.
When: March 10, 10 p.m.
Chris Tapper
The Evening Muse
3227 N. Davidson St.
The New York Times called the soulful voice of Chris Tapper “classic pop perfection”.
When: March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Jeezy
The Fillmore
820 Hamilton St
via The Cold Summer Tour showcases the unique style and swagger that has made Jeezy-believers out of Fabolous and P. Diddy.
When: March 11, 8 p.m.
Tony Bennett
Ovens Auditorium
2700 East Independence Blvd.
There are legends and then there is Tony Bennett. With a career spanning more than six decades and 19 Grammy Awards, Bennett and his signature sound is nothing short of an international treasure.
When: March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Green River Revival
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
The ninth annual Green River Revival kicks off the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s festival season – and, they turn the river green. This year’s event will be headlined by Kevin Maines and the Volts (on stage at 1:30) and Rebirth Brass Band (on stage at 3:30).
When: March 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The One that Got Away
Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square
345 N College St
See what unfolds when a family’s secrets, lies, lust and jealousy meet in a powerful production written and directed by Ron A. Miller, of R&M Productions.
When: March 10, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Waitress
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 North Tryon St.
“Waitress”, inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film and showcasing the original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, was called a “monumental contribution to Broadway” by Marie Claire.
When: March 13-18, Various times
Cigarettes After Sex
The Underground
820 Hamilton St
via Cigarettes After Sex’s Instagram
The Brooklyn by way of El Paso band brings its ambient pop sound to the Underground.
When: March 29, 9 p.m.
The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour
Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St
via Comedian Kevin Hart brings his special mix of goofiness and self-deprecating humor to the Spectrum Center. Hart most recently starred in “Jumanji”, alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jack Black, which has brought in more than $800 million worldwide.
When: March 31, 7 p.m.
90’s Block Party
Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St
Guy, Teddy Riley, 112, Tank and Ginuwine kick it old school with their smooth New Jack Swing brand of R&B and hip hop.
When: April 6, 7:30 p.m.
Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band
PNC Music Pavilion
707 Pavilion Blvd
via Shine up your tailgating flip flops because the indefatigable Jimmy Buffett brings his “I Don’t Know Tour” to PNC Music Pavilion.
When: April 7, 8 p.m.
The Eagles
Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St
via Founding member, the late Glenn Frey’s son, Deacon Frey, and special guest Vince Gill join Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit for “An Evening with the Eagles”.
When: April 11, 8 p.m.
Tuck Fest
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Tuck Fest is a premier multi-day festival that celebrates getting outdoors. In addition to competitions, exhibitions and demos, Tuck Fest features some impressive musical acts including: Shaky Graves, The Wood Brothers, Deer Tick and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
When: April 19-22, Various times
Bon Jovi
Spectrum Center
333 E Trade St
via 2018 Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Bon Jovi, bring their “This House is Not For Sale” tour to the Queen City in April.
When: April 21, TBA
Additional notable summer concerts:
Spectrum Center:
May 16: James Taylor with Bonnie Raitt
June 9: Journey and Def Leppard
PNC Music Pavilion:
May 10: Steely Dan with the Doobie Brothers
May 11 : Kenny Chesney
May 16: Post Malone
June 29: Luke Bryan
June 30: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Feature photo: Joan Marcus
This story was originally published March 8, 2018 at 9:00 PM with the headline "16 must-see concerts and performances coming this spring."