Does Charlotte have a live music problem?

I don’t think Charlotte has a live music problem. If you look in the right places, there are ample live music opportunities to find: Jazz at Blue Restaurant & Bar. Jazz at the Bechtler. Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops — or any Symphony concert. Summer live music series in shopping centers like Blakeney and Stonecrest. Concerts at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Not to mention big concert venues like The Fillmore, Spectrum Center and PNC Pavilion.

So why did Charlotte Center City Partners recently launch a Music Everywhere initiative to strengthen Charlotte’s sense of value for live music? A press release explained that CCCP “will foster a thriving music scene … so that Charlotte is renowned for music.”

The root of the initiative is supporting an environment that is friendly to live music, music creators, the business of music, emerging music talent and Charlotte’s music stories (from The Avett Brothers to Arthur Smith).

“Music is foundational for the greatest places in the world,” said Michael Smith, President & CEO of CCCP. He also expressed a concern that talent may be under-supported and under-appreciated in Charlotte.

If Charlotte is meant to become one of the greatest places in the world because of its music scene, I’ll agree that we have room to grow.

First, there’s no obvious resource that points me to daily live music events. At least the Google search toolbar exists, and I’ve landed in places like Snug Harbor, The Evening Muse and the Neighborhood Theatre as a result.

Second, local venues have been shutting down, like Tremont Music Hall, Amos’ Southend, the Double Door Inn and The Chop Shop.

Interestingly, Phil Pucci, a musician and the organizer behind local music festival Reverb Fest, said that the streak of venue closings didn’t necessarily make him think the quality of Charlotte’s music scene was dipping.

“But,” he said, “maybe like potential fest throwers might be like, this is maybe not the city to do this in because shit is shutting down, you know?”

I do know — I get that our shutting down of venues makes it look like our city isn’t crazy about music.

But I still don’t think Charlotte has a live music problem. Despite the shit shutting down, I’ve recently been able to soak up live music all over town — at the USNWC, at Belk Theater uptown and even at Namastay Kitchen in Cotswold. Because I wanted to. Because I looked for it.

We have a fun live music scene here, you just have to make a point to look.

Meanwhile, CCCP’s Music Everywhere initiative states an intentionality to deepen the way Charlotte values its live music scene. AvidXChange is onboard as presenting sponsor. Now the two partners need to decide how to move forward in creating a strategic vision plan. Next steps could include bringing together artists and business and civic leadership for study and focus groups.

I’m curious to see what comes of it. I’m curious to see if Charlotte is one day known for its music.

But I’m satisfied by the live music offerings Charlotte has coming up in the meantime. From this weekend’s Reverb Fest, to the May 12 Blumenthal Performing Arts’ open mic night, to the next Tosco Music Party in June.

Let’s go listen.

Photo: Katie Toussaint

This story was originally published April 27, 2017 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Does Charlotte have a live music problem?."