Looking for a concert more off the beaten path? Try one of these 7 smaller local venues.
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Back in the Groove
The Observer’s spring 2022 concert preview has everything you need to enjoy live music again. From 22 cant-miss concerts to some tips to make the most out of your experience, check out our guide for the return of live performances.
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Live music is back — big-time. 22 can’t-miss concerts around Charlotte to enjoy this spring
Want to make the most out of going to a concert in Charlotte? These are our top tips.
Looking for a concert more off the beaten path? Try one of these 7 smaller local venues.
Live music is back (we hope). What have you missed most and who do you want to see in ’22?
If you’re looking for a concert-going experience that’s perhaps more intimate and more eclectic, here’s a quick roundup of some of our favorite small to mid-sized music venues in Charlotte.
Coyote Joe’s, 4621 Wilkinson Blvd.: Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Eric Church and many, many other huge Nashville stars cut their teeth playing shows at this venerable country-music nightclub in west Charlotte. A sampling of who’s coming soon: Michael Ray (April 1), Brian Kelley (April 29) and Jon Langston (May 6).
Middle C Jazz, 300 S. Brevard St.: It was a gamble when it opened uptown in October 2019, and COVID didn’t help. But the hip club co-founded by Larry Farber and his son Adam has become a happening place for high-quality live jazz. A sampling of who’s coming soon: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (April 7), Marion Meadows (May 6-8) and Jonathan Butler (June 3-4).
Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.: The storied music club closed down in 2016 ... but reopened a few years later and has found its niche again in the scene and routinely lands cool, edgy artists, despite heavy competition for heavy-rock shows from Live Nation’s The Underground. A sampling of who’s coming soon: The Maine (March 27), Moonchild (April 6) and Stryper (May 13).
Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.: A three-tiered theater in the Elizabeth neighborhood, it features great variety in terms of genres, as well as some of the best-sounding acoustics in any music venue in Charlotte. A sampling of who’s coming soon: Nattali Rize (March 27), Town Mountain (April 29) and Robert Earl Keen (June 7).
Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.: Blumenthal Performing Arts Center owns and operates this beautiful venue in the southern heart of uptown. It hosts an array of cultural events, but often has live music offerings from fairly big names. A sampling of who’s coming soon: Boney James (April 10), Little Feat (April 24) and Andy Grammer (June 17).
The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St.: This NoDa Arts District club is the smallest on the list, with a capacity of just 80 for seated shows and 120 for standing ones. What that means is you’re able to have an incredibly intimate experience with a constant stream of indie artists. A sampling of who’s coming soon: Zachary Williams (March 25), Banshee Tree (April 23) and Red Clay Strays (May 25).
Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St.: Also in NoDa, but more of a concert-hall-style venue, with a capacity of nearly 1,000. Like Amos’, it has a long tradition of drawing in accomplished, well-known acts — often ones who can really rock. A sampling of who’s coming soon: Henry Rollins (April 1), The Darkness (April 15) and Sevendust (May 14-15).
