From big names swinging through the Lenovo Center to local bands headlining indie festivals, here’s who we’re checking out this season
by Addie Ladner
So much music, so little time! Hopscotch Music Festival kicked off fall music season here in the Triangle, and the momentum continues with tons of festivals, free family-friendly shows and big names visiting town over the coming months. Keep this list handy to make sure you don’t miss out (and we’ll be adding more as we learn of them!).
BIG SHOWS
Mt. Joy at Koka Booth Amphitheatre | Sept. 23
Making a stop on their Hope We Have Fun Tour, vibey indie rock band Mt. Joy is coming to jam out in the pines at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
7:30 p.m.; 8003 Regency Parkway; Cary; boothamphitheatre.com
Rilo Kiley with The Mountain Goats at Red Hat | Sept. 24
California-based indie rock group Riley Kiley, which is made up of members Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel, is coming to Raleigh to jam out with The Mountain Goats, another indie-rock band hailing from California (but now based in Durham).
7:30 p.m.; 500 S. McDowell Street; redhatamphitheater.com
Billie Eilish at the Lenovo Center | Oct. 16 – 17
The Grammy-winning pop star will play two back-to-back shows on her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour. While the show is currently sold out, closer to the date, you may be able to score resale tickets.
7 p.m.; 1400 Edwards Mill Road; lenovocenter.com
Gov’t Mule + Edwin McCain at Lincoln Theatre for Mighty Giveback | Oct. 18
After September 11, friends Tom Lyon, Phil and Shellie Gruber, Danny Rosin and Skip Mangum got together to create Band Together, a nonprofit that uses the power of live music for good. This year, they’re partnering with United Way Greater Triangle on a goal to raise $1 million for six local nonprofits, including Foundation of Hope, Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake and Orange Counties and the National Alliance of Mental Health Wake County, with an emphasis on supporting mental health programs. The Mighty Giveback concert will be a throwback-themed show at Lincoln Theatre featuring Southern rock and jam band legends Gov’t Mule (which is fronted by Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band), along with Edwin McCain and Young Gun Silver Fox.
5 p.m.; From $53; 126 E. Cabarrus Street; bandtogethernc.org
John Legend at Red Hat | Oct. 30
The decorated R&B singer and pianist is celebrating 20 years since his debut album with his Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour at downtown’s amphitheater. Expect Legend to play all the songs from his first record, Get Lifted, along with some of his hits over the years.
8 p.m; 500 South McDowell Street; redhatamphitheater.com
Walker Hayes: Unplugged at DPAC | Nov. 12
You may know him from the 2021 hit Fancy Like that took over Tiktok. The Alabama native country artist is playing in Durham, joined by producer and songwriter Shane Lamar McAnally.
7 p.m.; 123 William V Bill Bell Way; dpacnc.com
FESTIVALS
919 Day at The Corner | Sept. 19
To celebrate our area’s area code, come out of The Corner at NC State’s Centennial Campus for this family-friendly free series of concerts that closes with folk americana group Chatham County Line. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are allowed, outside alcohol is not. Acts to check out: Chatham County Line, The Old Ceremony, Jason Adamo and others.
Free; 941 Main Campus Drive; realestate.ncsu.edu/2025/08/15/919day/
Raleigh Wide Open in Downtown | Oct. 3 – 4
After hosting the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual conference and street festival since 2013, the City of Raleigh and Pinecone decided to continue the tradition, local-style. At the inaugural Raleigh Wide Open music festival, enjoy free stages of bluegrass, gospel, R&B and folk music with acts like soul singer Charly Lowry, acoustic bluegrass group Balsam Range and jazz hip-hop artist Sonny Miles. Shop from craft vendors, dance, eat and more at this free community-wide festival celebrating North Carolina’s deep and diverse musical heritage.
Various times; downtown Raleigh; raleighwideopen.com
Missy Lane’s Block Party in Durham | Oct. 4
Culture mover Cicely Mitchell — founder of Missy Lane’s Charitable Foundation, Missy Lane’s Assembly Room LLC and Stretch Music LLC — is debuting the first-ever Missy Lane Block Party in Durham. In partnership with Grammy-winning musician and producer Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, who’s known for coining “stretch-style” music that blends genres like jazz and techno, the festival has gathered a stellar lineup of regional and international acts. So far that includes: R&B artist Bilal, saxophonist Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. and funk rock trio Butcher Brown.
From $80; 300 Block of E. Main Street, Durham; missylanesblockparty.com
Sleepy Fest in Saxapahaw | Oct. 11
This chill music fest in the laid-back village of Saxapahaw is produced by record label Sleepy Cat Records, which gives a platform to local and national musicians. This festival sheds light on our talented singers and songwriters here in the Triangle while also raising money to support them. Some acts to catch on the lineup this year: musical folk icon Alice Gerrard, rock band Lonnie Walker and guitarist Joseph Terrell.
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road, Saxapahaw; blogger.sleepycatrecords.com/sleepyfest
Harvest Jam at Bowstring Brewyard | Oct. 18
Expect bluegrass-forward tunes, craft vendors, brews and more at this laid-back autumnal festival on the lawn of Bowstring Brewyard. Headlining the festival is Boston-born funk group Lettuce, coming off their European tour. Other acts on the two stages include rock band Chill Paxton and a Phish tribute group.
1 – 8 p.m.; 1930 Wake Forest Road; bowstringbrewyard.com
CLUB SHOWS
Southern Culture On The Skids with Dallas Tetanus at Pour House | Sept. 27
Chapel Hill party band Southern Culture on the Skids has a rollicking fun show planned at downtown venue the Pour House with hard rockers Dallas Tetanus for a loud and lively show.
7 p.m. 224 S. Blount Street; pourhouseraleigh.com
The Castellow’s at Lincoln Theatre | Oct. 2
Country fans might enjoy this musical trio of sisters, Eleanor, Lily, and Powell Balkcom, originally from rural Georgia. Their hometown inspired much of their music, but now they’re based in Nashville.
7 p.m.; From $26; 126 E. Cabarrus Street; lincolntheatre.com
The New Master Sounds at Lincoln Theatre | Nov. 5
Hailing from England, R&B meets funk meets jazz four piece group The New Master Sounds are coming to downtown’s Lincoln Theatre.
7:30 p.m.; From $30; 126 E. Cabarrus Street; lincolntheatre.com
Blind Boys of Alabama at Rialto | Oct. 17
See living musical legends Blind Boys of Alabama and quartet of gospel singers at Five Points’ iconic venue, The Rialto. Look forward to some of their earlier songs from the 1990s to tracks from the group’s 2024 album Echoes of the South.
7 p.m.; From $56; 1620 Glenwood Avenue; therialto.com
Delta Rae at The Ritz | Oct. 18
Catch this Durham-born Southern goth rock group take over the Ritz’s stage. The siblings and friends are known for their theatrical performances and always pull out the stops when playing in the Triangle.
7 p.m.; from $42; 2820 Industrial Drive; deltarae.com
International Jazz Open Jam at Transfer | Oct. 21
Everyone, no matter your skill level, is welcome at this lively jazz session at downtown music venue Neptunes Parlour. Music activation group Oak City Music, along with the North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources’ Come Hear NC program, has put together this fun, friendly, free music series. This month, jazz band Gaston Reggio Group will headline the session, and guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments (or vocals!) to participate in some fun musical improvisation. Hot Jamaican food will be available for purchase.
8 – 11:30 p.m.; Free; 14 W. Martin Street; oakcitymusic.com
This article was originally published on September 18, 2025 on waltermagazine.com
