Lifestyle North Carolina’s Musical Landscape 1/7/2025 | By Eric J. Wallace Traveling for live performances is a uniquely enjoyable way to explore North Carolina’s musical landscape, from the coast to the mountains. Seniors Guide suggests venues in four of the state’s regions. Did you know North Carolina is home to one of the nation’s richest and most diverse live music scenes? From traditional mountain music and bluegrass to jazz, blues, rock, and classic orchestral, there are truly concerts for all tastes. With so many tunes to take in, traveling to watch artists perform at dedicated venues offers a fun and unique way to explore the state from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Our guide will help you get the music started. Four ‘movements’ in North Carolina’s musical landscape Coastal Tourism at oceanside hubs like the Outer Banks, Emerald Isle, and Wilmington fuel a thriving music scene. You’ll find a wide range of live acts at bars, piers, restaurants, and arts venues on most weeknights, especially during warm months. Head a few miles inland to Wilmington for a selection of larger venues and national acts. Wilmington Symphony Orchestra in Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. Photograph courtesy of Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. HIGHLIGHTS Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center, Wilmington: Classical lovers can catch performances by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and others. Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park, Wilmington: When the weather warms, you can enjoy national talent in the expansive, waterfront, open-air venue. Triangle A booming business and collegiate research environment in the Triangle has attracted top talent and inspired one of the East Coast’s most vibrant food, arts, and culture scenes. The region gave rise to successful groups such as Southern Culture on the Skids, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Ben Folds Five. James Taylor’s childhood home on Morgan Creek inspired his hit song “Copperline.” HIGHLIGHTS Motorco Music Hall, Durham: A mid-century car dealership has been converted into Durham’s largest music venue, featuring national touring acts and headliners. It includes a restaurant and bar dubbed Parts & Labor. University of North Carolina’s Moeser Auditorium, Chapel Hill: Enjoy classical music from the Chapel Hill Philharmonia orchestra, university student musicians, and visiting professionals. Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh: This 20,000-capacity open-air venue is known for hosting megastars like Sting, Tom Petty, and Elton John. Piedmont Triad & Charlotte Anchored by vibrant cities including Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina’s foothills brim with metropolitan culture, including music. HIGHLIGHTS From The Carolina Theatre website Flat Iron, Greensboro: Owned and operated by musicians and service industry veterans, the venue has an old-school feel and hosts live regional acts throughout the week. Tunes range from jazz and blues, folk and bluegrass, rock and soul. Greensboro Complex, Greensboro: Music lovers can choose from multiple venues. Catch headliners like ZZ Top and the Avett Brothers at White Oak Amphitheatre or the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra at the stunningly beautiful, 3,000-seat Steve Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Carolina Theatre, Greensboro: The 1927 theatre hosts talented student musicians as well as seasoned professionals like Mary Gauthier and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. You can also take in movies, dance, and comedy. Middle C Jazz, Charlotte: The upscale 200-seat venue pairs a gourmet restaurant, craft cocktails, and speakeasy ambience with performances from greats like bassist Stanley Jordan. The Bojangles Entertainment Complex, Charlotte: The 9,600-seat coliseum and 2,400-seat civic auditorium offer a star-studded lineup of greats like Bonnie Raitt, Eric Benét, Eric Johnson, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Related: Delightful Destinations in Virginia Western The mountains of western North Carolina are famed for their traditional Appalachian roots music, and foot-stomping opportunities abound in the 25-county Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. In addition, you can experience a host of other musical genres. HIGHLIGHTS Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Robbinsville: Enjoy performances from contemporary bluegrass acts at the historic venue, dedicated to the preservation of the southern Appalachian Mountain culture. Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, Boone: The 629-seat venue dates to 1938 and hosts a fleet of performing arts experiences and films. The venue was renovated in 2019 to benefit residents and visitors. The Brevard Music Center, Brevard: The center begins with a mission to train talented musicians and expanded its love of music to the community. It presents classical musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma, opera, and non-classical artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Judy Collins. Concerts are held on the lawn, under the stars, or in an intimate music hall overlooking a lake. FEATURE PHOTO CAPTION: Vincent Ingala at Middle C Jazz, Charlotte. Photograph courtesy of Julio Rodriguez Read More Eric J. Wallace Eric J. Wallace is a career journalist who writes about food, drink, the outdoors, and the wondrous intersection thereof. His work has appeared in noteworthy publications like “WIRED,” “Best American Food Writing,” “Outside,” “Backpacker,” “Reader's Digest,” “Atlas Obscura,” “All About Beer,” “Modern Farmer,” and “VinePair.”