Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Step It Up and Go: The Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone and Superchunk," was published in Oct. 2020 by University of North Carolina Press, and his new podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.
From the dog days of summer into fall, outdoor shows still make up the bulk of offerings in the schedule of upcoming major live music events in the Raleigh area. But there are some key and hotly anticipated indoor arena shows, happening, too. So here are 10 upcoming shows to watch out for, at a range of area venues (plus 20 more of the biggest shows not to miss this summer!).
Tedeschi Trucks Band
July 21 at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Featuring guitarists Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks--nephew of original Allman Brothers Butch Trucks--this Grammy-winning family band has one of the best blues-rock pedigrees in the business. Their Wheels of Soul tour also boasts a superb opening act on the Raleigh date, the great (and likewise Grammy-winning) Los Angeles Latino rock band Los Lobos.
New Kids on the Block with Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, Rick Astley
July 22 at PNC Arena
More than three decades since they first set young tweens’ hearts aflutter with “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” the quintessential 1980s-vintage boy band is still at it. This year’s Mixtape Tour also features the female hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa, R&B vocal trio En Vogue and Rick “Never Gonna Give You Up” Astley.
Micky Dolenz
July 22 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
And then there was one—one Monkee, that is. Dolenz is the sole surviving member of The Monkees, who were so much more than a made-for-TV band. Dolenz is still on the road at age 77, and still hale by most accounts.
Andrew Bird with Iron & Wine, Meshell Ndegeocello
July 25 at Booth Amphitheatre
Long ago, Andrew Bird was a sideman with Chapel Hill hitmakers Squirrel Nut Zippers. He's since become one of the most acclaimed singer/songwriters in the Americana universe (not to mention the most amazing whistler you’ve ever heard). He’ll play Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre with Sam Beam, better-known as Iron & Wine--who we are lucky to have as a Greater Raleigh area resident--and the very fine rock/funk/soul/jazz/hip-hop singer/bassist Meshell Ndegeocello.
Larry Bellorín & Joe Troop
July 26 at The Pour House Music Hall
Winston-Salem native Joe Troop is one of the leading practitioners of “Latingrass,” fronting the Grammy-nominated Argentinian quartet Che Apalache. He also collaborates with Larry Bellorín, a fantastic singer/harpist from Venezuela.
Kehlani with Rico Nasty, Destin Conrad
July 30 at Red Hat Amphitheater
Singer, songwriter and dancer Kehlani Ashley Parrish is on the rise in R&B circles with the acclaimed new album “Blue Water Road.” This July 30 show puts the singer at the top of a solid bill with Rico Nasty and Destin Conrad.
Rage Against the Machine with Run the Jewels
July 31 at PNC Arena
The fiery, extremely political metallic-rap band’s Public Service Announcement reunion tour will most likely feature frontman Zack de la Rocha having a thing or two to say about current events. Run the Jewels, the hip-hop duo that headlined Hopscotch Music Festival in 2017, make for a fine opening-act bonus.
Keith Urban
Aug. 13 at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Country has long been Walnut Creek’s bread and butter, going back to the 1990s heyday of hat acts, and that remains the case in 2022. New Zealand-born country star Keith Urban’s The Speed Of Now world tour is the venue’s last big country show of the season.
Wu-Tang Clan with Nas
Sept. 17 at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Going old school, Wu-Tang Clan’s NY State of Mind tour pairs the Staten Island hip-hop collective with their fellow New Yorker Nas. It’s a trip back to the 1990s, when Wu-Tang Clan was one of the biggest acts in hip-hop.
IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Red Hat Amphitheater and other stages in downtown Raleigh
Back for its 10th edition in Raleigh, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s street festival has the usual stellar lineup on tap, with the Main Stage at Red Hat Amphitheater featuring a lineup of Jerry Douglas, Infamous Stringdusters, Sierra Hull, former Carolina Chocolate Drop Dom Flemons and more over two days. A limited amount of free general admission seating will be available, with tickets for reserved seating on sale now. Also keep an eye out for the street-festival portion of the program, to be announced in full later.
More music to save the date for
- Dave Matthews Band, July 22
- Iration & Atmosphere: Sunshine & Summer Nights Tour, July 28
- Pitbull and Iggy Azalea: Can’t Stop Us Now Tour, July 28
- Fleet Floxes, July 29
- Phish, July 29
- LANY: Summer Forever Tour, Aug. 4
- Rise Against, Aug. 6
- Rick Springfield & Men at Work, Aug. 7
- REO Speedwagon and Styx With Loverboy, Aug. 10
- David Gray, Aug. 13
- Smokey Robinson, Aug. 19
- Greensky Bluegrass, Aug. 20
- Jack Johnson, Aug. 21
- Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 23
- Jon Pardi; Aint Always The Cowboy Tour, Aug. 25
- Jamey Johnson, Aug. 25
- The Black Keys with Special Guest Band Of Horses, Sept. 1
- Stephanie Mills with Special Guest Will Downing, Sept. 2
- Oliver Tree, Sept. 3
- Five Finger Death Punch, Megadeth And The Hu, Sept. 7
- Collective Soul and Switchfoot, Sept. 7
- Lee Brice: Label Me Proud Tour, Sept. 10
- Lake Street Dive with The Dip, Sept. 14
- Alice In Chains and Breaking Benjamin, Sept. 27
- Watchhouse with Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves, Oct. 1
- Death Cab for Cutie, Oct. 3
- Maxwell: The Night Tour, Oct. 7
- Band Together: Turnpike Troubadours, Oct. 28
Header photo by Rob Laughter
