Live music in Cary, NC

Salsa takes center stage at Westwood Cocktail Bar & Lounge with a class to get you started followed by a social where you can practice and dance with others. Admission is $12.

DJ NYCE Danger the Entertainer hosts a lively round of music bingo where naming the tune helps you fill your card and compete for gift cards, swag, and prizes. On alternating weeks, karaoke follows the bingo for even more music and laughs.

Shaboozey brings the Outlaws Never Die Tour to Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina. This stop on the tour features a live performance from the artist at the amphitheater.

Durham’s own Ally J brings live music to a rooftop setting alongside specials on food and drinks. Expect $6 glasses of rosé and bubbly and a $14 Girl Dinner with a tray that includes guac and chips, flavored popcorn, pickled veggies, and local cheeses. City views and craft cocktails set the scene, and there is no cover charge.

Hosted by Karl Mann, this open mic welcomes local musicians to gather, jam, and spark on-the-spot collaborations. Fresh originals often make their debut and impromptu bands come together as performers rotate through the stage. Signups are first come, first served. The music pairs with drink specials and burgers advertised as world famous.

Katie Pruitt brings the Fools For The Fleeting tour to Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC.

Singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt performs live at Lincoln Theatre, showcasing expressive vocals and sincere songwriting in concert.

Every Wednesday at Cuya Latin Cocktail Bar + Music Garden brings a complimentary Salsa and Bachata class followed by social dancing with music by DJ Kemo. The cover is $10. Tickets are available at the door or through the ticket link. Cocktails and tapas are offered at the venue.

Drivin N Cryin brings the Crushing Flowers Tour 2026 for an evening rooted in the band’s signature blend of Southern rock grit, folk storytelling, and hard charging rock and roll. Formed in Atlanta in 1985, this long running American rock group earned a reputation for electric live shows and thoughtful songwriting. Led by singer songwriter Kevn Kinney with bassist Tim Nielsen and drummer Dave Johnson, the trio rose to national prominence with influential albums and radio staples including Fly Me Courageous, Honeysuckle Blue, Straight to Hell, Build a Fire, and Scarred But Smarter. Fly Me Courageous reached Gold certification and remains a cornerstone of their catalog. Across four decades they have continued to tour and record, evolving while cultivating a loyal, multigenerational audience. Their influence stretches beyond their own releases, as Straight to Hell found renewed life through covers and collaborations. Recognition includes induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and Kinney’s induction into the Milwaukee Music Hall of Fame. Their touring history spans shared stages with The Who, Hootie & The Blowfish, The Black Crowes, ZZ Top, Soul Asylum, Blackberry Smoke, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Jason Isbell, along with appearances on Rock Boat, Outlaw Country Cruise, and Moon Crush. Their latest album, Crushing Flowers, returns to the original three piece format and favors clarity, chemistry, and feel over excess. It is a confident, back to basics statement that underscores honest songs, emotional weight, and the sound of a band still fully engaged.

Presented by andmoreagain, this concert at Stanczyks in Durham, NC features Jenny Owen Youngs and Northcote with Julia Barfield. Jenny Owen Youngs returns with Avalanche on Yep Roc, an album that reflects on loss, resilience, and growth. It was produced by Josh Kaufman and created with collaborators including S. Carey, Madi Diaz, Peter Silberman of The Antlers, and Christian Lee Hutson, weaving bright pop sensibilities into spacious, dreamlike arrangements that wrestle with regret and redemption. Northcote joins the bill, adding another compelling voice to the night. Opening the show, Athens, Georgia singer-songwriter Julia Barfield brings folk and Americana roots shaped by her North Georgia upbringing. Her 2025 debut EP, Keep to Me, offers a southern-leaning collection that balances heartache and hope with plainspoken honesty and a warm, assured delivery. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show.

Chris Pierce takes the stage with the singular voice that has defined his more than two decades in American roots music. Drawing from eight solo albums along with many side projects and guest appearances, he shares powerful songs that give voice to the voiceless and shine light into the dark and hidden corners of the American dream.

ZZ Top and Dwight Yoakam appear together in concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary, North Carolina.

Experience a candlelit tribute to the music of Queen and ABBA at The Rialto in Raleigh, where a live, multi sensory setting highlights beloved rock and pop anthems. The Lyricosa String Quartet performs selections that may include Dancing Queen, SOS, Money, Money, Money, Voulez Vous, Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Killer Queen, Waterloo, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Don’t Stop Me Now, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and Gimme Gimme Gimme. The concert lasts about 60 minutes, with doors opening one hour beforehand and no late entry once the performance begins. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must attend with an adult. The venue is ADA compliant, and seating within each zone is assigned on a first come first served basis. This is an independent tribute event and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the original artists, their estates, or official representatives.

Proton Jones brings a live performance to Salty Turtle Beer Co: Raleigh, sharing the seasoned artistry of a hometown favorite. With more than three decades shaping his craft, he has become a beloved presence in the local music community. Expect expressive vocals and polished guitar work as he moves through a set of heartfelt, introspective songs. His shows are known for their emotional depth and close connection with listeners, presented in a style that is distinctly his.

Police & Thieves returns to Fortnight Brewing Company in Cary with a set of 1980s favorites, featuring songs from INXS, The Police, The Cars, The Clash, Talking Heads, and more.

andmoreagain brings a night at Stanczyks Music Bar in Durham featuring Upon Your Dead Body with When the Sun Sets and Letters to Part. Upon Your Dead Body delivers an emotive, theatrical take on South Texas emo, blending spoken word passages, melodic intensity, Midwest emo textures, and math rock rhythms, with influences that include La Dispute, Coheed and Cambria, Say Anything, Hail the Sun, and The Used. Letters to Part offers an ambient-leaning alternative sound shaped by shoegaze, emo, post-hardcore, and indie, with a catalog that includes the 2017 album A Human Curse, the 2020 EP Mad’ouk, a 2023 live set recorded at Red Lion Audio, the 2023 single Breathe, and the 2025 EP Bloom accompanied by videos for The Weight I Let Go and With Your Heart. When the Sun Sets rounds out the bill. Advance admission is $18, and day-of entry is $22, with tickets currently available.

SAYER McSHANE presents an acoustic and electric performance blending rock, blues, and soul at Aloft Raleigh. The show takes place in the WXYZ Lounge inside the hotel. Expect a contemporary setting with bright rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a gym, and an energetic eatery with a bar.

Celebrate homegrown talent Yung Ginger, spotlighting performances in Morrisville and the lyrical prowess that has drawn local buzz. The program features opportunities to meet the artist, take part in a Q&A, collect autographs, and enjoy tastings. Presented as North Carolina’s next rap sensation, this gathering highlights both the music and the personality behind it. In a playful nod to his namesake, Yung Ginger is described as keeping the fragrance without the astringency, making him a clever culinary companion whether dishes are cooked, marinated, or raw. WWFM x YG collaboration merchandise is on the horizon, and the newsletter will share the first updates.

This event offers an afternoon of good food, games, raffles, and show stopping gospel entertainment, all to raise emergency funds for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Emergency Blessing BAGS. The lineup features five-time Stellar nominee Kim Person, along with much more.

Celebrate summer car cruises in a spacious, shaded lot where music sets a relaxed vibe. A 50/50 option adds to the fun, and there is a chicken restaurant just across the street for convenient refreshments.

Sufi Roots & Rhythms turns Boxyard RTP into a journey through groove-centered Sufi and Hindustani traditions alongside the resonant tones of the Senegalese kora, spotlighting artists based in North Carolina. The program features the Diali Cissokho Trio. The trio unites three globally recognized musicians whose collaboration draws on deep cultural foundations and West African rhythms and instruments to bridge cultures. Their shared commitment to music’s ability to connect people shapes an experience that feels both grounded and expansive. Diali Cissokho, a Senegalese kora virtuoso and percussionist, descends from a long Manding griot lineage, stewards of history and storytelling. Will Ridenour, a Greensboro-based kora player and percussionist, embraced West African music after a formative encounter with traditional dance. Atiba Rorie, a percussionist and founder of the multi-genre group Africa Unplugged, has trained with masters including Bradley, Simmons, Babatunde Olatunji, and Chief Bey. Together they offer a cross-cultural performance that uses the universal language of music to foster connection and inspiration. Attendance implies consent to be photographed or recorded, and Boxyard RTP may use photos, video, or audio featuring attendees in any medium for any purpose.

Mysti Mayhem brings a soulful, blues-tinged set to Salty Turtle Beer Co: Raleigh. The North Carolina singer, songwriter, and guitarist has more than 20 years of stage experience and received professional training from Bo Diddley. The performance features a blend of original songs and covers delivered with soulful vocals and blues-influenced guitar.

Deep 6 performs at Tap Station with a Pearl Jam tribute and a set of grunge hits from Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Silverchair, Candlebox, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, and Bush. The announcement invites attendees to lean into the era’s style with flannel, well worn sweaters, and Doc Martens for a true grunge atmosphere.

Enjoy a free concert. Arrive early to relax with a drink, have dinner, and then stay for the music.

Word Jazz brings Actors Improv’s blend of unscripted theater and music back to Sharp Nine. Drawing on Ken Nordine’s landmark 1957 album, the performance unfolds through scenes sparked by improvised monologues and the live sound of a five-piece band, with on-the-spot songs woven into the mix and audience suggestions setting everything in motion. The quintet features Ricky Bloomfield on reeds, Rob Ladd on drums, Robbie Link on bass, Glenn Mehrbach on piano, and Scott Sawyer on guitar. Actors Improv, recognized as the South’s longest-running improv company, anchors the collaboration.

Presented by Lincoln Theatre, Kings in Raleigh, NC hosts JGBCB for an after party connected to Gov't Mule and Ziggy Marley.

City Soul Cafe brings a night of poetry, music, laughter, creativity, and community to terminal8bar_lounge. Grand Champs hosts while DJ Supreme sets the soundtrack, with savory plates from Kickback Q’s and desserts by Chusby Whusby. The mic is ready for voices that move the room, and early arrival is encouraged to settle in for the full experience. Expect a warm crowd, a lively flow, and the distinctive City Soul vibe throughout.

Take part in a welcoming session of shape-note singing featuring songs from The Sacred Harp (2025) and The Shenandoah Harmony. Beginners are welcome, and loaner books are available. The singing takes place in the Visitor Center at Mordecai Historic Park.

Cooler temperatures make the patio at Saints & Scholars in Raleigh an inviting spot. Lunch and live music come together to create a lively Sunday atmosphere.

Mark and Tristan bring their unique father and son act to Salty Turtle Beer Raleigh with a lively blend of music, comedy, and audience interaction. The show combines dueling pianos and request-driven songs with sharp humor, all improvised with no setlist. Tristan shines on piano, while Mark delivers strong vocals, guitar, and harmonica. The performance moves across genres, from classic rock to pop favorites, with surprises sparked by audience requests, creating a fresh, high-energy experience with broad appeal across ages. Expect plenty of laughs, dance-ready moments, and a carefree vibe.

Rise Against performs live in concert at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC. The event features the band on stage at the amphitheater.