Live music in Chapel Hill, NC

First Friday features an open mic dedicated to musical performances at The Lumina Theater Tap Room. Participants can take the stage and share their music.

Enjoy a free evening of avant-garde music at Durham Central Park featuring the trio Some of It All, with Jeremy Beans Clemons, Tinashe Blu, and Kevin Beardsley. The night kicks off with dinner and drinks available starting at 6:30 PM, followed by live sets from DJ Travis Gales at 7:00 PM. The band takes the stage at 7:30 PM sharp. The concert is rain or shine and includes on-site restrooms. Lawn seating is available, and leashed pets are welcome.

This free summer concert is part of Morrisville's Music in the Park series. The Blenders will perform, and food will be available from Hot Chix Hotcakes & Chicken. Parking is available along Town Hall Drive.

Catch Diggy Graves live at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, with Ryan Oakes also on the lineup. Doors are set for an evening show time of 7:00 PM at the venue.

Brunch meets live music at Boxyard RTP as the SATURDAZE series brings a blend of eclectic and high energy sounds to set a weekend mood. Food and drinks from vendors are available. The featured act is Danger Hall, a renegade quartet exploring the edges of song craft and mystical body jazz. Performances take place under the covered Pavilion on the BeatBox stage and proceed in most weather, with cancellations only during extreme conditions such as lightning, ice, or flooding. Updates about schedule changes or cancellations are shared on Instagram. Find the band on Instagram at @dangerhall_band. By attending, participants consent to photography, video, and audio recording that Boxyard RTP may use in any medium.

Durham Parks and Recreation brings its free, family friendly Summer Concerts in the Park to Rock Quarry Park with a set from Ally J, mixing country, soul, R&B, Motown, and funk. Expect live music from local artists, a lively atmosphere, and a variety of food trucks. Pack a blanket or lawn chair, come with friends or family, and enjoy an evening of summertime music. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted, and the concert will take place rain or shine.

RadioStar performs at Zinchouse Winery & Brewery with sing along favorites spanning the MTV era of the 80s through the 2000s. The set draws from artists like Pat Benetar, Alanis Morrisette, Jon Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Journey, AC/DC, Guns and Roses, The Outfield, Walk the Moon, Jimmy Eat World, Backstreet Boys, Radiohead, Britney Spears, Paramore, Blink-182, Killers, Nirvana, Fall Out Boy, and more. Popular spots go quickly, so early arrival can help secure a good seat.

A concert at The Carolina Theatre of Durham features The Wallflowers, joined by special guest Aaron Lee Tasjan. The event offers a live music experience with both artists on the same bill.

Carrboro Open Mic invites musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers, and fans of live local art into a friendly and inclusive atmosphere where newcomers and seasoned performers alike can share their voices and connect with the community. The ever-talented host, John Pardue, sets a welcoming tone that helps first-timers feel comfortable on stage. Sign-ups are first come, first served, and participants are given individual slots to perform. Music, poetry, comedy, spoken word, storytelling, and other creative expressions are all embraced, so you can take the mic or simply enjoy the show from the audience. Drink specials include $2 off drafts and $3 off wells. There is also a nod to neighbors across the street at Steel String Brewery, which hosts an open mic of its own. The gathering is rooted in respect, creativity, and community, encouraging everyone to bring friends, share their art, and support one another.

Presented by andmoreagain, Slow Joy brings the I Love You So Much I Could Die Tour to Local 506 in Chapel Hill with Bike Routes opening. Tickets are priced at $18 in advance and $22 the day of the show. Led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Esteban Flores, Slow Joy fuses grunge, emo, and shoegaze with a punk-leaning, hip-hop-influenced energy, taking cues from artists like Nirvana, Modest Mouse, and Tyler, the Creator. The project grew from a period of personal hardship and a deep-rooted connection to music, shaping cathartic songs that balance heaviness and heart. Flores has worked with producer Mike Sapone and recorded largely at Ghost Hit Recording in Springfield, Massachusetts, collaborating with Josh Varnadore, Zach Degaenato, and Jordan Witzigreuter. The EP Mi Amigo Slow Joy drew attention from outlets such as FLOOD and Chicago Reader, earned a Best New Band recognition from Dallas Observer, and led to an Audiotree session. The debut album A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming appears on Mick Music, reflecting his Mexican-American heritage, small-town roots, and an ongoing search for meaning.

Presented by andmoreagain, this bill spotlights Rodeo Boys with support from Gainsay and Kai & Clyde. Rodeo Boys arrive with Home Movies, their debut on Don Giovanni, blending country twang and grunge grit across songs such as Sugar, Dog Leg, Tomboy Radio, and Hail Mary. Vocalist Tiff Hannay describes the group’s mission as giving a voice to young queer people in small towns. Gainsay features two lead singers shaped by American punk and post-hardcore traditions, with bassist Dante and guitarist Joe trading vocal duties and hooks while drummer Ryan anchors precise, dynamic rhythms lifted by harmonies. A studio-produced EP is also on the way. Kai & Clyde, an alternative rock trio from Chapel Hill, features Kai Bishop on vocals and guitar, Clyde Lambe on bass, and Jude Dasher on drums, delivering a laid back slacker feel with fuzzed-out guitars and memorable riffs. Admission is $15 in advance and $18 day of.

Kevian Kraemer brings his sunlit blend of alternative, indie, and pop to the Cat’s Cradle Back Room, sharing the bill with Closebye. His songs pair airy live instrumentation with bright, feel-good production and big choruses that linger, capturing both carefree summer momentum and the reflective pull of the season’s final stretch. Raised in New Jersey and trained at Asbury Park’s Lakehouse Music Academy, he grew from drums to piano, saxophone, bass, and ukulele before crafting original tracks in high school. Early releases like Rug, Sweater, and Buddy set the stage, a viral TikTok moment for Fly pushed streams past two million, and his 2024 debut EP, Seventeen, featured the breakout single Attention with more than 15 million plays worldwide. Momentum continued in 2025 with the Jersey or Mars EP and a sold-out first headline tour, along with recognition from PEOPLE as an emerging artist to keep on your radar. With the recent single i just get worse and the upcoming EP only if it matters, this night offers a snapshot of an artist on the rise, with Closebye also on the bill.

Speakeasy becomes a cozy listening room each week for a free showcase of local singer songwriters. The event spotlights original music in pared back sets with the stories behind the songs, offering intimate performances from a rotating lineup. Expect an easygoing audience that pays attention, no cover charge, and a relaxed, feel good atmosphere centered on great songwriting.

Wrap up the workday in a fresh way at Boxyard RTP with a rotating acoustic singer songwriter series on the BeatBox stage. The featured artist and style vary month to month. This installment spotlights The Forryst Bruthers, the duo of multi instrumentalists and producers Mark Simonsen and James Wallace, known from The Old Ceremony and The Dead Tongues, showcasing their Americana side as part of a continuing residency. Performances are held under the covered Pavilion on the BeatBox stage, and weather is monitored for onstage safety. In the event of severe conditions such as flooding, ice, or lightning, the show will be canceled. Updates about schedule changes or cancellations are shared on Instagram. By attending, participants consent to photo, video, and audio recording that Boxyard RTP may use in any medium. Questions can be directed to hello@boxyardrtp.com, and artists interested in performing can reach out to music@boxyardrtp.com.

Margot Sinclair takes the stage in the Cat's Cradle Back Room with Five Door Sedan. The band came together in 2023 in San Luis Obispo, California and is a five piece featuring Kyle Mix, Carson Baer, Owen Rice, Donny Hess, and Luke Sutherland. They are releasing their debut album, "Free Margot," and focus on making music for real people.

Empress leads a lively karaoke night as a dynamic singer with strong stage presence who shapes the energy in the room. Everyone is welcome, from confident belters to first-timers and theatrical show-offs, all celebrated in a warm, judgment-free atmosphere. Whether you usually sing in the shower, perform like a pro, or simply want to soak up the fun, the mic awaits. Drinks are available and the party vibe carries on throughout the night.