Live music in Leland, NC

Barzarre hosts a weekly open mic that celebrates every kind of performance. The lineup spans live music, comedy, improv, spoken word, hip hop, and offbeat talents, creating an unpredictable variety night. On-site signups are available and admission is free. Newcomers and veterans alike share work that is raw or polished, in a setting that encourages experiments and big swings. Touring musicians sometimes appear for featured sets. A projector and screen with HDMI are available for multimedia, so visual elements can be part of the act. Affordable drinks are available, and even a kazoo solo can find a moment in the spotlight.

Charley Crockett brings the Age of the Ram Tour to Live Oak Bank Pavilion for an outdoor concert. Seating is not covered, and the show will proceed in any weather, so plan accordingly. Event details and pricing may change without notice, and tickets purchased through any outlet include applicable service fees. In partnership with PLUS1, one dollar from every ticket will support Last Prisoner Project, a 501(c)(3) working nationwide to advance cannabis justice and address the harms of prohibition. No portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. Ticket access includes a range of presales and offers, including artist, local sponsor, Spotify, Citi cardmember, Live Nation, T-Mobile Concert Perks, and aisle seating options.

A community drum and dance gathering hosted by The Barzarre brings together drummers, percussionists, and dancers of all experience levels. Admission is free, seating is casual, and the circle is open to all. Expect an open jam where hand drums and movement shape the groove as participants build rhythms together. New participants are encouraged to remove rings, watches, and bracelets before playing a hand drum and to ask permission before using someone else’s instrument. Balance playing with attentive listening, keep parts simple, and lock in with the pulse and rhythm. If questions arise about etiquette, ask Ron, the creator of Drum and Dance Downtown. Each rhythm gathering has its own style, so bring a positive spirit. Kindness, respect, fun, and a bit of shared magic set the tone.

Ready to face the spotlight? This open mic welcomes music, comedy, and any bold experiment you are brave enough to share. Sing a song, strum a tune, tell a joke, or try something delightfully questionable... the microphone is waiting.

Music Bingo at The Kettle blends favorite songs with a bingo format. Look for drink specials, plenty of music, and prizes.

The Wailers present 50 Years of Positive Vibrations, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rastaman Vibration and paying tribute to one of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ landmark albums. The performance centers on standout tracks from Rastaman Vibration alongside enduring classics that bring together audiences across generations.

Belles takes the stage for the Sounds of Freedom Benefit Concert at Brooklyn Arts Center in Wilmington. This fundraiser supports Project SOAR at ACCESS of Wilmington, a program for Veterans with disabilities. Ticket options include general admission at $75 or a VIP experience for $200 that features a meet and greet, assigned seating, beverage tickets, and event swag.

Experience a live salute to five decades of Aerosmith hits with Pandora's Box, a tribute act launched in 2015 by Atlanta-based vocalist Nathan Utz and guitarist Steve Taylor. The project grew from their passion for the music and from Utz’s notable resemblance to Steven Tyler, along with similar vocal power, highlighted by a moment when three college students asked him for an autograph believing he was the Aerosmith frontman. The band quickly built momentum with sellout shows across the Southeast, along the East Coast, and as far as Alaska and Hawaii. In 2018 they became Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s top requested headline feature act, bringing their show to international audiences. The set spans the band’s entire catalog, from early standouts like "Dream On," "Sweet Emotion," and "Walk This Way," to MTV-era favorites including "Dude Looks Like a Lady," "Rag Doll," and "Love in an Elevator," and on through the 90s with the group’s first number one single in 1998, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." At a Pandora's Box show, favorite songs arrive quickly.

Reverend Horton Heat takes the stage at The Eagle’s Dare as part of the 5th Annual Rocktoberfest. This outdoor show features a sound that mixes rockabilly, 1950s country, surf, punk, big band, and swing, a blend they have developed since 1986. The lineup includes special guest Messer Chups and local support from The Phantom PlayBoys. All ages are welcome.

Avenue B hosts a live bill featuring The Sardines with Croatoa. The Sardines, from Wilmington, North Carolina, bring an indie and psych rock sound led by veteran multi-genre musician James Sardone. Their music blends carefully crafted indie rock with melodic pop touches, and their 2023 EP, Colors, is available through Fort Lowell Records.

Opening night for the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra takes place at the Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College with a program that explores how Dvořák’s New World legacy influenced American music. Peter Askim conducts, and violinist Stephan Jackiw is featured in Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. The concert includes Carlos Simon’s Festive Fanfare and Overture and concludes with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World. Suitable for all ages.

An evening of sharp songwriting and lively musicianship features pianist, singer, and songwriter Jim Ellis alongside singer and guitarist Doug McFarland. Tickets are $15 plus fees. Hailing from North Carolina’s coast, Jim blends folk, rock, pop, and country into melodies that feel easygoing and memorable, drawing on storytellers like Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Onstage, his piano playing carries a bright New Orleans lift with a hint of blues. Over a career spanning decades, his band Waterline released Long Goners with appearances by Sonny Landreth and The Goners, known for backing John Hiatt, and Landreth’s slide guitar, heard with artists such as Jimmy Buffett and Dolly Parton, helped shape the album’s rootsy feel. As a solo artist, Jim’s EPs include Lucky Enough, a warm set about love and everyday gratitude, Can’t Keep Quiet Today, a piano-forward collection colored by second line rhythms, and Forgotten How to Fly, a grittier chapter about resilience and starting over. Doug brings acoustic finesse, sincere and sometimes witty original songs, and just the right touch of humor between tunes. Known as a singer, guitarist, and a memorable kazoo player, he delivers varied sets that balance heartfelt material with lighthearted moments.