Live music in Leland, NC

Camp vibes take over the patio at Hotel Ballast Wilmington with a summer series of laid back fun. Enjoy live music that brings to mind sing alongs by the fire, food and drink specials featuring pouch cocktails reminiscent of Capri Sun alongside seltzers and beer on ice, and yard games like cornhole. The experience is open to everyone, including hotel guests, and no tickets or reservations are required. For details, call 910.763.5900.

Enjoy a 90-minute sunset cruise on the Cape Fear River aboard The Wilmington, a comfortable 49-passenger motor catamaran. This ride features live music and is set up as a fun evening outing in Wilmington, whether you’re planning a date night or spending time with family and friends. Boarding begins about 15 minutes before departure, and the tour includes a full bar with refreshments and snacks.

Mystic River appears at Dram Tree Tavern in Wilmington, North Carolina.

At the Wilson Center, The Oak Ridge Boys present their Celebrating Route 66 tour, showcasing the quartet’s trademark four-part harmonies and an upbeat setlist. For more than five decades they have shaped a distinctive sound behind dozens of country favorites and two crossover pop hits, earning recognition that includes Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards. This all-ages performance offers family-friendly entertainment from one of country music’s most enduring groups.

Get ready for a fun, high-energy Friday night at Backspin Social in Wilmington. Music Bingo turns a classic game into a musical challenge, with you marking your bingo card as songs play throughout the evening. There’s friendly competition and community vibes, and the top two finishers win $25 gift cards courtesy of a local small business partner. Best of all, it’s free to play.

Enjoy a free night of Latin dance and music at Waterline Brewing Co., presented in partnership with BoricuaMos Productions. A food truck will be on site, a complimentary beginner lesson with Chris and Mimi helps kick things off, and DJ Borichamo keeps the energy high with salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Dancing may take place indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. All ages are welcome, and the evening suits both experienced dancers and first timers. Drinks, lively rhythms, and a warm atmosphere set the tone for a fun community gathering.

Settle in for a relaxing 90-minute sunset cruise on the Cape Fear River aboard the motor catamaran "Wilmington". The trip features live music and a full bar with refreshments and snacks for all ages. Boarding begins about 15 minutes before departure, and you can check the tour calendar for the featured musicians for each sailing.

Dumpstaphunk brings a set devoted to the songs of Sly & The Family Stone to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. The performance centers on the group’s catalog, presented as a focused tribute by Dumpstaphunk. Ticket access includes a general public onsale along with options through a Live Nation presale and a T-Mobile + Fastlane offer.

Chatham County Line brings a genre-blending sound shaped over more than two decades since launching in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their live show mixes bluegrass, folk, country, and rock and roll, a combination that first earned a devoted local following and then reached international audiences with their 2003 self-titled debut. In the years that followed, they released eight additional studio albums that drew strong reviews, topped the Billboard Bluegrass Chart four times, collaborated with Judy Collins, Sharon Van Etten, and Jonas Fjeld, earned two gold records in Norway along with two Spellemannprisen nominations, and appeared on bills with Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett, Steve Martin and Martin Short, and The Avett Brothers. Critics have praised their memorable melodies, striking harmonies, and a style that links bluegrass tradition to new ideas. Their latest chapter centers on Hiyo, the first release since the departure of their longtime banjo player. Recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain with co-producer and engineer Rachael Moore, the trio of Dave Wilson, John Teer, and Greg Readling leans into change with fresh sonic colors that include synthesizers, drum machines, and expanded electric guitar and percussion. The songwriting remains at the core, telling vivid stories of love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow, and righteousness and revenge, all delivered with a fresh sense of discovery and vitality.

Local bluegrass and Americana favorites Massive Grass return to Ted’s for an evening of stories and songs. Their sound blends energetic, rock and roll–leaning rhythms with the heart of bluegrass, while the lyrics move from witty and dark to tender and yearning. Tickets are $20 plus fees.

Against The Odds returns to Dirty Dan’s with a late-night set packed with live music, high energy, and coastal vibes. Whether you are out with friends or hopping between downtown bars, this show keeps the party going by the beach.

Independent Americana artist and songwriter Drew Peterson brings more than twenty years of Midwest touring to the stage. After first leading the Minnesota band Forty Watt Bulb, he went on to launch two roots-driven projects, the twangy Dead Pigeons and the bluegrass-leaning Boxstore Bird. Raised on a rural Minnesota farm and armed with a five dollar church-sale guitar, he built his craft through steady work and constant practice, with a deep focus on lyric writing. His songs blend wry humor with reflective storytelling, laying a smooth sheen over a bit of grit, and his inspirations range from John Prine and Tom Waits to Cat Stevens and Van Morrison. Equally at home in a quiet listening room or a lively festival crowd, he pours himself into each performance and uses tales between tunes to make a connection. Tickets are $10 plus fees.

Barzarre hosts a weekly open mic that welcomes nearly every kind of performance. Expect a mix of live music, stand-up, spoken word, improv, hip hop, and wonderfully offbeat talents, all sharing one stage for a laid-back variety showcase. Admission is free, and signups happen in person. Everyone is invited to participate, whether brand-new or seasoned, polished or in progress. Novelty bits are part of the fun, from headstands to spirited kazoo features. Touring artists sometimes stop by for spotlight sets. A projector with HDMI input is available for multimedia pieces. The atmosphere encourages experimentation, so performers can take risks and either learn from a miss or bring down the house. The bar keeps the brews easy on the wallet, adding to the friendly, anything goes energy.

The Wild Goose opens the floor for an open mic made for all kinds of acts. Sing a favorite song, strum a guitar, try out a stand up set, or take a playful risk... the microphone is open to anyone.

Music Bingo at The Kettle blends classic bingo with a musical twist. The event features specials on drinks, lively tunes, and opportunities to win prizes.

Brown Dirt Cowboys are playing at Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill in Southport. The show starts at 5:00 PM.

Enjoy music and dancing with a caller who will guide the steps before the music begins. A beginner lesson is included. No partner or prior experience is required, and parking is plentiful. Admission is $10, with a $1 rate for students. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that make it easy to spin, and take the opportunity to meet new people.

A live musical performance takes place inside the food court at Harris Teeter (Riverlights).

CAM Café, located inside the museum, offers a weekly dinner experience with live acoustic performances by rotating local artists. The music sets a relaxed backdrop for enjoying a meal and cocktails in an artful setting. Café purchases during this series include complimentary gallery admission. When Jazz at CAM is on the schedule, the café does not present a live musician.

Penelope Road brings The Chance Encounter Tour with a high-energy blend of soul and pop. The Atlanta quintet features Max Moore on lead vocals and guitar, Charles Eastman on lead vocals and keys, Koan Roy-Meighoo on vocals and guitar, James Kopp on bass, and Anthony Smith on drums, and is dedicated to immersive, no-frills performance, having sold more than 20,000 tickets in the first half of 2025. From early house jams on Penelope Road and viral attic clips to a Warner Records deal, the band’s rise includes a self-titled 2024 EP and sold-out shows both headlining and sharing stages with Goose and Lake Street Dive. The Diamond Street Sessions, recorded at Diamond Street Studios with David Ryan Harris, introduced warm, groove-forward cuts like “Out Tonight” and “Flowers (Carry Me Home),” while the 2025 EP Chance Encounter leans into candid lyrics and full-band punch. They closed 2025 with three sold-out hometown performances and a Grammy.com Grammy Reimagined feature for their version of the Eagles’ “Lyin’ Eyes.” This North American headline run continues that momentum with tight musicianship, heartfelt songwriting, and the communal spark that shaped their journey from house jams to major stages.