From Riverfront to Beach Bars: Live Music in Wilmington
As we shift from spring to summer there is another season blossoming at the same time. That is concert season. Live music in Wilmington has changed immensely in the past few years which has made it somewhat difficult to keep track of. While the Live Oak Bank Pavillion, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, and the Wilson Center are bringing huge headline acts to Wilmington, I feel that there is a little extra magic in the air of the smaller venues in Wilmington.
One of the best examples of that magical atmosphere is Live at Teds. Ted’s is a quaint little bungalow in downtown Wilmington that seats 62 people and refers to itself as a listening room. That means it is not a bar, brewery, restaurant, or bottle shop (although they do offer refreshments), but a place to be immersed in the music without distraction. Since 2010 Ted’s has been a grass roots paradise for music lovers of all genres. In recent years they have partnered with Hourglass Studios to include a recording aspect of Ted’s in hope to capture a bit of the magic.
Another long standing cornerstone of the Wilmington music scene is the Brooklyn Arts Center. Originally built in 1888 as a church I would argue that this building has seen more weddings, concerts, and celebrations than any other building in Wilmington. The beautiful stained glass windows, cathedral ceilings, and original wood finishes are enough to cultivate a spiritual experience at a Wiggles concert. That being the case, this is a very popular wedding venue as well so it is important to subscribe to their calendar so when their concerts are scheduled you can be first in line.
Yet, of course, the spontaneous nature of music and those who love it will always prevail. So when the sun is out and the drinks are cold here are a few of my favorite establishments where you can expect to hear the siren sound of a strumming guitar: Jimmy’s at Wrightsville Beach, Fermental Bottle Shop, Wrightsville Beach Brewery, Tap Yard, Island Beverage, The Starling, Satellite Bar and Lounge, Dram Tree Tavern, The Goat and Compass, The Reel Cafe, and the Palm Room.
From honkytonks to discos Wilmington has a flavor for all musical tastes. We’ve seen artists such as Lukas Nelson, Michael Franti, GRiZ, and Tyler Childers continue to come back to our growing city because of the passion that we have for the craft. It also doesn’t hurt that their shows always sell out. So set up those pre-sale ticket reminders, subscribe to your favorite artist’s tour announcements, and follow that guy that played your favorite song at the brewery on instagram. The seasons will change before you know it.