Full list of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, plus Brunswick and Pender counties

If you're a fan of outdoor concerts, this is the summer you've been waiting for.

Most if not all outdoor shows in Southeastern North Carolina went quiet in 2020 due to the pandemic. They started to trickle back last year.

Now it's 2022, and outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, as well as throughout New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, are back in full force.

Listed below are 21 (count 'em) twenty-one summer concert series. Most are free. Others, you'll have to buy tickets for. All are held in the great outdoors, and while there's plenty of beach music, a wide variety of genres are represented, appealing to most musical tastes.

In fact, the only mainstream genre not represented is probably hip-hop.

More: How Wilmington's hip-hop scene navigates 'love-hate relationship' with the city

Did we miss a series or two? Let us know and we'll add it. This list will continue to be updated throughout the summer.

New Hanover concerts

Airlie Gardens Concert Series

This very popular series will sell out, so get tickets early if you want to go. Concerts run from 6-8 p.m. Fridays, and non-member tickets go on sale the Monday before each concert. Airlie members get priority. Parking is off-site at the New Hanover County Public Library's Northeast Branch, which is where you catch the free shuttle. Concessions not available, but chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed. Tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. 910-798-7700

• June 3: ReSoul (R&B)

• June 17: Signal Fire (reggae)

• July 1: No Regretz (classic rock, blues)

• July 15: Bibis Ellison (pop, rock, covers)

• Aug. 5: The Feebs (blues, rock, funk)

• Aug. 19: Machine Gun (rock, '80s)

• Sept. 2: British Invaders (Beatles, Stones, Who and more)

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast

The only local music series that also includes fireworks. Concerts run 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, except Fridays where indicated, at the Gazebo Stage on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Fireworks on the beach strand begin at 9 p.m. Free.

• Friday, May 27: Roy Roberts Blues Band

• June 2: Carl Newton Revue (soul, R&B)

• June 9: Phantom Playboys (rockabilly)

• June 16: Down South Thunder (country)

• June 23: The Goodloves (classics)

• Friday, July 1: Beggar's Banquet (Rolling Stones tribute)

• July 7: Smitty & The Jumpstarters (swing, blues)

• July 14: Spank (rock, R&B)

• July 21: Dr. Bacon (funk, rock)

• July 28: Rebekah Todd & Odyssey (soul, rock) and Snozzberries (psychedelic)

• Aug. 4: The Mystery Hillbillies (hillbilly boogie)

• Aug. 11: Ladies Auxiliary (classic rock)

• Aug. 18: British Invaders (British bands tribute)

• Aug. 25: Built for Comfort (rock, blues)

• Friday, Sept. 2: The Main Event (beach, classic rock)

Carolina Beach Music Festival

This 36th annual festival of beach music, held in the town where some say the genre was born, runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4 on the beach strand by the Boardwalk. Tickets are $35. Bands are the Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline and North Tower.

Friday Night Live!

With the demise of the Downtown Alive concert series, which was cancelled before one note was played, this series should draw a big weekly crowd downtown. Concerts are 7 p.m. Fridays at the Pier at Port City Marina, 10 Harnett St. in downtown Wilmington. Free admission, concessions available.

• May 27: Tuesday's Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute)

• June 24: Funky Monks (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute)

• July 1: 20 Ride (Zac Brown tribute)

• July 8: Breakfast Club ('80s tribute)

• July 29: Cosmic Charlie (Grateful Dead tribute)

• Aug. 5: Fix You (Coldplay tribute)

• Aug. 12: Guardians of the Jukebox ('80s tribute)

• Aug. 19: Abbey Road Live (Beatles tribute)

• Sept. 2: Departure (Journey tribute)

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

1,200-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts. Purchase tickets in advance, concessions available.

• May 16: Sylvan Esso

• May 20: The Struts

• May 21: Keller Williams & The Keels

• May 24: Béla Fleck

• May 29: Grace Potter

• June 14: Goose

• June 24-25: Michael Franti & Spearhead

• June 30: Stephen Marley

• July 5: Steel Pulse

• July 17: Blackberry Smoke

• July 23: The Movement

• July 31: Drive-By Truckers

• Aug. 7: Five for Fighting

• Aug. 14: JJ Grey & Mofro

• Aug. 21: Mary Chapin Carpenter

• Aug. 22: Local Natives

• Sept. 8: Built To Spill

• Sept. 28: COIN

• Sept. 30: Umphrey's McGee

• Oct. 2: The Wood Brothers

• Oct. 22: Steep Canyon Rangers

Jazz at the Bellamy Mansion

Top jazz acts will play the Bellamy Mansion 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Small coolers allowed, food and drink available for purchase. Tickets are $10-$20. 910-251-3700

• June 9: Bajissima (Latin jazz)

• July 14: Jim Ferris Trio

• Aug. 11: Mangroove Jazz Quintet

• Sept. 8, 2022: El Jaye Johnson Band

Kure Beach Boogie in the Park

Concerts are 5-7 p.m. Sundays at Oceanfront Park,105 Atlantic Ave. in Kure Beach. Bring a beach chair or blanket Free. 910-458-8216.

• May 15: Signal Fire (reggae)

• June 5: The Donald Thompson Band (R&B)

• June 19: Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot (soul, R&B, beach)

• July 17: Down South Thunder (country, rock)

• Aug. 7: Into the Fog (bluegrass, Americana)

• Aug. 21: Lynne and the Wave (variety)

• Sept. 18: Circle City Rockers

• Oct. 2: South of K (bluegrass

• Oct. 16: Big Time Shine (party rock)

Live Oak Bank Pavilion

7,200-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts. Purchase tickets in advance, concessions available.

• May 17: Leon Bridges

• May 22: HAIM

• May 24: Tame Impala

• June 3: Dierks Bentley

• June 4: Fitz & The Tantrums and St. Paul & The Broken Bones

• June 17: Maren Morris

• June 18: The Black Crowes

• July 2: Rainbow Kitten Surprise

• July 15: Josh Groban

• July 22-23: GRiZ

• July 28: All This Future

• Aug. 6: Nate Bargatze (comedy)

• Aug. 26: Darius Rucker

• Sept. 3: Dispatch and O.A.R.

• Sept. 9: Tenacious D

• Sept. 16: Lake Street Dive

• Sept. 20: My Morning Jacket

• Sept. 21: The Head And The Heart

• Sept. 23: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

• Sept. 29: The War On Drugs

Ocean Grill

Concerts on the former Center Pier take place 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach. Admission is free, food and beverages available for purchase

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• June 2: The Swellians (surf rock)

• June 9: Pleasure Island, Pinky Verde (garage/indie)

• June 16: Zen Frisbee (alternative?)

• June 23: The Feeds, Sean Thomas Gerard (rock, indie)

• June 30: Tracy Shedd, Lauds (indie rock, dream pop)

• July 7: Kicking Bird (rock)

• July 14: Seeking Madras (garage rock)

• July 21: Mason Smith Band (folk rock, Americana)

• July 28: The Dew Drops (country)

• Aug 4: Feather (soft rock)

• Aug 11: Skylar Gudasz (indie rock)

• Aug 18: The Shoaldiggers

• Aug 25: CoverLip (rock)

Saturday Sunset Series at Marina Grill

Concerts have been going on at this open-air downtown Wilmington venue since April and will continue 6-9 p.m. Saturday evenings (expect where noted) at the boatyard at Marina Grill, 18 Harnett St. Free admission, food and beverages available for purchase. Free.

• May 14: Chuck Mountain

• May 21: Lunar Tide

• May 28: Hair Trigger Band

• June 4: Phantom Playboys (rockabilly, 5-7:30 p.m.)

• June 11: Southern Trouble (country, Southern rock)

• June 18: Loud Music Company (5-7:30 p.m.)

• June 25: Machine Gun (rock, '80s)

• July 2: The Conspiracy (5-7:30 p.m.)

• July 9: Dane Britt Trio

• July 16: Massive Grass (bluegrass)

• July 23: Phantom Playboys (rockabilly, 5-7:30 p.m.)

• July 30: Port City Shakedown (7-8 piece party/dance band)

• Aug. 6: Medicated Sunfish (jam, 5-7:30 p.m.)

• Aug. 13: Trouble No More

• Aug. 20: Chuck Mountain

• Aug. 27: Massive Grass (bluegrass)

• Sept. 3: Into the Fog (Americana, 5-7:30 p.m.)

• Sept. 10: Uptown Easy (7-piece dance, party band)

• Sept. 17: Port City Shakedown (7-8 piece party/dance band)

• Sept. 24: Machine Gun (rock, '80s)

• Oct. 1: Juno

• Oct. 8: Steel Country Express

• Oct. 15: Parlay (classic rock)

• Oct. 22: Highway Miles Band

• Oct. 29: Uptown Easy (7-piece dance, party band)

WECT Sounds of Summer

Concerts run 6:30-8 pm Thursdays at Wrightsville Beach Park. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs and/or blankets. Coolers are allowed, but alcohol is not permitted in the park. Free.

• June 9: The Feebs (blues, rock, funk)

• June 16: Port City Shakedown (7-8 piece party/dance band)

• June 23: Southern Trouble (country, Southern rock)

• June 30: Uptown Easy (7-piece dance, party band)

• July 7: Jack Jack 180 (rock, pop covers)

• July 14: Overtyme Band (musical hits from the '50s to today)

• July 21: ReSoul Band (R&B)

• July 28: Dekker Road (classic rock)

Brunswick concerts

Calabash Summer Concert Series

Concerts are 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Calabash Town Park, 868 Persimmon Road. Hot dogs, kettle corns and treats available. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Free. 910-579-6747.

• June 7: Chocolate Chip & Co. Band (soul, R&B)

• June 21: Band of Oz (beach)

• June 28: Too Much Sylvia (beach music, funky '70s Motown, retro '80s)

• July 5: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

• July 19: The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard (beach)

• July 26: Southside Saints (rock)

• Aug. 2: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

• Aug. 16: British Invaders (Beatles, Stones, Who and more)

Holden Beach Concert Series

Concerts are held 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays at the pavilion under the Holden Beach bridge. Refreshments available for purchase. Bring chair or beach towel to sit on. Free. 910-842-6488.

• May 29: Carolina Kool

• June 5: The Main Event Band (R&B, soul, beach, country, funk)

• June 12: The Embers (beach music)

• June 29: Continental Divide

• June 26: The Tams (beach music)

• July 3: The Extraordinaires (R&B, classics)

• July 10: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

• July 17: Chairman of the Board (beach music)

• July 24: Band of Oz (beach music)

• July 31: Carolina Breakers (beach music)

• Aug. 7: Blackwater Band (Top 40, blues, funk, country)

• Aug. 14: North Tower (beach, Motown, disco, funk, rock)

• Aug. 21: Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot (beach, rock, pop)

• Aug. 28: Too Much Sylvia (beach music, funky '70s Motown, retro '80s)

• Sept. 4: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

Leland's Live at the Park concerts

This concert series started back in April. Concerts are 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Founders Park in Leland. Food trucks on site, picnics/coolers welcomed. Bring a blanket and/or chair. No smoking. Free.

• May 26: Port City Shakedown (7-8 piece party/dance band)

• June 2: The Tonez (beach, dance, rock)

Oak Island Concert Series

Concerts are Fridays (except where noted) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Middleton Park Amphitheater. Free.

• May 27: The Main Event Band (R&B, soul, beach, country, funk)

• June 3: Cruise Brothers Band (R&B, country)

• June 10: The Sand Band (beach)

• June 17: The Tim Clark Band (dance, beach, rock)

• June 24: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

• July 1: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

• July 15: Chocolate Chip & Co. Band (soul, R&B)

• July 22: The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard (beach)

• July 29: Pink Slips (beach)

• Aug. 5: Uptown Easy (7-piece dance, party band)

• Aug. 12: Rivermist (classic rock, R&B)

• Aug. 19: Carolina Line Bluegrass Band

• Aug. 26: Old Man Mafia Band (classics)

• Sept. 3 (Saturday): North Tower (beach, Motown, disco, funk, rock)

Ocean Isle Beach Summer Concerts

Also called the Peggy Hughes Concert Series, it starts 6:30 p.m. each Friday at Town Center Park, E. Second St. in Ocean Isle Beach. Free.

• May 27: Chocolate Chip & Co. Band (soul, R&B)

• June 3: North Tower (beach, Motown, disco, funk, rock)

• June 10: The Tonez (beach, dance, rock)

• June 17: Special Occasion Band

• June 24: Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot (beach music)

• July 1: Blackwater Band (Top 40, blues, funk, country)

• July 8: Band of Oz (beach)

• July 15: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

• June 22: Jim Quick and Coastline (beach)

• July 29: Too Much Sylvia (beach music, funky '70s Motown, retro '80s)

• Aug. 5: The Main Event Band (R&B, soul, beach, country, funk)

• Aug. 12: The Holiday Band

• Aug. 19: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

• Aug. 26: The Magnificents

• Sept. 2: The Extraordinaires (R&B, classics)

Southport Summer Concert Series

Concerts are 6-8 p.m. Thursdays in Franklin Square Park, downtown Southport. Bring a blanket or chair. Free.

• June 2: Back Porch Rockers (classic rock, blues)

• June 9: NowCat (yacht rock)

• June 16: Brunswick Big Band

• June 23: Zilches (classic rock)

• July 7: Christine Martinez Band (Americana)

• July 14: Carolina Line Band (bluegrass)

• July 21: Parlay (classic rock)

• July 28: Chance Union (rock of the '80s and '70s)

• Aug. 4: Charlene & the Charlatans (bluegrass)

• Aug. 11: A Class Act (Top 40 dance, beach, soul)

• Aug. 18: Luna Sea Rock (soul)

• Aug. 25: Salty Dawgs (rock, pop, country, blues)

• Sept. 1: Blues Kings (blues, jazz)

Sunset Beach Sound Waves concert series

Concerts will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at the Village Park gazebo, 1791 Queen Anne St. Free.

• June 1: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

• June 8: The Pink Slips Band (beach, soul, country)

• June 15: Blackwater Band (Top 40, blues, funk, country)

• June 22: British Invaders (Beatles, Stones, Who and more)

• June 29: Chip and the Old Blocks (classic rock)

• July 6: Jan Michael Fields Band (classic rock, current hits)

• July 13: Band of Oz (beach music)

• July 20: Chocolate Chip & Company (R&B, soul, dance)

• July 27: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

• Aug. 3: Too Much Sylvia (beach music, funky '70s Motown, retro '80s)

• Aug. 10: Rev On Band (Foreigner tribute)

• Aug. 17: Chairman of the Board (beach music)

• Aug. 24: North Tower Band (Top 40, beach, funk, oldies)

• Aug. 31: The Entertainers (beach, R&B, rock, country, Top 40)

Pender concerts

Burgaw's Summer on the Square concerts

All concerts will be held 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays on the Pender County Courthouse Square. Food vendors on site. Free. 910-259-1330

• June 2: British Invaders (British bands tribute)

• June 16: Massive Grass (bluegrass)

• June 30: Carl Newton's Revue (soul, R&B)

• July 14: Cat 5 Band (Top 40, classic rock, country)

• July 28: Cruise Brothers (R&B, country)

Hampstead Alive After Five Concert Series

Concerts will begin 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Hampstead Kiwanis Park, 586 Sloop Point Loop Road in Hampstead. Bring chair or blanket. Food trucks available, alcohol and pets not permitted. Free. 910-259-1330.

• May 20: Carl Newton's Revue (R&B)

• June 3: Big City

• June 17: Cruise Brothers Band (R&B, country)

• July 8: Blackwater Band (Top 40, blues, funk, country)

• July 22: British Invaders (Beatles, Stones, Who and more)

Topsail Sounds Concert Series

Concerts run 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Topsail Beach Town Center, 624 S. Anderson Blvd. in Topsail Beach. Free. 910-328-5841

• May 24: Cruise Brothers Band (R&B, country)

• June 28: Revolution

• July 26: Randy Knight & Parrot Party (Jimmy Buffett)

• Aug. 23: Bacon Grease (rock, pop covers)

• Sept. 27: The Mango Band

Contact John Staton 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in Wilmington, Brunswick, Pender