Kenny Chesney to WWE. Big names, events coming to Greenville during first half of 2023.

Greenville has become a nationally recognized stop where artists such as Carrie Underwood, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bon Jovi and others have performed.

An array of more live performances, comedy and national events are heading to the Upstate this year. They range from the legendary Gladys Knight at the Peace Center to the action-packed WWE Friday Night Smackdown at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Here are a few more popularly known acts headed to Greenville in the first half of 2023.

The Peace Center has an extensive yearly lineup of artists, symphony performances and more:

Gladys Knight

The Empress of Soul is slated to make a return to Greenville as her 12-show, 2023 tour stops at the Peace Center on Feb. 28. The seven-time Grammy award winner is known for her early work in the 1960s alongside "the Pips" with hits such as "If I Were Your Woman," "Midnight Train to Georgia," and "Love Overboard."

The Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame member also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is widely recognized as one of the greatest singers of all time.

∎ Tickets: $70 to $100

David Sedaris

The two-time Thurber Prize winner for American humor arrives at the Peace Center on April 13 with an evening of comedy, satire, personal essays and short stories.

Sedaris is a New York Times Best Seller with his 2004 essay collection entitled Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and has contributed more than 40 essays to the New Yorker Magazine.

∎ Tickets: $45 to $55

John Cougar Mellencamp

"John Cougar" will perform classics from his 24-studio album discography at the Peace Center at 8 p.m. on May 19.

The rock guitarist and singer is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member (class of 2008) and also doubles as a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, with a Best Male Rock Vocal Performance award at the 25th Grammys for his performance of "Hurts So Good."

∎ Tickets: Sold out

Bon Secours Wellness Arena brings a variety of performances which range from professional and amateur sports, music, ice-skating events and monster truck exhibitions.

TobyMac

The three-time Grammy Award winner and Christian hip-hop star brings his "Hits Deep" tour to Greenville on Jan. 29.

TobyMac, a Virginia native, will finally perform his 2022 album release titled: "Life After Death" after more than a year's hiatus from touring due to the unexpected overdose death of his son.

∎ Tickets: $13 to $50

Professional Bull Riders

Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour's Greenville Invitational is on course to return to town for the fourth time as professional riders take on bucking bulls across 750 tons of dirt on Jan. 20 at 8 p.m., and then again on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

Over 40 riders will perform at BSWA including last year's winner, Marcos Gloria, as the two-day event will crown a champion on Saturday evening.

∎ Tickets: $115 to $168 (VIP Package)

WWE Smackdown

The action-packed, high-flying wrestling conglomerate known as WWE brings its Friday Night Smackdown event to Greenville on Feb. 3.

Drew McIntyre, Charlotte Flair, The Usos and more are scheduled to appear for a night of pinfalls, submissions and top-rope action.

∎ Tickets: $20 to $525 (VIP access)

Katt Williams

The Black comic and television star will include Greenville as part of the first leg of his "2023 and Me" tour on Feb. 18.

Williams is most known for his role in Ice Cube's film "Friday After Next," voiceover work on the video game Grand Theft Auto, and his most popular stand-up video "Pimp Chronicles."

∎ Tickets: $59 to $195

Must See:January 2023 events calendar and things to do in Greenville and the Upstate

Women's NCAA Tournament

College basketball returns to Greenville with the NCAA Women's Tournament as the "Sweet Sixteen" portion of the national tournament comes to Bon Secours Wellness Arena from March 24-27.

The Regional semifinals tournament will feature the best-of-the-best amateur women's hoops as the road to the Final Four will make a pit stop in the Upstate before ending in Dallas.

∎ Tickets: $120

Kenny Chesney

The country music star brings his "I Go Back" tour to Greenville alongside Kelsea Ballerini, as his 18th headlining tour arrives in town on April 27.

Chesney has recorded a total of 19 studio albums in his 30-plus year career and has earned more than $1 billion in gross concert revenue, according to Billboard.

∎ Tickets: $69 to $249 (VIP Package)

– A.J. Jackson covers arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Kenny Chesney to WWE. Key names, events coming to Greenville