2 weeks Ago
Your May concert countdown is here, looking ahead at some of the best shows coming to Charleston this month. We've got quite the mix, and now that the weather has warmed up the outdoor venues around town are in full swing as well. And because outdoor venues are so tapped in this month, I'm including some clusters below for you to pick from all the stellar shows happening at particular venues, like The Windjammer and Credit One Stadium.
Don't forget to slather on that sunscreen when you head to an outdoor show (trust me, I've learned the hard way)! Guitarist Mark Bryan performs for a sold-out crowd during the first of two Hootie & The Blowfish concerts at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Thursday, Aug.
29, 2024. He's playing a solo show at The Windjammer in May in Charleston. What: May is a packed month at The Windjammer, with so many bands to highlight playing the NUTRL Beach Stage.
I'll give a shout out to a few here: Yonder Mountain String Band, Brent Cobb, Everclear, Leftover Salmon, Vincent Mason, GoldFord, two nights of Corey Smith, two nights of Umphrey's McGee, two nights of Futurebirds and two nights of Stoplight Observations. Among the stellar lineup is also Hootie & The Blowfish's own Mark Bryan, a Charleston local who has released three solo albums beyond his Hootie years. I'll include those details below, but check out the general website for all the details on the others.
When: Doors at 6 p.m. May 3 Where: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd.
, Isle of Palms Price: $20 advance, $25 day of show More Info: the-windjammer.com/event/mark-bryan Sturgill Simpson will be playing at the Credit One Stadium. What: It's a busy month at Credit One Stadium following a successful tennis tournament at the venue in April.
This month, you can snag tickets to see the following artists there: Cody Johnson & Friends, Hank Williams Jr., two nights of Widespread Panic and Keith Urban. Also on the list is Sturgill Simpson, known in the contemporary country music world for his traditional sound and introspective lyrics.
When: 8 p.m. May 23 Where: Credit One Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel Island Price: $43.
50+ More Info: creditonestadium.com/event/strugill-simpson Kishi Bashi has a show in Charleston this month. What: Former of Montreal member, Spoleto alum and acclaimed violinist Kishi Bashi is performing at the Music Farm, joined by Elizabeth and the Catapult.
When: 8 p.m. May 1 Where: Music Farm, 32 Ann St.
Price: $27.50 advance, $30 day of show More Info: musicfarm.com/event/kishi-bashi Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience is coming to the Charleston Music Hall in May.
What: I'm a classic rock lover at heart, and so this one is for sure on my list. I never got to see Led Zeppelin or Page & Plant, so this is maybe as close as I'll get to some of my favorite songs of all time, from "Going to California" to "Whole Lotta Love" to "Ramble On" to "Rock and Roll." It's Zoso's 30th anniversary tour.
When: 8 p.m. May 3 Where: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
Price: $25-$40 More Info: charlestonmusichall.com/event/zoso-the-ultimate-led-zeppelin-experience What: Grammy Award winners Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone will be performing at the Gaillard Center as part of a co-headlining tour. Etheridge is behind hits like "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One.
" Stone is behind "Right to be Wrong" and "Super Duper Love." When: 7:30 p.m.
May 6 Where: Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St. Price: $49.50+ More Info: gaillardcenter.
org/events/melissa-etheridge-joss-stone What: Alice Cooper is bringing his shock rock to the North Charleston stage. Giant monsters, spewing blood, slashing guillotines and other horrifying scenes are sure to make an appearance for a night of gruesome glamor. Just add electric guitars.
When: 8 p.m. May 7 Where: North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive Price: $56+ More Info: northcharlestoncoliseumpac.
com/events/detail/alice-cooper-2 Nattali Rize plays at the Pour House in May on her album release tour. What: Reggae fans unite for this show featuring Australian-born and Jamaican-based artist Nattali Rize, who is a performer, record producer and social activist. She combines reggae, rock and roots music with inspirational and socially conscious lyrics.
This is part of her "Liberate" album launch tour, and the show will be on the deck stage. When: 6 p.m.
May 9 Where: Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island Price: $20 More Info: charlestonpourhouse.com/event/nattali-rize What: Enjoy an outdoor concert listening to "Out of My League" hitmakers Fitz & The Tantrums. It's their Spring Fling tour, and the opening act will be local favorites Brave Baby .
When: 7:30 p.m. May 9 Where: The Refinery, 1640 Meeting Street Road Price: $35 general admission, $60 VIP More Info: therefinerychs.
com/calendar Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett will be represented in a show by the Black Jacket Symphony. What: The Black Jacket Symphony is a powerhouse group that takes the works of iconic singers or bands and presents them to audiences in an impressive way. This rendition will feature the tunes of now-deceased Jimmy Buffett.
Expect to escape to "Margaritaville," with a "Cheeseburger in Paradise," because it's "5 O'Clock Somewhere." That and more vacation tunes await. When: 8 p.
m. May 10 Where: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Price: $40 More Info: charlestonmusichall.
com/event/the-black-jacket-symphony-presents-jimmy-buffett What: Firefly Distillery has some great shows planned this summer, including one of my favorites of all time Vampire Weekend in June (stay tuned!) This month, the show on my radar is Michael Franti & Spearhead. The group is behind 2008 breezy reggae-rock hit "Say Hey," which was an absolute 8th grade bop for me. When: 7 p.
m. May 11 Where: Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston Price: $49.
50+ More Info: fireflydistillery.com/event/michael-franti-spearhead-welcome-to-the-family-tour What: John Kenney, co-owner of The Royal American, has supported live music in Charleston for more than a decade. But did you know he has his own band? His project Rotoglow will play for an EP release show, joined by Haunters.
When: 9 p.m. May 16 Where: The Royal American, 970 Morrison Drive Price: $10 More Info: theroyalamerican.
com/schedule/rotoglow-5-16-25 Arooj Aftab is playing as part of this year's Spoleto Festival USA. What: Can you believe that by the end of May, Spoleto shows will have begun? Two of them are taking place at the Charleston Music Hall: performances by Red Baraat and Arooj Aftab. Red Baraat features high-energy Punjabi rhythms with elements of hip-hop, jazz and punk.
Arooj Aftab is a Grammy-winning Pakistani composer blending jazz, South Asian classical, pop and blues. When: 7:30 p.m.
May 27; 8 p.m. May 29 Where: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
Price: $40-$70 each More Info: charlestonmusichall.com/event/red-baraat ; charlestonmusichall.com/event/arooj-aftab What: The lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of Delta Spirit, who is also a High Water alum, will be performing at the Pour House with Jacob Alan Jaeger.
Mathew Vasquez's influences include Thom Yorke, Kurt Cobain and Neil Young. When: 8:30 p.m.
May 29 Where: Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island Price: $20 advance, $25 day of show More Info: charlestonpourhouse.com/event/matthew-logan-vasquez-3 Semkari has a homecoming show at The Royal American this month after returning from touring Japan. What: This Charleston hip-hop act will play a homecoming show after returning from a tour in Japan.
Semkari will be joined by HIROW and Social Void. When: 9 p.m.
May 29 Where: The Royal American, 970 Morrison Drive Price: $10 More Info: theroyalamerican.com/schedule/semkari-5-29-25.
