TODAY'S EVENTS
22octAll DayWhiskey Myers at Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Event Details
Whiskey Myers performs at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on October 22nd at 7pm. GET TICKETS
Event Details
Whiskey Myers performs at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on October 22nd at 7pm.
Time
All Day (Tuesday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
23oct7:00 pm9:00 pmChristian Brinkley at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Christian Brinkley performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 23rd from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Christian Brinkley performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 23rd from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
24octAll DayRandy McQuay & David Bolton at Quanto Basta
Event Details
Randy McQuay & David Bolton have a residency at Quanto Basta in 2024 — performing on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30pm.
Event Details
Randy McQuay & David Bolton have a residency at Quanto Basta in 2024 — performing on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30pm.
Time
All Day (Thursday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Quanto Basta
107 N 2nd Street
24oct7:00 pm9:00 pmFuzzy Needle at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Fuzzy Needle spins vinyl at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 24th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Fuzzy Needle spins vinyl at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 24th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
Event Details
Stephen Gossin perform at The Righteous Dudes at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Concert Series at 6pm
Event Details
Stephen Gossin perform at The Righteous Dudes at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Concert Series at 6pm
Time
(Friday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area
118 Riverfront Road
Event Details
The Warped Tour Band, the ultimate tribute to emo and punk, performs at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 25th from 7pm to 10pm. From the website: Remember your first -me at
Event Details
The Warped Tour Band, the ultimate tribute to emo and punk, performs at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 25th from 7pm to 10pm.
From the website:
Remember your first -me at Warped Tour? The bands, the heat, meet & greets, and merch tents as far as the eye could see. The inflatable slide, halfpipe, and of course the lineup board…. Trying to figure out how you were gonna see every band you wanted to that day? It was always the best day of summer when we were younger. Grab your eyeliner and black skinny jeans… sunscreen up and get ready for a high-energy throwback experience. The Warped Band brings you the ultimate tribute to Warped Tour. From music to theming the venue, to even some-mes hos-ng local openers. This is the only tribute approved by Kevin Lyman (Founder of Warped Tour). THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE BEST SUMMER EVER! Performing songs by ar-st such as Blink 182, Green Day, Paramore, Good Charloe, Taking Back Sunday, Papa Roach, Less Than Jake, NOFX, Fall Out Boy, and many many more… even ar-st who only played a single Warped Tour such as Linkin Park, Rage Against The Machine and Katy Perry even! This is truly the ultimate tribute to Warped Tour.
more
Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard
1002 Princess Street
25oct8:00 pm10:00 pmCarlos Rising at Live at Ted's
Event Details
Carlos Rising performs at Live at Ted’s on October 25th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15. GET TICKETS From the website: Whether he’s solo or with his band, Carlos Rising creates
Event Details
Carlos Rising performs at Live at Ted’s on October 25th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15.
From the website:
Whether he’s solo or with his band, Carlos Rising creates an unforgettable experience for all listeners with his soothing tone and diverse repertoire of original music. For the past 10 years Carlos has been playing shows and releasing songs that reach a plethora of audiences, including fans of Soul, RnB and Pop. In 2023, Rising was a featured contestant on Season 23 of NBC’s the Voice, where he showcased his vocal ability, artistry and genre versatility on Team Blake. Not only does Rising have the ability to connect with large audiences on a national scale, but also can thrive in intimate small environments where he encapsulates audiences with his original songs. Now based out of Wilmington NC, Carlos continues to play shows and write music, all in an effort to make his songs make a difference the lives of his listeners.
Website: https://www.carlosrising.com/
more
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
25oct8:00 pm11:59 pmBacon Grease Trio at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
Event Details
Bacon Grease Trio performs at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar on October 25th from 8pm to midnight. From the website: Bacon Grease is a collective of local musicians in Wilmington that aim
Event Details
Bacon Grease Trio performs at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar on October 25th from 8pm to midnight.
From the website:
Bacon Grease is a collective of local musicians in Wilmington that aim to provide the highest level of energy and entertainment as a live band. Performing all of your favorite songs past and present, for your personal enjoyment for every event. You do not want to miss this show! Invite your friends, take advantage of drink specials, and let us all party the night away! Bring your dancing shoes!
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 11:59 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Seawitch
227 Carolina Beach Avenue N
25oct10:00 pm11:59 pmIlliterate Light “Arches Tour” with Palmyra at Bourgie Nights
Event Details
Illiterate Light brings its “Arches Tour” with Palmyra to Bourgie Nights on October 25th from 10pm to midnight. Tickets are $20. GET TICKETS From the website: lliterate Light https://www.illiteratelight.com/
Event Details
Illiterate Light brings its “Arches Tour” with Palmyra to Bourgie Nights on October 25th from 10pm to midnight. Tickets are $20.
From the website:
lliterate Light
https://www.illiteratelight.com/
It’s dangerous to put Illiterate Light in a box, especially with the release of their new album, Arches. Are they a guitar-driven indie rock duo? Kaleidoscopic neo-psychedelia? Synth-kissed, harmony-laden folk? What does one do with an album beginning with “fake tits and diet coke,” then pivoting to train derailments in rural Ohio and never-ending black holes? These prolific farmers-turned-rockers have captured the energy of their live shows—fans crowd-surfing, moshing, crying, and crooning—and infused it into their latest release.
“We’ve always been shape shifters, moving between heavy, dark distortion and gentle sweet fingerpicking, writing aggressive songs, introspective songs, and love songs, exploding and embracing,” reflects singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman. “Smashing it all together used to feel strange, but now there’s a glue between everything we do. Our fans get it. They care less about genre. All they care about is feeling. And that’s all we care about. Are you alive or not?”
Illiterate Light’s third album, Arches, is not a passageway but an arrival. “We’re no longer striving to define a sound,” said drummer Jake Cochran. “We’re leaning into sides of ourselves that have felt off-limits, sticking to what feels right rather than concerning ourselves with comparison.” Out November 1 via Thirty Tigers, the record is bursting with thunderous anthems, biting lyrics, and lush harmonies.
The band originated in the Shenandoah Valley in 2015 when multi-instrumentalists Gorman and Cochran began playing music together while working on an organic farm. Eventually, they left the farm to focus on music, adopting the moniker Illiterate Light from a Wilco lyric. After several years of non-stop touring, they signed with Atlantic Records and released their eponymous full-length debut in late 2019. Two years later, they signed with Thirty Tigers and, in 2023, issued their critically acclaimed LP, Sunburned. Shortly after, they released two additional EPs, making Arches their fourth release in two years.
Arches was recorded in two very different locations: small-town Appalachia at Gorman’s home studio and Hollywood, CA at Sunset Sound with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, Beck, The Killers). “We wanted the best of both worlds,” says Gorman. “We spent several days with Joe at Sunset. To record vocals in the same live room as so many of my heroes—Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Dylan—was unreal. I knew I was in a holy place.” The LA session was paired with sessions in Virginia, where Gorman and Cochran co-produced the bulk of the record with longtime collaborator Danny Gibney. In their hometown, they experimented with soaring instrumental journeys and had friends sit in on the sessions to keep things lively.
“Having our community stop by the sessions kept us on our toes—we haven’t been able to do that in the past. It helped connect us to the feeling of our live show,” recalls Cochran. Illiterate Light’s live performances, described by the Washington Post as “massive,” feature Gorman on one foot, hammering bass on a foot-pedal synth, shredding big guitar riffs, and spitting out song after song while Cochran matches Gorman harmony for harmony, dancing with his standing drum kit, teetering on the edge of the stage only to dive head first into his next solo.
Arches is the closest you can get to their live show, with heavier songs like “I Ride Alone” and “Bloodlines” encapsulating the best of the writhing, uninhibited front-row experience. The keystone of the album, “Norfolk Southern,” crashes in with Gorman belting, “Here comes the Norfolk Southern / It’s off the tracks / and heading for you,” with Cochran chanting, “break, break, break, break” to the ghost of the train that derailed in 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing 10,000 gallons of hazardous materials into the atmosphere. The song also serves as a metaphor for Gorman’s own turbulent feelings. “I certainly wanted to shine a light on the environmental catastrophe. But strangely, some days I feel just like that Norfolk Southern, barreling out of control at warp speed.”
Gorman lets the lyrics take control. Showing up relentlessly, day after day, to his home studio dubbed “The Bookhouse” (a tribute to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks), he can’t predict what will arise. For the album’s first track, “Payphone,” the opening lyrics were a surprise to Gorman: “Fake tits and diet coke / Full of undefeated hope / You are the only one I trust.” The jangly and groovy album opener is a pep talk between a woman named Big Red and her man as he faces crippling self-doubt and is self-medicating. She comforts him during a time of despair on a phone call that continues to drop.
Another relationship study, “Montauk,” is a cold beachside dance under the full moon inspired by the central question in Gorman’s favorite movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. “Do we go for it again—even though we’re destined to fail?” he asks. “For me, the answer is a resounding yes.”
“All the Stars Are Burning Out” continues in that reflective vein. “It’s a throwback song, about getting high, going for a drive, dreaming up your future. You’re looking at that wide open black sky of bright stars, and they’re so beautiful and inspiring, and they make you want to follow your dreams. And yet all those stars eventually burn out. It’s a song about going for it even though life is impermanent and full of change,” Gorman said.
The saying goes, “arches never sleep.” Designed to distribute weight evenly, arches naturally rebalance as the structure around them shifts over time. Illiterate Light’s Arches exists within this metaphor in many ways. The album marks a period of artistic strength, a balancing act of identity and possibility. To listen to Arches is to plant yourself within the arch, to stand in the threshold between two worlds and gaze into Gorman and Cochran’s constant motion forward.
w/ special guest
Palmyra
more
Time
(Friday) 10:00 pm - 11:59 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bourgie Nights
127 Princess Street
26oct7:00 pm9:00 pmAsia Daye at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Asia Daye performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 26th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Asia Daye performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 26th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Saturday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
26oct8:00 pm10:00 pmJay Killman solo at Live at Ted's
Event Details
Jay Killman performs solo at Live at Ted’s on October 26th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $20. GET TICKETS From the website: Jay Killman has been a professional musician for eleven
Event Details
Jay Killman performs solo at Live at Ted’s on October 26th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $20.
From the website:
Jay Killman has been a professional musician for eleven years. He performs with a wide array of acts including jazz ensembles, singer songwriter acts, hip hop groups, and fusion bands.
Over the years Jay has studied and played with numerous greats including Keith Ganz, Joey Calderrazo, Ralph Bowen, Branford Marsalis, Isaiah Sharkey, Peter DiCarlo, Jerald Shynett and more. He has acheived a BA in Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a MM in Jazz Composition from North Carolina Central University.
Jay has released 2 albums of original music – Rene & Jay Nice Sounds Collection no. 1 and Jay Killman Cycles. https://open.spotify.com/album/0yDP6i7ajTd2RtadJejFyF
In addition to performing, Jay is an avid composer, arranger and teacher.
Website: https://jaykillmanmusic.com/
more
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
26oct8:00 pm11:50 pmThe Cut at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar
Event Details
The Cut performs at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar from 8pm to midnight. No cover. From the website: The Cut is a high energy 90’s and 00’s cover band from right here
Event Details
The Cut performs at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar from 8pm to midnight. No cover.
From the website:
The Cut is a high energy 90’s and 00’s cover band from right here in Carolina Beach, NC! They cover artists such as Iration, Maroon 5, Black Keys, etc… This is a SeaWitch customer favorite! They are sure to keep you dancing and singing all night long!
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 11:50 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Seawitch
227 Carolina Beach Avenue N
Event Details
Electric Enclave presents Jantsen at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 26th from 9pm to 1:30am. GET TICKETS From the website: Get ready for an unforgettable night as Jantsen brings his electrifying
Event Details
Electric Enclave presents Jantsen at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 26th from 9pm to 1:30am.
From the website:
Get ready for an unforgettable night as Jantsen brings his electrifying beats to Bowstring in Wilmington, NC, on October 26th. This highly anticipated event promises to be a thrilling experience, with local support acts to be announced soon. The show kicks off at 9 PM and keeps the energy pumping until 1:30 AM, ensuring a night filled with non-stop dancing and unforgettable memories.
Jantsen, known for his unique fusion of bass-heavy sounds and captivating melodies, will take you on a musical journey that transcends genres. His innovative approach and dynamic stage presence have earned him a dedicated following and a reputation as a must-see performer in the electronic music scene. As he takes the stage at Bowstring, you can expect an immersive auditory experience that will keep you moving all night long.
Adding to the excitement, the venue will be powered by Funktion-One Sound, renowned for its unparalleled audio quality and clarity. This state-of-the-art sound system ensures that every beat, drop, and melody resonates perfectly, creating an immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.
With the show falling just days before Halloween, the night will be infused with spooky vibes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. The venue will be decked out in eerie decorations, setting the perfect atmosphere for a pre-Halloween celebration. Whether you’re a dedicated Jantsen fan or simply looking for a fantastic night out, this show promises to deliver an evening of high-energy music and festive fun.
Mark your calendars for October 26th and prepare for a night of unforgettable music, top-notch sound, and spooky vibes at Bowstring in Wilmington, NC. Get your tickets early and stay tuned for the announcement of local support acts that will set the stage for an epic night!
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Time
26 (Saturday) 9:00 pm - 27 (Sunday) 1:30 am(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard
1002 Princess Street
27oct4:00 pm6:00 pmAn Afternoon with Ted at Live at Ted's
Event Details
An Afternoon at Ted takes place at Live at Ted’s on October 27th from 4pm to 6pm. Tickets are $10. GET TICKETS From the website: A new series in 2024 – we’re
Event Details
An Afternoon at Ted takes place at Live at Ted’s on October 27th from 4pm to 6pm. Tickets are $10.
From the website:
A new series in 2024 – we’re giving Ted the reigns again! Come join us for an evening of music all decided on by our former owner, Ted (Kelly Jewell). He’ll play us some tunes and have some special guests join him. Whatever Ted decides, goes for this show!
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Time
(Sunday) 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
30octAll DayLITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour at Kenan Auditorium
Event Details
LITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour performs at Kenan Auditorium at 7:30pm Ticket Information
Event Details
LITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour performs at Kenan Auditorium at 7:30pm
Time
All Day (Wednesday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Kenan Auditorium
515 Wagoner Dr
30oct7:00 pm9:00 pmKamea Blake at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Kamea Blake performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 30th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Kamea Blake performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 30th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
31oct7:00 pm9:00 pmMike Newkirk at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar for Halloween Night
Event Details
Mike Newkirk performs at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 31st from 7pm to 9pm for Halloween night.
Event Details
Mike Newkirk performs at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 31st from 7pm to 9pm for Halloween night.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVE MUSIC IN THE CAPE FEAR
TODAY'S EVENTS
22octAll DayWhiskey Myers at Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Event Details
Whiskey Myers performs at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on October 22nd at 7pm. GET TICKETS
Event Details
Whiskey Myers performs at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on October 22nd at 7pm.
Time
All Day (Tuesday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
23oct7:00 pm9:00 pmChristian Brinkley at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Christian Brinkley performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 23rd from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Christian Brinkley performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 23rd from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
24octAll DayRandy McQuay & David Bolton at Quanto Basta
Event Details
Randy McQuay & David Bolton have a residency at Quanto Basta in 2024 — performing on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30pm.
Event Details
Randy McQuay & David Bolton have a residency at Quanto Basta in 2024 — performing on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30pm.
Time
All Day (Thursday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Quanto Basta
107 N 2nd Street
24oct7:00 pm9:00 pmFuzzy Needle at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Fuzzy Needle spins vinyl at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 24th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Fuzzy Needle spins vinyl at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 24th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
Event Details
Stephen Gossin perform at The Righteous Dudes at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Concert Series at 6pm
Event Details
Stephen Gossin perform at The Righteous Dudes at Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Concert Series at 6pm
Time
(Friday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area
118 Riverfront Road
Event Details
The Warped Tour Band, the ultimate tribute to emo and punk, performs at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 25th from 7pm to 10pm. From the website: Remember your first -me at
Event Details
The Warped Tour Band, the ultimate tribute to emo and punk, performs at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 25th from 7pm to 10pm.
From the website:
Remember your first -me at Warped Tour? The bands, the heat, meet & greets, and merch tents as far as the eye could see. The inflatable slide, halfpipe, and of course the lineup board…. Trying to figure out how you were gonna see every band you wanted to that day? It was always the best day of summer when we were younger. Grab your eyeliner and black skinny jeans… sunscreen up and get ready for a high-energy throwback experience. The Warped Band brings you the ultimate tribute to Warped Tour. From music to theming the venue, to even some-mes hos-ng local openers. This is the only tribute approved by Kevin Lyman (Founder of Warped Tour). THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE BEST SUMMER EVER! Performing songs by ar-st such as Blink 182, Green Day, Paramore, Good Charloe, Taking Back Sunday, Papa Roach, Less Than Jake, NOFX, Fall Out Boy, and many many more… even ar-st who only played a single Warped Tour such as Linkin Park, Rage Against The Machine and Katy Perry even! This is truly the ultimate tribute to Warped Tour.
more
Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard
1002 Princess Street
25oct8:00 pm10:00 pmCarlos Rising at Live at Ted's
Event Details
Carlos Rising performs at Live at Ted’s on October 25th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15. GET TICKETS From the website: Whether he’s solo or with his band, Carlos Rising creates
Event Details
Carlos Rising performs at Live at Ted’s on October 25th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15.
From the website:
Whether he’s solo or with his band, Carlos Rising creates an unforgettable experience for all listeners with his soothing tone and diverse repertoire of original music. For the past 10 years Carlos has been playing shows and releasing songs that reach a plethora of audiences, including fans of Soul, RnB and Pop. In 2023, Rising was a featured contestant on Season 23 of NBC’s the Voice, where he showcased his vocal ability, artistry and genre versatility on Team Blake. Not only does Rising have the ability to connect with large audiences on a national scale, but also can thrive in intimate small environments where he encapsulates audiences with his original songs. Now based out of Wilmington NC, Carlos continues to play shows and write music, all in an effort to make his songs make a difference the lives of his listeners.
Website: https://www.carlosrising.com/
more
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
25oct8:00 pm11:59 pmBacon Grease Trio at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar
Event Details
Bacon Grease Trio performs at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar on October 25th from 8pm to midnight. From the website: Bacon Grease is a collective of local musicians in Wilmington that aim
Event Details
Bacon Grease Trio performs at Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar on October 25th from 8pm to midnight.
From the website:
Bacon Grease is a collective of local musicians in Wilmington that aim to provide the highest level of energy and entertainment as a live band. Performing all of your favorite songs past and present, for your personal enjoyment for every event. You do not want to miss this show! Invite your friends, take advantage of drink specials, and let us all party the night away! Bring your dancing shoes!
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 11:59 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Seawitch
227 Carolina Beach Avenue N
25oct10:00 pm11:59 pmIlliterate Light “Arches Tour” with Palmyra at Bourgie Nights
Event Details
Illiterate Light brings its “Arches Tour” with Palmyra to Bourgie Nights on October 25th from 10pm to midnight. Tickets are $20. GET TICKETS From the website: lliterate Light https://www.illiteratelight.com/
Event Details
Illiterate Light brings its “Arches Tour” with Palmyra to Bourgie Nights on October 25th from 10pm to midnight. Tickets are $20.
From the website:
lliterate Light
https://www.illiteratelight.com/
It’s dangerous to put Illiterate Light in a box, especially with the release of their new album, Arches. Are they a guitar-driven indie rock duo? Kaleidoscopic neo-psychedelia? Synth-kissed, harmony-laden folk? What does one do with an album beginning with “fake tits and diet coke,” then pivoting to train derailments in rural Ohio and never-ending black holes? These prolific farmers-turned-rockers have captured the energy of their live shows—fans crowd-surfing, moshing, crying, and crooning—and infused it into their latest release.
“We’ve always been shape shifters, moving between heavy, dark distortion and gentle sweet fingerpicking, writing aggressive songs, introspective songs, and love songs, exploding and embracing,” reflects singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman. “Smashing it all together used to feel strange, but now there’s a glue between everything we do. Our fans get it. They care less about genre. All they care about is feeling. And that’s all we care about. Are you alive or not?”
Illiterate Light’s third album, Arches, is not a passageway but an arrival. “We’re no longer striving to define a sound,” said drummer Jake Cochran. “We’re leaning into sides of ourselves that have felt off-limits, sticking to what feels right rather than concerning ourselves with comparison.” Out November 1 via Thirty Tigers, the record is bursting with thunderous anthems, biting lyrics, and lush harmonies.
The band originated in the Shenandoah Valley in 2015 when multi-instrumentalists Gorman and Cochran began playing music together while working on an organic farm. Eventually, they left the farm to focus on music, adopting the moniker Illiterate Light from a Wilco lyric. After several years of non-stop touring, they signed with Atlantic Records and released their eponymous full-length debut in late 2019. Two years later, they signed with Thirty Tigers and, in 2023, issued their critically acclaimed LP, Sunburned. Shortly after, they released two additional EPs, making Arches their fourth release in two years.
Arches was recorded in two very different locations: small-town Appalachia at Gorman’s home studio and Hollywood, CA at Sunset Sound with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, Beck, The Killers). “We wanted the best of both worlds,” says Gorman. “We spent several days with Joe at Sunset. To record vocals in the same live room as so many of my heroes—Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Dylan—was unreal. I knew I was in a holy place.” The LA session was paired with sessions in Virginia, where Gorman and Cochran co-produced the bulk of the record with longtime collaborator Danny Gibney. In their hometown, they experimented with soaring instrumental journeys and had friends sit in on the sessions to keep things lively.
“Having our community stop by the sessions kept us on our toes—we haven’t been able to do that in the past. It helped connect us to the feeling of our live show,” recalls Cochran. Illiterate Light’s live performances, described by the Washington Post as “massive,” feature Gorman on one foot, hammering bass on a foot-pedal synth, shredding big guitar riffs, and spitting out song after song while Cochran matches Gorman harmony for harmony, dancing with his standing drum kit, teetering on the edge of the stage only to dive head first into his next solo.
Arches is the closest you can get to their live show, with heavier songs like “I Ride Alone” and “Bloodlines” encapsulating the best of the writhing, uninhibited front-row experience. The keystone of the album, “Norfolk Southern,” crashes in with Gorman belting, “Here comes the Norfolk Southern / It’s off the tracks / and heading for you,” with Cochran chanting, “break, break, break, break” to the ghost of the train that derailed in 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing 10,000 gallons of hazardous materials into the atmosphere. The song also serves as a metaphor for Gorman’s own turbulent feelings. “I certainly wanted to shine a light on the environmental catastrophe. But strangely, some days I feel just like that Norfolk Southern, barreling out of control at warp speed.”
Gorman lets the lyrics take control. Showing up relentlessly, day after day, to his home studio dubbed “The Bookhouse” (a tribute to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks), he can’t predict what will arise. For the album’s first track, “Payphone,” the opening lyrics were a surprise to Gorman: “Fake tits and diet coke / Full of undefeated hope / You are the only one I trust.” The jangly and groovy album opener is a pep talk between a woman named Big Red and her man as he faces crippling self-doubt and is self-medicating. She comforts him during a time of despair on a phone call that continues to drop.
Another relationship study, “Montauk,” is a cold beachside dance under the full moon inspired by the central question in Gorman’s favorite movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. “Do we go for it again—even though we’re destined to fail?” he asks. “For me, the answer is a resounding yes.”
“All the Stars Are Burning Out” continues in that reflective vein. “It’s a throwback song, about getting high, going for a drive, dreaming up your future. You’re looking at that wide open black sky of bright stars, and they’re so beautiful and inspiring, and they make you want to follow your dreams. And yet all those stars eventually burn out. It’s a song about going for it even though life is impermanent and full of change,” Gorman said.
The saying goes, “arches never sleep.” Designed to distribute weight evenly, arches naturally rebalance as the structure around them shifts over time. Illiterate Light’s Arches exists within this metaphor in many ways. The album marks a period of artistic strength, a balancing act of identity and possibility. To listen to Arches is to plant yourself within the arch, to stand in the threshold between two worlds and gaze into Gorman and Cochran’s constant motion forward.
w/ special guest
Palmyra
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Time
(Friday) 10:00 pm - 11:59 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bourgie Nights
127 Princess Street
26oct7:00 pm9:00 pmAsia Daye at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Asia Daye performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 26th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Asia Daye performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 26th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Saturday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
26oct8:00 pm10:00 pmJay Killman solo at Live at Ted's
Event Details
Jay Killman performs solo at Live at Ted’s on October 26th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $20. GET TICKETS From the website: Jay Killman has been a professional musician for eleven
Event Details
Jay Killman performs solo at Live at Ted’s on October 26th from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $20.
From the website:
Jay Killman has been a professional musician for eleven years. He performs with a wide array of acts including jazz ensembles, singer songwriter acts, hip hop groups, and fusion bands.
Over the years Jay has studied and played with numerous greats including Keith Ganz, Joey Calderrazo, Ralph Bowen, Branford Marsalis, Isaiah Sharkey, Peter DiCarlo, Jerald Shynett and more. He has acheived a BA in Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a MM in Jazz Composition from North Carolina Central University.
Jay has released 2 albums of original music – Rene & Jay Nice Sounds Collection no. 1 and Jay Killman Cycles. https://open.spotify.com/album/0yDP6i7ajTd2RtadJejFyF
In addition to performing, Jay is an avid composer, arranger and teacher.
Website: https://jaykillmanmusic.com/
more
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
26oct8:00 pm11:50 pmThe Cut at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar
Event Details
The Cut performs at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar from 8pm to midnight. No cover. From the website: The Cut is a high energy 90’s and 00’s cover band from right here
Event Details
The Cut performs at Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar from 8pm to midnight. No cover.
From the website:
The Cut is a high energy 90’s and 00’s cover band from right here in Carolina Beach, NC! They cover artists such as Iration, Maroon 5, Black Keys, etc… This is a SeaWitch customer favorite! They are sure to keep you dancing and singing all night long!
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm - 11:50 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Seawitch
227 Carolina Beach Avenue N
Event Details
Electric Enclave presents Jantsen at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 26th from 9pm to 1:30am. GET TICKETS From the website: Get ready for an unforgettable night as Jantsen brings his electrifying
Event Details
Electric Enclave presents Jantsen at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard on October 26th from 9pm to 1:30am.
From the website:
Get ready for an unforgettable night as Jantsen brings his electrifying beats to Bowstring in Wilmington, NC, on October 26th. This highly anticipated event promises to be a thrilling experience, with local support acts to be announced soon. The show kicks off at 9 PM and keeps the energy pumping until 1:30 AM, ensuring a night filled with non-stop dancing and unforgettable memories.
Jantsen, known for his unique fusion of bass-heavy sounds and captivating melodies, will take you on a musical journey that transcends genres. His innovative approach and dynamic stage presence have earned him a dedicated following and a reputation as a must-see performer in the electronic music scene. As he takes the stage at Bowstring, you can expect an immersive auditory experience that will keep you moving all night long.
Adding to the excitement, the venue will be powered by Funktion-One Sound, renowned for its unparalleled audio quality and clarity. This state-of-the-art sound system ensures that every beat, drop, and melody resonates perfectly, creating an immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.
With the show falling just days before Halloween, the night will be infused with spooky vibes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. The venue will be decked out in eerie decorations, setting the perfect atmosphere for a pre-Halloween celebration. Whether you’re a dedicated Jantsen fan or simply looking for a fantastic night out, this show promises to deliver an evening of high-energy music and festive fun.
Mark your calendars for October 26th and prepare for a night of unforgettable music, top-notch sound, and spooky vibes at Bowstring in Wilmington, NC. Get your tickets early and stay tuned for the announcement of local support acts that will set the stage for an epic night!
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Time
26 (Saturday) 9:00 pm - 27 (Sunday) 1:30 am(GMT-04:00)
Location
Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard
1002 Princess Street
27oct4:00 pm6:00 pmAn Afternoon with Ted at Live at Ted's
Event Details
An Afternoon at Ted takes place at Live at Ted’s on October 27th from 4pm to 6pm. Tickets are $10. GET TICKETS From the website: A new series in 2024 – we’re
Event Details
An Afternoon at Ted takes place at Live at Ted’s on October 27th from 4pm to 6pm. Tickets are $10.
From the website:
A new series in 2024 – we’re giving Ted the reigns again! Come join us for an evening of music all decided on by our former owner, Ted (Kelly Jewell). He’ll play us some tunes and have some special guests join him. Whatever Ted decides, goes for this show!
more
Time
(Sunday) 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Live at Ted's
2 Castle Street
30octAll DayLITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour at Kenan Auditorium
Event Details
LITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour performs at Kenan Auditorium at 7:30pm Ticket Information
Event Details
LITTLE FEAT: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour performs at Kenan Auditorium at 7:30pm
Time
All Day (Wednesday)(GMT-04:00)
Location
Kenan Auditorium
515 Wagoner Dr
30oct7:00 pm9:00 pmKamea Blake at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
Event Details
Kamea Blake performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 30th from 7pm to 9pm.
Event Details
Kamea Blake performs an acoustic set at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 30th from 7pm to 9pm.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
31oct7:00 pm9:00 pmMike Newkirk at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar for Halloween Night
Event Details
Mike Newkirk performs at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 31st from 7pm to 9pm for Halloween night.
Event Details
Mike Newkirk performs at The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar on October 31st from 7pm to 9pm for Halloween night.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Location
Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar
1612 Queen Street
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVE MUSIC IN THE CAPE FEAR
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”
- Charles Darwin
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