Beach music scene heats up as top country, reggae stars play at packed concerts

Roger Hillis
Updated ·3 min read

The Fourth of July found thousands of beach visitors booking extended vacations before, during and after Independence Day. Business is booming — and area music venues are among the beneficiaries.

In Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork nightclub is having an extremely successful summer with lots of packed concerts. Country singer-songwriter Chris Lane will perform for 1,100 spectators during his sold-out show Thursday, July 6.

Tribute act Magical Mystery Doors will cover songs by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Doors at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 7 ($20). R&B-soul vocalist Allen Stone will appear Sunday, July 9, following an 8 p.m. opening set by the Brothers Elsey ($35).

R&B-soul vocalist Allen Stone will perform in concert at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, July 9 ($35).
R&B-soul vocalist Allen Stone will perform in concert at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, July 9 ($35).

In Selbyville, the outdoor Freeman Arts Pavilion has national talent on display more evenings than not, and this weekend will be no exception. Country star Walker Hayes will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 7. The general admission section in the back is sold out, but there are still plenty of reserved seats up front ($74, $89, $109).

In addition to the singer-songwriters themselves, Freeman also has an array of tribute acts on tap. Hollywood Nights: A Bob Seger Experience is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 ($25). Rain — A Tribute to The Beatles is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 ($43). Those two shows are general admission, bring-your-own-chair events.

Country star Walker Hayes will perform outside at the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville at 7 p.m. Friday, July 7. Tickets are priced from $74 to $109.
Country star Walker Hayes will perform outside at the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville at 7 p.m. Friday, July 7. Tickets are priced from $74 to $109.

In Ocean City, the summer concert series at Seacrets continues with Southern California reggae-rock act Fortunate Youth inside the Morley Hall on Wednesday, July 12, after a 9:30 p.m. opener by Cultivated Mind ($15).

Looking ahead to later this month, Seacrets will feature indie-rock duo Little Stranger outside on the beach stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 ($10 or free with local ID).

As reported in this column last week, the fine folks at Rocking the Docks teamed up with the Coastal Taproom (which is located just west of Route 1 on Route 24) when a recent concert by lap-steel player Robert Randolph was rained out and required an indoor venue.

Southern California reggae act Fortunate Youth will perform at Seacrets in Ocean City at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 ($15).
Southern California reggae act Fortunate Youth will perform at Seacrets in Ocean City at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 ($15).

The two businesses are joining forces again for another event which has a little more advance notice. Rocking the Docks has booked a pop-up comedy show at Coastal Taproom which will feature funny men Geno Bisconte and Keanu Thompson at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 6 ($15).

In Lewes, the Rocking the Docks concert series continues each Wednesday through Aug. 23. The shows are held outside at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. An indie-rock double bill will take place July 12 when Philly group Mo Lowda & the Humble plays after a 7 p.m. set by Austin, Texas-based Under the Rug ($24).

Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Country, reggae stars to play at packed beach area concerts