Let's go to a show: 37 big concerts and tours coming to Wilmington in 2024

It's the calm before the storm of Wilmington's concert season, which will be here this spring before you know it.

And, not to put too fine a point on it, but the 37 shows listed here are just a fraction of what we'll be seeing this year in the Port City. Most of the concerts coming to Wilmington's biggest outdoor venues, the 7,200-capacity Live Oak Bank Pavilion and the 1,200-cap Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, haven't been announced yet. (Both venues are managed for the city, which owns them, by the Live Nation entertainment conglomerate.)

This isn't a comprehensive list of every concert or touring show scheduled for Wilmington next year, but it's a pretty good start. Let's go to the shows!

JANUARY

Dali Quartet

Jan. 14 at UNCW's Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington's first concert of the year will be by this world-renowned group, which puts work by Spanish and Latin American composers on equal footing with folks like Beethoven, whose pieces they also perform.

FEBRUARY

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Feb. 2 at CFCC Wilson Center: Iconic pop songwriter behind such hits as "Alison," "Peace, Love & Understanding" and "Everyday I Write the Book" makes his Wilmington debut.

Joshua Lozoff: Life Is Magic

Feb. 2 at Thalian Hall: Touring magician Lozoff promises to amaze and astound with a mix of sleight of hand and more psychological tricks.

'The Cher Show'

Feb. 14-15 at CFCC Wilson Center: Touring Broadway musical about the one-name icon behind such songs as "Believe" and "If I Could Turn Back Time."

'Swan Lake'

Feb. 16 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: One of the few chances you'll have next year to see world-class ballet in Wilmington that's not "The Nutcracker." Coming to town as part of the World Ballet Series tour, "Swan Lake," with its score by Tchaikovsky, is one of the most famous dance works of all time.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Feb. 19 at CFCC Wilson Center: Country songwriter fresh off his appearance in Martin Scorsese's movie "Killers of the Flower Moon" returns to Wilmington riding the raft of great songs he's penned over the years, from his start with alt-country band The Drive-By Truckers to his more recent, and formidable, solo work featuring Southern stories and Southern characters.

'The Simon & Garfunkel Story'

Feb. 20 at CFCC Wilson Center: Touring show tells the tale, in words and in music, of the classoic folk-pop duo behind such indelible hits as "The Boxer," "The Sounds of Silence" and "Bridge Over Trouble Waters."

Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

Feb. 22 at CFCC Wilson Center: Teachers-turned-comics share some of their favorite stories from the classroom.

Keb' Mo'

Feb. 23 at CFCC Wilson Center: Grammy-winning blues artist has one of the smoothest styles around. Most recent album, of many, is 2022's "Good to Be."

MARCH

Chatham County Line

March 9 at Bourgie Nights: Longtime North Carolina roots and bluegrass band plays an album release show for their new record, "Hiyo."

Fortune Feimster

March 15 at CFCC Wilson Center: Popular comic and actress has come a long way since playing the old Dead Crow Comedy Room, back when it was on Front Street, in 2015. She's appeared on "The Mindy Project," voiced characters on "The Simpsons" and Pixar's "Soul" and done sold-out comedy tours. A second performance had to be added for her Wilmington date.

Jazz is Led

March 16 at Bourgie Nights: It is what it sounds like — the music of rock gods Led Zeppelin re-interpreted into a jazz style.

Bruce Hornsby & yMusic

March 20 at CFCC Wilson Center: Folk-rock songwriter known for such hits as "The Way It Is," and for collaborations with The Grateful Dead, performs with contemporary classical ensemble yMusic. A mix of new work alongside Hornsby's better-known songs.

Irish Comedy Tour

March 21 at Thalian Hall: Irish stand-up comic Derrick Keane, as well as comics of Irish extraction Derek Richards and Michael Malone (from the States) and musician Damon Leibert (from Canada) serve up laughs with material on their heritage and upbringing, along with some music from the Emerald Isle.

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

March 22 at CFCC Wilson Center: Show by Celtic music power couple from Canada features traditional songs and original tunes, as well as some spirited step dancing.

'A Prairie Home Companion'

March 24 at CFCC Wilson Center: Combination 50th anniversary and farewell tour for the long-running public radio variety show starring the writer, comic and musician Garrison Keillor. Keillor fell out of public favor in 2017 after being accused of sexual harrassment by a female colleague, but this tour might allow him to have the final word.

APRIL

T-Pain

April 4 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Grammy-Award-winning hip-hop artist debuted in 2005 with his album "Ternt Sanga" and he has gotten acclaim for working with such artists as Flo-Rida, Jamie Foxx and Kanye West. He'll make his Wilmington debut at this concert for the N.C. Azalea Festival.

Chase Rice

April 5 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Platinum-selling country singer has had No. 1 country hits while going on sold-out tours with such country stars as Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks. He'll return to Wilmington at this concert for the N.C. Azalea Festival.

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

April 9 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: First concert of the year at Wilmington's beloved "GLA." Americana act has grown a big following since forming in 2005. Their latest album, "Strangers No More," dropped last summer.

The Brook & The Bluff

April 12 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Indie rock band's Americana-evoking name belies a pleasant, jangly sound that's poppier than it is rootsy.

Tab Benoit

April 17 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Grammy-winning Louisiana blues guitarist and environmental activist Benoit brings his swampy electric sound to town. Songs like "Whole Lotta Soul" combine Benoit's love for the blues with his concern for the environment.

The Wallflowers

April 19 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Rock band led by Jakob Dylan, son of legendary folk songwriter Bob Dylan, first came to notice in the mid-'90s with the song "One Headlight." This one's already largely sold out, but you can plop down a stack for a resale ticket if you so desire.

Rock Orchestra

April 24 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Group re-interprets well-known rock and metal songs in classical style.

JJ Grey & Mofro

April 25 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Florida soul rocker Grey has been coming to GLA for nearly 20 years now, and he always delivers a show that's "On Fire" (see above). With Cedric Burnside, grandson of the late, great Mississippi bluesman R.L. Burnside.

NEEDTOBREATHE

April 27 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Longtime spiritual South Carolina rock band is touring in support of its latest album, "Caves," released in September.

Derina Harvey Band

April 27 at Thalian Hall: Celtic rock band, whose recording of the sea shanty "The Last Shanty" went viral on TikTok, plays a mix of traditional and original tunes.

MAY

Jordan Davis

May 3 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country-pop Nashville singer has drawn notice for his 2023 album "Bluebird Days," which includes the hit "Next Thing You Know."

Cody Jinks

May 4 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: County singer inspired by the "outlaw" genre that rose to popularity in the 1970s and '80s hit No. 4 on the country chart with his 2016 album "I'm Not the Devil." New album "Change the Game" drops in March.

Dancing Wheels

May 8 at Thalian Hall: Acclaimed troupe features world-class dancers, both those who use wheelchairs and those who don't.

Rain

May 7-8 at CFCC Wilson Center: Top-notch Beatles tribute band returns to Wilmington for a pair of shows.

JUNE

'Shrek: The Musical'

June 21-23 at CFCC Wilson Center: Broadway tour of the musical based on popular movies about an affable green ogre and his fairy-tale-inspired crew.

Cole Swindell

June 29 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: It'll be a party vibe when this ballcap-wearing country singer brings his high-energy show to town.

JULY

Buddy Guy

July 16 at CFCC Wilson Center: By any standard, the 87-year-old guitarist is one of the best and most influential bluesmen of all time. Part of the legend's "Damn Right" farewell tour.

Fitz & the Tantrums

July 30 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Soulful pop band have been regulars in Wilmington for the past few years and always put on a groovy show.

AUGUST

Bailey Zimmerman

Aug. 16 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Popular young country singer touring in support of his 2023 record "Religiously. The Album."

T.S. Monk

Sept. 14 at Thalian Hall: T.S. Monk, son of jazz legend Thelonious Monk, will play the music of his father, as well as standards and his own work. T.S. Monk's acclaimed 1997 album, "Monk on Monk," paid tribute to his dad and featured such guest artists as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Durham's Nnenna Freelon.

OCTOBER

Lainey Wilson

Oct. 20 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Singer brings her "Country's Cool Again" tour to town next fall.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Big concerts and touring shows coming to Wilmington, NC, in 2024