Breaking down where you can break it down.
For a small-ish city situated well off the route of most tours, the number of musicians that make it a point to stop in Charleston is not to be taken for granted.
In fact, the concert scene is so vibrant that I actually find myself skipping out on seeing some of my favorite artists in concert (a.k.a. that Dr. Dog show at Music Farm last week) because I don’t have the time, or money, to catch every single act that comes here.
Of course, performing in Charleston means getting to visit Charleston– a perk that surely convinces more than a few musicians to jam out here. Not to mention we’re already on their radar thanks to our badass local music scene. But a major component of why we’re able to book so many shows is because we have such a variety of music venues that accommodate artists both big + small.
Read on to learn more about some of the best places to catch a concert in CHS– along with some of the upcoming acts you won’t want to miss.
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
📍 5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston | 🚘 $10 | 👥 Capacity: 2,300 | 💺 Assigned seating
The Decemberists at North Charleston Performing Arts Center |📸: sammybyoung
📆 Upcoming shows:
- June 16: The Revivalists
- July 25: Brian Wilson
- Sept. 23: David Byrne
Charleston Pour House
📍1977 Maybank Hwy., James Island | 🚘 Free parking lot | 👥 Capacity: 450 | 💺 Standing room only
Pour House has both an indoor + an outdoor stage– and you can catch free live music daily out on the deck.
📆 Upcoming shows:
- April 28: Zach Deputy
- May 1: The Devon Allman Project
- May 3: Ghost of Paul Revere + Boy Named Banjo
Volvo Car Stadium
📍161 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel Island | 🚘 Free general parking (location varies, may require shuttle) + limited premium parking for a fee | 👥 Capacity: 7500+ | 💺 General admission standing on floor + stadium-style seating on upper levels
Volvo Car Stadium | 📸: @charleston_from_above
📆 Upcoming shows:
- July 1: Tedeschi Trucks Band
- July 20: Boy George & Culture Club and the B-52s
- Aug. 10 + 11: Hootie and the Blowfish
Music Farm Charleston
📍32 Ann St. | 🚘 Paid parking available at the Charleston Visitors Center lot | 👥 Capacity: 800 |💺 General admission standing; limited seating on balcony + around bar
Music Farm opened its doors in 1991 + now hosts 200+ events every year. Occasionally, they will host shows at Riverfront Park in North Charleston.
📆 Upcoming shows:
- May 27: Bishop Briggs
- May 30: Cold War Kids
- June 8 + 9: Papadosio
North Charleston Coliseum
📍5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston | 🚘 $10 | 👥 Capacity: 13,295 | 💺 Standing room on floor + reserved stadium-style seating
Jimmy Buffet at North Charleston Coliseum | 📸: owebberdpt
Owned by the city of North Charleston, when the Coliseum isn’t hosting major names like Jimmy Buffett + Ed Sheeran, it’s serving as the home ice for the South Carolina Stingrays.
📆 Upcoming shows:
- May 15: James Taylor
- Sept. 14: Alan Jackson
Charleston Music Hall
📍37 John St.| 🚘 Paid parking at public garage between the Music Hall + the Hampton Inn | 👥 Capacity: 935 | 💺 Seated venue | Pro tip: If you want to make sure you can stay seated the whole show + still see the stage, buy balcony seats
Charleston Music Hall | 📸: @chsmusichall
The building that houses the Music Hall dates all the way back to 1850, when it was a passenger station of the South Carolina Railroad. It was transformed into a music venue in 1995 after sitting vacant for more than half a century.
📆 Upcoming shows:
- July 10: Lake Street Dive
- Aug. 7: Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Oct. 6: Jump, Little Children
The Windjammer
📍1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms | 🚘 Metered parking on street or paid IOP parking lot | 👥 Capacity: 550 | 💺 Standing room only
Haley Mae Campbell at The Windjammer | 📸: @haleymaecampbell
What better place for a music venue than right on the beach? Even if you can’t make it there in person, you can watch any show live from home via the Windjammer’s band cam.
📆 Upcoming shows:
- June 22: Keller Williams
- July 2 + 3: Edwin McCain
Outdoors
While their core function may not be putting on shows, the following locations sometimes host concerts of their own. Keep an ear out, as they will likely be announcing more events in the coming months.
Awendaw Green | 📍4853 U.S. 17 North, Awendaw
📆 Barn Jams every Wednesday night ft. a rotating lineup of diverse music
North Charleston Riverfront Park |📍1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston
📆 July 20: Slightly Stoopid
The Grove at Patriot’s Point |📍40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant
📆 May 31: Umphrey’s McGee + Perpetual Groove
The Bend | 3775 Azalea Dr, North Charleston
📆 May 3: North Charleston Arts Fest Marsh Jam
Carolina Queen |📍17 Lockwood Dr.
📆 Charleston Harbor Tours is hosting a series of tribute concerts aboard the Carolina Queen between now + September. Browse the entire calendar here.
Local music
Want to support the local music scene? Here are some popular spots where you can do just that.
Tin Roof |📍1117 Magnolia Rd., West Ashley
The Royal American | 📍970 Morrison Dr.
Commodore | 📍504 Meeting St.
This isn’t an exhaustive list– so if your favorite venue is missing, please forgive us.
Oh, and make sure to let us know which upcoming concerts you’re most excited about seeing by dropping a comment below ⬇ or emailing hello@thechstoday.com so that we can make sure we’ve got it in our calendar.
–Jen, Multimedia Producer
