EZ Vibes April Top Picks

Week of March 30th, 2026

Author

EZ Vibes
March 31, 2026

Quick Hits

🤠 EZ Vibes Update: DDCC Takeover
🎸 Featured Show: Dogs in a Pile at Lincoln
🦝 Festival Alert: Merlefest returns to Wilkesboro this month!
âś… Top Picks for the week including Robert Plant and Dr. Bacon
🤝 Partnership Opportunities

đź‘‘ The EZ Vibes Update

What a weekend! Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country just wrapped up a massive three-night takeover at the Lincoln Theatre, and if you were in the building, you know exactly what kind of magic went down. The band is playing with such a deep, exploratory energy right now, completely locked into the improvisational pocket while still delivering that classic, twangy heat.

All three shows were broadcasted on Nugs.net, which was great for me. Even though I was out of town for the weekend I still got to tune in and be a part of the action. Can’t wait to catch this crew later this year in Wilmington and at Rooster Walk.

It almost April already so we got the run down with lots of great shows this month including Grateful Dead night this Thursday at The Carolina Hurricanes game with Bring Out Yer Dead.

Merlefest 2026

April 23-26 - Wilkesboro, NC

Merlefest Lineup

Taking over Wilkesboro from April 23rd to the 26th, this isn't just another weekend festival. Founded in memory of Doc Watson's son, MerleFest turns Wilkes County into a massive, welcoming family reunion that honors the deep, traditional mountain history of the region while constantly pushing the boundaries of acoustic music.

This year’s bill is completely stacked. We are talking legendary heat from Alison Krauss & Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke holding down the top spots. Add in boundary-pushing favorites like Molly Tuttle, and The Infamous Stringdusters, and you have the perfect recipe for a good time!

Dogs In a Pile - Lincoln Theatre

This Saturday, the Asbury Park jam masters Dogs in a Pile are taking over the Lincoln Theatre. These guys have been on an absolute tear recently, weaving complex, incredibly tight compositions with high-energy, face-melting improvisational exploration. If you are looking for deep pocket grooves and a room full of people ready to dance, this is your Saturday night sanctuary. Don't miss out on this one.

Last time in Raleigh they played after Billy Strings and the show went late. They featured this cover of Pinball Wizard by The Who.

Instagram Reel

Hustle Souls, Dr. Bacon

Hustle Souls and Dr. Bacon

Thursday night we’ve got an incredibly heavy-hitting double bill featuring two of the finest local acts doing it right now.

Both of these North Carolina outfits bring a massive, horn-heavy energy to the stage. Dr. Bacon is notorious for their genre-bending Appalachian funk, blending everything from soul and bluegrass to rock into a high-octane dance party. Pair that with Hustle Souls’ deep organ grooves, rich vocal harmonies, and their own soaring brass section, and you are guaranteed a night of pure, unadulterated funk.

Top Picks for April 2026

Tuesday - 3/31

Old Crow Medicine Show

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: High-octane string band legends tearing up the amphitheater.

Robert Plant, Suzi Dian

Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: A living legend, and signer of Led Zeppelin delivers news songs and storytelling.

Indigo De Souza, Mothe

Cats Cradle - Carrboro, NC

The Vibe: Raw, emotionally charged indie rock with serious grunge undertones.

Wednesday - 4/1

Robert Plant, Saving Grace and Suzi Dian

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium - Asheville, NC

The Vibe: The legendary frontman bringing acoustic heat to the mountains.

Thursday - 4/2

The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: High-energy brass, funk, and soul taking over the local jam sanctuary.

Bring out Yer Dead - Free Show!

The Lenovo Center - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Grateful Dead night at the Carolina Hurricanes game

Friday - 4/3

Santana

Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, NC

The Vibe: Legendary guitar mastery and deep, global rhythms.

Loose Roosters

Appalachian Mountain Brewery - Boone, NC

The Vibe: High-country acoustic rock to kick off the weekend.

Saturday - 4/4

Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Face-melting improvisational exploration and deep pocket grooves.

The Pyrle - Greensboro, NC

The Vibe: High-energy jam-rock and synth-heavy funk.

The Get Right Band, Hustle Souls

Eulogy - Asheville, NC

The Vibe: Psych-rock meets blue-eyed soul in the mountains.

Sunday - 4/5

Bluegrass Jam hosted by Eastside Ramblers

Eastside Music Venue - Cary, NC

The Vibe: Relaxed acoustic circle providing the ultimate Sunday reset. (FREE!)

Tuesday - 4/7

Old 97's

Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: High-octane alt-country legends tearing up the stage.

Beer & Banjos

Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Mid-week acoustic heaters and local craft brews. (FREE!)

Friday - 4/10

ExploreAsheville.com Arena - Asheville, NC

The Vibe: Deep improvisational grooves and massive indie-jam energy.

Snarky Puppy

Carolina Theatre - Durham, NC

The Vibe: A masterclass in virtuosic, horn-driven jazz fusion.

The Travelin’ McCourys

Community Church - Chapel Hill, NC

The Vibe: Royalty of the progressive bluegrass world stretching the boundaries.

Butter Beans

Appalachian Mountain Brewery - Boone, NC

The Vibe: Good times and feel-good mountain music.

Saturday - 4/11

Mountain Grass Unit

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: High-speed, youth-driven bluegrass heat on the coast.

Old 97's

The Ramkat - Winston-Salem, NC

The Vibe: Sweaty, high-energy alt-country party.

Sunday - 4/12

The Nth Power, Sam Fribush Trio, Eric Gales

Ziggy's - Greensboro, NC

The Vibe: An absolute powerhouse lineup of soul, funk, and blues guitar mastery.

Tuesday - 4/14

Billy Strings

First Horizon Coliseum - Greensboro, NC

The Vibe: The undisputed king of modern psychedelic bluegrass taking over the arena.

Waxahatchee

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium - Asheville, NC

The Vibe: Beautifully crafted indie-folk and Americana storytelling.

Songs From The Road Band

The Pyrle - Greensboro, NC

The Vibe: Award-winning progressive acoustic and bluegrass.

Beer & Banjos

Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Mid-week acoustic heaters and local craft brews. (FREE!)

Wednesday - 4/15

Carrboro Bluegrass Festival Presents Hank and Pattie

Cat’s Cradle Back Room - Carrboro, NC

The Vibe: Elegant, chamber-grass strings and local community energy.

Thursday - 4/16

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: Heavy-hitting jamgrass with serious improvisational chops.

Mt. Joy

Live Oak Bank Pavilion - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: Anthemic indie-folk perfect for singing along under the stars.

Watchhouse

The Pyrle - Greensboro, NC

The Vibe: Breathtakingly intimate and beautiful North Carolina folk.

Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: Relentless, synth-driven jam anthems taking over the yard.

Friday - 4/17

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: Twangy psychedelic bender hitting the coast.

Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Night two of face-melting improvisational exploration in NC.

Alabama Shakes

ExploreAsheville.com Arena - Asheville, NC

The Vibe: Soul-shaking vocals and deeply infectious roots-rock grooves.

Saturday - 4/18

4/20 Festival

Appalachian Mountain Brewery - Boone, NC

The Vibe: A full day of high-country mountain jams and craft brews.

Chill Paxton

Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Patio season funk-rock to keep the crowd moving.

Sunday - 4/19

The Ritz - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: Explosive, horn-heavy retro soul that will have you moving.

Thursday - 4/23

Merlefest (Runs through Sunday 4/26)

Wilkes Community College - Wilkesboro, NC

The Vibe: The ultimate North Carolina pilgrimage for traditional and progressive roots music.

Runaway Gin – A Tribute to Phish

Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard - Wilmington, NC

The Vibe: Deep Phish cuts and classic jams to get you dancing.

Friday - 4/24

Domocile

The Palm Room - Wrightsville Beach, NC

The Vibe: Late-night coastal grooves and indie-rock energy.

Saturday - 4/25

Alabama Shakes

Red Hat Amphitheater - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: An outdoor sanctuary of soul, blues, and pure rock energy.

Tuesday - 4/28

Alice Cooper

Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, NC

The Vibe: The ultimate godfather of shock rock delivering a theatrical spectacle.

Wednesday - 4/29

Coastal Credit Union Music Park - Raleigh, NC

The Vibe: A 12-piece powerhouse of blues, soul, and jaw-dropping slide guitar mastery.

Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC

The Vibe: High-energy indie-folk rock packed with passionate storytelling.

Thursday - 4/30

Steve Vai, Joe Satriani

Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, NC

The Vibe: An absolute masterclass in virtuosic, instrumental rock guitar.

🤝 Partner with the EZ Vibes

For the past few years, EZ Vibes has grown into a trusted home for the North Carolina live music community.

The Top Picks newsletter is where our community turns to discover their next favorite band and plan their weekend adventures. It’s also a powerful place for brands and artists to show up. Our readers are active participants who value authenticity, wellness, and the best live music experiences.

If you’re a brand, venue, or artist looking to connect with a community that values live music and experiences, let’s chat.

Email [email protected] for inquiries or visit the website and fill out the contact form.

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Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile…

Evan from EZ Vibes