EZ Vibes August Top Picks

Quick Hits

👑 EZ Vibes Update: Why your next favorite festival might be the one you've never heard of.
🎹 Featured Show: Yacht rock, disco grooves, and summer vibes with Young Gun Silver Fox.
🍑 Featured Festival: Escape to the mountains for Peach Fest.
✅ Top Picks for the month including Cosmic Charlie, Young Bull, Duane Betts and Lettuce
🤝 Partnership Opportunities engagement, promotion, and creative services

👑 The EZ Vibes Update

You don't always need a big-name lineup to have a memorable weekend.

This past weekend, we headed to Fly Around Fest, a small music and arts festival in Lansing, NC, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I didn't know many of the artists going in, but the chance to camp beside the New River, spend a few days in the mountains, and discover some new Appalachian musicians drew me there. We cooked meals over the campfire, swam in the river, played cards between sets, and got soaked by a passing rainstorm - something any Carolinian knows is always a possibility this time of year.

What stood out most about the festival was the sense of community. Fly Around is only in its second year, created after Hurricane Helene to support the restoration of the historic Lansing School into the Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts. Kids ran around playing soccer while festivalgoers wandered around the campus, stopping to catch up with friends. Local artists sold pottery, stained glass, and other handmade goods, and food and drink vendors, including Lansing’s own, Molly Chomper Cider, kept everyone well fed. It was a small, sweet festival that felt deeply connected to the mountain community around it.

Fly Around Fest was a great reminder that some of the best live music memories can come not just from seeing your favorite band at a big-name festival, but from discovering new artists, exploring a new town, and sharing the experience with people you love. As we head into fall festival season, I highly recommend making a weekend of it - find a new festival that catches your eye in a corner of the state you’ve been itching to visit, invite a few friends, and settle in.

And we've got some great festival recommendations in this month's guide below - including another mountain gathering we're especially excited about.

The Vibes Squad is a small but growing community of NC Music fans and our Discord server is a place for getting the word out about cool shows, finding a home for extra tickets, connecting for pre-show and post-show hands, and sharing photos and videos from live performances. We also love to feature photos of our squad out in the wild here in the newsletter!

Make sure to follow us on social for daily concerts and event reminders!

IG: @ezvibesinc
X: @ezvibes
YouTube: @ezvibes
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ezvibes.us 

View schedule and and subscribe for updates: EZ Vibes Concert Calendar

Listen to artists coming to NC this month: EZ Vibes Artist Playlist

Featured Show of the Month

Young Gun Silver Fox - Silver Summer Homecoming
Saturday 8/8 - The Pour House - 8:00 pm

If you're looking for one last great summer party, this might be it. British duo Young Gun Silver Fox has built a devoted following with its irresistible blend of yacht rock, soulful pop, disco grooves, and immaculate '70s-inspired harmonies. Their polished musicianship and feel-good live show make them the perfect soundtrack for a warm August evening. And don’t forget to wear your best glitzy, disco glam for the Best Dressed Contest!

Presented by Band Together, this special homecoming show is about more than great music. Best known for producing Raleigh's annual Mighty Giveback benefit concert, Band Together has spent more than two decades using live music to strengthen local nonprofits and bring the community together. Silver Summer Homecoming carries that same spirit, inviting music lovers to reconnect, celebrate the season, and share an unforgettable night at one of the Triangle's favorite venues.

Enjoying the newsletter? Your support helps keep EZ Vibes free and growing.

Featured Festival

Peach Fest

If your ideal festival includes camping under the stars, mountain views, and a little space to ramble between sets, Peach Fest might be your next great weekend getaway. Set on the grounds of Betsy's Barn in the tiny town of Todd, NC, this laid-back gathering blends an incredible regional lineup of live music with wellness activities like yoga, sound healing, and a community drum circle. The weekend also features local vendors, food trucks, and late-night DJ sets. If you've been looking for a festival that's part music getaway and part weekend retreat, Peach Fest is a wonderful excuse to head for the hills.

Looking to keep the weekend budget-friendly? Peach Fest is looking for volunteers, with free admission offered in exchange for a few hours of helping out. It's a great way to experience the festival and be a part of the community that makes it happen.

Top Picks: August 2026

Tuesday – August 4

Deep Purple w/ Kansas and Jefferson Starship
Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Two legendary rock bands share one classic night.

Wednesday – August 5

Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel w/ Caitlin Krisko Acoustic Duo
Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Southern rock with roots that run deep.

Thursday – August 6

Unisong: Guided Song Circle (PAY WHAT YOU CAN!!)
NC Arts Incubator - Siler City, NC
The Vibe: An intimate evening of community singing, connection, and reflection. No musical experience required - just bring your voice and enjoy a welcoming space centered around shared songs, mindfulness, and meaningful human connection.

AVL Sounds Fest - Day One
Downtown Asheville – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: Four days of music, discovery, and mountain city charm as more than 200 artists take over Asheville's iconic venues.

Friday – August 7

Tim McGraw & 49 Winchester
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Country superstar meets Appalachian country-rock.

Old Crow Medicine Show
Weldon Mills Theatre – Roanoke Rapids, NC
The Vibe: Americana favorites bringing high-energy string band traditions.

Cosmic Charlie: Dark Side of the Dead
Van Hoy Farms Family Campground – High Point, NC
The Vibe: A psychedelic celebration of two legendary bands.

Saturday – August 8

Stephen Wilson Jr. & The Lone Bellow
Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Soulful Americana and powerhouse songwriting.

Young Gun Silver Fox (FEATURED SHOW!!)
The Pour House Music Hall – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Yacht rock grooves, disco flair, and feel-good summer vibes.

Dumpstaphunk: A Special Sly & The Family Stone Set
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: A high-energy celebration of deep grooves, soulful vocals, and dance-floor classics.

Cosmic Charlie – Annual Days Between Show
Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Heartfelt performances, deep jams, and a room full of Deadheads gathering to honor the spirit of the "Days Between."

Sunday – August 9

Mumford & Sons & Medium Build
Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Arena folk-rock anthems with heartfelt storytelling.

Tuesday – August 11

Matisyahu
Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Reggae, hip-hop, and spiritual energy in an intimate setting.

Wednesday – August 12

Elora Dash: Live After 5 (FREE!!)
Seaboard Station – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Soulful indie pop, powerhouse vocals, and a free midweek concert.

Thursday - August 13

Harvey Street: Live After 5 (FREE!!)
Moore Square – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Raleigh's free downtown concert series closes out the summer with jam-infused indie rock, infectious grooves, and plenty of feel-good energy.

Friday – August 14

The Shoaldiggers Album Release Show w/ Hustle Souls
Cat's Cradle Back Room – Carrboro, NC
The Vibe: Heartfelt Americana and bluegrass-inspired songwriting followed by soulful funk and rock energy.

UniSong: Guided Song Circle (PAY WHAT YOU CAN!!)
Radical Healing - Durham, NC
The Vibe: An intimate evening of community singing, connection, and reflection. No musical experience required—just bring your voice and enjoy a welcoming space centered around shared songs, mindfulness, and meaningful human connection.

Saturday – August 15

Cosmic Charlie
Visualite Theatre – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: A blend of faithful musicianship and adventurous improvisation

LeAnn Rimes
Wilson Center – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: Iconic country vocals spanning three decades.

Tuesday – August 18

Ella Mai
Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Smooth R&B and chart-topping soul.

Wednesday - August 19

REDDHEDD: A Live Music Experience w/ Hattricks, JAINUS
The Pour House – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Live sets blended with DJs, art, and immersive experiences designed around discovery, creativity, and community.

Thursday – August 20

Mountain Walrus (FREE!)
River Jam at the U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Appalachian funk set against the backdrop of one of North Carolina's best free outdoor concert series.

Friday – August 21

Songs From The Road Band w/ Big Fat Gap
Cat's Cradle Back Room – Carrboro, NC
The Vibe: Award-winning North Carolina bluegrass meets fresh Appalachian string music for a night of lightning-fast picking, rich harmonies, and heartfelt storytelling.

Peach Fest Night One (FEATURED FESTIVAL!!)
Betsy's Barn – Todd, NC
The Vibe: Camping, live music, mountain views, and a weekend of yoga, sound healing, and community in the High Country.

Young Bull w/ The Deviants and Mellow Swells
Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC
The Vibe: Old school soul fused with contemporary hip hop born in Durham.

The Hazy Hideaway Festival Day One
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Mills River, NC
The Vibe: Sierra Nevada's inaugural music and arts festival pairs indie and alternative acts with craft beer, local art, food vendors, and immersive experiences for a laid-back mountain weekend.

Saturday – August 22

Jack Johnson & Lake Street Dive
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Feel-good folk-pop and soulful grooves.

The Mountain Goats & Mary Gauthier
Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC
The Vibe: Masterful songwriting from two acclaimed storytellers.

Airshow
The Jive Hive – Carthage, NC
The Vibe: Psychedelic indie rock, soaring guitar work, and jam-inspired improvisation.

Carolina Bloom Music Festival
Blume Studios – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Charlotte's newest indie music festival brings together rising national acts, standout regional bands, food trucks, and local vendors for a two-day celebration of rock, indie, and alternative music.

Afroman
Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Hip-hop, humor, and nostalgia.

Lettuce
The Pyrle – Greensboro, NC
The Vibe: An irresistible blend of funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and rock.

Sunday – August 23

Lettuce
Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Grammy-nominated funk masters Lettuce bring a genre-bending mix of funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, rock, and psychedelic grooves.

Tuesday - August 25

Skylar Gudasz
Stanczyk's – Durham, NC
The Vibe: Dreamy indie folk, lush melodies, and poetic songwriting from one of North Carolina's most captivating voices.

Thursday – August 27

Chance the Rapper Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Genre-bending hip-hop from one of rap's most creative voices.

The Sipe, Hadden, Sternberg, Combs Show (FREE!!)
River Jam at the U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: A powerhouse collaboration of North Carolina musicians blending bluegrass, Americana, jazz, and improvisation.

Penelope Road w/ Winyah
The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: Soulful indie rock, vintage grooves, and soaring harmonies.

Friday – August 28

Gregory Alan Isakov & Courtney Marie Andrews
Hellbender by The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: Stunning folk songwriting beneath the mountain sky.

Blues Traveler/Gin Blossoms w Spin Doctors
Koka Booth Amphitheatre – Cary, NC
The Vibe: '90s favorites with plenty of singalong moments.

Electro Lust w/ Domocile
The Pour House – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Electronic beats, funk, soul, hip-hop, and global dance grooves blended into a nonstop, dance-floor-ready experience.

Jacoozy (FREE!!)
River Jam at the U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Psychedelic funk, electronic grooves, and jam-band improvisation come together for a free riverside dance party.

Saturday – August 29

WAR w/ The Family Stone and the Ohio Players
Koka Booth Amphitheatre – Cary, NC
The Vibe: Timeless funk and soul

Boom Unit Brass Band (FREE!!)
Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
The Vibe: New Orleans-inspired grooves, a lively farmers market, local vendors, and one of the state's most beloved community concert series.

Caleb Caudle & The Sweet Critters
Live at Ted's – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: Honest Americana, rich storytelling, and warm country-folk.

Keller & The Keels
French Broad River Brewery – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: Appalachian psychedelic bluegrass.

🤝 Partner with the EZ Vibes

EZ Vibes has become a trusted home for the North Carolina live music community. Our squad doesn’t just go to shows—they live for the groove, the community, and the excitement that only live music can provide.

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, venues, and festivals to show up. Our readers are active participants who value authenticity, wellness, and the best live music experiences.

Why Partner With Us?

• Engagement: Reach a high-intent audience that lives and breathes NC music culture.

• Organic Integration: We collaborate on custom, experiential campaigns to promote your concert or festival to new audiences, driving authentic interest and engagement.

• Digital & Creative Services: We offer custom packages that include social media promotion, newsletter features, and website development. Plus, we have a full lineup of EZ Vibes Ambassadors ready to capture high-quality photo and video content at your next event.

If you’re a brand, venue, festival, or artist looking to connect with a community that values live music and real experiences, let’s chat. Email [email protected] for inquiries or visit the website and fill out the contact form. We are now accepting new clients!

Pack the tent, grab your friends, and hit the road,

Evan and Camille from EZ Vibes