EZ Vibes Top Picks to kick off October

Top picks for week of September 30th, 2025

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EZ Vibes
September 30, 2025

🪕 Raleigh Wide Open makes its debut in Downtown Raleigh

👑 Goose with Penelope Road - Vibe Check from Charlotte!

💃 Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance Must See Artists

✅ Top Picks for the week including Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Eddie 9V

📆 EZ Vibes Concert Calendar updated for October

Everyone is talking about Raleigh Wide Open! It is the first annual festival coming to downtown Raleigh, filling the void left by the departure of the IBMA Bluegrass Festival.

The best part is all the shows are completely free with the exception of the headliner performances at Red Hat Amphitheater. This year will feature a killer lineup and headliners Greensky Bluegrass and JJ Grey & Mofro! While there is a still a ton of bluegrass, there are also some other great NC artist and a more diverse set of styles and genres too. Thanks to Pinecone NC for putting together this amazing event!

EZ Vibes Must-Sees

  • Greensky Bluegrass: One of the beasts of the jamgrass scene. Expect incredible improvisation, energy, and creative setlists.

  • JJ Grey & Mofro: Southern soul-rock, funk, and blues—this is pure, raw, feel-good music.

  • Shinyribs: Texas Southern soul and swamp-funk that is just impossible not to dance to. Their big lineup is going to be a party!

  • Town Mountain: An Asheville bluegrass powerhouse, this is billed as their final Triangle show before an extended hiatus, so you must be there.

  • Sonny Miles: A phenomenal North Carolina artist bringing his soulful R&B and polyglot singing to the mix.

  • Blue Cactus: Perfect Cosmic Country/Americana vibes, a local favorite you need to see.

  • Tray Wellington Band: A rising star on the banjo, pushing the boundaries of traditional bluegrass.

Goose with Penelope Road
PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC

Goose at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte

This past Saturday, Goose tour came to Charlotte. It was an electric show from start to finish and featured special guests Penelope Road.

Today we have an important first, with a special Vibe Check concert review from my brother Aaron Bonertz who was in attendance for Saturdays show. Check it out to get a detailed review on the concert and setlist. Thanks Aaron! ❣️ 

Vibe Check - Goose - Charlotte 9/27/25

www.ezvibes.us/s/stories/vibe-check-goose-charlotte-92725

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival

Shakori Hills Fall Lineup

Shakori Hills is the ultimate fall music retreat—four days of high-quality music, dancing, and camping that will reset your spirit. It's truly a place where the music and the community feed the soul!

EZ Vibes Must-Sees

  • Donna the Buffalo: The founding and hosting band, they bring that irresistible sound known as "Dancehall Reggae-Gospel-Cajun-Zydeco-Jam" or simply, the Herd. They are the heart and soul of the festival.

  • George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners: The New Orleans bass legend (The Meters!) is bringing the deep, funky grooves. If you want to get down to some authentic NOLA funk, this is it.

  • The Del McCoury Band: Bluegrass royalty. Seeing Del and his band is a masterclass in traditional, powerful bluegrass.

  • Toubab Krewe: The Asheville favorites mixing West African music with American rock and improvisation. This is the ultimate "jam" experience that will take you on a journey.

  • The Garífuna Collective: Bringing amazing world music and rhythms from Belize.

  • Sam Fribush Organ Trio: Local Organ stand out with a jazz, funk, and soul influences. Sam will be playing with Corey Fonville, drummer from Butcher Brown on Saturday night!

Top Picks of the Week

Tuesday - 9/30

Beer & Banjos All-Stars, Eastside Ramblers - Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC
Free show thanks to Pinecone!

Wednesday - 10/1

That 1 Guy- Kings - Raleigh, NC

Thursday - 10/2

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country - The Ramkat - Winston-Salem, NC

Patrick McGrew Trio, Tambem - Jazz in the Square - Moore Square - Raleigh, NC
FREE SHOW!

Stillhouse Junkies, Tray Wellington Band, The Barefoot Movement - Raleigh Wide Open Kickoff Party - The Corner, NC State Centennial Campus - Raleigh, NC
FREE SHOW!

Congress, John Wood - Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

Friday - 10/3

Beggars Banquet - The Pour House - Raleigh, NC - Flat Iron - Greensboro, NC

Keith Allen Circus - Bowstring Brewyard - Raleigh, NC

Saturday - 10/4
THAT’S A BIG TEN FOUR!

Greensky Bluegrass, JJ Grey and Mofro - Red Hat Amphitheater - Raleigh, NC

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Eddie 9V - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC

Sunday - 10/5

Samantha Fish - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC

Join the Squad!

EZ Vibes is here to make discovering and enjoying live music easy. We need your help to build a strong and inclusive music community here in Raleigh. Apply to be an ambassador with the EZ Vibes Squad and be the first to know about ticket giveaways, community events, and volunteer opportunities!

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Con mucha gratitud,
Evan from EZ Vibes