EZ Vibes Weekly Top Picks

Week of August 11th, 2026

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Camille Tate & EZ Vibes
August 11, 2026

Quick Hits

đź‘‘ EZ Vibes Update: Welcome to our newest NC live music fans!
🎸 Featured Show: Hometown acts Elora Dash and Harvey Street close out Live After 5.
🛞 Featured Event: Your voice belongs in UniSong’s song circles.
âś… Top Picks for the week including The Shoaldiggers, Easy Money, and Cosmic Charlie
🤝 Partnership Opportunities engagement, promotion, and creative services

đź‘‘ The EZ Vibes Update

Welcome to everyone who joined the EZ Vibes community over the past few weeks! Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just found your way here, we're glad you're along for the ride. Subscribing to the newsletter and following us on social media is the best way to stay up to date on live music across North Carolina. And if you want to contribute to the community, we’d love to have you in our Discord, where you can share photos, videos, and recommendations, and even help shape future editions of the newsletter.

EZ Vibes is nothing without its community. Our goal has always been to help people discover more live music across North Carolina - whether its a stadium, a tiny hometown venue, or a free concert in the park. You'll notice several free events featured in this month's guide because we believe great music should be accessible to everyone. As we continue growing, we'd love to know what you'd like to see more of. What artists are up and coming in your neck of the woods? What venues deserve more love? What stories aren’t being told? What would make you excited to open the newsletter every week?

We'd love to hear from you. Reply to this email, jump into our Discord, or send us a message on social media. This newsletter is best when it's shaped by the people who read it, and we're excited to keep building it together. And if you know someone who could use a little more live music in their life, we'd love for you to share EZ Vibes with them!

Instagram Reel

making your own live music with friends is always free and fun!

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

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

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

Harvey Street
Thursday 8/13 - Moore Square - 7:00 pm

Summer may be winding down, but Raleigh's Live After 5 concert series is going out on a high note with two outstanding free shows featuring homegrown talent to close the season.

On Wednesday, Chapel Hill based neo-soul singer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocal coach Elora Dash brings her soaring vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and infectious stage presence to Seaboard Station. Then on Thursday, Raleigh-born indie rock band Harvey Street take the stage at Moore Square, delivering the “disciplined electricity” that's made them one of the Triangle's most exciting bands on the rise.

Whether you've made every Live After 5 this summer or haven't made it out once, this is the perfect excuse to grab a friend, head downtown on a weeknight, and celebrate one of Raleigh's best FREE music traditions. Good music, good company, and no ticket required.

UniSong Guided Song Circles

If you've been looking for a different way to experience live music - this one's for you.

UniSong invites people of all musical backgrounds into guided song circles designed to foster connection, expression, and healing through collective singing. Co-created by North Carolina singer-songwriters Deja Belle and Tessie Castillo, these 90-minute gatherings draw inspiration from ancient musical traditions rooted in celebration, anger, grief, and community. No performance experience is required, just a willingness to show up and sing.

Throughout August, UniSong is hosting pay-what-you-can circles in communities across the state, including special gatherings centered on nature and grief. Whether you're looking to meet new people, reconnect with your creative side, or simply experience music in a different way, these circles offer a beautiful reminder that making music together can be just as meaningful as listening to it.

Top Picks: The Week of 8/11

Tuesday – August 11th

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

Maddy Taylor
The Bend – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: Soulful country-pop, heartfelt originals, and powerhouse vocals.

Menastree
The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Hip-hop, jazz, house, R&B, and neo-soul - equal parts jam session and dance party.

Wednesday – August 12th

Elora Dash (FREE!!) 
Seaboard Station – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Soulful indie pop, powerhouse vocals, and a breezy, free midweek community concert under the city skyline.

Thursday – August 13th

Harvey Street (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.

Shady Grove String Band
Pisgah Brewing Company – Black Mountain, NC
The Vibe: Traditional bluegrass, old-time string music, and mountain harmonies.

Selwyn Birchwood (FREE!!)
U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Award-winning electric blues infused with soul, rock, and Florida swamp grit.

Cordovas
The Pour House Music Hall – Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: Rich four-part harmonies, cosmic country, and roots rock.

UniSong: Guided Song Circle (PAY WHAT YOU CAN!!) 
Current Wellness - Raleigh, NC
The Vibe: An intimate evening of community singing, connection, and reflection centered around mindfulness and meaningful human connection.

Friday - August 14th

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 in a cozy club room.

UniSong: Guided Song Circle (PAY WHAT YOU CAN!!) 
Radical Healing – Durham, NC
The Vibe: An intimate evening of community singing, connection, and reflection centered around mindfulness and meaningful human connection.

Tuff Sol (FREE!!)
French Broad River Brewery – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: Soulful funk, reggae, and feel-good grooves.

Smilo & the Ghost (FREE!!)
U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Funky indie rock, soulful vocals, and groove-driven jams

Easy Honey w/ Margot Sinclair
Bowstring Brewyard – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: Sunny indie rock with beach-town charm, soulful melodies, and laid-back grooves.

Saturday – August 15th

Cosmic Charlie 
Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: A brilliant blend of faithful Grateful Dead musicianship and adventurous, high-octane improvisational jams.

LeAnn Rimes 
Wilson Center – Wilmington, NC
The Vibe: Iconic country and roots vocals spanning three decades in an acoustically pristine coastal venue.

All Y'all Country Stars (FREE!!) 
Saturdays in Saxapahaw (Haw River Ballroom Lawn) – Saxapahaw, NC
The Vibe: Free outdoor lawn party along the river featuring local food trucks, a bustling farmers market, and classic country swing.

HOTO
The One Stop – Asheville, NC
The Vibe: A late-night blend of funk, soul, jazz, and groove-driven improvisation.

Grady Spencer and The Vegabonds
Palm Room – Wrightsville Beach, NC
The Vibe: Red dirt country, Southern rock, and heartfelt storytelling.

Tristen
The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
The Vibe: Thoughtful indie folk-pop, sharp songwriting, and a voice that effortlessly blends vulnerability with wit.

Sunday - August 16th

Daniel Ayers - The 'Boro Sessions
Flat Iron – Greensboro, NC
The Vibe: Thoughtful songwriting, masterful acoustic guitar, and an intimate afternoon listening-room experience.

🤝 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!

Thanks for being a part of North Carolina’s music community


Evan and Camille from EZ Vibes