While Wilmington is known for film and television, a number of favorite local bands are part of the area’s cultural core. Plenty of locals have their favorites and will follow them from venue to venue. But should you not yet have favorite local bands to support, we rounded up all the places to check out live shows and hear new sounds. 

Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar, Carolina Beach

Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar is home to some of the best live music at Carolina Beach. Playing this venue, which stretches out on a pier over the beach, is a bucket list moment for local bands. A full line-up of shows is scheduled all summer long. Check their website to learn more. 

Jimmy’s at Wrightsville Beach

Just as Tiki Bar is the home to music in Carolina Beach, Jimmy’s is the authoritative hub for music in Wrightsville. Absolutely make a stop here to hear musical acts year-round. 

Cloud 9

Wilmington’s Cloud 9 not only offers up some of the best views in town, but they have a year-round lineup for live music. While you can check out their schedule for the upcoming week on their Facebook page, their website shows some of the bands on their list. Musical acts include Taylor Lee Trio, Feebs, Justin Cody Fox, the Over Time Trio, and more. 

End of Days Distillery

This distillery in Wilmington’s cargo district not only has a rotating cast of food trucks but a calendar booked with musicians. From singer/songwriters, to blues and bluegrass, a wide range of acts take up the stage here. Check out the End of Days Distillery calendar here to see who is playing next. 

Satellite Bar and Lounge

You will love all the bluegrass musicians who come here to jam throughout the fall, retro sounds all summer long and more. Satellite always has a fun lineup of events paired with bands all year long, plus tacos we cannot resist. 

Eagle’s Dare

Eagle’s Dare emerged on the local bar scene in the last four years and they have played host to a rotating cast of bands and live music. This spot came along at the perfect time for downtown, as several other live venues closed.

A few of my personal favorite local bands to hear live:

Check out The Wilmington Big Band, bringing back the nostalgic sound from Wrightsville’s old Lumina Ballroom. Back in those days Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey entertained audiences like this band with its 17-piece orchestra. 

The Coastal Collective has such a different sound, it can only be from our own little slice of the coast. 

Kicking Bird, seen in the photo above, has some fabulous originals everyone should check out.

Randy McQuay plays the blues and we love to hear it.