As the summer comes to a close, enjoy the last of the late-evening light and warm temperatures at these outdoor concerts around town. For those looking for a more laid-back experience than a concert hall or music venue, we’ve got you covered.
City Lights Eastside
City Lights Eastside offers a fun weekly music series that rotates between emerging talent and established artists, like Chris Boone, who is scheduled to perform on Oct. 24.
City Lights is a downtown café, coffee shop and wine bar that now hosts live music on its patio from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Thursday night. The eatery, open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday is a new go-to neighborhood spot. It’s open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“I like to switch it up and have up-and-comers one week and established artists the next week,” owner Candace Patterson said. “I grew up with coffee shops of the ’90s, so it is my mission to make sure that we are a true community café.
“We’re only four months old. But I want (City Lights) to be a space where people come and they can feel like they can create. We’ll eventually expand to slam poetry and more creative events. … The future is bright for these things.”
Patterson said she sources the musical lineup from making open calls on neighborhood group pages and hanging up posters.
“We get people from Wagener Terrace and we get people from the East Side neighborhood,” she said. “We get a lot of drag-alongs from the artists and their friends, and it ends up just being like a really vibrant, fun time. The patio fills up, but people drop in and drop out. It’s a casual, relaxed vibe.”
You can order wine, beer, cocktails, casual food and build-your-own charcuterie platters during the live music Thursdays — plus, catch rotating local art on the walls. Stay up to date with City Lights on Instagram and catch weekly music announcements at @citylightseastside.
Tinto Café and Provisions
The new cafe and wine bar Tinto Café and Provisions, which opened this summer at 45 John St., offers live jazz music from saxophone player Jerryd “Cosmo” Burton every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., during which the cafe offers happy hour pricing and no corkage fee on wine.
A sax player for more than 15 years, Cosmo has performed at many weddings, restaurants and events around the Charleston area. He’s most known as the player that’s lit up King Street with his music outside of Sewing Down South since the summer of 2022.
“Charleston has always been a home for me,” Burton said. “After the pandemic, I felt the need to spread a little bit of joy on a musical level. I started street performing on King Street where I improved on a variety of genres including jazz, R&B, pop and motown.”
Check out Cosmo’s lovely tunes on a Friday evening at Tinto Café on John Street. Learn more about Cosmo on Instagram at @stewe65 and Tinto’s at @tintochs.
Tobin’s Market
Escape to Charleston’s backyard party at Tobin’s Market, open seven days a week with live music on the patio Thursday through Sunday. It’s located at 197 Jackson St. in a historic Freedman’s Cottage with a full food and bar menu. (Bonus: It’s dog-friendly.)
Beyond the regular live music, there’s also a great gathering for local musicians at Tobin’s on the first Thursday of every month called Indie Spotlight, which is hosted by Matt Vajdic of the Charleston–based indie-pop band Wilmot.
The event brings together independent artists for a writer’s round table, with each session featuring live performances, discussions on creative processes and song-writing techniques. This event not only showcases talent but also builds community to foster connections within the local music scene.
It’s a great place to listen to or perform music. For local musicians interested in being considered, email booking@tobinsmarket.com. Learn more on Instagram at @tobins_market.
Ohm’s Brass on the Grass
Charleston’s community radio station, Ohm Radio, 96.3 FM, offers a diverse range of programming — from local music, to history, to artist interviews — all dedicated to serving Charleston.
The radio station’s most popular live program of the year is approaching on Sept. 29 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Bring your friends and family for a fun and free night of brass band performances in a relaxed outdoor setting. Brass on the Grass is an annual outdoor concert featuring the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s brass sextet, held on the lawn of The Refinery.
Featured musicians include Tom Joyce, Antonio Marti, Charles Messersmith, Hank Landrum, Kyle Lane, Brandon Nichols, Anne Holmi, Ryan Leveille and Chris Lindgren. Registration is recommended but not required.
“The music is always upbeat and fun,” said station manager Grace McNally. “This year they are playing popular and traditional polka tunes. The vibe is always relaxed and family friendly, with people of all ages. With the weather cooling down, it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon.”
Registration is recommended but not required. Learn more on Instagram at@ohmradio963.
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