Top 5 Live Music Venues in Charlotte, NC

Venue Size: Small

Visulite Theatre is my favorite place to watch a concert in Charlotte, NC. The acoustics are unparalleled, and the venue is both unique and inviting. This former movie theatre now provides an amazing concert experience because it’s not too big and not too small. The atmosphere resembles an arena full of people because of the surround sound quality, but the max capacity is only around 250-300 heads. There are multiple viewing levels so it’s easy to see the stage, even in a packed house. Most of the artists aren’t quite household names yet but are well on their way. For this reason, ticket prices are always reasonable and sure to give the best bang for your buck. There are so many venues to choose from in Charlotte, but the Visulite is the top of my list because of the consistency and quality of every event.

Venue Size: Medium

The Fillmore always features big name artists and quality openers. The sound fills the room without blasting your eardrums. The light-shows are professional without hurting your eyes. The tickets are a bit more expensive and completely worth the price. The venue becomes a packed house in the blink of an eye, so make sure to get there on the earlier side if you want a clear view of the main performer. That being said, even the back wall of the room will provide a quality listening 

experience. This is the crown jewel of Charlotte’s Music Factory and lives up to its iconic name.

The Fillmore always features big name artists and quality openers. The sound fills the room without blasting your eardrums. The light-shows are professional without hurting your eyes. The tickets are a bit more expensive and completely worth the price. The venue becomes a packed house in the blink of an eye, so make sure to get there on the earlier side if you want a clear view of the main performer. That being said, even the back wall of the room will provide a quality listening experience. This is the crown jewel of Charlotte’s Music Factory and lives up to its iconic name.

Venue Size: Large

Behind The Fillmore is the other premier venue of the Music Factory – the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre. This outdoor stage has seating options up close, an extensive lawn in the back, and an incredible view of the Charlotte skyline. The location caters to the artists that are too big to fit inside the Fillmore or comparable venues. Maggie Rogers came to Charlotte in October and was originally scheduled for the Fillmore. The show sold out so quickly that she 

relocated to the outdoor amphitheatre and delivered a powerful and unforgettable performance. The CMCUA is the perfect place to see an amazing show on a summer night, and there are plenty of bars and nightlife to choose from after the concert.

Behind The Fillmore is the other premier venue of the Music Factory – the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre. This outdoor stage has seating options up close, an extensive lawn in the back, and an incredible view of the Charlotte skyline. The location caters to the artists that are too big to fit inside the Fillmore or comparable venues. Maggie Rogers came to Charlotte in October and was originally scheduled for the Fillmore. The show sold out so quickly that she relocated to the outdoor amphitheatre and delivered a powerful and unforgettable performance. The CMCUA is the perfect place to see an amazing show on a summer night, and there are plenty of bars and nightlife to choose from after the concert.

Venue Size: Very Small

The Evening Muse is one of the smallest venues in Charlotte but never disappoints. This intimate setting gives the audience a unique viewing experience because the stage is at eye-level. The shows have a limited amount of seating, standing room by the bar, and a max capacity of only 120 people. Find The Muse at the corner of 36th and Davidson in NoDa, conveniently located near a bunch of great bars and dining options like Jack Beagle’s. Parking can be tough, but you can easily get there with a ride-share app or the

Charlotte Light Rail. Whether you know the name or not, you’re sure to see a talented artist, surrounded by an audience that truly appreciates the music.

The Evening Muse is one of the smallest venues in Charlotte but never disappoints. This intimate setting gives the audience a unique viewing experience because the stage is at eye-level. The shows have a limited amount of seating, standing room by the bar, and a max capacity of only 120 people. Find The Muse at the corner of 36th and Davidson in NoDa, conveniently located near a bunch of great bars and dining options like Jack Beagle’s. Parking can be tough, but you can easily get there with a ride-share app or the Charlotte Light Rail. Whether you know the name or not, you’re sure to see a talented artist, surrounded by an audience that truly appreciates the music.

Venue Size: Medium

Last but not least – Neighborhood Theatre is the centerpiece of NoDa’s music scene and features performers from a wide variety of genres. Near the entrance, there is a stage for shows that have a smaller audience, but the mainstage opens up a large room with high ceilings and a balcony for the artists that will draw a bigger crowd. I’ve seen a bunch of great musicians here, but my favorite concert to-date was the most recent – Citizen Cope in January. I’ve never seen the place more wall-to-

wall, and when Neighborhood Theatre is a packed house, it means that the members of the audience are avid fans. Everyone in the room listened with quiet appreciation during the songs and cheered with enthusiastic approval in between. I can’t wait to get back to this venue, and there are always so many great options to choose from.

Last but not least – Neighborhood Theatre is the centerpiece of NoDa’s music scene and features performers from a wide variety of genres. Near the entrance, there is a stage for shows that have a smaller audience, but the mainstage opens up a large room with high ceilings and a balcony for the artists that will draw a bigger crowd. I’ve seen a bunch of great musicians here, but my favorite concert to-date was the most recent – Citizen Cope in January. I’ve never seen the place more wall-to-wall, and when Neighborhood Theatre is a packed house, it means that the members of the audience are avid fans. Everyone in the room listened with quiet appreciation during the songs and cheered with enthusiastic approval in between. I can’t wait to get back to this venue, and there are always so many great options to choose from.

With the rapidly growing metropolitan and the wide variety of concert venues, the Queen City continues to be a hub for local artists and a desired location for touring musicians. If you’re looking to plan ahead for 2020, check out the schedules of these five venues to figure out when and where you’ll be seeing the next great performance in Charlotte, NC.