Charlotte, the Queen City, is a booming banking capital with a surprisingly rich roots music history. Some of the earliest country and bluegrass records were cut here, and Arthur Smith's "Feudin' Banjos" was written and recorded here; it later became famous as "Dueling Banjos." Today players will find a long-running Monday songwriter open mic in the NoDa arts district, a free Wednesday jazz jam, monthly blues and bluegrass jams and a folk society that lists jams across the region every week. This guide covers Charlotte's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Charlotte
The Charlotte area was home to the Catawba people. European settlers arrived in the mid-1700s along the Great Wagon Road, and the town was incorporated in 1768 and named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, giving it the lasting nickname the "Queen City." Local legend holds that residents signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in 1775, a year before the national one.
In 1799, a boy found a 17-pound gold nugget on a farm near Charlotte, sparking the first gold rush in the United States. The U.S. Mint opened a branch here in 1837. After the Civil War, railroads and textile mills turned Charlotte into a commercial hub for the Carolina Piedmont.
In the late 20th century, Charlotte became the second-largest banking center in the country, home to Bank of America and major operations of many financial firms. It's also the heart of NASCAR country and home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Today it's one of the fastest-growing big cities in the United States.
The Charlotte Music Scene
In the 1930s, RCA Victor's Bluebird label held recording sessions in Charlotte, capturing early country, string band and gospel artists, including the Monroe Brothers, whose Charlotte recordings helped lay the groundwork for bluegrass. In 1955, Charlotte guitarist and TV star Arthur Smith wrote and recorded "Feudin' Banjos," which became "Dueling Banjos" after the 1972 film Deliverance.
Today Charlotte's scene is broad and growing. R&B singer Anthony Hamilton is a Charlotte native, the NoDa (North Davidson) arts district is the heart of the indie and songwriter scene, and organizations like the Charlotte Folk Society, the Charlotte Blues Society, JazzArts Charlotte and the Tosco Music nonprofit, known for its acoustic variety shows and open mics, keep the city's roots and jazz traditions strong.
Popular Live Music Venues in Charlotte
- Spectrum Center and PNC Music Pavilion – The arena and amphitheater for major tours.
- Blumenthal Performing Arts – Belk Theater, the Knight Theater and other halls for Broadway and concerts.
- The Fillmore Charlotte and The Underground (AvidXchange Music Factory) – Popular rooms for touring acts.
- Neighborhood Theatre (NoDa) – A beloved former movie house for Americana, rock and indie.
- The Evening Muse (NoDa) – An intimate listening room and home of the Monday songwriter open mic.
- Visulite Theatre (Elizabeth) – A mid-size room for roots, rock and jam bands.
- Middle C Jazz (Uptown) – Charlotte's dedicated jazz club.
- Petty Thieves Brewing Company (413 Dalton Ave.) – A brewery that hosts a monthly bluegrass jam.
- Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts (1030 Woodward Ave.) – Home of the Charlotte Blues Society's Blues Sunday jams.
Open Mics and Open Jams in Charlotte
Charlotte offers jams for nearly every style, and the surrounding towns add many more bluegrass and old-time circles. Below are the standout events, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Open Mics
- Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse (NoDa) – Mondays at 7:30 p.m. A long-running songwriter open mic, featuring a different guest artist and an evening of original tunes from local writers.
- Tosco Music Open Mic – Periodic open mics (recently on Tuesdays) from the nonprofit behind the Tosco Music Party acoustic variety shows. Check toscomusic.org for dates and locations.
Jazz and Blues Jams
- Wednesday Jazz Jam with the Lovell Bradford Trio (VisArt Video, 3104 Eastway Dr.) – Wednesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m., scheduled every week in 2026. Pianist Lovell Bradford's trio and guests open the stage to players.
- Blues Sunday Jam with the Charlotte Blues Society (Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts, Skyline Room, 1030 Woodward Ave.) – One Sunday in most months, 6:00–10:00 p.m. Full backline provided; sign up at the door. $10 general admission; free for jammers.
Bluegrass and Old-Time Jams (Charlotte Folk Society Listings)
- Petty Thieves Monthly Bluegrass Jam (413 Dalton Ave., Suite B) – Fourth Sundays, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
- VFW Sunday Bluegrass Jam (VFW Post 9488, 2831 The Plaza) – Second Sundays, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
- Weekly Mint Hill Old-Time Music Jam (McEwen Historic Village, 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., Mint Hill) – Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
- Belmont Bluegrass Jam at Primal Brewery (52 Ervin St., Belmont) – Fridays, 7:00–10:00 p.m. All skill levels.
- Fort Mill Sunday Bluegrass Jam (Pet Piv, Baxter Village, 990 Market St., Fort Mill, SC) – Sundays, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Confirm whether it's weekly or monthly.
- Bluegrass Jam at Gibson Mill Market (305 McGill Ave. NW, Concord) – Every other Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free; all levels.
Charlotte Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday (2nd) | VFW Bluegrass Jam (5 p.m.) | VFW Post 9488 | Bluegrass |
| Sunday (4th) | Monthly Bluegrass Jam (5 p.m.) | Petty Thieves Brewing | Bluegrass |
| Sunday (monthly) | Blues Sunday Jam (6 p.m.) | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts | Blues (backline) |
| Monday | Find Your Muse Open Mic (7:30 p.m.) | The Evening Muse, NoDa | Singer-Songwriter |
| Wednesday | Jazz Jam (7 p.m.) | VisArt Video | Jazz |
| Wednesday (every other) | Bluegrass Jam (6:30 p.m.) | Gibson Mill Market, Concord | Bluegrass |
| Friday | Bluegrass Jam (7 p.m.) | Primal Brewery, Belmont | Bluegrass |
| Saturday | Old-Time Jam (10 a.m.) | McEwen Historic Village, Mint Hill | Old-Time |
Tips for Playing Charlotte's Open Mics and Jams
- Bring originals to the Muse. The Monday open mic is a songwriter's room.
- Learn the bluegrass standards. With jams nearly every day across the metro, a few classics will open a lot of doors.
- Budget for traffic. Charlotte is spread out; allow extra time to reach suburban jams.
- Mind the heat. Summer heat and humidity are hard on instruments.
Helpful Local Resources
- Charlotte Folk Society (folksociety.org) – The region's most complete list of bluegrass, old-time and Celtic jams.
- Charlotte Blues Society (charlottebluessociety.org) – Blues Sunday jams and events.
- JazzArts Charlotte (thejazzarts.org) – Jazz education, concerts and jams.
- Charlotte on the Cheap (charlotteonthecheap.com) – Free and low-cost events, including jams.
