North Myrtle Beach is famous for its miles white-sand beaches, rows of seafood restaurants and retail shops, and shag dancing to the sweet sounds of beach music. In fact, all kinds of music – from the country and gospel sounds of the Alabama Theatre to the rhythm and blues of the House of Blues – give guests and locals a reason to move their feet to the beat in North Myrtle Beach.
In keeping with its knack for reputation for great music, North Myrtle Beach hosts two free summer concert series that attract folks from all walks of life to shake a leg on the outdoor dance floor. The Hot Summer Nights Concert Series kicks off the 2015 season in downtown North Myrtle Beach on Thursday, May 14, while the Sounds of Summer Concert Series cranks it up on Friday, May 15, at the new North Myrtle Beach Recreation & Sports Complex. The dual concert lineup offers music-lovers the opportunity to hear some great local and regional bands and enjoy the great outdoors.
Held every Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach, the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series alternates weekly between stages at the Horseshoe and on Main Street, giving regular visitors the chance to enjoy different aspects of the downtown district. The Horseshoe is right on the oceanfront, so patrons can spend a nice day at the beach before coming up to the street to catch the bands in action, while the more inland locations allows guests to check out some of the restaurants and shops along Main Street. Beach chairs and blankets are recommended for comfort, or feel free to stay on your feet and dance along to the tunes.
The 2015 Hot Summer Nights schedule opens Thursday, May 14, with regional rock act Revival kicking off the season with a bang. The remaining lineup includes beach music by the Carolina Breakers (May 21), the Motown sound of CC & Company (May 28) , Midnight Alley (June 4), The Wannabees (June 11), the Carolina Soul Band (June 18), the Ultimate Rock Machine (June 28), the Fat Jack Band (July 2), Southern Blue (July 9), the Castaways (July 16), The Deluge (July 23), Hip Pocket (July 30), Too Much Sylvia (Aug. 6), the Entertainers (Aug. 13), The Necessary Band (Aug. 20), The Fantastic Shakers (Aug. 27), Tastes Like Chicken (Sept. 3), Jim Quick & Coastline (Sept. 10), Tru Sol (Sept. 17), Envision (Sept. 24) and Marsha Morgan (Oct. 1).
If you can’t make it on Thursdays, there’s always Fridays at the Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Featuring local and regional bands playing on the amphitheater stage every third Friday night of the month between May and September, this concert series also runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Patrons can arrive early and experience all the new park and complex have to offer, such as sports fields, hiking trails, a dog park and adventure sports like a jet-pack ride and a zipline and ropes course. Pack a chair or blanket and spend the day and night enjoying nature and listening to music under the stars.
The 2015 Sounds of Summer Concert Series opens May 15 with the Brickhouse Band, followed by Sound Express & The Legacy (June 19), Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot (July 17), Painted Man (Aug. 21), and Nantucket (Sept. 18). Grab some snacks and cold drinks from the concession stand and dance the night away in true North Myrtle Beach fashion.
(Posted: 5/14/15)
