Hickory – The City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series returns to downtown Hickory this spring and fall, presenting free concerts of live original music under The Sails on the Square. Performances will begin at 7 p.m., Friday evenings in May, June, and September.
Music fans will also enjoy a change of venue for a special Sails Original Music Series concert at the Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m.
“The Sails Original Music Series is an event that the City of Hickory has been proud of for years. Having unique bands from all over the United States perform in Hickory is exciting,” said Hickory’s Communications and Marketing Manager Dana Kaminske. “We appreciate the work that Bob Sinclair does every year to attract new bands and to also bring back some favorites from the past that the Hickory community, and beyond, visit downtown to enjoy.”
Sinclair describes each of the bands in this year’s lineup as follows:
May 3 – Dulci
Dulci is Vocal Power. Dulci is Stage Presence. Dulci is High Performance. Dulci is Perfect for a Friday night in Hickory.
May 10 – Jive Talk
These guys won over the entire town the last time they were in Hickory. Quirky and groovy!
May 17 – Johnny Sansone
Ride with Johnny to New Orleans. He’s got that French Quarter boogie and rock going on. He’ll have us dancing! Yep, even you!
May 24 – Reedy River String Band
Yes, you’ll love their Appalachian roots vibe, but then get a big surprise when they transcend those roots and start to rock ‘n’ roll.
May 31 – Pink Beds
Pink Beds sits at the intersection of spacious grooves, lush sounds, and charming song-crafting.
June 7 – David Childers & The Serpents
David Childers – North Carolina-based singer/songwriter/musician/poet/historian/painter. Pssst – he rocks!
June 14 – Miss Tess
Nashville chanteuse Miss Tess swings, swaggers, seduces, and soothes in that old school country rock way. Everybody loves Tess.
June 21 – Taylor Ashton
Canadian crooner returns to the Sails. He has got the goods…a voice that seduces, songs that capture, and a band that wraps him up like a present.
June 28 – Empire Strikes Brass
A nine-piece, New Orleans-inspired second line BrassFunkRock band with horns and keys and voices galore. Their live shows are legendary. Come see what all the fuss is about!
Sept 6 – Certainly So
Infectious brother-harmonies laid over great indie rock layers. Will you love them? Certainly So!
Sept 13 – Damn the Banjos
Tim Carter (Carter Brothers) has put together a Pseudo-Supergroup of Funked-Up Folkified Americana Blues Roots Rock Music guys. These in-demand songwriters and session players are making great musical things happen!
Sept 21 – Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues
We can’t get enough of Mac Arnold and his homemade gas can electric guitar. He has played with the country’s best bluesmen and has stories to tell. And his band rocks out.
*Performance at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park
Sept 27 – Jacoozy
Their social media says they are “5 Heady gentlemen from NC” playing high energy, improvisational, and groovy music. They are from the Boone area, but are gathering traction and a following around the South.
The Sails Original Music Series offers excellent musical entertainment from all over the United States with the help of numerous sponsors. “We are thrilled to announce the 2024 season’s presenting sponsor is Protection Products, Inc.,” said Kaminske. “We are excited to partner again with this local company on this well-established music series for the community.”
Returning supporting sponsors of the series include Atriax, Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza.
In addition to the seating available at Union Square, Audience members are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. A variety of close-by bars and restaurants offer food and beverages.
The Hickory Downtown Social District allows patrons of downtown ABC permitted establishments to drink an alcoholic beverage on sidewalks, Union Square, and other public areas within the designated boundaries of the social district. For more information about the Hickory Downtown Social District, special restrictions, and a detailed map of the coverage area, visit www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district.
For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit www.HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.
