CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For a 13th year the city of Charleston will provide free music concerts at Haddad Riverfront Park every Friday night this summer for 15 weeks.
The 2016 lineup for the Moses Auto Group Live on the Levee was announced Friday morning in front of the Schoenbaum Stage where the acts will perform this year.
The first night kicks off Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 27 and extends to Labor Day weekend on Friday, Sept. 2. Both nights include fireworks.
Concert goers can expect to hear a wide variety of music including country, modern rock, classic rock, jazz, soul and more.
Adam Harris, chair of the Live on the Levee Music Committee, said both local and national bands will be in Charleston this year.
“We got a Beatlemania Magic band that is not to be missed for Beatles lovers of all ages. Zapp, our legendary funk band that’s emerged from the 70s, is going to be here as part of MultiFest. Footmad is helping us present groups this year as well as FestivALL Charleston,” Harris said.
The Rob Thompson Band will open the series on Friday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m.
During Friday’s news conference, Harris, Live on the Levee committee member Jim Strawn, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and others all said the series, founded by City Council President Tom Lane, has grown a lot over the years.
“People come from all around. It really is for all ages,” said Harris. “All members of the family — they know they can come down, have a safe time in Charleston, have a great bight to eat, some free entertainment — you can’t beat that. What a great thing for the city.”
Strawn estimated about 100,000 people attended Live on the Levee last summer. Harris said they see anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 people per night.
He said the event also benefits the tourism industry.
“What that means for the city is people going into the bars, going into the restaurants, staying downtown. It’s all the community impact, that economic impact just generates over and over again and that’s really what this is all about,” Harris said.
Every Friday night begins at 6:30 p.m. with the headliner starting at 7:30 p.m. Entry starts at 5 p.m. and will end around
9:30 p.m. Admission is free of charge.
Food vendors include Buffalo Creek & Gauley Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Joeys Ice, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, Mi Cocina De Amor, Ms. Groovy Catering, Papa Johns, Ridge View BBQ, Good Stuff Good Times, Skeeber Flob’s and Sugar Pie Bakery.
Led by Moses Auto Group, 43 sponsors are supporting Live on the Levee this year.
The 2016 Live on the Levee Schedule is listed below:
Friday, May 27
Bob Thompson Band
Hybrid Soul Project
(Fireworks)
Friday, June 3
Mothers Nature
(Special Olympics)
Friday, June 10
Mark Miller
Mindbender
(Capitol City Biker Bash)
Friday, June 17
The Sea The Sea
Christian Lopez Band
(FestivALL)
Friday, June 24
Soul Slaw
Dangermuffin
(FestivALL)
Friday, July 1
Jeff Ellis &40 Days
Tyler Childers
(Veteran’s Night)
Friday, July 8
Chase Likens
Bucky Covington
Friday, July 15
That High Country Revival
The Revelers
(Footmad night)
Friday, July 22
The Horse Traders
ONA
Friday, July 29
Hurl Brickbat
A Story Told
Friday, August 5
Stratus
Zapp
(Multi Fest)
Friday, August 12
Shane Runion Band
Joseph Sisters
Friday, August 19
Three Men and a Baby
Beatlemania Magic
(SportsFest / WV Games)
Friday, August 26
Relative Obscurity
Toothless Ruth
Friday, September 2
Diablo Blues
C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
(Fireworks)