CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Live on the Levee returns to the Capital City for the 22nd consecutive year, featuring Free Friday night concerts throughout the summer.
Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin joined local officials at the Moses Cadillac GMC building in downtown Charleston Thursday for the lineup unveiling.
The free concert series begins May 22 and runs every Friday through July 31, with the exception of the 4th of July weekend because of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. Concerts will include a mixture of local artists and nationally known performers.
Each Live on the Levee concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
“We have folks that come to Live on the Levee, who bring their own chairs, who have their special spot that they like to go to, because this is what they expect,” Goodwin said. “They know that every Friday night, we’re going to have good music and a good time on the Riverfront. We’re going to have great vendors there, as we always do. But during that time, we talk about the organizations, and we talk about the work, not just the city’s doing, but all of these other organizations.”
Goodwin said she believes this is the best Levee lineup in a while.
“More time, more money, more energy put in this lineup than I think ever before,” Goodwin said. “Our city manager, the folks at the Coliseum and Convention Center, our entire team sat down and said, ‘what do we really need?’ We worked with local artists, obviously, you’re going to see some of these great names, but you’re also going to see some Grammy award-winning artists as well.”
The Levee is a major attraction for the Capital City, Goodwin said. Not only does it entertain residents, but she said the Levee was mentioned in a conversation with a recruiter from a national company looking to establish their headquarters in Charleston. Goodwin asked the employer what their employees want to see in the community.
“They said, ‘The stuff that you do on the Levee, the stuff that you do with Regatta, the stuff that you’re doing in City Center,'” Goodwin said. “It’s quality of life and having really high-quality events, like Live on the Levee, plays into that. When we’re talking about business recruitment, you probably aren’t thinking about that Live on the Levee in the same sentence, but we are, because we know that our employers are saying.”
Goodwin said employees want reliable restaurants and shops, but also something fun and free to do. That’s where Live on the Levee comes in, she noted. Goodwin touted the Levee’s impact on the community.
“When Live on the Levee was started 22 years ago, the mission was, ‘let’s have a good time, but let’s also give back.'” Goodwin said. “So, the mission of every Live on the Levee, and we rotate it every week, is to help out organizations who help our families, help our women and children, and folks that may need just a little extra help. Every week, we also do that. So, it’s not only just a great time, but it’s for a great cause.”
Goodwin noted that there will be 12 straight weeks of entertainment in the Capital City — the ten-week Levee run, one week of the Sternwheel Regatta, and the Charleston Multifest is held August 6-9.
The opening concert May 22 features rising country music singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen, who previously toured with country music stars Luke Bryan and Keith Urban. Charleston group Adam Parker & The Bourbon Cowboys will also perform that evening.
The Rumble ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. takes the stage on May 29. The Rumble is a two-time Grammy-nominated New Orleans band which combines Mardi Gras Indian funk, jazz, and hip-hop together in their performances. Denver-based band Float Like a Buffalo is on the schedule for the second Friday of the Levee lineup as well.
An Elton John and Bruce Springsteen-endorsed rock artist performs June 5. Low Cut Connie is a singer from Philadelphia who has released seven albums since his start in 2010. Funk and R&B band Joslyn & The Sweet Compression accompany Low Cut Connie to kick off the June portion of the schedule.
Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Spin Doctors headlines the summer lineup. The Spin Doctors take the stage June 12, known for many hits including 1990s classics “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” Jag Robinson is set to lead off the music that night.
One half of the rap duo Black Star is performing June 19. Rapper Talib Kweli will perform, along with R&B/soul group Jordan Dyer Trio.
June 26’s concert is all about Prince with tribute band Marshall Charloff & The Purple Xperience on the stage. The special performers that evening are The Heavy Hitters.
After one week off from the Levee to begin July, the lineup resumes July 10 with Baltimore rock-and-roll singer Cris Jacobs and Kentucky group The Local Honeys.
Charleston native John Inghram will perform a tribute to Led Zeppelin July 17, joined by rock artist Natalie Brooke.
Soul singer Allen Stone, along with Sasha Colette & The Magnolias, take the stage on the Levee’s penultimate weekend of the summer on July 24.
Taylor Swift tribute band Taylor’s Story round out the Levee lineup on July 31, joined by special guest DJ EJ.
The full 2026 Live on the Levee lineup:
May 22: Alana Springsteen (with Adam Parker & The Bourbon Cowboys)
May 29: The Rumble ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. (with Float Like a Buffalo)
June 5: Low Cut Connie (with Joslyn & The Sweet Compression)
June 12: Spin Doctors (with Jag Robinson)
June 19: Talib Kweli (with Jordan Dyer Trio)
June 26: Marshal Charloff & Purple Xperience (with The Heavy Hitters)
No Live on the Levee July 3 (Charleston Sternwheel Regatta)
July 10: Cris Jacobs (with The Local Honeys)
July 17: John Ingrams Presents: Tribute to Led Zeppelin (with Natalie Brooke)
July 24: Allen Stone (with Sasha Colette & The Magnolias)
July 31: Taylor’s Story (with DJ EJ)