Biscuit-Sept27-24
PHOTO: Courtesy of Confluence
Charlotte’s Music Scene is on the Rise
An Editorial by Rick ThurmondThe vision is a diverse, thriving ecosystem where music makers are supported, audiences show up and show out, and the nation takes notice. This doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention, strategy and a community committed to the cause.
That’s exactly what’s happening in Charlotte. Many people and organizations are doing their part, and Music Everywhere CLT, a nonprofit initiative to develop Charlotte’s music ecosystem, is proud to contribute. Five years ago, we engaged with the local music community to identify what needed to be done to make this vision a reality. From those conversations, we developed a plan. 
PHOTO: Courtesy of Confluence
Enter ConfluenceCharlotte needed an annual tentpole event to bring together the music community, build bridges with the rest of the state and attract the national industry.
The conference debuted in 2019 at the Whitewater Center as a proof of concept. After a pandemic pause, we relaunched it last year, and it’s now the Carolinas’ premier music industry conference and showcase fest. Confluence is happening Oct. 9-11 at the AvidXchange Music Factory. [GET TICKETS HERE.] By day, Confluence is a conference with panels, workshops and fireside chats featuring music industry leaders from across the region and the country. By night, it’s a festival, with more than 30 Carolinas-based artists and bands performing across seven iconic local venues: - Petra’s
- Snug Harbo
- Underground
- Starlight on 22nd
- Evening Music
- Neighborhood Theatre
- Visulite
Flexible pass options – at a fraction of the cost of similar events in other markets – grant access to it all. [GET PASSES HERE.] We’ve learned a lot in our two previous years. Some of the changes to note this year include: - We’ve grouped the venues to make them more walkable. Thursday night is Plaza-Midwood night, plus hip-hop at Underground. Friday is NoDa night, plus indie pop at Visulite.
- We’ve added more networking at the conference, with parties closing out each day, including a free-to-the-public, open-air block party with an outdoor stage Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot between VBGB and The Hamilton at AvidXchange Music Factory.
- Confluence will feature almost 20 Charlotte-based performers, with almost as many bands from outside Charlotte, including headliners Chatham County Line, Mez and Sarah Shook & The Disarmers.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Confluence
Why a Conference and Showcase Fest?Why a conference? The music industry is rapidly evolving, and we want our community to have access to the latest insights and knowledge from industry experts. But music thrives on connection, too. Who you know is just as important as what you know. That’s why we’ve invited national industry leaders to Confluence—to connect with our scene and experience our city. Why a showcase fest? We want audiences to discover great local and regional talent and experience the indie venues that are the backbone of our music ecosystem. We also want visiting industry insiders to see that talent firsthand. Join the MovementConfluence is essential to developing Charlotte’s music scene—and it’s a lot of fun. Artists, industry pros and fans are all welcome. Check out the schedule on the website, get your pass and join the movement. About the AuthorRick Thurmond leads Music Everywhere CLT and is Chief Marketing Officer at Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP). “Music is how a city expresses itself. Music has a unique power to bring together all kinds of people, and that’s important in a city that has struggled with economic mobility and is filled with people like me that grew up in other places,” said Thurmond. “Some of the best nights of my life have been spent inside music venues. This is my way of giving back to something that has given so much to me.” [EDITOR’S NOTE] As editor and publisher of Charlotte Magazine, Thurmond helped build the reputation of the Queen City, sharing stories of the known and unknown people and movements shaping our city. Now at CCCP for nearly a decade, he’s continued that work, particularly as it pertains to Charlotte’s burgeoning music scene.
Charlotte Is Creative, publishers of The Biscuit, are media sponsors of Confluence. 
LOCAL MUSIC ORGANIZATIONSAs excited as we are for another Confluence, we’re equally excited about the organizations and businesses that support local music and the people who make that music every day. There are so many to share, but here are five we think you should follow right now. 
Tosco Music (TMP) Since long before we were shouting “Charlotte Is Creative,” John Tosco was making that concept a reality among Queen City musicians. He started with small jam sessions called “Tosco Music Parties” in his house decades ago and expanded to some of the biggest stages in the city. Catch their annual FabFest tribute to The Beatles returning next weekend! 
Jambox Jambox is Charlotte’s coolest hangout for bands and solo acts. With its 12 soundproof rooms, it’s like a playground for musicians. Whether we’re jamming, podcasting, or hosting an event, it’s where we go to make some noise. Plus, we love how involved they are in the music community. 
One Voice Chorus (OVC) OVC is the QC’s musical rainbow, bringing LGBTQIA+ folks and allies together in harmony. With no auditions required, this diverse group of 85+ singers belts out tunes that celebrate inclusivity and pride. They’re spreading love and belonging, one fab performance at a time. 
Backspinz
How do you build a career as a DJ? It involves a lot more than knowing how to mix, scratch and read a crowd. It takes business savvy and professional skills, too. That’s what Backspinz founder, Claude Whitfield, teaches the high school students and young adults that come through this amazing program. When you see a Backspinz DJ working an event, their skills belie their ages. They know how to work a room … and they know how to make money doing it.  Charlotte Concert Band
We are fortunate to have the amazing Charlotte Symphony in our city, but we love this hidden gem, too. The Charlotte Concert Band is a “volunteer community band of instrumental musicians.” Some are professional musicians. Others are lifelong musicians who have other jobs and pursuits. But, they come together for concerts throughout the year to play and share the joy they feel for music. 
NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
Last week, we shared a bunch of incredible funding and training opportunities now open for creatives – notably the opportunity to be part of the spring or fall 2025 cohort of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative. Read about other open opportunities. This week, we have two more to add to the list! OPEN CALL: CHARLOTTE SHOUT! 2025
Due Oct. 30 | APPLY
Charlotte SHOUT! has opened applications for four distinct creative opportunities in 2025:
- Deadline: Oct. 30, 2024
Queen’s Greens Mini Golf, Easter Eggs on Parade and !cons - Deadline: Feb. 3, 2025
2025 Event Poster Competition
SHOUT! seeks imaginative storytellers to design engaging, temporary art installations for the event, as well as the main poster for this 17-day festival. Proposals should explore the theme of CONSERVATION and offer unique experiences through new technology, sustainability and accessibility. OPEN CALL: ASC ARTIST SUPPORT GRANTS
Due Oct. 21 | APPLYBuilding a creative career isn’t easy. It takes time, commitment and opportunity. The Arts & Science Council has opened their Artist Support Grant program to creatives from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Rowan counties to apply for up to $3,000 in funding for professional and artistic development across a wide array of creative disciplines. 
Charlotte Is Creative is playing host to two, free creative events in 28 hours next weekend. 
CreativeMornings/CLT – FREE EVENT!
Friday, Oct. 4, from 8 to 10 a.m.
Woodlawn Community Fellowship
Terri White, from the Charlotte Museum of History, is the keynote speaker on the global topic of “Vision.” Along the way to Terri’s talk, you’ll enjoy hot coffee, breakfast bites, new friends, live music, Bolts of Inspiration, H.U.G. grant presentations, and more. All of it is designed to help you fall deeper in love with the Queen City’s creative community. GET TICKETS 
Charlotte Reciprocity Circles – FREE EVENT!
Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Seoul Food NoDaThe next morning, join the Charlotte Is Creative crew for another chance to make new friends at this social capital exchange event. After networking and fellowship time, you’ll join an intimate circle of 10-15 people to talk about a project you’re working on and ask for what you need to make it happen. In turn, you’ll get to share what you have to help advance someone else’s dream. Powerful connections happen here, and they reverberate throughout the city. GET TICKETS | The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: |
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