TGIF Concert Series: May through July
Morganton Motor Club Cruise Ins the first Friday of the month
Hundreds dancing under the sunset
Twelve Free Concerts on the Square
Bring a chair or blanket & enjoy free music!
Food and Beverage vendors opening at 6:00pm and music starts at 7:00pm.
2022 TGIF Summer Concert Series Lineup
After three years, TGIF Summer Concerts are BACK! Come dance under the stars on the newly designed Courthouse Square during the inaugural season of performances on the new stage. The FREE concerts are held every Friday in May, June, and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music starts at 7:00pm.
In addition to great LIVE entertainment on the stage, during the first Friday concert each month, join Morganton Motor Club along South Sterling Street for Cruise Ins at the Square!
If you are a band interested in performing at a future TGIF Summer Concert Series event, please submit your band information, available dates, and links to website(s) and videos to info@morgantonfest.org Submissions will be reviewed the first of the year with lineups announced the first of April.
Earth to Mars - A Tribute to Bruno Mars + Morganton Motor Club Cruise In
Tuatha Dea
Soul Watt
Marcel Portilla Band
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Friday, May 27th can’t get here soon enough! Downtown Morganton welcomes “Marcel Portilla Band” to the TGIF Summer Concert Series Stage! The Marcel Portilla Band plays a fusion of New Latin, Tropical, Rock, Blues and Reggae in a way you’ve never heard it down before! The band is led my Marcel Portilla, a highly regarded South American singer/songwriter. His passion for music was born from his family’s love and appreciation for the arts; from his grandmother’s opera career, to his father’s adoration for the classics. Marcel his heavily influence by timeless artists such as Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Oscar de Leon, Sonora Poncena, Gran Combo, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Jose Feliciano, Jose Hose, Tito Rodriguez, Celia Cruz and Fenia. The band His knowledge of the greats and his passion for music itself, he blends Latin rhythms with modern pop tunes, R&B riffs and earth shaking rock arrangements! The Marcel Portilla Band delivers a must-see high energy show that will warm the hearts of attendees on our Friday Summer Nights!
The Extraordinaires + Morganton Motor Club Cruise In
Sweet Revenge
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
There’s nothing sweeter than a Friday night! Join “Sweet Revenge” on Friday June 10th featuring their classic rock styles and sounds. “Sweet Revenge” features Eric Woody on drums and vocals, Tim Pittman on bass and vocals, Dr. Ken Bonfield on piano and vocals, Stephen Scott on guitar and vocals, Kevin Buckland on guitar and vocals and Larisa Scott on vocals. “Eric Woody and Tim Pittman grew up together, playing in the school band together starting with Salem Jr High. They always enjoyed harmonizing and entertaining others at school either clowning around or singing things like Beach Boys, Beatles, or Everly brothers. Many years later, they had a party and invited some talented friends to come play and had such a blast, the garage band bug bit them. Gradually, they invited other friends they met along the way who had demonstrated a love for singing or skill in playing an instrument. Bill Ramsey and Scott Scoggins both joined and jammed for a time. Other priorities came along as often happens, but they all still love playing music together every chance they get. Ken Bonfield grew up playing piano for live musicals but always loved pulling a cool piece of popular music out of thin air and playing it back for everyone to sing along. Woody and Pittman invited Bonfield to come play and they hit it off right away. Bonfield knew of Stephen Scott’s guitar playing abilities and invited him to come join. Scott was a great fit and after mentioning a certain lady singer he knew, his wife Larisa came and sang a few tunes with the band and opened the door to great female rocker tunes. Ramsey and Kevin Buckland had played in a very talented rock band that blew the roof off Freedom High School’s gymnasium in a 1983 talent show. Woody and Pittman were witnesses to that event. Bill actually suggested Kevin as his replacement, and what a great suggestion. A good friend, Jeff Julien, begin running sound for the band around that same time and has been part of the band ever since. And for three years, Sweet Revenge was honored to have Waylon Smith on drums. The band tried their best to pick songs that would turn Smith loose on percussions. Smith “retired” from live gigging and Woody now stays behind the drum kit holding down most of the lead vocals along with Larisa. The band feels honored and privileged to have played for well over a decade at TGIF.”
The Legacy Motown Revue
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Friday is the ultimate evening and “The Legacy Motown Revue” is the Ultimate Motown Tribute Band! On Friday, June 17th let’s get to together on the square to prove that “Soul Music is not just our past… It’s The Legacy!” Band Leader Stan Stigail dreamed of starting a tribute to legendary groups during his time as musical director and pianist touring with Bill Pinckney’s Original Drifters. Since, the passing of his friend Bill, “this desire grew stronger …. thus the inception of THE LEGACY!!!” This high energy band pays tribute to the legendary icons of Motown, made up of four talented performers who sing and dance! Their six-piece horn band, transports you back in time to one of the most influential times of American music history. The Legacy transports you back to the days of The Drifters, The Coasters, The Jackson’s, Earth Wind & Fire, The Temptations and many, many more!
Urban Soil
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Hailing for the North Carolina soil, the TGIF band on June 24th “Urban Soil” weaves Americana, rock and soil into their explosive live shows! This band has the ability to take their energy and pass it on to their audience. Sarah Reinke is the frontwoman of the band on vocals, guitar and percussion including occasional electric washboard. Eric Chesson, guitarist and vocalist, delivers forceful musical phrases and offers steadfast vocals. The skillful violinist, vocal and percussionist Greg Meckley, blends in the tight layers of the bands smooth sound. The concrete base of the band is created by Jonathan Wilson on drums and Leo Kishore on base. Come out on Friday evening to hear this band known for their original musical exploration!
ACE Party Band + Morganton Motor Club Cruise In
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Fridays are Aces, so is the Summer TGIF Concert Series! You won’t want to miss “Ace Party Band” on Friday, July 1st! This band is a diverse group of talented musicians, with versatile style will most defiantly entertain all who attend this concert. “Ace Party Band” performs for all generations spanning over the last 50 years. They cover all genres from Beach and Motown, to Top 40’s, Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, R & B, Country and Jazz Standards. If you are willing to have fun this weekend, don’t hesitate to attend this high energy show!
Red Dirt Revelators
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Make Friday, July 15th an original with “Red Dirt Revelators!” Original songs are what this band brings to the stage! They draw the audience’s attention from the very first sound they make. They hail from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountain, drawing from deep Delta blues roots and rock music backgrounds to create a sound that is strikingly original in sound. Their lyrics are intelligent and gritty, approaching many of every day familiar stories of modern day struggles. Their performance tied in with their professional musicianship makes them band that you’ll want to spend your evening with!
Tony Eltora
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Join us for a Friday Night to remember when Tony Eltora hits the stage on Friday, June 22nd! “Imagine Paul Simon hanging out with John Scofield playing Muddy Waters Songs, this is what Tony Eltora’s music sounds like.” Influenced by blues, jazz and rock, Tony began his music career performing at clubs and festivals in Richmond. He known for his raw soulful playing and smooth guitar tone. “Virginia” his latest album showcases his soulful guitar work accompanied by his thought provoking lyrics. You won’t want to miss this authentic Bluesy Americana Soul artist!
Throwdown Jones
Come join us under the summer stars on the newly designed courthouse square for the FREE 2022 concerts held every Friday evening in May, June and July (except Friday, July 8th) from 6:00-10:00pm. Food and Beverage vendors will open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm.
Let’s end the season with a show-stopper! On Friday, July 29th, TGIF welcomes the band Throwdown Jones! They are one of the fastest-growing Rock N’ Roll Party Bands in the Carolinas. Hailing from Morganton [NC], originally formed under the name Acoustafix in 2007, the band continues to thrive today, performing for large outdoor festivals, bike rallies and continuously packing out clubs, first in North Carolina and now branching out all across the US. This is no garage band here, kids. These seasoned and talented musicians are on a mission to create music the way it was meant to be: live, loud, and with no apologies. With a heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies, thick funk grooves and thumping electric numbers, Throwdown Jones pride themselves on twisting the average, boring, everyday songs into new, crowd-jumping show-stoppers, sure to keep the party kicking all the way to last call and beyond.
Rules for having fun at HMF, Inc. Events!
- No personal coolers
- No pets
- No smoking
- No solicitation
- No weapons of any kind
- No amplification
- No oversized signs [considered larger than letter sized (8.5″ x 11″) paper]
- No distribution of literature of any kind (such as flyers, letters, business cards, petitions, raffles tickets, etc.)
ZERO TOLERANCE for non-compliance with these rules
TGIF Summer Concert Series is a production of Historic Morganton Festival, Inc. a 501c (4) organization managed by a Board of Directors.