Go See This: 2024 Siler City Downtown Music Series

Connie Fenner is a local business owner, community connector, and proud breast cancer survivor. She’s committed to supporting orgs that bring people together to create healthier communities, including powering our Go See This series this season. Summer will be fading soon, but there are still plenty of opportunities to catch the best of live, local music! We invite you to go see this…

For 15 years, the Siler City Downtown Music Series has brought sound, community, and culture to these sweltering summer days. This year’s lineup has been one of the most diverse and exciting yet, with new bands, unique sounds, and a range of genres that reflect our community’s rich tapestry. If the spiking temperatures have you sheltering inside all day, you won’t want to miss out on what shakes down when the sun sets. There are three more concert dates left in the series, with performances every third Friday now through October.

The concert series is co-sponsored by the NC Arts Incubator, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing artists with affordable studios, educational programming, and opportunities to showcase work, and The Chatham Rabbit Coffee Shop. Besides providing the community with exceptional coffee, Brooke Simmons, owner of The Chatham Rabbit Coffee Shop and one of the organizers of the event, is passionate about building community. “It’s been really important to me to expand what we do every year to include a little something for everybody,” says Simmons. “This July we had Pat and the Kountry Boys. Everybody in town knows ’em. They are known for really vibrant performances across the region, but they hadn’t played here. Their presence marked an important step towards greater diversity in our lineup.”

The August 16 show, Koo Day Tah, is a special double feature dedicated to local legend Terry McInturff, a renowned electric guitar maker based right here in Siler City. Simmons recounts the genesis of the event back in 2016: “Terry’s studio is in the building and he would tell me about these huge parties that he used to throw. All his friends would come and they’d play music all night. And I was like, ‘Why in the world are we not making one of the events for the music series about Terry McInturff?’ So me and him sat down and we went through all these different names of what to call it. We thought, ‘Oh, what about Coup d’État?’ Well, some people might not know what a coup d’état is. We said, ‘Well, let’s just write it out. Like, Koo Day Tah.”

This year’s Koo Day Tah will feature El Mirage, playing 60’s-style, west coast surf music, and Trash Wizard, a new rock/metal band making their debut later in the evening. Al Simmons is the front man for Trash Wizard and also husband to Brooke. “We’ve created some solid songs with a mix of heavy rock influences,” he says. “Now we’re looking forward to having a good time  ar  and sharing it with friends. We’re just trying to create wonderful spells for people to jam to.”

The back half of the 2024 concert lineup also includes local favorite singer/songwriter Deja Belle performing on September 20. And this October 18, a group of young musicians called Impulse Machine will bring a fresh, edgy and industrial vibe to cap off the series. Though their style may be different, it’s a perfect fit for “spooky season,” especially with their unique stage presence, including one member who performs in a mask.

The summer concert series is more than just music; it’s about building community connections. With a lineup that includes everything from R&B to heavy metal, there’s something for everyone! Plus, enjoy delicious food from Old School BBQ and quench your thirst with brews from Thirsty Skull Brewery. The dog days of summer may go on and on, but so do the good tunes and vibes. Mark your calendars for a season of unforgettable performances by the very best in local musical talent.

• • The Short Version
  • Who: NC Arts Incubator and The Chatham Rabbit
  • What: Siler City Downtown Music Series
  • When: Every third Friday, now through October. See flyer for details.
  • Where: 223 N. Chatham Ave., Siler City
  • Cost: Free. 
  • Parking: Street parking available
  • Accessibility: Accessible from sidewalk 
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