When the Weather Warms Up, So Does the Live Music Scene

Racks by the Tracks​

One of the biggest and most popular festivals in the region, Racks by the Tracks, will be held on May 14 at the Kingsport Farmers Market, 300 Clinchfield St. This year’s musical acts will be Gents & Liars (1 p.m.); 7 Bridges, the Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band (3 p.m.); and Pandora’s Box, the Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute Band (6 p.m.). Doors open at noon. Ticket prices vary, but one of the best options is the Tasting + Concert ticket, which includes all-day concert admission, a souvenir pint glass, and the opportunity to sample 100+ craft beers, wines, and seltzers.

Eastman Celebration Concert: The Planets​

To celebrate Eastman’s 100^th anniversary, on May 7 at 7:30 p.m., Symphony of the Mountains will perform Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” which premiered the same year as Eastman’s founding. Bays Mountain Planetarium will present a visual component, and featured guests include the Cantemus Women’s Choir, the Dobyns-Bennett High School Chamber Choir, and Voices of the Mountains. The performance will open with Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony. This concert will be held at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid Employee Center at 400 S. Wilcox Drive. Tickets are $35. For more information, call 423-392-8423. COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend.

Free Summer Concert at Allandale Mansion​

Christian artists Cade Thompson and Rhett Walker will perform May 19 on the lawn at Allandale Mansion, 4444 W. Stone Drive, as part of the LOVE 97.3 FM Summer Concert Series. Music starts at 6 p.m. Be sure to take a lawn chair or blanket for this free show! Jersey Mike’s will give away sandwiches to the first 250 concertgoers. For more information, call 423-229-9422.

Red White and Boom​

Kingsport’s Independence Day celebration Red White and Boom will be held July 2 on Main Street in downtown Kingsport starting at 5 p.m. Free performances by Southern rock icons 38 Special and tribute band Ultimate Garth will be followed by the biggest Independence Day fireworks display in Kingsport history!

Twilight Alive​

Bring a chair or blanket to the 100 block of Broad Street on Fridays in June and July for free, live music by acclaimed performers at the annual Twilight Alive Concert Series. Music starts at 7 p.m. The schedule includes:

• June 3: Departure, a Journey Tribute Band
• June 10: Benny Wilson Band and Ivy Road
• June 17: Smokey Jones and The $3 Pistols
• June 24: ULA, a Tribute to Jimmy Buffett
• July 8: Dang Gina and Southern Cities
• July 15: Entice Band (begins at approximately 8 p.m.)

Fun Fest​

This year’s Fun Fest will be held July 15-23, featuring the SunSet Concert Series, the Broad Street Boogie, and a gospel music concert.

Marker 2 Grille at Lakeview Marina​

Marker 2 Grille, 474 Lakeside Dock Drive, is a popular lakeside hangout for hot food, cold beer, and live music! They already have several great performers lined up for the summer months, including:

• May 1: Jason Lloyd
• May 5: Benny Wilson Band
• May 6: Borderline
• May 7: Syren
• May 12: James Meadows Band
• May 13: Kudzu Killers
• May 14: Ali Randolph Band
• May 19: Memory Layne Band
• May 20: Retroville
• May 21: From the EDGE Anniversary Celebration
• May 26: Dang Gina
• May 27: Rusty Steel
• May 28: Gents & Liars
• May 30: From the EDGE

High Voltage​

Located at 101 Cherokee St., High Voltage serves craft beer, cider, and a variety of meats, cheeses, and spreads. The upcoming music schedule includes the following performances:

• May 6: Vespers and Mahto & The Loose Balloons will play at the Neo-Appalachian Art Guild’s nocturnal art market (6-10 p.m.)
• May 14: Flatline
• May 20: Beth Snapp
• May 27: Donnie and the Dry Heavers
• June 3: Trevor Meade & The Statelines
• June 18: Starting at 4:30 p.m., The House Band and Friends Music Festival will host the House Band, Kellis Kramer, Andrew Kramer, Tracey and Steve Edwards, Thomas Edwards, and the Jones Cove Band

Kingsport Farmer’s Market

Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St., will host musicians at its Market Jams events on the first Saturday of each month. The Farmers Market also features bluegrass music during its Evening at the Market events. Bands will be announced beforehand on the Farmers Market Facebook page, so make sure to check in there to find out who will be playing each week.

More Venues​

Several more venues throughout Kingsport offer live music, karaoke, and open-mic nights. Some of these include:

Gypsy Circus, 2645 Fort Henry Drive 

KC Lounge, 2301 Fort Henry Drive

Model City Tap House, 151 E. Main St., Suite #1

The Sports Mill, 600 E. Market St.

Details are subject to change. Follow the venues at the links above to stay up to date on any changes or cancellations.