Sails Original Music Series
2024 Season
The City of Hickory's Sails Original Music Series returns to downtown Hickory this spring and fall, presenting free concerts of live original music under The Sails on the Square. Performances will begin at 7 p.m., Friday evenings in May, June, and September. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic or grab food from downtown establishments, purchase beer and wine from local vendors within the Hickory Downtown Social District, and enjoy a diverse lineup of bands from regional to internationally recognized musicians.
2024 Band Lineup
May 3 - Dulci
Dulci is Vocal Power. Dulci is Stage Presence. Dulci is High Performance. Dulci is Perfect for a Friday night in Hickory.
May 10 - Jive Talk
These guys won over the entire town the last time they were in Hickory. Quirky and groovy!
May 17 - Johnny Sansone
Ride with Johnny to New Orleans. He’s got that French Quarter boogie and rock going on. He’ll have us dancing! Yep, even you!
May 24 - Reedy River String Band
Yes, you’ll love their Appalachian roots vibe, but then get a big surprise when they transcend those roots and start to rock 'n' roll.
May 31 - Pink Beds
Pink Beds sits at the intersection of spacious grooves, lush sounds, and charming song-crafting.
June 7 - David Childers & The Serpents
David Childers - North Carolina-based singer/songwriter/musician/poet/historian/painter. Pssst – he rocks!
June 14 - Miss Tess
Nashville chanteuse Miss Tess swings, swaggers, seduces, and soothes in that old school country rock way. Everybody loves Tess.
June 21 - Taylor Ashton
Canadian crooner returns to the Sails. He has got the goods…a voice that seduces, songs that capture, and a band that wraps him up like a present.
June 28 - Empire Strikes Brass
A nine-piece, New Orleans-inspired second line BrassFunkRock band with horns and keys and voices galore. Their live shows are legendary. Come see what all the fuss is about!
Sept 6 - Certainly So
Infectious brother-harmonies laid over great indie rock layers. Will you love them? Certainly So!
Sept 13 - Damn the Banjos
Tim Carter (Carter Brothers) has put together a Pseudo-Supergroup of Funked-Up Folkified Americana Blues Roots Rock Music guys. These in-demand songwriters and session players are making great musical things happen!
Sept 21 - Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues
We can’t get enough of Mac Arnold and his homemade gas can electric guitar. He has played with the country’s best bluesmen and has stories to tell. And his band rocks out.
*Performance at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park
Sept 27 - Jacoozy
Their social media says they are “5 Heady gentlemen from NC” playing high energy, improvisational, and groovy music. They are from the Boone area, but are gathering traction and a following around the South.
Special Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Protection Products, Inc.
Supporting Sponsors: Atriax, Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza
Sails Music Series Facebook 2024 Sails Music Poster 2024 Sails Music Press Release
Band Booking Information
Thanks for your interest in having your band perform at the Sails Original Music Series. This very successful series hears from bands all over the world, and it is exciting to make our choices from this great diversity of original art. We very carefully select high quality music acts that are not routinely playing in our area. We pride ourselves on introducing our audiences to lesser-known bands versus booking local or regional favorites. We do not book cover bands.
Here's what we're looking for...
- Under the radar regional, national, and international touring bands coming through our area that generally are doing well at ticketed events or catch our ears for other reasons
- R&B, Classical, Pop, Hip-Hop, Americana, Jazz, Country, Blues, Bluegrass, and more all have a place on our stages
Booking for the annual series begins the winter prior to the upcoming spring and fall seasons. Bob Sinclair coordinates the Sails Original Music Series for the City of Hickory. He is the talent buyer/producer and looks for unique bands on the rise. City staff have no part in the selection or booking of talent for the series. If your band meets the criteria above, please click the button below to contact Bob Sinclair for consideration. Be prepared to provide your EPK and links to live shows performed in the past 12 months.