Sails Original Music Series

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.

Music fans will also enjoy a change of venue for a special Sails Original Music Series concert at the Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m., in conjunction with the Festival on the Field event.

“The City of Hickory has been proud to host the Sails Original Music Series every year since 2012.  The talent that has graced The Sails Stage is unmatched. Bob Sinclair has done amazing work to bring musicians and bands from all over the world to Hickory,” said Hickory’s Communications and Marketing Manager Dana Kaminske. “And being a part of the crowd at these events never gets old. If you haven’t been to an event, don’t miss out this year. There is a great lineup coming!”

“We are thrilled to announce that Protection Products, Inc. is returning as the presenting sponsor of the series for the second year in a row,” said Kaminske. “We are excited to partner again with this local company who truly cares about Hickory and invests in the community through this well-established music series.”

Sinclair describes each of the bands in this year’s lineup as follows:

May 2 – Random Animals
You’ll be swaying like a hippie to these pop-soul, groovy dudes from Asheville.

 May 9 – Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms Country Band
They take the sentimentality of an old-time string band and put it in a dance hall.

May 16 – Holler Choir
Led by choir director Clint Roberts, this new acoustic band is not going places – they are already there! You’re going to love Clint’s voice.

May 23 – Mike Strauss Band
Think Dawes meets Dire Straits! Strauss has been writing and playing the region for years. I predict we’ll all have fun with Mike!

May 30 – Shamarr Allen
He’s been heralded as a Big Easy emerging artist who goes where Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis left off as he sings with power and makes the trumpet howl – and he’s a VERY COOL dude!

June 6 – Dangermuffin
This quartet weaves coastal influenced lyrics and feel with southern jam band power. You’ll want to be here if you wanna rock.

June 13 – Larry & Joe
This duo performs a high energy fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, guitar, maracas, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. Don’t think this is going to be some sleepy, folky performance – cuz you’ll be wrong, and they’ll wake you up.

June 20 – Sierra Green and The Giants
The New Orleans-based Sierra Green – the “Queen of Frenchman Street” – and her band create a place where soul, blues, and R&B find a new home – and she’ll take you there!

June 27 – Randall Bramblett Band
Randall Bramblett is an A-list singer/songwriter and musician who is penning and playing some of the best music of his long career. He’s played with Widespread Panic, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Winwood, and many, many others. He’s royalty. Rock on, Randall!

Sept 5 – Psychedelic Surf Country
You may know Joel Timmons as a leader of the beloved low-country band, Sol Driven Train. He also tours constantly with multiple other high caliber ensembles. But we asked him to put together a band to showcase his brand-new solo project. The result is Psychedelic Surf Country. He calls them his super group! It’ll be surfy, rocky, funny…

Sept 12 – Jacoozy
They are improvisational and funky – all the things that make for a good dance party on a Friday night in Hickory!

Sept 20 – Selwyn Birchwood*
Selwyn calls his style of music “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues.” He’s a unique and powerful writer and blues guitarist playing and singing with his signature power and room-filling charisma. Let’s welcome him back to Hickory. He’ll be playing the Sam Davis Field on a special Saturday evening event!

*As part of the Festival on the Field event, the performance is at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park. Vendors and food trucks start at 4 p.m.

Sept 26 – New Translations
When this band was first at the Sails Original Music Series, they were called Jive Talk. But they got signed to Warner Brothers and they changed their name. But they still have that quirky pop intensity that made us love them before. A young, exciting band comes back for more!

In addition to the seating available at Union Square, audience members are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. A variety of close-by bars and restaurants offer food and beverages.

The Hickory Downtown Social District allows patrons of downtown ABC permitted establishments to drink an alcoholic beverage on sidewalks, Union Square, and other public areas within the designated boundaries of the social district. For more information about the Hickory Downtown Social District, special restrictions, and a detailed map of the coverage area, visit www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district.

For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit www.hickorync.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.