Downtown Sundown Concert Series headliners announced

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For the 12th year in a row, a free summertime concert series returns to downtown Wilmington.

This year, the concerts will return to Riverfront park.  Last year, they were moved to a private parking lot due to construction along Water Street.

Outdoor Equipped, a Wilmington-based retailer, is the title sponsor for the event and Wilmington Downtown Incorporated is the concert producer.

“After being closed for over a year, we are pleased to return this is community event to the picturesque setting along the river,” said Ed Wolverton, WDI President and CEO.  “We are eager for the new season to start and are pleased to feature both returning and new performers this year.”

WDI says more than 26,000 people attended the concerts.

The schedule features various musical styles with an emphasis on tribute bands.  All headlining acts are touring bands that will visit the region for their performance.  WDI schedules local bands to open each show and these acts will be announced in the coming weeks.  The free concerts are from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The dates and scheduled headline performers include:

May 26            Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)

June 2              Skydog (Allman Brothers)

June 9              Breakfast Club (1980’s music)

June 16            Funky Monks (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

June 23            Dustin Arbuckle & Band (Blues)

June 30            20 Ride (Zac Brown)

July 7               Red Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin)

July 14             Mockatillica (Metallica)

July 21             Wrong Way (Sublime)

July 28             Hey Johnny (Foo Fighters)

Aug. 4              Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads)

Aug. 11            Appetite for Destruction (Guns and Roses)

Aug. 18            42 (Coldplay)

Aug. 25            Abbey Road Live (Beatles)

Sept. 1             Departure (Journey)

WDI partners with other area nonprofit groups to sell wristbands. The wristbands cost $1 and can be purchased by people who are 21 and older and want to enjoy beer or wine at the show. Of course, any event attendee can also make a direct donation to the charity each week. Last year, WDI contributed approximately $6,400 to area nonprofits through the wristband program.

This year, 42 organizations applied for one of 15 available dates. Because of this strong demand, WDI sought help from the community to select the beneficiaries by asking people to use participate in an on-line survey to select their favorite charity.

“This on-line election process attracted 5,743 votes from the public,” Wolverton said. “It was great to see this much enthusiasm and support for all the nonprofit groups that applied.”

Charities that have been rewarded concerts this summer include:
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 885
Cape Fear River Watch
Plastic Ocean Project
North Brunswick Kiwanis Club
Cape Fear Center for Inquiry (CFCI)
Wilmington Fur Ball
Interfaith Refugee Ministry- Wilmington
Love Is Bald
American Legion Post 68
Communities In Schools of Cape Fear
SkyWatch Bird Rescue and Conservation Center
Indo Jax Surf Charities
Pretty in Pink Foundation
The OOPS Foundation
The Children’s Museum