Get tickets to these Charlotte summer shows early 

While some of Charlotte's longtime venues have closed and others are struggling to stay open, we're reminded that getting out and going to see live music is one of the best ways to show support. That's an easy task when there's enough music to sustain you through the summer — as is the case this year. If there's a show you want to go to, get your tickets early to avoid the sold out slump. We've listed 18 upcoming concerts to keep on the radar.

June 9 — Ellie Goulding

These days it seems you can turn on the radio and easily hear this Brit synthpop princess' "Love Me Like You Do." But the single, fresh off her third studio album, Delirium, is just one of many of her catchy tracks. Having seen Goulding previously at a show where there were some tech problems, I can vouch for her vocals — with or without the sounds that make her a clubby sensation, she hits the high notes. $35-$59.50. June 9, 6:45 p.m. Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. livenation.com.

• All For One Brass Band

June 10 — All For One Brass Band

All For One Brass Band brings a taste of New Orleans to the Q.C. From performing on the streets of NoLa to music venues across the States, this is a fun bunch to see without having to take a trip down to the bayou. $5. June 10, 10 p.m. Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. 704-376-1446. doubledoorinn.com.

• Kurt Vile (Photo by Marina Chavez)

June 11 — Kurt Vile

Philly indie rocker Kurt Vile may have gained widespread recognition for 2011's Smoke Ring For My Halo, but his latest, 2015's B'lieve I'm Goin Down is a more solemn affair with banjo picking and piano playing that results in sharp, edgy folk ballads. $20-$22. June 11, 9 p.m. Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. 704-377-6874. amossouthend.com.

• Lonnie Holley

June 14 — Lonnie Holley w/ Ghost Trees

An eclectic visual artist and musician, Lonnie Holley conjures soulful backwoods-esque melodies layered with extra touches — electronics and other noise making devices. Performing with Charlotte's own, avant-garde jazz duo, Ghost Trees, makes for one interesting night. $10. June 14, 9 p.m. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. 704-561-1781. snugrock.com.

June 20 — Lost in a World of Color

Looking like something straight out of a color run, this Austin, Texas-based band believes that color and music go hand in hand. The result is a psychedelic mix of sounds. Performing with local acts Sinners and Saints and The Fat Face Band, this concert is one of many #SaveTheMilestone fundraisers. $5. June 20, 9 p.m. The Milestone Club, 3400 Tuckaseegee Road. 704-398-0472. themilestoneclub.com.

June 23 — The Cure

With 37 years worth of material to choose from, this show should be filled with hits and rarities, but that's not all. There's also reason to believe that the band will present some new material, too. $25-$100. June 23, 7 p.m. PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd. 704-549-5555. pnc.pavilioncharlotte.com.

June 25 — Jay Farrar

Best known as the creative force behind alt country acts Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo, Farrar has hit the road with two other musicians — pedal steel player Eric Heywood and multi-instrumentalist Gary Hunt — to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Son Volt's Trace album, recently reissued. $20-$30. June 25, 8 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St, 704-942-7997. neighborhoodtheatre.com.

• Twenty One Pilots

June 28 — Twenty One Pilots

The band has made it big with its sophomore album Blurryface, featuring singles like "Stressed Out" and "Ride," and is currently on its "Emotional Roadshow" tour, which is selling fast. $187.69. June 28, 7 p.m. Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. livenation.com.

June 29 — Los Van Van

Formed by bassist Juan Formell, who passed away in 2014, this post-revolution Cuban band offers danceable pop worthy of a fiesta. $25-$40. June 29, 8 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St, 704-942-7997. neighborhoodtheatre.com.

June 29 — Adia Victoria

This Nashville songstress has generated quite the buzz with her debut album Beyond the Bloodhounds. On the record, she delves into dark emotions -- some of which have to do with her turf in the South -- which drift into country/blues territory. $10-$12. June 29, 9 p.m. Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. 704-376-1446. doubledoorinn.com.

• PJ Morton

June 30 — PJ Morton

Though Maroon 5 recently canceled shows in Charlotte and Raleigh due to HB2, this solo set by PJ Morton, the band's longtime keyboardist/vocalist, remains on the Neighborhood Theatre calendar. $22.50-$30. June 30, 8 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St, 704-942-7997. neighborhoodtheatre.com.

• Aesop Rock (Photo by Ben Colen)

July 1 — Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock's seventh studio album, The Impossible Kid, was released in April of this year and peaked on the Billboard charts. The hip-hop artist offers abstract lyrics and sounds that are putting his underground beats even more on the radar for good reason. $18-$20. July 1, 9 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-9200. visulite.com.

• Lindsey Stirling (Photo by Andrew Zaeh)

July 19 — Lindsey Stirling

Acclaimed violinist, Lindsey Stirling has one hell of a story. Her autobiography, The Only Pirate at the Party, released in 2015 is the best way to hear it in its fullest form, but if you aren't one for reading, her versatility to dance and play the violin while delving into an assortment of musical genres will have you saying "hardy har har" in no time. $33-$63. July 19, 8 p.m. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-372-3600. ovensauditorium.com.

• Garbage (Photo by Joseph Cultice)

July 23 — Garbage

The band's sixth studio album, Strange Little Birds, is a follow up to 2012's Not Your Kind of People. Front woman Shirley Mason spreads her wings while confronting isolation and loneliness in the albums first single, "Empty." $35. July 23, 8 p.m. The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. 704-916-8970. fillmorecharlottenc.com.

• Gwen Stefani

July 23 — Gwen Stefani

There's been so much circulating on the web about Gwen Stefani's dreamy romance with country man Blake Shelton that's its easy to overlook the substance of her latest solo material. On "Used to Love You," the first single from This is What Truth Feels Like, she wallows in the disappointment of a marriage gone sour yet charges on with anthemic reflection that things will get better — and by the looks of it, things have. $29.95-$99.95. July 23, 7 p.m. PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd. 704-549-5555. pnc.pavilioncharlotte.com.

• Rob Thomas (Photo by Ben Watts)

July 27 — Rob Thomas & The Counting Crows

Rob Thomas joins forces with Counting Crows for this '90s throwback of a concert that's got everything but the matchbox. Both Thomas and Counting Crows have consistently released material over the years, sharing fans along the way. This should bring them all out. $26-$80.50. July 27, 7 p.m. PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd. 704-549-5555. pnc.pavilioncharlotte.com.

Aug. 5 — Oh Pep!

This folk/pop duo of Aussie ladies is already generating quite the buzz and their debut album, Stadium Cake, and it isn't even out yet (look for it on June 24). Be on the lookout for them when they cross the pond. $12. Aug. 5, 8 p.m. Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. 704-376-3737. eveningmuse.com.

Sept. 20 — Puff Daddy

Sean "Diddy" Combs aka Puff Daddy is launching this Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour that features Lil' Kim, Mase, Faith Evans, Mario Winans, 112, Total, Carl Thomas, The Lox and French Montana on the roster and is slated to make "hip hop and R&B history." $39.50-$125. Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. 704-688-9000. timewarnercablearena.com.