Once again, the brainchild behind Alive After Five has gone with a plethora of cover bands — one every week — instead of trying to give local bands a chance. Fantastic. Some people in the past said — “no one pays attention to the music, they’re just out there to socialize,” which is even more of a reason to give locals a chance. Have a local open up for a craptacular cover band, at least. Nope, not even one local. All cover bands, all the time.
Then again, why support your local music scene? Whisky River is trying… and I give them credit (Evelynn Rose is there on April 15), but events like this aren’t going to help the reputation of the area.
And, while the event is free each week, you know the bands are getting paid some money. I bet local bands would get paid less, help save the event some money and get some exposure to large crowds in the process…. It’s just sad. I will say they did hire one local — Skate Rink Jukebox — and one regional original ban
This year, the event will be held at Wachovia Center for the first month and then move to the Epicentre. The schedule follows…
2010 Alive After Five Band Schedule
Wachovia Plaza
April 8 – Liquid Pleasure : America’s #1 Party Band
April 15 – 80-Z-Enuff : Best of the 80’s
April 22 – Hot Sauce : Zany, Whacky, Fun
April 29 – The Voltage Brothers – Electric Funk
EpiCentre
May 6 – Simply Irresistible : Feat. Toni Braxton’s sister; Déjà Vu – Wine Sippin’ Music
May 13 – Tuesday’s Gone : Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute; Swingin Richards – Premium Party Band
May 20 – The Maxx – Do It To The Maxx!; Coconut Groove Band – Buffett and More
May 27 – Slippery When Wet : Bon Jovi Tribute; Travis Powell Band – Killer Country
June 3 – Zoso – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute; Chuck Folds Five – Ben Folds Brothers Band
June 10 – Dave Mathews Tribute Band; White Chocolate – White Boys with Rhythm
June 17 – Appetite For Destruction – Guns and Roses Tribute; Alternate Take – Cool 80’s, 90’s and more
June 24 – Sleeping Booty – EastCoast’s favorite 70’s band; Skate Rink Jukebox – Some of Charlotte’s best musicians
July 1 – Girlz, Girlz, Girlz – Anthem Hits from 80’s, 90’s
July 8 – Tribute 2 McGraw
July 15 – Yacht Rock Review – Don’t Miss This!
July 22 – UV- The Ultimate U2 Tribute
July 29 – Frontiers – #1 Journey Tribute
August 5 – Breakfast Club – America’s Premier 80’s Band
August 12 – Kiss Army – Kiss Tribute
August 19 – Satisfaction – Rolling Stones Tribute
August 26 – Peace and Love – Get Funky with ’em
Sept. 2 – TBA
Sept. 9 – TBA
Sept. 16 – TBA
Sept. 23 – TBA
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2010.
They can’t get original music?
What a bunch of crap. Whats with the obsession with cover bands around town?? Why not have an all original local bands play there? It would be great for the city and great exposure for the local musicians. There is so much good original music in the area and this is just a shame that crap cover bands get all the exposure around here.
Adam – I don’t know that they can’t get original music… I’m guessing they don’t even try.
This is one of the reasons why I left Charlotte years ago. AND, one of the reasons why this Pennsylvanian fiercely loves The Avett Brothers and Benji Hughes!
It really would be an amazing event if they had local original bands playing and not cover bands. I understand it is just a social drinking party, but I also understand the organizers don’t care about local original music scene.