Carter-Finley is set to be a part-time music venue.
Carter-Finley is breaking its silent streak. Pre-2025, the last time the stadium hosted an artist was Beyoncé in 2016. Fast-forward ~nine years, and the venue turned up the nonfootball volume with a sold-out Chris Brown show Oct. 14, leaving every Raleigh concertgoer wondering: Is Carter-Finley bringing live music back?
The answer is yes—big names are returning, and regularly. NC State has officially partnered with Oak View Group, a global venue booking and live entertainment leader, to turn the stadium into a true live music destination with multiple large-scale stadium shows a year—kicking off with Guns N’ Roses July 23.
So, why now? Naturally, it’s money making the concert world go round. “We’re in a time right now with college athletics where we’re really having to find additional revenue streams,” says NC State Assistant Athletic Director for New Business Kyle Fiala. “There’s just an added emphasis on generating revenue, and concerts are a great way to do that.”
In short, the unused real estate is there—outside of seven home football games, the 56,919-seat stadium sits empty. “There’s people that will come to a concert at Carter-Finley Stadium who might have never been inside before,” remarks Fiala. “Being able to give them an experience is a great way to get them in and put on a great show for the community.”
The notoriously congested Chris Brown concert drawing 42K attendees was scheduled pre-partnership, but Oak View assisted with execution. “We learned a lot about how to operate an event of this size,” reflects Fiala. “There are things we can directly point to and say, ‘Hey, we can change this.’”
Still, football remains the priority. “We’re never gonna do anything at the stadium that puts our football program in a bad spot,” he maintains, confirming concerts won’t mess with gamedays. Big acts have played here before—and they’re coming again. And, so, Carter-Finley is officially (back) in its live music era.
Quick Flex Carter-Finley’s Résumé
2016 Beyoncé with DJ Khaled
2015 The Rolling Stones with The Avett Brothers
2009 U2 with Muse
1998 George Strait Country Music Festival Jimmy Buffet
1994 The Rolling Stones with Lenny Kravitz Pink Floyd
1990 Grateful Dead Paul McCartney
1989 The Rolling Stones with Living Colour The Who
1979 Van Halen with The Outlaws
Sound Check
A look at the kinds of acts hitting stadium tours in 2026—offering a glimpse of what could soon land closer to home (and save you the drive to Charlotte or beyond). Stay tuned for announcements.
Dua Lipa Ed Sheeran Foo Fighters Luke Bryan Pitbull Post Malone The Weeknd BTS
Celebrate America the Beautiful with fireworks, food and fun.
America, you don’t look a day over 30! Celebrate the Land of the Free’s 247th birthday (!) in an explosive way this July Fourth with local fireworks shows, hot dogs (so American), bar crawls and other events. Alexa, queue “National Anthem” by Lana Del Rey.
July 4 Cary Independence Day Celebration Let freedom ring—er, string?—at Koka Booth with patriotic classics by the NC Symphony, kids’ activities and a fireworks show over Symphony Lake.
July 4 Fourth of July at Wye Hill What says “USA” better than a build-your-own glizzy buffet? Peep the fireworks from the City of Oak’s fave patio while noshing on hamburgers, hot dogs, desserts and locally brewed beer.
July 4 Raleigh Fourth of July Fireworks Bring your picnic blanket and friends for an eruptive night of fireworks at Dix Park—and be sure to come early to enjoy a DJ, food trucks, waterslides and a foam party pit. Pro tip: There’s no parking for this event at Dix, so plan to park at Centennial Campus and get those steps in!
July 4–6 Tin Roof Fourth of July Weekend Party in the USA post-fireworks with drink specials, live music and DJs all weekend long. Put your hands up!
July 6 Raleigh Red White and Brew Bar Crawl Don your Uncle Sam-inspired ’fits and close out the weekend with themed drinks, food specials, live music and DJs—NTM a truly American sense of camaraderie—at a host of DTR bars during this red, white and blue extravaganza. ’Merica!
Kings’ new ownership will continue the legacy Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler built Downtown over two decades.
Downtown Raleigh’s cherished music venue Kings is entering an exciting new chapter, as owners Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler have sold the space to industry friends Josh Novicki, Herbie Abernethy and Alan Novicki. Before you stress, the trio maintains they will keep the soul of Kings alive—in addition to ramping up programming to include comedy, art openings and community-oriented fundraisers. See? A win-win!
“I played many shows at Kings and saw many legendary acts grace the stage, so we’re psyched to jump in,” says Novicki. “Paul, Cheetie and the entire crew built a legacy in Downtown Raleigh with a history of respectability and expertise that attracted high-caliber artists to the city.”
Kumar and Siler met the new owners two decades ago when they were touring with their band, The Cherry Valence. Abernethy is the lead singer of Valient Thorr and co-owns a trio of bars and restaurants with Josh Novicki—including Hot For Pizza and Cobra Cabana in Richmond, and The Sandspur in Carolina Beach—where they often host shows. Meanwhile, Alan Novicki, Josh’s brother, managed Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre. Collectively, their goal with Kings is to ensure bands planning tours don’t overlook Raleigh.
“We’re excited about the possibility of becoming part of a bigger network on the East Coast that ushers in touring bands, events, plays, benefits, parties, art openings, etc., that will travel to Raleigh… because they know Kings is back and better than ever!” says Abernethy. “Building that network in tandem with our other locations will be a key to the future success of the venue.”
Kings is the second space of the three-level building on West Martin Street that Kumar and Siler have slowly been selling off to new owners to focus on the operations of their recently bowed Ajja restaurant in Five Points. Neptunes Parlour sold last year, and Garland is currently transitioning into NA bar Umbrella Dry Bar. Siler looks forward to seeing Kings and the whole building back at its full potential.
“As much as we loved our location Downtown, we felt it was time to pass the baton and put our energies elsewhere,” Siler adds. “The original concept of Kings was that there would be a properly run venue by active musicians who could be proud of our city’s place to play. It’s exciting to us that this vision will continue.” Get ready to—continue—rocking on!
Sometimes the best vacation is a staycation. So if you’re looking to go offline for the weekend, here’s how to stay and play in Raleigh this summer—and beyond. Bonus: Staycation calories still don’t count.
Get down with your bad self at these live music bars in Downtown Raleigh.
Tunes and booze? Name a better duo—we’ll wait.If barhopping for live music is your, well, jam (!), you’re gonna wanna bop Downtown each weekend to bop with a drink in hand. Get the party started in the afternoon—then sway your way into the night. Here, your guide to groovin’ and boozin’ in DTR.
