For many students, summer is a good time to stay in bed, spend time with friends and take a break from school. This year, though, many students had yet another thing to look forward to: concerts. 

Whether it was country stars, pop singers or alternative artists, the concerts held throughout the Carolinas offered students the opportunity to see their favorite artists live and to make memories with friends and family. 

One of the largest concerts of the summer was Morgan Wallen at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, where two shows were held with the second night drawing thousands of country music fans together. When the fans arrived, the stadium was full as they waited for Wallen to come on stage and perform some of his most popular songs. 

Because of the stadium’s size, the concert had the atmosphere of a big event, with the audience singing along and holding their phones the entire time. 

“I’ve been there twice, and both times I would say it’s been a life-changing experience… I’ve always liked country music and have been listening to Morgan Wallen for over three years now,” said Gabby Bohn, junior. 

For many of those who attended, the mix of Wallen’s music, the large crowd and the atmosphere of Clemson’s football stadium made Night 2 a highlight of the summer. 

Charlotte had a number of concerts during the summer, one of which was Tame Impala at the Spectrum Center. 

Tame Impala introduced a wholly different style to the summer concert series through a combination of psychedelic rock, electronic music, and vivid visuals. The lighting and production at the concert altered the arena, making the experience go beyond simply hearing the music. 

“I used to listen to him when I was a kid… it was definitely worth the drive and $600 I spent,” said Max Zharkovsky, junior. 

The fans got to hear songs they knew, while also enjoying the special visuals and atmosphere which Tame Impala is famous for. 

Another popular concert in Charlotte was Zach Bryan. His music has become especially popular with younger people, which is why the concert was highly anticipated by many students.

“I was in the pit for the first time with my best friend and it was so much fun… 100% the best country concert I have ever been to,” said Allie Whitfield, sophomore. 

The emotional quality of his lyrics together with his country-folk style produced an atmosphere that was different from the high-energy acts seen at some other summer concerts. Singing along to well-known songs could be heard from fans all over the stadium, making the evening feel like a shared experience for thousands of people. 

During the summer Raleigh also had a number of well-known artists visit; Tim McGraw, Kesha, Train, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jack Johnson, and many others. 

Tim McGraw gave a performance at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Walnut Creek, presenting his country music to a mix of long-time fans and younger people. 

“All my friends were going, so I decided to go, but it ended up being really fun and full of energy,” said Sydney Champion, senior.

Because he is one of the most well-known figures in country music, McGraw played a variety of songs from throughout his career. The outdoor location contributed to the summer atmosphere by letting people spend a warm evening outside while enjoying the live music. 

In order to include some pop music in the summer schedule, Kesha also performed at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Walnut Creek. Because of her lively shows and her memorable pop songs, she brought a new kind of energy to the venue. 

“It’s a different kind of experience, but it was really good, and everyone should go to one of her concerts if they get the opportunity,” said Nick Wichek, senior. 

The fans danced, sang along and had a night which seemed more like a celebration than a normal concert. The performance also allowed long-time fans to hear some of the songs they had grown up listening to while at the same time introducing her music to a younger audience. 

Students in summer 2026 had plenty of opportunities to attend live music events because of the large number of well-known artists giving concerts all over the Carolinas. Whether they stayed up all night at a country concert, saw an arena performance or attended an outdoor show, each one gave them the chance to spend time with friends, listen to their favorite songs and make memories.