Columbia has no shortage of concert venues, big and small, and there are a LOT of popular acts coming to town throughout 2024. Get your calendars ready, because we’re laying out some of the biggest shows coming to our area over the next 10 months. Smaller shows come through Soda City on an almost daily basis, so check local venues' social media or sites like Bands in Town for an up-to-date lens for regional rockers.
MARCH
REO SPEEDWAGON @ Township Auditorium, March 15
REO Speedwagon might have formed in the 1970s, but their hits, songs like “Keep On Loving You,” “Roll With The Changes” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” are still rock radio anthems today. Visit thetownship.org for show info and ticket prices.
ST. PAT’S IN FIVE POINTS, March 16th
You’ve heard about the party, no doubt, but the legendary St. Pat’s in Five Points celebration includes a TON of live music, from the country soul duo The War & Treaty to the pure reggae of the Original Wailers to the good natured rock of Sister Hazel. And that’s just a small sampling of the full lineup. Whatever your musical tastes, you’ll probably find something to love on one of the multiple concert stages. Visit stpatscolumbia.com for show info.
Revelers at St. Pat's in Five Points. File/John A. Carlos II/Special to The Free Times, Post and Courier Columbia
ZZ TOP & LYNYRD SKYNYRD @ Colonial Life Arena, March 16
If you’re in more of a classic rock mood, you can skip St. Pat’s in Five Points and head over to Colonial Life Arena to see ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd blast out the old-school hits on their “Sharp Dressed Simple Man” tour. FREEBIRD!! Visit coloniallifearena.com for show info and ticket prices.
APRIL
ROBERT JON & THE WRECK @ The Senate, April 9
The hard-touring blues-rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have been putting in the work down South lately, hitting venues all over SC with their passionate, fiery sound. Jon and the band have been releasing material at a stunning rate over the last decade, and that pace has allowed them to evolve into a killer live band. Visit thesenatecolumbia.com for show info and ticket prices.
AMY GRANT @ Koger Center for the Arts, April 20
The Koger Center welcomes Grammy-award-winning pop artist Amy Grant, who will no doubt play popular hits like “Baby, Baby,” “Love Will Find A Way,” “House Of Love” and many more. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for show info and ticket prices.
JOHN MELLENCAMP @ Township Auditorium, April 20
At this point, John Mellencamp needs no introduction. This is a chance to see one of the great American songwriters tear through hits like “Crumblin’ Down,” “Pink Houses,” “Check It Out” and many more. Visit thetownship.org for show info and ticket prices.
THE DEL MCCOURY BAND @ Newberry Opera House, April 26
Del McCoury and his band were supposedly going to be taking it easy on the touring due to Del’s age, but the high-lonesome-voiced bluegrass master can’t seem to sit still. All the better for those who love his voice and the daredevil acoustic acrobatics from the band. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for show info and ticket prices.
MAY
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS @ Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, May 3
A Flock Of Seagulls will always (and perhaps unfairly) be remembered for their icy 80s synth anthem “I Ran,” but the story runs deeper than that. The band’s show, subtitled “A New Wave Journey,” takes fans on a journey through their era-defining music. Visit harbisontheatre.org for show info and ticket prices.
SUPER FREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY @ Township Auditorium, May 17
Yes, that’s right, it’s a musical tribute to Rick James, the King of punk funk, the man immortalized by Dave Chappelle, the musician who wrote brilliant and filthy hits like “Super Freak," “Give It To Me Baby” and “Mary Jane” and many more. He’s Rick James, b— well, you know the rest. Visit thetownship.org for show info and ticket prices.
JUNE
CHAPPELL ROAN @ The Senate, June 13
Pop singer/songwriter Chappell Roan is getting increasingly popular thanks to her evocative mix of vintage synth pop and goth overtones. One dollar per ticket goes to supporting For The Gworls and their work helping Black transgender people pay for rent, gender-affirming surgeries, medicine/doctor’s visits and travel assistance. And, the Missouri native chooses a special dress-up theme for each concert, so get your face paint ready. Visit thesenatecolumbia.com for show info and ticket prices.
SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS: CHRIS POTTER @ Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, June 15
The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Chris Potter explore one of jazz's most monumental albums: "Saxophone Colossus" by Sonny Rollins. Visit harbisontheatre.org for show info and ticket prices.
Hootie & the Blowfish perform at Colonial Life Arena in 2020. John A. Carlos II
AUGUST
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH @ Colonial Life Arena, Aug. 29 & 30
The rock & roll pride and joy of Columbia, Hootie & The Blowfish, are bringing their “Summer Camp with Trucks” tour back home. It’ll be an even more special treat for children of the ‘90s because the Blowfish are joined by both Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. Visit coloniallifearena.com for show info and ticket prices.
NOVEMBER
P!NK @ Colonial Life Arena, Nov. 20
It's fitting that a pop star of P!NK’s magnitude needs a stage the size of Colonial Life Arena to play in, and not just because of her red-hot streak of hit singles like “What About Us,” “Try” and “Raise Your Glass,” but because her shows often involve breathtaking high-flying feats by the singer herself and elaborate stage sets. Visit coloniallifearena.com for show info and ticket prices.
HALEY REINHART @ Newberry Opera House, Nov. 24
Haley Reinhart rose to fame on the hit television show American Idol, and with her soulful and dynamic voice, Reinhart has become a rising star in the music industry, earning critical acclaim and a devoted following from fans around the world. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for show info and ticket prices.
