I ran across this meme the other day compliments of a friend, who shared it on social media:
Admit it, we've all done it. This year, however, will be different. If you choose to go out, you'll welcome the new year by listening to one of your favorite bands with like-minded fans -- instead of attending some overpriced and ultimately disappointing party.
The Avett Brothers were trailblazers 10 years ago with a NYE show at Charlotte's Neighborhood Theatre. Now, everyone seems to be getting in on the idea.
Following is just a smattering of the NYE concert options happening in the Southeast and beyond. If you know of a show worth noting I failed to mention, please add to the comments. Enjoy and be safe out there!
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- The Avett Brothers with Asleep at the Wheel, Greensboro, North Carolina. Returning to the Greensboro Coliseum, where they celebrated New Year's Eve 2012, this promises to be a magical celebration with 20,000 fans singing along to match the band's crazed energy onstage, according to the website.
- Yarn with The Morgan Wade Band, The Rives Theatre, Martinsville, Virginia. For the first time, this historic converted movie theater in uptown Martinsville is hosting a New Year's Eve concert with Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival fan favorite Brooklyn-based alt-country band Yarn, who are promising a special mini set of one of our favorite singers and songwriters. Get tickets here. Yarn is also performing Friday, Jan. 1, at High Rock Outfitters in Lexington, North Carolina. Get tickets here.
- Josh Shilling, Roanoke and Danville, Virginia. Another Rooster Walk favorite, the versatile singer/songwriter frontman of the newly revamped Americana ensemble Mountain Heart is playing New Year's Eve at the historic Hotel Roanoke in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. The Martinsville-area native is also set to perform as part of the Cabin Fever Series -- Harvest Jubilee in Danville, Virginia, on Saturday, Jan. 2.
- Scythian, Raleigh, North Carolina. From the Celtic folk rockers' website: "We are honored to be headlining First Night Raleigh where we will play a 90-minute set leading up to the New Year. We've never been asked to help usher a city into a New Year and so are looking forward to toasting the start of 2016 with 15,000 of our dearest friends in the streets of Raleigh. Visit the website here. On Saturday, Jan. 2, this MerleFest favorite will perform at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C., with local bluegrass faves Second String Band. Visit the website here for tickets.
- Rising Appalachia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Another FloydFest favorite, Asheville, North Carolina-based soulful folk/world troubadours Rising Appalachia, is performing at the New Year's Eve Gala with special guests Birds of Chicago and Elby Brass at The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia. Get tickets here.
- Swampcandy is performing as part of the New Year's Eve Throw Down with Pressing Strings, Skribe and Dean Rosenthal at EDC in Annapolis, Maryland. All the money from alcohol sales goes to local charities.
- Big Something, Roanoke, Virginia. These veterans of festivals including Rooster Walk and Front Porch Fest will perform Friday, Jan. 1, at Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill, 413 First St., Roanoke, Virginia.
- Old Crow Medicine Show, Nashville. Before you can catch OCMS at MerleFest 2016, this perennial festival favorite will continue its tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville today and tomorrow with Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. NOTE: Both shows are sold out. The good news for those who didn't get tickets is WSM Radio broadcasting the Old Crow Medicine Show New Year's Eve concert LIVE. You can tune in at 11:30 p.m. (EST) on 650 AM, WSMonline.com, or download their free mobile app http://wsmonline.com/
- Rusted Root, Pittsburgh. Rusted Root, FloydFest veterans jammy rock ensemble and Pittsburgh natives, who have been referred to as "a fanciful marriage of Dave Matthews Band and Morrissey," plays at the Rex Theater in the Burgh with Derek Woodz Band and Bastard Bearded Irishmen.