Going to concerts with friends can turn into lifelong memories. Fortunately, Elon students are surrounded by musical inspiration and expression. There are a multitude of options when it comes to finding the best venue for your favorite bands within a two-hour drive.
Many aspects of a performance are vital to the experience for fans. Intimacy with the performer, seating options and sound systems are a few things to think about when planning your concert.
Listed below are the top six music venues between Raleigh and Greensboro. The criteria for making this list are based on some of the preferences mentioned above, but also parking, ticket lines and general atmosphere.
Each of these venues puts on spectacular shows with all the biggest names in the music industry, but they also schedule smaller bands to fit every genre. Whatever you fancy, these are the first places to look when finding your next show.
1. Cat's Cradle (Carrboro) – Just 40 minutes east of Elon, Cat's Cradle is well-known to UNC-Chapel Hill students for being a top concert venue. With standing and seating similar to the House of Blues, guests can enjoy a relaxed or energetic show. Upcoming shows include Ra Ra Riot, The Joy Formidable and Fitz and the Tantrums.
2. Durham Performing Arts Center (Durham) – With a jam-packed fall line-up, the DPAC is looking to host huge concerts in the coming months. By taking I-85 east for roughly 45 minutes, you'll find yourself in a seated auditorium possibly listening to upcoming acts such as John Oliver, Adele and Aretha Franklin.
3. Time Warner Cable Pavilion at Walnut Creek (Raleigh) – With lawn seating and big name shows, the TWC Pavilion is the site of concerts including upcoming performers Brad Paisley and Chris Brown. Finding the TWC Pavilion is very easy; it sits just off I-40, just an hour and 20 minutes east.
4. Lincoln Theatre (Raleigh) – This smaller venue emphasizes an intimate atmosphere for guests to enjoy. Similar to Cat's Cradle, Lincoln Theatre holds all kinds of shows, such as The Aristocrats and The Breakfast Club. Also heading east, the Lincoln Theatre is roughly an hour and 15 minutes away.
5. Longbranch (Raleigh) – Nestled in Raleigh, Longbranch is the home of the hard-to-find, big-time shows. Artists such as Young Jeezy, Chairmen of the Board and dubstep icon Skrillex will perform in upcoming weeks. To get there, take I-40 East for just under an hour and 15 minutes.
6. Blind Tiger (Greensboro) – Located in downtown Greensboro, the Blind Tiger is a new place to find live music within half an hour's drive from Elon. Featuring a different band, or set of bands, almost every night, the Blind Tiger offers a plethora of music genres at a relatively affordable price—most shows range from $10 to $20, with the occasional show less than $10. Upcoming performers include Langhorne Slim and the Law, and Carbon Leaf.