Sails Original Music Series
2026 Season
The City of Hickory's Sails Original Music Series, presented by Protection Products, Inc., returns to the heart of downtown Hickory this spring and fall, presenting free concerts of live original music under The Sails on the Square. Performances will begin at 7 p.m., Friday evenings in May, June, and September.
Music fans will also enjoy a change of venue for a special Sails Original Music Series concert at the Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m., in conjunction with the Festival on the Field event.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic or grab food from downtown establishments, purchase beer and wine from local vendors within the Hickory Downtown Social District, and enjoy a diverse lineup of bands from regional to internationally recognized musicians.
2026 Band Lineup
May 1 – The Get Right Band
They describe themselves as a psychedelic indie rock power trio, but we just think they’re groovy!
May 8 – Florencia & the Feeling
A Tennessee funk and R&B outfit that brings impossible amounts of cool to the stage.
May 15 – Flow Tribe
The new wave of New Orleans talent – merging traditional jazz with contemporary sounds. It'll be unstoppable rhythm and youthful energy! Dance baby!
May 22 – Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
The Boston-based band was the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Band Champions. A spellbinding trio that brings traditional music, crafty songwriting, and feisty feminist storylines to the stage.
May 29 – Magnolia Boulevard
Kentucky sends us their best Appalachian soul, rock ‘n’ roll band.
June 5 – Tyler Ramsey Trio
Tyler is a big, tall handsome man, famous as a leading member of Band of Horses. He has made his own space in the world of modern folk and indie rock.
June 12 – Dulci
She’s a classy, charming songbird! She owns the stage and fills it with her oh-so-fine original pop-styled songs. The band will bring it, too!
June 19 – Chatham County Line
Once rooted in bluegrass, the band put down the banjo and decided to rock. And rock they do!
June 26 – Pretty Little Goat
It’s a silly band name but these guys and gals are serious about string band music.
Sept 4 – Miss Tess
Nashville chanteuse Miss Tess swings, swaggers, seduces, and soothes in that old school country rock way. Everybody loves Tess.
Sept 11 – Mellow Swells
Let’s welcome these guys back to Hickory! Great rhythm and atmosphere from this band celebrating their new release ‘Take Me With You.’
Sept 18 – Pressing Strings
This trio from Annapolis, MD is wildly talented and broadly influenced – with intimate ballads, upbeat anthems, roots rock, Americana, and modern jam-band fun.
Sept 26 – N-Spire Band*
Wrapping up the 2026 season, N-Spire will bring it with R&B, Jazz, Funk, Pop, Old School, Go-Go, and more. Expect horns, big voices, passion, creativity, and soul.
*As part of the Festival on the Field event, the performance is at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park. Vendors and food trucks start at 4 p.m.
Special Thanks to Our 2026 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Protection Products, Inc.
Supporting Sponsors: Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza
Sails Music Series Facebook 2026 Sails Music Poster 2026 Sails Music Press Release
Band Booking Information
Thanks for your interest in having your band perform at the Sails Original Music Series. This very successful series hears from bands all over the world, and it is exciting to make our choices from this great diversity of original art. We very carefully select high quality music acts that are not routinely playing in our area. We pride ourselves on introducing our audiences to lesser-known bands versus booking local or regional favorites. We do not book cover bands.
Here's what we're looking for...
- Under the radar regional, national, and international touring bands coming through our area that generally are doing well at ticketed events or catch our ears for other reasons
- R&B, Classical, Pop, Hip-Hop, Americana, Jazz, Country, Blues, Bluegrass, and more all have a place on our stages
Booking for the annual series begins the winter prior to the upcoming spring and fall seasons. Bob Sinclair coordinates the Sails Original Music Series for the City of Hickory. He is the talent buyer/producer and looks for unique bands on the rise. City staff have no part in the selection or booking of talent for the series. If your band meets the criteria above, please click the button below to contact Bob Sinclair for consideration. Be prepared to provide your EPK and links to live shows performed in the past 12 months.