Local event organizers seem to have caught wind that September is (arguably) the best month for outdoor concerts. Of course, we all love the summer series that have become tradition (WTMD’s First Thursdays, Summer Sounds at the Square, and Baltimore by Baltimore among them), but once the shift into fall officially begins, there’s a comfort in being able to head to a show without the portable fans and parasols.
As cool breezes continue to set in this month, mark your calendars for these upcoming Baltimore-area music fests, with headliners set to perform everything from rap and R&B to experimental beats and early-aughts alternative.
For Fans Of: DIY
9/13: Baltimore Rhythm Festival
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year—the festival was first put on by the Baltimore International Rhythm and Drumming Society (BIRDS) at St. Johns Church in Charles Village in 1995—this all-day gathering at the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School encourages community connection through, you guessed it, rhythm. Jump into a drum circle, experience a sound bath, explore the world of Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts), and swing by the stages for all-day performances. Little ones are invited to come along for activities like puppet shows and family dance workshops. Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School. 1600 Guilford Ave. 12-6 p.m. Free.
9/18-21: High Zero Festival
For nearly three decades, organizers of this experimental music showcase—lauded as the best of its kind on the East Coast—have united a range of performers from across the globe on the same stage with one goal: no rules, no expectations, no rehearsals, just collaboration. The completely improvised performances highlight the musical magic that can come from riffing off of fellow creatives.
Grab tickets and head to the Baltimore Theater Project to witness jam sessions by dozens of performers that fuse everything from strings, brass, and percussion to DIY instruments, found objects, and electronics. Per tradition, the Saturday-night concert will be completely randomized, splitting up 16 instrumentalists into four small sets. Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. 8:30 p.m. $10-60.
For Fans Of: R&B, Hip-Hop
9/13: Love Groove Festival
From the mind of John Tyler—the city’s celebrated musician, producer, youth educator, and all-around advocate for the arts scene—comes this ninth-annual day of nonstop performances at Robert C. Marshall Park on Pennsylvania Avenue. Honor the historical significance of the venue—designated as an official Arts & Entertainment District—by grooving to dozens of acts from near and far, including homegrown greats like rapper and Bmore Club torchbearer TT The Artist, R&B star Serpentwithfeet, and soul artist Kennedy Ryon.
Throughout the day, you can explore the fest’s art gallery, goods from local makers, eats and drinks, and wellness activities like a group run or yoga session. If you want to roll up in style, join cyclists for the official Love Groove Bike Party, which will spin off toward Upton from St. Mary’s Park at noon. Robert C. Marshall Park. Pennsylvania Ave. 12-8 p.m. Free.
9/20: Charm City Live
Living up to its name, the Mayor’s office is once again enlivening downtown’s War Memorial Plaza across from City Hall with this community concert. Dance all day to beats brought by soulful singer-songwriter Vivian Green, former L.T.D. frontman Jeffrey Osborne, rising R&B artist Lucky Daye, and Grammy-nominated writer-producer The-Dream—who gets cred for co-writing hits like Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” and, more recently, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage.” In the spirit of community connection, there will also be food, art vendors, and activities for kids. War Memorial Plaza, Market Pl. & E. Pratt St. 12-9 p.m. Free.
For Fans Of: Country, Americana, Folk
9/14: Outlaw Music Festival
The legends playing this year’s Outlaw Music Festival—co-founded by Willie Nelson—have been touring North America for months now, and they’re winding down their circuit with a stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion. (Saving the best venues for last, obviously.) In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the fest honoring authentic Americana will feature sets by Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Waxahatchee (if you missed Katie Crutchfield’s powerful vocals at Merriweather earlier this summer, this is your second chance), and Madeline Edwards. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 4 p.m. $63.
For Fans Of: Classic Rock, Yacht Rock, Covers
9/20: Trifecta Festival
Named after its mission of curating a feel-good blend of eats, drinks, and live music for attendees, this Timonium tradition presents 12 bands across two stages at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Plan out where you’re going to get your grub (this year’s featured food trucks include Greek on the Street, Conrad’s Seafood, Koshary Korner, 410 Empanadas, and tons more) before heading into the crowd to catch blues sets by Kelly Bell Band; Talking Heads covers by Psycho Killers; Jamaican ska and reggae by The Players Band; yacht rock by The Regal Beagles; tributes to U2, Tom Petty, Queen, and The Allman Brothers; and more. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium. 11 a.m. $35.99.
For Fans Of: Alternative, Indie, Pop, Pop-Punk
9/26-28: All Things Go
In the last decade, this indie paradise has grown from a get-together in Washington, D.C. (the first fest at Union Market in 2014 was headlined by Baltimore DIY royalty Future Islands) into a three-day extravaganza that takes over venues in New York and Toronto, in addition to Merriweather Post Pavilion. (It was founded by Washingtonians, after all.)
Highlighting genre-ranging pop artists, the Coachella-level lineup includes headliners whose songs you’ve heard all over TikTok and beyond, including Noah Kahan (“Stick Season”), Doechii (“Anxiety”), Lola Young (“Messy”), Djo (“End of Beginning”), The Marias (“No One Noticed”), and Lucy Dacus (“Night Shift”).
You can also anticipate catchy alternative anthems by The Beaches, a soul-soothing performance by Joy Oladokun, indie folk from Faye Webster, and what we can only expect will be a life-changing performance of the song of the summer, “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” by Role Model. (Any guesses on who this show’s Sally will be?) Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Fri. 3:50 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m. $178-396.75.
9/26-28: Oceans Calling
The fact that this sonic beach bash in Ocean City—co-founded by Maryland’s own O.A.R.—overlaps with All Things Go presents a real Sophie’s choice for local indie and alternative fans. But while All Things Go focuses on of-the-moment musicians (a Gen Z dream), Oceans Calling’s lineup stands out in its throwbacks—with far-ranging acts like Devo, 4 Non Blondes, Wheatus, Spin Doctors, Collective Soul, Jack’s Mannequin, Good Charlotte, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Fray, Nelly, Michelle Branch, and Natasha Bedingfield. (Any other millennials tearing up at the thought of being in the crowd for “Unwritten?”)
Headliners on the docket for the long weekend are Green Day, Lenny Kravitz, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer. Suffice it to say, no matter which of the three stages you’re closest to at any given time, you’re bound to hear a familiar tune. Ocean City Inlet. 809 South Atlantic Ave. Ocean City. 12-11 p.m. $185