A Guide to the 2017 Charleston Music Confab
The Charleston Music Confab (formerly New Music Confab) is back for its third iteration from August 30th to September 2nd. Founder Dave Stewart retired in 2014 from a 25 year career in radio to start this showcase that made its debut in 2015, with hopes of creating an event similar to the now-enormously successful SXSW that takes place in Austin. The growth of the Confab is a reflection of the growth of Charleston’s music scene, which has been rapid over the past few years.
Back in 2015, the inaugural year for the New Music Confab, there were 12-15 artists featured at two venues: The Music Farm and the Charleston Music Hall. In 2016 The Royal American was added as a third venue, and in 2017 the Confab will expand even further to JohnKing and Kingdom, two relatively new bars on King Street that have been host to many artists in recent months. The Confab has also partnered with several area hotels to offer discounted rates for out-of-town attendees.
During the day are panel discussions that range across a wide variety of topics and include several prominent local figures. Topics of discussion include Artist Branding, Studio Production, Streaming, Format, Genre, Touring, and Social Media Influence. Notable speakers include Mark Bryan, Matt Zuttell, Charles Carmody, Ben Fagan, Richard “Box” Bachschmidt, and many more. Full list of panelists here.
After the panel discussions end for the day, the music showcases start up at host venues. We’ve got a breakdown of the music schedule below, to help you decide which events you want to attend. The decisions will be tough, but they are definitely split fairly well into general categories of genre and style.
Wednesday, August 30th
Music Farm: See Water, Abstract that Rapper, Carolina Wray, Tigerdog, and Tyler Boone
Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 ADV / $10 at Door
Thursday, August 31st
Charleston Music Hall: Anfernee, Johnny Jr., Walter Brown, and Angie Rose
Time: 8:30pm
Tickets: $12 ADV / $15 day of show
JohnKing: Matt Parker & the Deacons, Brad Wells, Kylie Odetta, and Caleb Brown
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Free
Kingdom: Sabin Sharpe, Brandon Bailey, Caroline Dare, and Cooper Allan
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $5 at the door
The Royal American: Black Power Mixtape, Gravesend, Glass Mansions, and Lovesick Radio
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $5 at the door
Friday, September 1st
Music Farm: Atlas Road Crew, People’s Blues of Richmond, The Steppin Stones, Katie Rose, and Bellavida
Time: 7:45pm
Tickets: $12 ADV / $15 day of show
Charleston Music Hall: Matt Monday, PG13, Kween Katt, and Mike Sarge
Time: 8:30pm
Tickets: $12 ADV / $15 day of show
Kingdom: Page Mackenzie, Leah Burkey, Lauren Hall, and Emma Kate McLain
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $5 at the door
JohnKing: Dylan Swinson, Spencer Rush, Regina Ferguson, and Brendan Pugh
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Free
The Royal American: The Swamp Gypsies, Sweet Sweet, Saluda Shoals, and John Owens Journal
Time: 9:30pm
Tickets: $5 at the door
Saturday, September 2nd
Music Farm: Little Stranger, The Georgia Flood, Whitehall, and Danger Scene
Time: 8pm
Tickets: $12 ADV / $15 day of show
Charleston Music Hall: Benjamin Starr, FatRat Da Czar, Scooda Sease, and H3RO
Time: 8:30pm
Tickets: $12 ADV / $15 day of show
Kingdom: Rick Monroe, Haley Mae Campbell, Kaylin Roberson, and Southbound 17
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $5 at the door
JohnKing: City On Down, Emily Curtis, Ryan McKenzie, and Megan Nicholson
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Free
The Royal American: Kelly Cheats, The Orange Constant, Ashes of Old Ways, and Big Thunder and the Rumblefish
Time: 9:30pm
Tickets: $5 at the door