Written by By Chattanooga Music Scene Staff
CHATTANOOGA, TN – What happens when a city’s biggest festival goes quiet for two straight years? In Chattanooga, the answer has been unexpectedly beautiful: smaller stages got louder, community-led concerts took center stage, and local musicians found more room to shine.
Now entering mid-June, the Scenic City’s summer rhythm is being carried by two free, open-air concert series—Riverfront Nights and Nightfall—which together are shaping not just a music calendar, but a cultural movement.
🎸 Friday, June 13 – Fox Royale & Telemonster at Nightfall
📍 Miller Plaza | 850 Market Street
🕕 Vendors open at 6 PM | 🎶 Music: 7 PM–9:30 PM
🎟️ Free & family-friendly
The Nightfall Concert Series returns with headliner Fox Royale, bringing bright indie-pop energy from Missouri. Opening is Chattanooga’s own Telemonster, blending chamber pop and alt-rock.
Organized by: Chattanooga Presents, led by Carla Pritchard.
🗣️ “Nightfall isn’t just about music—it’s about gathering the city around a shared beat,” says Pritchard.
🎙️ June 13 Afternoon – Deadbird Studio Sneak Peek at Songbirds
📍 Songbirds Foundation, Station Street
🕐 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
🎧 Live music + studio tour | 🧑🎤 Open to the public
Check out the newly completed Deadbird Studio inside the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. This event features a live showcase and a tour of the recording space.
Organized by: Songbirds Foundation, led by Executive Director Reed Caldwell.
🌊 Saturday, June 15 – Paul Childers at Riverfront Nights
📍 Ross’s Landing
🕕 Lawn opens 6 PM | 🎸 Music starts at 7 PM
🎟️ Free | Bring lawn chairs, blankets & pets
Expect sleek R&B, funk, and pop-rock from Paul Childers & The Black Tie Affair, with Appalachian-rock openers Cumberland Runners.
Organized by: Friends of the Festival (FOF)
🗣️ “Riverfront Nights was born out of a desire to keep music flowing downtown—even during transitions,” says Mickey McCamish, FOF Board Chair.
🎷 June 21 – Make Music Day Chattanooga
📍 Songbirds
🕓 4:30 PM – Jazz fusion masterclass with Et Cetera
🕖 7:00 PM – Evening performance
Chattanooga joins 1,000+ cities for Make Music Day, celebrating music as a universal language. Pop-up concerts and performances will take place all across the city—from coffee shops to parks.
Hosted by: Songbirds Foundation + Make Music Alliance
📅 More Live Music to Catch
- June 22: Amber Carrington (The Voice finalist) – Riverfront Nights
- June 28: Muck Sticky + Biscuit Eaters – Riverfront Nights
- July 12: Back 2 Mac + Dock Party & Fireworks – Ross’s Landing
- Aug 23: Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson Tribute) – Riverfront Nights finale
❗ Festival Notes
🎤 Riverbend Festival and 🌙 Moon River Festival are on hiatus for 2025.
In their absence, smaller stages are thriving. Expect more pop-ups, emerging artist showcases, and community-led fests all summer long.
🎤 A Local Legacy in the Making
Nightfall and Riverfront Nights are more than concerts—they’re rituals. Anchored by passionate organizers, these series are defining Chattanooga’s music culture from the ground up.
🗣️ “It’s not just about who’s on stage—it’s about who’s standing next to you, swaying to the same song.”
📬 More Music, All Summer Long, Stay in the Loop
Chattanooga is proving that local music doesn’t need a giant stage to thrive.
➡️ For weekly updates, artist interviews, and insider tips:
🌐 chattanoogamusicscene.com
📢 Got a show to promote? Submit it here