Eugene may be a small city compared to Portland but it holds its own in the live music scene. Some of Oregon's favorite music venues are in Eugene and those concert halls host some pretty big headliners. Plenty of Eugene music lovers have stories of the time they saw an unexpected band play a cozy venue in town and were able to get much closer to the music than they would anywhere else.
Make memories this summer with this list of the top concerts not to miss in Eugene. Be sure to check venue websites for a full list of shows.
Arranged by date.Special Events and Concert Series
One way to enjoy summer concerts in the Eugene area is to check out these special events.
10x10 Series at Hult Center
This fun summer series brings up-and-coming artists to audiences at only $10 per ticket. These shows are incredible we love that they are so accessible to the community. If you want to enjoy live music but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a festival pass, this is a great way to do it. Take the whole family and discover your new favorite artist with the 10x10 series!
Oregon Bach Festival
Oregon Bach Festival has its roots in education and was started at the University of Oregon back in 1970. Since then, it has grown and includes music by more than just the composer it was named for. Performances happen in different locations around the Eugene area from June 30 to July 16th. Attendees can choose the event that speaks to them from listening to classical concerts in the music halls at the University to big brass interpretations of Michael Jackson and other popular artists followed by fireworks at the Eugene Emeralds baseball game at PK Park.
Oregon Country Fair
The Oregon Country Fair takes place just outside of Eugene in Veneta every July. This fun weekend-long event is a place to enjoy art, community and innovation in the woods. The event campus has 28 different stages with entertaining and informative performances happening all the time. If your idea of a good time is following a jolly parade of costumed fairgoers from a small vaudeville show, past fresh fruit stands and vegan ice cream shops and through the belly of a dragon art piece to see the Shook Twins on the Main Stage, then OCF is for you!
Circle Jerks
WOW Hall is hosting Circle Jerks with special guests Negative Approach and Scowl this summer. WOW is the perfect venue for feeding on that South Bay punk energy. It is small enough to access the pit when you want to jump around but the basement bar allows you to watch the show with your personal space bubble intact if that's more your speed.
Thursday, July 20, 2023. Show starts at 8 p.m.
CAKE
90s kids have a lot to love this summer at Cuthbert Amphitheater. Cake, Train, Incubus, Blues Traveler and Goo Goo Dolls are all hitting the outdoor stage this summer so bring your butterfly clips and dust off the old mix CDs to get you ready for this season of nostalgia. Cake dropped their album Fashion Nugget in 1997 and their modern rock songs are a solid part of your 90s childhood soundtrack.
Thursday, August 3, 2023. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Hip Abduction
Eugene's newest venue, The Big Dirty, is hosting The Hip Abduction with Vana Liya. The Hip Abduction is a reggae-style band from Florida. Every last Thursday of the month is reggae night at The Big Dirty but this is the one you should be most excited about.
Sunday, August 13, 2023. Show starts at 8:45 p.m.
Gipsy Kings
Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes will be a great show for anyone who loves to dance. They stay true to their flamenco roots and bring that tradition to American popular culture. Even if you don't recognize the name, you will probably recognize their songs. Gipsy Kings will play at the Hult Center's Silva Concert Hall.
Friday, August 18, 2023. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Tash Sultana
Tash Sultana has come a long way since they started busking in Australia as a teen. They now sell out concerts and win global awards at 28. Many of us were introduced to Tash through a Youtube video recorded in their bedroom of them using looping to build a song called Jungle which was mindblowing at the time. The Cuthbert outdoor theater is the perfect place to enjoy this particular style of lo-fi blues and trip-rock.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Common Kings + Steel Pulse
Closing out the summer at Cuthbert Amphitheater is Common Kings with Steel Pulse and Jacobs Castle. Common Kings music is a fusion of pop rock, R&B and reggae that sounds like summertime while Steel Pulse are solidly roots reggae legends. Even folks who don't know much about reggae will probably recognize their hits like Your House or Roller Skates.
Friday, September 15, 2023. Show starts at 6 p.m.
