Sounds of Summer 2021: Where to find live music outside in Salem

Outdoor music is synonymous with the sounds of summer in Salem. Here’s a look at some of the places you can catch a concert under the stars while the weather’s warm.

Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr. S, is hosting live music every weekend during the summer. And if you don’t go for the tunes, go for the tastes of estate-grown wines and wood-fired pizzas. There is a $5 cover charge per person and reservations are required (except where mentioned) and can be made by calling 503-378-1498 or emailing info@ankenyvineyard.com. Info: https://ankenyvineyard.com/

Here’s the lineup so far —

• July 3: SureFire — favorite covers from the decades, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• July 4: Rich Swanger & The Little Known Band — folk and Americana, 2 to 4 p.m.
• July 10: Leanne McClellan Band — rock, jazz, country, and blues, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• July 11: Sarah Saul Combo — vocals and jazzy instrumentals, 2 to 4 p.m. (No reservation needed. Seating on first come, first seve. No cover charge.)

Capital City LIVE! features country music artist Brett Young, with special guest Riley Green 7 p.m. Thursday, August 5 in the L.B. Day Amphitheatre at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Brett is recognized for “his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed ‘Caliville’ style.” This all-ages concert benefits children and families partnering with Family Building Blocks, the certified Relief Nursery of Marion and Polk counties committed to “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” Tickets are $40 to $125 and available online here. Learn more at familybuildingblocks.org/events/#capitalcitylive! 

Cubanisimo Vineyards, 1754 Best Rd NW, hosts live music 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday. Info: 503-588-1763, https://cubanisimovineyards.com/ 

Here’s the upcoming lineup —

• July 3: Pachanga — Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin rock, and more, 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 9: Ryan Koh — 5 to 7 p.m. 
• July 10: Portland Standard Time — jazz, 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 16: Pachanga — Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin rock, and more, 5 to 7 p.m.
• July 17: The Ferenjis — neo-soul, 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 23: Robert Meade — singer/songwriter, 5 to 7 p.m.
• July 24: Steve Adams — blues, classical, jazz, latin, rock, songwriter, 1 to 4 p.m. 
• July 30: Ryan Koh — 5 to 7 p.m. 
• July 31: The DRTR Band — blues, 1 to 4 p.m. 
• August 7: Matthew Price — singer/songwriter, 5 to 7 p.m. 
• August 13: Robert Meade — singer/songwriter, 5 to 7 p.m. 
• August 14: Steve Adams — blues, classical, jazz, latin, rock, songwriter, 1 to 4 p.m.
• August 20: The DRTR Band — blues, 4 to 7 p.m. 
• August 27: Ryan Koh — 5 to 7 p.m.

Eola Hills Legacy Estate Vineyard, 1600 Oak Grove Road, has the Summer Uncorked Lakeside Sessions where you can take in a night of live music 6 to 8 p.m. every Friday. Bring your own chair or blanket and grab a spot on the lawn, or reserve a limited table on the VIP terrace for an additional cost. Tickets are complimentary (although there is a $5 processing fee) and must be reserved in advance due to maximum capacity regulations. There is no guarantee that tickets will be available the same day on-site. VIP tables seat 4 to 6 people (must be 21 or older) and include a bottle of wine for the table, charcuterie and a private terrace bar with wine specials for $200. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. There will be rotating food trucks and a wine bar. No outside food or drinks permitted. Info: 503-623-2405, https://eolahillswinery.com/events/ 

Here’s what you can hear —

• July 2: Hit Machine — hits from all eras
• July 9: Haley Johnsen — rock singer/songwriter
• July 16: Hannah Dimo — pop/blues/rock
• July 23: CJ Mickens — pop, performed on Season Two of American Idol, 2021 Portland Idol winner
• July 30: Tyrone Hendrix, Jarrod Lawson, Chance Hayden — jazz with classic soul and retro bluesy vibes
• August 6: Tony Smiley — The LoopNinja
• August 20: Hayley Lynn & Band — singer/songwriter
• August 27: Sarah Clarke & Band — soul, R&B

Marion County Fair at the Oregon State Fairgrounds offers live music as a small part of its entertainment. The fair takes place July 9 through 11. Buy tickets in advance for a discount. Learn more at https://marioncountyfair.net/

MIG Fest features punk and ska music from The Bandulus (Portland), Jeshua Marshall (of Larry and His Flask) (Bend), Fake News (Portland) and Hot Sheets (Salem). Taking place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Minto Island Growers, an organic fruit and veggie farm. In addition to the afternoon of live music, there will be local food, beer and wine available for purchase. Get more info (and your tickets) at bit.ly/migfest

The Oregon State Fair is happening from August 27 through September 6. The entertainment lineup has been announced, and tickets are on sale now. Info: https://oregonstatefair.org/ 

Here’s what they have planned —

• August 27: Chicago — classic rock
• August 28: Seether — alt-metal/hard rock
• August 30: Jon Pardi — country
• August 31: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo — rock
• September 1: Zach Williams — Christian rock
• September 2: Flo Rida — rap, singer/songwriter
• September 3: Granger Smith ft. Earl Dibbles Jr. — country
• September 4: Collective Soul — rock
• September 6: Ezra Ray Hart — alt. rock featuring Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Emerson Hart of Tonic

Pudding River Wine Cellars, 9374 Sunnyview Road NE, features a Summer Concert Series offering live music 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Plus its red barn tasting room and patio are open for tastings 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Info: 503-365-039, https://puddingriver.com/

Salem Saturday Market, 856 Marion St. SE, features live music 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in addition to a large variety of fresh, local and handmade products from flowers and produce to artisan food and crafts. Info: salemcommunitymarkets.com. 

Here’s what’s on the schedule —

• July 3: Gail Gage Jazz
• July 10: Steve Hale
• July 17: Barrie Dempsey
• July 24: Gusto Bros
• July 31: Cowboy Cadillac
• August 7: Koral Jam
• August 14: Rachel and The Rainkings
• August 21: Leanne McClellan Band
• August 28: Mikael Pederson
• September 4: Amy Natzke & Bill Jolliff
• September 18: The Big Time
• September 25: Chayag

Trinity Vineyards, 1031 Wahl Lane S, is offering live music all summer long. Plus wine and beer for sale and food available for purchase from a rotating food vendor, such as The Shack out Back, Foodology Mobile Kitchen, Pat E Macs Famous BBQ, and Dough on the Go. Bring a lawn chair as seating is limited. Music is free except where specified. Info: 503-371-6977, https://trinityvineyards.com/ 

Here’s the lineup so far —

• July 10: The Ferenjis — funk, jazz and soul, 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: $10 
• July 11: Friends From Home — covers with a focus on soul, R&B and alt. rock, 2 to 5 p.m.
• July 17: Stump City Soul — 11-piece Soul/Funk dance band, 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10
• July 24: Eddyville — popular music and classic rock, 2 to 5 p.m.
• July 25: Orvil Ivie & “Smile” Mike Renwick — contemporary jazz and classic rock, 2 to 5 p.m.

Author: Carlee Wright

Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.