Your In-Person July Soundtrack Starts Here
Summer means more music, here is what we got...
Summer is here, and with it comes one of the best parts… more music. Get outside and listen we say.
Whether you’re looking for a free concert in the park… or a downtown festival, July offers a lot. From country and folk to Celtic music, Latin dance nights, rock, blues, and community festivals, the calendar is packed.
Here's a look at some of the biggest live music events happening in Corvallis and the surrounding area this July.
The month begins with Music on the Terrace at the Corvallis Community Center on July 6, at 12:00 p.m. Why on a Monday? We don’t know. But it is free, and offers a chance to enjoy live local music in an outdoor setting. Bill Smyth is a folk-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. For this set, Bill will feature music from his native Canada, including songs by Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and himself.
Another summer favorite returns this month with the SAGE Concert Series, hosted by the Corvallis Environmental Center at the Bruce Starker Arts Park. The outdoor concerts take place from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and combine live music with local food vendors and craft beverages. The July lineup features Brutal Bridges Band and DTW on July 9, followed by Stone Ape and Citizens of the Universe on July 23.
On Saturday, July 11, from noon to 10:00 p.m., Central Park will host the inaugural Sommer of the Witch Festival. Same day as Oregon Country Fair… but we choose to support local. You should as well. The event blends live music with tattoo artists, visual arts, food vendors, local businesses, and community organizations.
The festival's music lineup spans Americana, bluegrass, folk-punk, outlaw country, rock, and roots music, bringing together artists from Oregon and beyond. Headliners include Holy Locust, known for their high-energy folk-punk; Beggars Canyon, blending alternative country with rock influences; Rock Bottom String Band, a bluegrass and old-time string band; Hot Damn Scandal, whose upbeat mix of swing, folk, jazz, and Americana has made them a Northwest favorite. Read more about Sommer of The Witch here:
The Corvallis Celtic Festival takes place July 16–19 in downtown Corvallis. The four-day event features traditional Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Celtic music across multiple venues, including Common Fields, Old World Deli, and outdoor stages. The festival includes concerts, workshops, and dancing, with many events offered free to the public.
Just a short drive away, Albany’s River Rhythms concert series returns to Monteith Riverpark every Thursday evening in July, with concerts beginning around 7:00 p.m. This year’s lineup includes The Fabulous Thunderbirds on July 9, Bill Haley Jr. & the Comets on July 23, and Boy Band Review on July 30. Justin Timberlake will not be there.
Lebanon will celebrate music during the Decades of Music Festival on July 18, held in the downtown square. Presented by Meta. Really? Lebanon? Meta? The festival is designed as a musical journey through the decades, giving us a chance to enjoy everything from classic hits to more modern favorites in one evening. The event is part of Heart of Lebanon's Summer Nights concert series.
If there's one venue that consistently keeps live music alive here, it's Old World Deli. Nearly every week of July features multiple performances, including Big Foo, one of the Northwest's top Foo Fighters tribute bands, performing on July 25. Old World Deli's July lineup offers something for just about everyone.
July closes with one of the biggest annual celebrations in the county as the Benton County Fair returns to Benton County Fairgrounds. Admission to the fair includes all main stage performances.
On July 30, the fair spotlights local talent during its annual Battle of the Bands. The music turns up on July 31 with Queen Nation at 8:30 p.m. Widely regarded as one of the country’s premier Queen tribute bands, Queen Nation recreates the sound, energy, and stage presence of Freddie Mercury and Queen with classics like Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, and We Will Rock You.
The fair wraps up on Saturday, August 1, with Country Night. Oregon country artist and former The Voice finalist Jacquie Roar opens the evening at 7:00 p.m., followed by country music star Hunter Hayes at 8:30 p.m. Hayes has earned multiple platinum records and is known for hits including Wanted, Somebody’s Heartbreak, and I Want Crazy.
Venues like Bombs Away Cafe continue to host live performances throughout the month, featuring everything from indie rock and punk to hip-hop, metal, comedy, and touring acts. It’s well worth keeping an eye on throughout the summer. Check out Bombs Away Café's upcoming events at Bombs Away Café Events Calendar.
See other upcoming events at:
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