As Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson’s social, sports and entertainment scene continues to grow, 2025 will bring a handful of new and ongoing concepts to the area, further strengthening attractions and interest in the Upstate.
In 2024, the Upstate saw concerts by John Legend, Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, T-Pain and more, while national artists, major Broadway shows and sporting events took place from Spartanburg to Clemson.
In 2025, the Upstate will see even more happening with artists such as Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts performing. The Broadway production of Hamilton is set to return to Greenville, and shows such as the Dancing with the Stars tour and growing attractions such as the Greenville Jazz Festival are sure to be popular events.
As the entertainment scene continues to emerge as one of the fastest growing places in the Southeast, here are the venues and events to look forward to in 2025 and beyond:
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New locations expected to open upstate in 2025
Trueline (west end)
The proposed 2,500-capacity music and event space at 401 E. Rhett St. is currently in the construction phase with nearly a year of work to complete as the plan to bring in artists pop, hip-hop and country in Greenville should do it. take shape at the end of 2025.
In a similar style to various House of Blues venues across the country, the 30,000 square foot space located at the former D&B Glass location plans to furnish a space that will attract high-profile artists such as Lil Wayne, The Struts and Brett Young. popping up in Greenville while also serving as a local artist incubator and community music hub.
The project is led by Michael Grozier, CEO of Trueline Brands, and is expected to include:
- A 1,700-capacity main hall amphitheater called The Concert Hall will feature 129 balcony seats.
- A small, 400-capacity venue called The Handle will serve as an ode to John Jeter, “The Godfather of the Greenville Music Scene.”
- A VIP room with a capacity of 150 people known as The Greenroom.
- A 250-person capacity outdoor music space known as The Clubhouse, awaiting approval from the City of Greenville.
- Four standing platforms in the concert hall allow easy visibility of the stage.
- More than 40 food and beverage outlets will be located throughout the venue, including an indoor/outdoor patio space, an upscale cocktail lounge offering coffee and muffins by day, as well as pizza and other items portable in the evening.
- Technological bracelets that allow easy payment, personalized welcome messages and exclusive invitations.
Expected opening date: end of 2025
A Music Project (Downtown Greenville)
Originally announced in 2022, “AMP” or “A Music Project” is a future six-acre music and entertainment campus located in downtown Greenville, part of the repurposing of buildings for a flat-floor music club , an “intimate listening room,” a podcast and recording studio, and an artists’ dormitory that should see the light of day by 2025.
In the Peace Center’s most recent 2030 vision plan, details include improvements to buildings around the property to make A Music Project one of the region’s top arts and music venues in hopes of attracting larger artists in Greenville and diversify the acts and visitors upstate.
In total, four specific focus areas are expected to open soon:
- Coach Factory – a two-level music and events venue comparable to the Fillmore in Charlotte or the Loft at Center Stage in Atlanta.
- The Mockingbird — an intimate listening room, lounge on the first level and studio and listening room on the second level.
- Huguenot Mill + Ramsaur Studio — an outdoor performance venue, private events and workshop space.
- The Wyche, Riverwalk and Public Gardens — an outdoor event venue.
Expected opening date: end of 2025 (Coach Factory & The Mockingbird); Full completion of the project expected by 2030.
Seratonic (Downtown Greenville)
An upcoming entertainment, event and lounge space is expected to open at Camperdown Plaza in the heart of downtown Greenville in 2025, as Seratonic will be a community-centered music and events venue.
The space of the Auro Hotels brand, which also represents AC Hotel, Paloma, Juniper, And The press roomwas called “intentionally rhythmic in nature” and “perfect for articulating the soul of the brand”, citing a unique ambiance, interpretation of music and alternative event space that visitors to the downtown Greenville scene can benefit.
Seratonic plans to host 250 people and host midweek musical performances and corporate and wedding events with an on-site kitchen offering a menu of small plates and cocktails.
Expected opening date: Second quarter 2025
Fifth Third Park (Spartanburg)
Spartanburg is ready for minor league baseball as the Hub City Spartanburgers, a team affiliated with the Texas Rangers, plan to throw out their first pitch during the upcoming 2025 season.
Stadium developer The Johnson Group and its construction team are expected to have the stadium move-in ready by February or early March 2025 in anticipation of opening day, according to general manager Tyson Jeffers.
The Spartanburgers will be one of three South Atlantic League teams owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), which owns 32 other baseball teams across the country in 21 states and one team in Canada.
Expected opening date: April 2025.
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Big events happening in the Upstate in 2025
SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament (Downtown Greenville)
The Southeastern Conference women’s basketball tournament recently extended an agreement with the city of Greenville to host its conference tournament through 2028, as Bon Secours Wellness Arena (BSWA) will be the site of the series popular and constantly growing championships.
Since first being held in Greenville in 2005, Bon Secours Wellness Arena has hosted the SEC Women’s Conference Tournament in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 and will do so again March 5-9, 2025.
Fourteen cities have hosted the women’s basketball conference championship games since its inception in 1980. After the 2028 season, Greenville will have hosted the most tournaments in conference history, with 11 total championship games played at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Event date: March 5-9, 2025
Rock the Country (Anderson)
Nickelback and Kid Rock will come to Anderson County in 2025 as Rock rock music festival will begin in April 2025 and travel upstate in late July for a 10-city tour, which will take place primarily in the southeastern part of the country.
Other notable artists set to perform include Hank Williams Jr., Tracy Lawrence and Gavin Adcock, with the two-day festival drawing nearly 82,000 visitors to Anderson during the 2024 festival, according to city administrator Rusty Burns of Anderson County.
Next year, Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners, Shenandoah, Mark Chesnutt and Sammy Kershaw will also perform at the event.
Event date: July 25 and 26
Fall for Greenville (downtown Greenville)
Greenville’s signature event is set to return as Fall for Greenville will take place in mid-October along Main Street in downtown Greenville.
Event date: October 10-12
Clemson Music Festival (Clemson University)
The second annual event will head to Clemson again in April, as 2024 brought R&B sensation T-Pain, Mt. Joy, The Fray and others to Clemson University.
Although the 2025 lineup has not yet been announced, there is great anticipation for the second edition of the Clemson Music Festival, which will take place in mid-April.
Event date: April 12 and 13
– AJ Jackson covers the food scene, as well as downtown arts, entertainment and culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com and follow him on X (officially Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with the support of our readers.Sign up for a digital subscription today.