Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire play the Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on Friday, April 30, 2027. It's a single-bill night with the band as the only act on the program.

If you're not familiar with the name, it's a lot of ground to cover. They're an American band whose music spans jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro pop. Maurice White started the group in Chicago in 1969, growing it out of the Salty Peppers, and they've gone on to be among the best-selling bands of all time, with more than 90 million records sold worldwide. Their sound is built on the kalimba, a dynamic horn section, and the contrast between Philip Bailey's falsetto and Maurice White's baritone.

They've won six Grammys out of 17 nominations, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors. Rolling Stone called them "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and said they "changed the sound of black pop," while VH1 described them as "one of the greatest bands."

Practical things to keep in mind: the show is at an outdoor venue with no seats under cover, and it runs rain or shine, so you'll want to check the forecast before you head out. Outside lawn chairs aren't permitted. The concert starts at 8 PM at the Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206.