Thursday, March 27, 2014

Speed Street announces headliners, new name

The newly dubbed Coca-Cola Speed Street Festival presented by Chevrolet celebrates its 20th anniversary in uptown Charlotte May 22-24 with NASCAR drivers, live music, and family-friendly fan events leading up to the Coca-Cola 600 race on Sunday, May 25. 

This year’s musical lineup, which was announced Thursday during a press conference that also revealed the new sponsor and name, features headliners Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band on Thursday. The Academy of Country Music’s 2013 Vocal Duo of the Year Thompson Square leads a country-heavy bill Friday. And Southern pop-rock pioneer .38 Special closes out Speed Street on Saturday.

The former Food Lion Speed Street festival, which takes place surrounding the NASCAR Hall of Fame, is book-ended by the NASCAR All-Star race on May 17 and the Coca-Cola 600 the following Sunday. The festival brought over 400,000 people to uptown over those three days last year.

Speed Street features a variety of local and national R&B, country, and rock acts. The Stranger: A Tribute to Billy Joel kicks off Thursday’s tribute lineup followed by Backbeat, a tribute to the Beatles. 

Friday’s acts include Rock Hill’s Zach Ludlam and Alabama’s NASCAR favorite (and fan) Tim Dugger. Saturday’s lineup includes actress turned musician Julie Gribble and Charlotte’s School of Rock. A full schedule, including driver appearances, will be posted at www.600festival.com closer to the date.