“Beatlemania” will be taking over the Queen City. Starting Friday, Oct. 4, Uptown will be ringing with music during the Southeast’s biggest two-day Beatles tribute festival, FabFest, organized by Tosco Music.
Festival overview
The festival takes place Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5 at two venues: Knight Theater and Central Piedmont Community College’s Parr Center. There are free and ticketed events including live performances, raffles, and a marketplace full of memorabilia.
“We have Beatles authors and guest speakers, a family fun room for the kids, and food trucks,” added John Tosco. “It’s a wonderful festival and the only one of its kind in the Southeast.”
Fun fact: The festival in 2023 drew Beatles fans from 20 states. More than a third of North Carolina attendees were from outside the Charlotte region.
Free events
Free as a bird. FabFest Daytime kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Attendees can expect to wander the marketplace at CPCC’s Parr Center, cheer local talent during the Beatles Open Mic, sing to the classics during a sing-along, dance, and stretch to Beatles yoga.
Editor’s note: Registration is required for yoga and to perform during the open mic. Registration closes Thursday, Oct. 3.
Ticketed events
The annual festival begins Friday, Oct. 4 with the Tosco Music Beatles Tribute at Knight Theater. The event features performances from local and regional groups performing Beatles songs in a variety of genres.
Saturday’s headline concert — Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney featuring Tony Kishman. The Broadway veteran is known as one of the world’s best Paul McCartney look-alike/sound-alikes.
Editor’s note: Friday’s tribute event tends to sell out so get your tickets fast.
Returning to the festival — Gregg Bissonette, a Grammy-winning drummer who’s played with Ringo Star. The drummer will host a drum clinic and is expected to sign autographs while attending FabFest Daytime at CPCC’s Parr Center.
Guests can also attend trivia, a cover song contest, and art contest.
Hey Jude. Tickets range $15-$56+ and children under five are free.
