This time of year brings some of the best shows and lineups to the Greater Cincinnati area. Get out in the warmth at Hoffner Park for the annual Rock N’ Roll Carnival, escape the heat underground in one of the city’s most chic and stylish bars or see local punk legends make some waves. July is not to be missed for music fans and a perfect time to be introduced to the city’s vibrant and eclectic world of music. Here are some handpicked possibilities to add some music to your Cincinnati summer. 

Northside Rock N’ Roll Carnival at Hoffner Park This year’s Rock N’ Roll Carnival features the addition of monthly “sideshow” performances each month. The three-day Independence Day festival is a must-see at the height of summer and is always an all-encompassing lineup of some of the city’s best from every genre, in addition to some national acts. This year’s carnival features local punk sweethearts and festival mainstays Tweens, dream-inducing neo-soul from Muwosi, psych-garage rockers The Harlequins, experimental hip-hop artist Devin Burgess, newer garage-punk group Choncy and a slew of other locals. The selection of national acts features Chicago-based, multi-genre Latin fusion band Dos Santos, California R&B pop from Rudy De Anda and more. For more info and to see the full lineup, visit the festival’s website. June 30-July 2. Free. Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsiderocks.com. Photo: Andy Licardi
Jess Lamb & the Factory, Annie D and Daisychain (Chicago) at Southgate House Revival Powerhouse singer-songwriter and local celebrity Jess Lamb and her crack band, the Factory, perform with the inspired Ann Driscoll (now going by Annie D) and her full band. Annie D’s songwriting is equally innovative and entertaining. Both acts appear with Daisychain, a female-fronted, ‘60s-tinged garage-pop band from Chicago. 9 p.m. July 7. Free. Revival Room at Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com. Photo: Willie Caldwell
The Tigerlilies, Country Westerns (Nashville), Bingo Boys (Indianapolis) and Tangees at MOTR Pub Longtime local favorites, the power-pop band Tigerlilies, open for the raw but nuanced and critically acclaimed Country Westerns on tour from Nashville. Indianapolis punk band Bingo Boys and locals Tangees are also on the bill. 9 p.m. July 8. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Shane Lamb
Spiderhand and Darlene at Northside Tavern Female-fronted local staple Darlene, with their melodic, almost-shoegaze alt-rock make an appearance with Spiderhand, a newer band made up of Cincinnati music scene legends and luminaries. Spiderhand’s output feels as fresh and immediate as some of the music the members made years or even decades before, like singer Vivian Vinyl’s band the Dents, whose late ‘70s recordings are featured on the 2019 compilation of Cincinnati punk, We Were Living In Cincinnati. Spiderhand and Darlene are continuing the tradition and proving the creative spark lasts. 8 p.m. July 9. Free. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/events. Photo: Shane Lamb
The Ben Levin Blues Band featuring Takuto Asano at Schwartz’s Point Local piano prodigy Ben Levin performs with his blues band featuring special guest guitar player Takuto Asano from Japan. Schwartz’s Point, the standout stone building sitting on a distinct corner on Vine Street just down the hill from Clifton, has built a reputation as one of the best jazz rooms in the city. Levin’s site even says it is “his favorite listening room in OTR.” 7 p.m. July 9. Free. Schwartz’s Point, 1901 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, thepointclub.com/calendar. Photo: Angie Lipscomb
Lauren Eylise at Ghost Baby The soulful and compelling Lauren Eylise will perform in the chic underground tunnels of Over-the-Rhine’s Ghost Baby. Eylise will do two shows at 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Make reservations ahead of time or show up under the purple glow on Republic Street to go underground and under Eylise’s spell. Two shows 8:30 and 10 p.m. July 13. Ghost Baby, 1314 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, ghost-baby.com/events. Photo: Cassidy Coyne
Sorry, Eric, Toe Cutter (Athens) and Lashes at MOTR Pub Cincinnati’s Sorry, Eric put out one of the best records in town last year, The Problem with Fun. Their observational post-punk along with Athens punk band Toe Cutter and local explosive and moody two-piece Lashes, incorporating only bass, drums and vocals, round out the bill. 9:30 p.m. July 14. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com. Photo: Alexzandra Roy
My Brother’s Keeper (vinyl release party) at Southgate House Revival My Brother’s Keeper celebrate the vinyl release of their album Field Guide, out on Poor Mountain Records from Bristol, Tennessee — a city that’s no stranger to classic American music, as it’s where the Carter family and Jimmy Rogers’ early recordings were made. My Brother’s Keeper combines a touch of those roots, along with gospel, bluegrass and a fair amount of pop that results in a contemporary but classic-sounding blend. Special guests will be announced at a later date. 8 p.m. July 14. $15. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com. Photo: Wyatt Sawmill Murray
Bailey Miller, Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage (NY) and Weldy at DSGN CLLCTV Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Bailey Miller has been making a name for herself as of late with atmospheric and captivating recordings and also as a part of some great lineups and performances. She performs with touring cult-favorite from New York, Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage, whose whimsical folk punk has earned a following over the years. Newer, local melodic and youthful folk singer-songwriter Weldy will open. 8:30 p.m. July 16. $12 in advance and $15 day of the show. DSGN CLLCTV, 4150 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/events. Photo: Vy Pham
Crime of Passing and Optic Sink (Memphis) at Northside Tavern Cincinnati’s rising synth-heavy and mood-enveloping coldwave punk group Crime of Passing make a return appearance after a handful of band members’ collaborations have taken up much of the last several months. They share a bill with the pop and electronica-influenced synth-punk of Optic Sink from Memphis, featuring members of Goner Records band, Nots. Cleveland’s Cool Disintegration also appears. July 21. More information to be announced at a later date. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidetav.com. Photo: Angie Willcut