WTMD’s First Thursday Festival is back

The free concert series kicks off May 3 with six bands playing on two stages

By Megan Bradshaw on May 2, 2018

First Thursdays concert stage
Photo: WTMD

Join WTMD May 3 in Canton Waterfront Park for the start of the 2018 First Thursday Festival. Presented by Brewers Hill, the music begins at 5:30 p.m.

Ursula Ricks Project (5:30 p.m.) and Loma (5:55 p.m.) kick off the evening on the east and west stage respectively. They are followed by Tom Principato Band (east stage, 6:45 p.m.), The Nighthawks (east stage, 8 p.m.), Low Cut Connie (west stage, 7:20 p.m.) and Belly (west stage, 9 p.m.).

Baltimore’s largest free, outdoor concert series runs from May 3 to September 6. This is the festival’s fourth season at Canton Waterfront Park after about a decade in Mt. Vernon Place. Each show begins at 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. All ages are welcome. No glass containers, coolers or outside alcohol are allowed in the park.

WTMD is listener-supported public radio from Towson University. The station hosts the award-winning Live Lunch concert series, as well as live broadcasts, art exhibits, and other events in its performance studio. The station has partnered with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to present the Pulse concert series and with BWI Airport for BWI Live.

For more information, contact Scott Mullins at 410-704-5394 or

First Thursday 2018 Lineup

May 3: Belly, Low Cut Connie, Loma, The Nighthawks, Tom Principato Band and Ursula Ricks Project 

June 7: Family of the Year, Typhoon, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Danielia Cotton, Natalie Prass and more TBA

July 5: Lake Street Dive, Andy Bopp, Van William, The Glorious Sons and more TBA 

August 2: Bettye LaVette, Lo-Moon, The Family Crest, The Legendary Shackshakers, Dave Hause & The Mermaid and more TBA

September 6: Jackie Greene, Daniel Nicole and more TBA