09/04/2026
The City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series, presented by Protection Products, Inc., will bring back Mellow Swells on Friday, Sept. 11. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. at Union Square in downtown Hickory.
Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Mellow Swells is known for blasting funk, rock, and intense improvisation to its listeners. The band’s influences range from traditional music all the way to modern funk and pop. Expect to get blasted by some low-end bass, sweaty by some deep grooves, and slapped by soulful vocals and soaring riffs.
Sails Music Coordinator Bob Sinclair says, “Let’s welcome these guys back to Hickory! Great rhythm and atmosphere from this band celebrating their new release ‘Take Me With You.’”
In addition to outstanding music, art and performance will come together in a fresh way this September. Passions Alive—a project produced by Bob Sinclair Music and supported by a grant from Arts Culture Catawba—will feature local visual artists creating live paintings during each concert. As artists capture the energy of the music in real time, audiences will experience a dynamic fusion of sound and art that adds a new dimension to this year’s series.
The featured artist for the Sept. 11 Sails concert is Kimberly Bost, an artist, activist, and community leader whose work bridges creativity, advocacy, and public service. Bost’s creative path began with degrees in Apparel Design from the University of Delaware and the Fashion Institute of Technology, launching an accomplished career in design and product development for nationally recognized brands. Over the past decade, that foundation has evolved into a vibrant painting practice, with her work exhibited throughout the greater Hickory, Newton, Morganton, and Blowing Rock areas, including two solo exhibitions at Arts Culture Catawba and Meadowbrook Inn. Bost was commissioned by the SALT Block to create a large-scale mural celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Claremont High School. In addition to her studio work, she facilitates intuitive, archetypal workshops and retreats focused on self discovery, embodiment, and personal transformation. Across her creative, political, and community efforts, Bost is guided by a core belief: that art is a powerful catalyst for personal and societal change.
Bost’s live artwork from the performance will be auctioned at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at NoCo Arts in Newton, with proceeds supporting future Bob Sinclair Music art-and-music experiences.
Started in 2012, the City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series highlights well-crafted live music by bringing original artists to The Sails on the Square. The series, a Bob Sinclair Music production, features national and international touring acts and is made possible through generous support from presenting sponsor Protection Products, Inc., as well as Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza.
In addition to the seating available on Union Square, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. A variety of nearby bars and restaurants offer convenient food and beverage options. ABC-permitted businesses within the Hickory Downtown Social District will sell beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages in specially marked cups that may be consumed on Union Square, surrounding sidewalks, and other public areas within the district. No outside alcohol may be brought into the district. For additional guidelines and a detailed map of the social district, visit www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district.
The Sails Original Music Series continues with Pressing Strings on Sept. 18 and N-Spire Band on Sept. 26.
To learn more about the series and view the upcoming schedule, visit www.hickorync.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series page at Sails Original Music Series.
