An Onslow County nightclub and concert venue is bringing some legendary artists to Jacksonville this year, as well as some community-based events.
Hooligans Live, located at 2620 Onslow Drive in Jacksonville, opened in 2006. General Manager Johnny Cutt, also the owner of Cutthroat Concerts & Events, has been coming to the venue for much of his life.
Originally from Beulaville, Cutt said he started playing at Hooligans when he was just a freshman in high school.
“I started really young playing drums, then forming my own bands in grade school,” Cutt said. “This place has been host to a lot of awesome concerts, a lot of awesome artists, people that you would never expect to be in this town.”
Cutt started Johnny Cutt Promotions in 2014, later renamed to Cutthroat Concerts. It began as a way to stay involved in the industry when not performing, Cutt explained, though it’s grown a lot since then.
In his three-year tenure as Hooligans’ general manager, Cutt said he’s been trying to combat the reputation the venue sometimes has struggled with.
“One thing I tried to do when I came back in was bring concerts back into the venue, because for so long, there was very few, if any,” Cutt said. “That was something that was really the bread and butter of this place to someone like me who only came for those types of things.”
Cutt added that he wanted to give people a safe place to go where they can feel comfortable and confident while enjoying music in their own hometown. Over the past few years, he feels like that’s been a success.
For example, band The Heavy Hitters was recently at Hooligans, and Cutt said local fans were blown away at having the chance to see them live.
“I just like the fact that I can provide a service that I know I’m willing and able to provide, and I enjoy it,” Cutt said. “I get to see people experience things they didn’t think they’d be able to.”
Cutt even spent several years touring with some of the talent, once working as Saliva’s tour manager, doing drum tech and lighting design for From Ashes to New, and touring with bands like New Year’s Day and Saint Asonia.
“The industry, when you get into that side of it, it’s very small. So, all the time, every time a tour comes through here, I’m seeing friends. That’s like sugar on top,” Cutt said.
Most recently, Hooligans welcomed Boosie, and upcoming artists include Afroman, Austin Meade, Intervals, POD and Sebastion Bach. But music isn’t the only thing Cutt and Hooligans are working to bring to Jacksonville this year.
On May 17, live micro wrestling will be taking place at Hooligans, and on June 16, a rock and roll flea market, an idea that came to Cutt while cleaning out his garage.
“I’ve got so many band tees, so much memorabilia, posters, shirts, vinyls,” Cutt said. “I’ll keep some of them but I was like man, I don’t want to just throw it out. Then I have friends that are the same way as me. I did some research and noticed it was an actual thing that people do.”
The flea market event will include food, vendors and music. Cutt said he’s even hoping to partner with an adoption agency or animal rescue to get some pets adopted the day of the event.
“There’s no profit to be made on it. It’s just us opening up the doors, inviting some people in,” Cutt said. “Obviously, we’ll have what we have coming up on display, give people a chance to experience the venue.”
For a calendar of events, tickets and/or information on Hooligans Live and what’s to come in 2024, visit hooliganslive.com or follow them on social media.
“I just want people that haven’t been here in a long time, for whatever reason, to maybe give it another chance,” Cutt said. “Come back and see a concert, any concert, just go look at the calendar. I try to put something for everybody. If you can’t find something, just let me know. I’ll do my best to try and facilitate anybody’s request within reason.”
