Thursday, April 24, 2014

This week's hot concerts


Gillian Welch
Friday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36t St., $30, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
Arguably the most influential Americana artist of the last 20 years and last here in November with musical partner David Rawlings and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Welch returns on short notice for what should be a stunning “Evening With.”
Me Myself & I Festival 3
Saturday  8 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $6, www.snugrock.com
This mini-fest celebrates solo artistes with DIY minds. Russian-born/Tel Aviv-raised avant garde, synth-world-pop and visual artist Mary Ocher heads up a bill with North Elementary’s John Harrison as Jphono1, and NC’s Must Be the Wholy Ghost, Your Fuzzy Friends, Human Pippiarmstrong, and Brett Green.
Man or Astroman?
Saturday  9 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $13-$16, www.visulite.com
After a successful run in the `90s the sci-fi surf punks with a soft spot for vintage film and TV, Moogs, theremins, and rip-roaring surf guitar disappeared from Earth (shortly after Y2K, coincidence?). It rockets back with its first album in 12 years - 2013’s “Defcon 5…4…3…2…1.”
Schoolboy Q    
Saturday  9 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $25, www.amossouthend.com
Thanks in part to guest spots with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Black Hippy co-hort Kendrick Lamar, the hard L.A. rapper’s major label debut, “Oxymoron” (which chronicles life as a Crip, drug dealer, and father) was one of the most anticipated of the year, debuting at No. 1 and making his tour an equally hot ticket.
Sleigh Bells
Tuesday  8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $27, www.livenation.com
The harsh collision of abrasive beats, thick distortion, and girlish, ethereal vocals form a merry danceable marriage in this Brooklyn duo’s irresistible noise-pop. This marks its Charlotte debut. From what I hear, earplugs are advised.
Battleme
Tuesday  8 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $5-$7, www.chopshopnoda.com
Although band leader Matt Drenik (who looks like a “Son of Anarchy”) became known for his stark folk contributions to FX’s “Sons,” his Portland band illustrates a crunchier, psychedelic-dipped, garage-pop sound that’s a bit more fun - still dynamic without the drama.
Zucchero
Wednesday  8 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $25-$35, www.amossouthend.com
The Italian blues guitarist and singer is a household name overseas where he’s sold 50 million records over 40 years. He teamed with Don Was in Havana to explore Latin, Cuban, Salsa, and Tex-Mex on his latest, “La Sesion Cubana” (its live version airs on PBS). Catch him stateside in a rare intimate setting (compared to European venues).
Against Me!
Thursday  7:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $17-$20, www.amossouthend.com
The punk band drew headlines for singer and founder Laura Jane Grace’s transition from male to female in 2012. The resulting album - the unbelievably catchy and compelling “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” - chronicles the relatable struggle for self-acceptance and need to feel comfortable in your own skin. It should be album of the year.
PJ Morton
Thursday  7:30 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $20-$25, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The Maroon 5 keyboardist moonlights as a Grammy winning (India Arie’s “Interested) solo singer-songwriter  making R&B and jazz, gospel, and hip-hop laced vintage soul in the spirit of artists like Stevie Wonder, who appears on his 2013 major label debut, “New Orleans.”