This week's hot concerts

O.A.R.

7 p.m. Friday, July 15, Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St. $33.50-$46.85. www.livenation.com

Readying the August 2 release of its seventh album, “King,” this jam-friendly live favorite who crossed over to VH1 with 2008's “Shattered," gives fans a sneak peak at the new disc.

KRS-One

8:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, Amos’ Soutned, 1423 S. Tryon St. $22.50. www.etix.com

The influential hip-hop pioneer, rapper, philosopher and author who provided a lyrical counterpoint for the violence and misogyny that colored late `80s/early `90s rap continues to straddle the socially conscious and controversial.

Corey Smith

8 p.m. Friday, July 15, Coyote Joe’s, 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. $20. www.etix.com

Long rocking Charlotte venues with one foot planted in acoustic party rock and the other in good time country, this Georgia favorite takes his act to the true country crowd.

Elvis Costello

8 p.m. Saturday, July 16, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. $34.50-$79.50. 704-372-1000.

The veteran songwriter takes a game show approach to his latest “Spinning Songbook” tour largely choosing set lists via audience spins at random each night.

A Perfect Circle

8 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, TWC Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St. $47.35-$73.90. www.ticketmaster.com

Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howardel “circle” back (without drummer Josh Freese, who is touring with Weezer) after a long live hiatus. Although shying away from releasing another traditional full-length album recent set lists hint at new material.

Wiz Khalifa

8 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, TWC Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St. $39.60-$50. www.livenation.com

Stoner rap’s biggest current ambassador follows his breakthrough release “Rolling Papers,” an appearance at Bonnaroo, a #1 single,and last weekend’s BET Award for Best New Artist with a live club tour.

Bayside

6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $13-$15. www.etix.com

The emo/pop-punk fixture whose melodic rock echoes the intersection of the Smiths, Face to Face, and Smoking Popes, is enjoying some of the best reviews of its career for its latest album “Killing Time.”

Reckless Kelly

8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15-$18. 704-358-9200.

It’s a family affair when all four Braun Brothers unite before the September release of RK’s upcoming album, “Good Luck and True Love.” RK’s Willy and Cody Braun are joined by siblings Mickey and Gary Braun, who make up part of opening band Mickey and the Motorcars.

Antigone Rising

8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $10-$12. 704-376-3737.

Since its 2006 brush with fame as a Starbucks endorsed artist with a video on VH1, this bluesy folk-rock group has recruited a new vocalist in Nini Camps. It will release its new album, "23 Red," on August 2.