This week's hot concerts

Lupe Fiasco

8 p.m. Friday, September 23, Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St. $34-$57.85. www.livenation.com

The “Superstar” “…Show Goes On” rapper bridges alternative hip-hop and easily digestible hits. The politically controversial rapper headlines a bill rounded out by Iyez, Sarah Green and Young Marquis.

Langhorne Slim & the Law

8 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $12-$15. 704-358-9200.

The sometime Avetts’ cohort can channel both Harry Chapin with his raspy, soulful singing and Arcade Fire with bounding, sunny anthems as he approaches folk-rock with the spunk and heart of a evangelist at a revival.

"Spacetime" by Gardens & Villa from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

Gardens & Villa

9 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $8. www.etix.com

This Santa Barbara atmospheric electronic-rock outfit creates quirky relaxed, borderline melancholy tracks (think Belle & Sebastian meet Peter, Bjorn and John) that can morph into a raging dance party live.

Voltaire

8 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $8-$12. www.etix.com

An annual fixture at Atlanta’s DragonCon, the dark cabaret performer brings his “Riding the Black Unicorn” tour (the album version is an impressivly guest-heavy affair) with fellow sci-fi con vets Hellblinki Sextet.

Psychedelic Furs/Tom Tom Club

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $34.50-$49.50. 704-372-1000.

These `80s holdouts reteam for a nostalgic tour that highlights fan favorites and new wave hits, this time with a rare performance from one half of Talking Heads.

Parlor Mob

8 p.m. Thursday, September 29, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $8-$10. www.etix.com

This New Jersey combo hovers in the classic rock-inspired era on its upcoming “Dogs,” equally able to work hard, bluesy grooves, turn in Kings of Leon-like radio rock, scale a Coheed-meets-Avenged Sevenfold-style chorus or deliver an `80s style power ballad.

David Mayfield Parade

10:30 p.m. Thursday, September 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $12-$14. 704-376-3737.

One of Americana’s best young entertainers, this down home songwriter leads a team of seasoned players with wit, charm, and little pretension.