This week's hot concerts

Yo Gabba Gabba

3 and 6 p.m. Friday, October 28 and 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, October 29, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $38.95-$50.25. www.ticketmaster.com

The Nick Jr. series may be targeted at preschoolers, but parents and hipsters enjoy its original music (covering everything from ska to new wave to hip-hop) and a fantasy land that heavily references the`70s and `80s. This particular dancey dance segment has yet to air.

Family Force 5

7 p.m. Friday, October 28, Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $15-$17. www.etix.com

This Atlanta dance-rock act maintains a sense of humor with over-the-top party anthems that are as inspired by Dirty South hip-hop as rock and punk. Its new album “III" hints at maturity, but it still knows how to have a good time staging a karaoke contest for fans in lieu of an opening act.

Oso Grande

7:30 p.m. Friday, October 28, Chop Shop, 399 E. 35^th St. www.chopshopnoda.com

This benefit for local musician/Sea of Cortez leader Rodney Lanier, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, features the first full reunion of Jolene in eight years as well as Benji Hughes, Temperance League, the Houstons and Sea of Cortez.

Valient Thorr

8 p.m. Friday, October 28, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $10-$12. www.etix.com

After releasing one of 2010’s best metal albums, touring with Motorhead and playing festivals in Europe, the thoroughly entertaining (on stage and online) Carolina-based outfit touches down to deliver its space-metal gospel.

The Jayhawks/Tift Merritt

8 p.m. Saturday, October 29, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $25-$34.50. 704-372-1000.

With bad blood now water under the bridge Mark Olson and Gary Louris reformed beloved Americana combo for this year’s “Mockingbird Time.” Opening act Tift Merritt straddles country and `70s AM pop-rock with a voice that's as smooth as honey.

Crooked Fingers

8 p.m. Saturday, October 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $12-$14. 704-376-3737.

Eric Bachmann follows 2011’s Archers of Loaf reunion with a return to his more solo-focused band, which begins a month and a half long circle of the US in his former home of North Carolina.

Miguel

8 p.m. Monday, October 31, Fillmore, 1000 Seaboard St. $33. www.livenation.com

The Mexican-American/African American R&B singer is one of pop music’s young new stars with recent BET Awards and American Music Awards nominations for Best New Artist.

Ray Davies

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, Fillmore, 1000 Seaboard St. $52-$69.50. www.livenation.com

After hitting more than a few health kinks (pun intended), the 67-year-old frontman of the legendary Kinks headlines an intimate, seated solo show.

Trombone Shorty

8 p.m. Thursday, November 3, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $17-$20. 704-358-9200.

This New Orleans native (who appears on four episodes of HBO’s “Treme”) fittingly calls his sound “Supafunkrock” - an adventurous and fun blend of hip-hop, rock, jazz, soul, and world music.