This week's hot concerts

Plaza-Midwood Spring Party 2012

6 p.m. Friday, April 20, Petra’s Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. $10. https://www.facebook.com/events/420797354603902/

Charlotte pop singer-songwriter Jon Lindsay hosts his seasonal music and arts mini-fest and variety show. The lineup includes Lindsay, Sinners & Saints, Anna Bullard, Elonzo, Turnbuckle Jones, Hectorina, and Henry Killian and art by concert poster artists Skillet Gilmore and Matt Pfahlert.

Trace Adkins

8 p.m. Friday, April 20, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $49.20-$130.05. www.ticketmaster.com

The singer/author/actor and former “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant takes a more personal approach that’s far removed from his “Badonkadonk” persona on his “Songs and Stories” tour - an intimate “Storytellers”-like look into his career.

Sons of Bill

10 p.m. Friday, April 20, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $10. 704-376-1446.

This Charlottesville alt-country quintet outdoes itself with the new album, “Sirens,” which straddles Son Volt-like country and R.E.M.-style rock and creates a sense of longing with literary storytelling and anthemic arrangements.

A.W.O.L. The Benefit

11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, Symphony Park at South Park, 4400 Sharon Rd., $45 (group rates available). www.awolcharlotte.com

Robert Randolph & the Family band headline the second annual fundraiser for Camp Care and Don’t Break the Bond. Acts include Charlotte’s Lucky 5 and the Monday Night Allstars along with Iphonic, Outasight, Sammy Bananas, Cornelius Jackson, and J Aims & the Fever. BYOB. Free shuttles to the event run from SouthEnd, Uptown, UNCC, and NoDa.

Toubab Krewe/Tim Reynolds & TR3

8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $27. www.livenation.com

Having resurrected his electric combo TR3 after relocating to the Outer Banks (from New Mexico), the Dave Matthews Band guitarist takes the trio on the road before DMB’s summer tour. It teams with Asheville world music jam favorites Toubab Krewe.

Kat Country Jam

7:45 Monday, April 23, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $12.69-$52.50/KAT VIP $275-$325. www.livenation.com

Albemarle darling Kellie Pickler, who’s now on her third album, headlines this benefit for St. Judes with Hunter Hayes, Lauren Alaina, and Craig Morgan.

Van Halen

Wednesday, April 25, Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. $38.45-$168.80. www.ticketmaster.com

Having launched its comeback reunion here in 2007, Van Halen is riding high on a the release of its comeback album “A Different Kind of Truth” (following its much reviled first single). Fellow nostalgia act Kool & the Gang starts the party. 

Trampled by Turtles

8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $18-$20/$33 VIP. 704-358-9298.
This Minnesotan combo has become Americana's "it" band of late with placements on stylistically diverse charts (alternative, bluegrass, folk, the Billboard 200) and a calendar full of festival gigs. Interestingly it started as an acoustic outlet for its members to get away from their rock bands.

The Melvins/Unsane

8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $15-$18. www.etix.com

These stoner-metal and noise rock institutions capture the truly grungier, grittier side of `90s hard rock as cult favorites that trade in sludgy riffs and gnarly noise-fueled guitar angst.

Young the Giant/Apache Relay

8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $24.50. www.livenation.com

The L.A. buzz band delivered on the hype with two hit singles (“Cough Syrup” and “My Body”), an opening slot with Incubus in 2011, ample MTV play, and now a headlining tour with rising roots rockers Apache Relay.

Ronnie Dunn

7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Coyote Joe’s, 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. Free. www.coyote-joes.com

Seeing Brooks and Dunn in a club became downright impossible, but WSOC 103.7’s Redneck Yacht Club kicks off with half of the award winning veteran country duo’s solo concert. Line up early because admission is free at the door.