This week's hot concerts

I Was Totally Destroying It

9 p.m. Friday, August 31, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5. 704-333-9799.

This Durham indie outfit actually makes rock that’s a bit gentler than its name implies - dynamics-driven college rock with male/female harmonies and shades of Velocity Girl’s pop and Cocteau Twins’ dreaminess, but a bit heavier and darker. Its new album “Vexations” was lyrically inspired by Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower.”

Megafaun

4 p.m. Saturday, September 1, US National Whitewater Center. Free. www.usnwc.org

Bon Iver’s former Durham-based band mates grabbed listeners with 2011’s self-titled psychedelic/orchestral folk offering, which easily satiates fans of Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, My Morning Jacket, and Bon Iver (who makes a cameo) himself.

The Third Party

7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, September 2 and 3, Snug Harbor 1228 Gordon St. www.snugrock.com

Plaza-Midwood offers an eclectic alternative to the crowd downtown with Stranger Day & Elevator Jay, Miami Dice, Great Architect, the O-getters, Fat Face Band and That Guy Smitty on Sunday and Cement Stars, Scowl Brow, Modern Primitives, Leron Simeon, and Erika Blatnik Monday.

CarolinaFest

10 a.m. Monday, September 3, Tryon St. between Stonewall and Trade. Free. http://charlottein2012.com/schedule_carolinafest2012/

The city ushers in the DNC with a free festival that includes performances from James Taylor, Jeff Bridges & the Abiders, Janelle Monae, the Blue Dogs, Chairmen of the Board, Simplified, and West End Mambo.

Underhill Rose

11:30 a.m. Monday, September 3, Matthews Alive Festival, Texas Roadhouse main stage Trade St. Matthews. Free. http://www.underhillrose.com/

Armed with traditional bluegrass instruments and soulful three part harmonies, this striking female Asheville trio makes strikingly thoughtful Americana. It helps close out the family friendly four-day festival. Monday’s music lineup includes PUSHH and the Dickens.

Gigi Dover & the Big Love

9 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $8. 704-376-1446. 

The seasoned Americana singer-songwriter who spins an eclectic mix of world music and Southern folk-rock and bluesy soul on her new album, plays a set just outside downtown following President Clinton's speech. 

Kem

9 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $71.15-$135.70. www.ticketmaster.com

This smooth crooner (whose pre-music career backstory includes homelessness and rehab) delivers `80s flavored slow jams and jazzy mid-tempo R&B.

Occupy Your Mind

7 p.m. Thursday, September 6, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $10. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

Western Carolina newgrass/roots rock staple Acoustic Syndicate teams with Brooklyn trio Breaking Laces and Charleston’s Dangermuffin for a DNC closing night concert in NoDa.