Thursday, July 11, 2013

This week's hot concerts

Luke Bryan
7 p.m. Friday, July 12, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd. Sold out. 
The “Crash My Party” singer is currently country music’s “it” guy with a recent Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year award and a list of number one singles that would even make a music veteran jealous. That's why his show with Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line is sold out.

AWOL Festival
1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Symphony Park at South Park, 4400 Sharon Rd. $35-$95. www.awolcharlotte.com
Girl Talk headlines the eclectic outdoor festival which features a mix of national electronic and rock acts as well as a sampling of regional sounds. Acts include Cris Cab, Skizzy Mars, Watch the Duck, Tony Arzadon, Simplified, Styles & Complete, Brandon Kirkley & the Firecrackers, Early Ray, and XJ4000.

O.A.R.
 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $32-$55.85. www.livenation.com
It ain’t Red Rocks, but the hard touring outfit’s annual summer tour gives fans a taste of its latest live DVD and album as it returns with rising soul singer Allen Stone and former Jack’s Mannequin/Something Corporate leader Andrew McMahon.

Junior Astronomers
8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $10. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The Charlotte indie rock band’s new full-length, “Dead Nostalgia,” captures the intensity and rises and falls of its chaotic live shows while drawing more focus to the intricacies of songs like “Touching War” and “Vibrator.” It’s out on Cincinnati’s Broken Circles label later this month.

Bad Company/Lynyrd Skynyrd
7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd. $33-$135.50. www.livenation.com
At 63 singer Paul Rodgers remains a force in classic rock (who else would Queen choose to fill Freddy Mercury’s boots on tour?). His classic rock stalwart teams with Skynyrd, who continues to bring the sound of the South to generations long after its first chart-topping all-too-short run.

Marilyn Manson
8 p.m. Monday, July 15, The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $58. www.livenation.com
Although live reviews have been ecstatic to scathing in recent years, the aging shock rocker appears to be rejuvenated of late with a theatrical, stylized show that features the band’s biggest hits and interesting covers although at a probable 14 songs (according to recent set lists) his first Charlotte show in ages should be longer. With Picture Me Broken.

311/Cypress Hill/G. Love & Special Sauce
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd. $17-$61.85.
The funky veteran rock combo celebrates 25 years together by reteaming with stoner rap icons Cypress Hill and feel good funk-flavored bluesman G. Love & Special Sauce for the first time since 1996 and 2003, respectively, for its annual Unity Tour.

Boz Scaggs
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., $44.50-$125.50. www.blumenthalarts.org
From his early hits “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle” to his time with Steve Miller Band and his `80s “Urban Cowboy” smash ballad “Look What You’ve Done To Me” to the all-star trio Dukes of September, the soul crooner remains a class act. His latest album finds him revisiting sweet Memphis soul and his voice hasn’t lost its tone or range.

 The Virginmarys
8 p.m. Thursday, July 18, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $7. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
This seven-year-old British indie rock trio is finally making its way stateside following the release of its debut album, “King of Conflict.” With raving live reviews and a sound that takes off where Jet and Arctic Monkeys leave off, it could be the next hot indie rock import. With American Fangs.