Toad
the Wet Sprocket
Reunited
on the road for the last six years, the sunny California alternative pop band
is back with its first album since 1997 (set for September 17). If the title
track is any indication, the aptly titled “New Constellation” updates Toad’s
sound without sacrificing its harmony-driven pop formula.
The Catch Fire/Onward Soldiers/Mark
Crozer & the Rels
8 p.m. Friday, July 19, Visulite,
1615 Elizabeth Ave. $8-$10. www.visulite.com
Mike
Mitschele’s (Jolene, Alternative Champs) band with former members of Laburnum
and Bellglide team with new member and fellow NC music vet John Morris while
co-founder Jon Lindsay has left to pursue his solo career. They team with Wilmington’s
bopping theatrical pop outfit Onward Soldiers and local Brit Mark Crozer who
returns home after touring Europe with Jesus & Mary Chain.
Scowl
Browl
The local trio
delivers on early buzz with a new full-length album. With his gravelly voice
Robby Hale delivers honest storytelling that’s rich in detail and working class
realism against gritty guitar and chugging rhythms that recall Dinosaur Jr., an
indie-rock Avail or a gnarlier Gaslight Anthem.
Dwele/Chrisette
Michele/K. Michelle
8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Ovens
Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $68.50-$113.15. www.ticketmaster.com
This
trio straddles romance and sex with a modern take on R&B and soul
traditions. There’s soft, romance and lovelorn belting, but there’s also
blatant sexual lyrics especially from the newest act on the block - K. Michelle
(the star of VH1’s “Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta”) whose new single “I Just Wanna”
begs for the description "hardcore ballad."
ASG
The
Wilmington outfit etches out its own brand of psychedelic stoner metal with
big, heavy anthems that conjure up images of purple skies and mountain peaks on
Mars. It’s new album “Blood Drive” continues to balance Jason Shi’s soaring
vocals with sludgy riffs and stomping tempos. The show features two stages with
DSR, Gruppe 36, Mercia, Dr. Cirkustien, and Cop Graves.
Vienna
Teng
The
piano pop singer-songwriter took a break from music to study sustainability at
grad school. Before delving into a second profession next February she’s
releasing a new album, “Aims,” in September and hitting the road on what may be
her last tour for a while. Recent tracks indicate the new material is heady and
beautiful.
Black
Crowes/Tedeschi Trucks Band
6:30
p.m. Sunday, July 21, Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
$47.35-$101.70. www.livenation.com
The
again reunited Crowes and husband and wife Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks join
forces to riff on blues, jazz, rock n’ roll and other bits of Americana. TTB’s
set will likely rely heavily on its upcoming album (out August 20), while the
Crows should dig into its rich catalog.
Girls
& Guitars Benefit
7:45
p.m. Wednesday, July 24, The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
$12.69-$52.50. www.livenation.com
Albemarle’s
own recent “Dancing with the Stars” champ Kellie Pickler headlines this benefit
for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which works to enhance quality of life for
seriously ill and injured children. Katie Armiger, “The Voice’s” Cassadee Pope,
Rachel Farley, and Maggie Rose also perform.
Leopold
& His Fiction
Although
frontman Daniel James looks like Freddie Mercury as a silent film star, this
combo is rooted in classic folk and `50s guitar rock (not `70s arena rock) and
features James’ interesting songwriting that can come across as simple,
literate folk music or as churning, Jack White-style howling garage rock.
The
Aristocrats
The
members of this international instrumental trio are revered experimental
players with impressive resumes that include stints with Asia, GPS, Steve Vai,
and Dethklok (to name a few). Its adventurous fusion of flowery jazz, hard rock
backbone, bluesy skills, and technical, but fluid licks spells mind warp for
guitar geeks.
Field
Report
Justin
Vernon from Bon Iver’s former band mate Chris Porterfield is an impressive
songwriter in his own right as he proves as band leader for the folky Field
Report, who stop by the Muse on the way to play Floyd Fest in Virginia this
weekend. With Ancient Cities.
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