Friday, December 20, 2013

This week's hot concerts


Mark Kano & Mike Garrigan/Cravin’ Melon
Friday  7:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $10-$12, www.amossouthend.com
Nostalgic for `90s regional heavy hitters? The acoustic duo of Kano and Garrigan are veterans of the `90s national rock acts Athenaeum and Collapsis who along with Melon put out major label releases in the wake of Hootie’s success.

Junior Astronomers/HRVRD
9 p.m.  Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $8-$12, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
Get clued into some of the city’s best touring acts, both of whom spent the better part of 2013 releasing cohesive indie rock albums on par with the year’s best and touring nationally.

Acoustic Syndicate
Friday  8:30 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $15-$17, www.visulite.com
“Rooftop Garden” - the NC act’s first album in almost 10 years sonically connects Peter Gabriel, New Grass Revival, and the Grateful Dead and taps into agriculture and environmental issues that concern the band as a multi-generational family of farmers.

Jeff Timmons’ Men of the Strip
Saturday  8 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $20-$25, www.chopshopnoda.com
The hunky 98 Degrees member turns his song and sex Vegas Chippendale’s show into a touring male revue complete with music (he’ll sing 98 Degrees’ hits), choreography and skin courtesy of eight hot recruits that’ll also be part of a reality series reminiscent of "Magic Mike."

Alternative Champs
Saturday  8:30 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $8-$10, www.visulite.com
No one quite does silly costumes, theme parties, and tongue-in-cheek performances like this Charlotte rock institution fronted by Jolene/the Catch Fire leader Mike Mitschele. Dig out those leg warmers, jelly shoes, and banana clips because it’s an `80s new wave Christmas.

Sidewalks/Tusker
Saturday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
Former members of Lights Fluorescent hit reset with Sidewalks. Its third show marks its last with drummer Zach Irvin (who’s moving). It joins boogying Winston-Salem riff-rock outfit Tusker, which counts former Hopesfall guitarist Mike Tyson in its ranks.

Double Door 40th Anniversary
Sunday  9 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $10, www.doubledoorinn.com
The downtown blues club has hosted legendary acts like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan and continues to feature blues staples, up and comers, and locals. It turns 40 with club veteran Lenny Federal’s Federal Bureau of Rock n’ Roll.

Temperance League
Sunday  5 p.m., Thirsty Beaver, 1225 Central Ave., Free, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirsty-Beaver-Saloon/155129104571598
One of Charlotte’s busiest, most prolific rock bands (which is made up of area music vets) continues this pre-holiday tradition. Expect most of its two full-length albums, some of its early EPs, a new song or two, and surprises during this likely marathon.

Paint Fumes
Wednesday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., Free, www.snugrock.com
The Charlotte garage rock trio finishes out its month-long residency with a Christmas night throwdown that’s sure to exorcise all the ham and sweets, family drama, and holiday blues that may be a part of your high-stress season.