Thursday, December 18, 2014

This week's hot concerts


Traveling Wilburys Tribute and Benefit
Friday  9 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St., $10, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com  
Ancient Cities, Elonzo, Sam the Lion, and the Sammies join members of the New Familiars, Reeve Coobs Band of Men, the Midwood Horns, Hectorina, the Shana Blake Band, the Bleeps, Heywire, the Near Misses and the Hot Gates to raise money for Levine Children’s Hospital. In its fourth installment, the fundraiser pays tribute to the beloved, yet short-lived super group.(The above clip is a preview from the Lou Reed tribute benefit concert last winter). 


Frontier Ruckus
Friday  10 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $8, www.doubledoorinn.com  
Avett Brothers’ manager Dolph Ramseur was onto something when he released this Michigan quartet’s second full-length in 2010. Dubbed “gothic Americana” by Rolling Stone - depending how you see it, the outfit plays charming indie rock like a harmonizing band of forest dwellers or harmonious string music like a bunch of hip, indie rockers. It works either way.

Angie Aparo
Saturday  8 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., $12-$15, www.eveningmuse.com
Since his 2000 modern rock hit “Spaceship,” this Atlanta songwriter has stayed under the radar writing songs for Faith Hill (the Grammy winning “Cry”), Tim McGraw, and Miley Cyrus, while continuing to tour and release his own albums. He remains a stunning vocalist whose performance will stop utterances of “one hit wonder” in their tracks.


Bubonik Funk
Saturday  10 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $8-$10, www.chopshopnoda.com
The Charlotte jam-funk band finishes up what’s likely been the biggest of its eight years together, having played New Orleans Jazz Fest and released its new album, “Oddfish Volume 1” earlier this year. The colorful crew returns to Chop Shop for what it’s calling Winter Wondercod with Batsheet and Viva La Hop.

The Hawthornes
Saturday  10:30 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., $6-$8, www.eveningmuse.com  
With new vocalist Ade` Herbert on board, this versatile Charlotte combo whose 2014 debut album “More Than Eyes Can See” was built on soulful grooves, lyrical, classic rock inspired guitar work, and shades of jazz and funk, is prepping their first single with the New Orleans-bred singer.


K. Michelle
Sunday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $40-$80, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com  
On her just-released second album, “Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart,” the VH1 reality star taps guitar rock (“Love `Em All”), James Bond (“Judge Me”), dramatic balladry, and dreamy Autotuned dance music for a cohesive and addictive album of modern R&B that shifts from motivational and inspirational to the female version of Usher.


Fat Face Band
Wednesday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., Free, www.snugrock.com  
Let this Charlotte trio of trumpet/melodica, guitar and tuba score your Christmas Eve with its mix of New Orleans jazz and avant-garde as you wait for Santa’s arrival. Having toured Europe earlier this year and played the Democratic National Convention in 2012, the trio is sticking close to home as Snug’s December artist in residence.

Plaza Midwood Christmas
Thursday  8 p.m., Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., $
Charlotte pop singer-songwriter Jon Lindsay hosts this intimate Christmas night get together that should fill the void after packages are opened, family has departed, and bellys are full. The lineup includes Lindsay, Wilmington’s Free Clinic, Brooklyn/NC’s Spirit System, and Charlotte’s Bless These Sounds Under the City, Toleman Randall, and Perry Fowler and Slade Baird from Sinners & Saints and Amigo, respectively.