This week's hot concerts

Mavis Staples

8 p.m. Friday, March 30, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $32.50-$39.50. 704-372-1000.

From her work with the Staples Singers to 2011’s Grammy winning, Jeff Tweedy-produced album, “You Are Not Alone,” Staples has enjoyed a storied career that never overshadows her powerful voice.  

Lindsey Horne

8 p.m. Friday, March 30, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $8-$10. 704-376-3776.

If you’ve lost track of this Charlotte singer-songwriter since the middle part of the decade she’s back with a new album that showcases her piano folk and sweet Joni Mitchell-meets-Victoria Williams vocals.

Ponykiller

8 p.m. Friday, March 30, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $7. www.etix.com

Don’t be fooled by the New Orleans’ outfits association with Phil Anselmo’s Housecore label, it’s brand of psychedelic indie rock dirges is trippy and dark, but is certainly not metal.

 John Wesley Harding

8 p.m. Saturday, March 31, Stage Door Theatre, 5^th and College, $25. 704-372-1000.

With a guest-heavy (Decemberists, Rosanne Cash, Peter Buck) 2011 album out on NC’s Yep Roc label, the English alt-folk singer-songwriter and author makes a rare Charlotte appearance.

Mike Strauss Band/Leadville Social Club

9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $5. 704-376-1446.

Strauss’ gruff, Tom Waits-ian delivery is a nice counterpoint to his bouncing folk-on-steroids band, while the loose format of Leadville - led by Bob Graham and Chris Edwards - has helped it become a local Americana fixture.

Robert Glasper Experiment

7 p.m. Sunday, April 1, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $20-$25. 704-358-9298.

The versatile jazz-rooted quartet welcomed a bevy of guests from the worlds of hip-hop & R&B for its latest, “Black Radio,” but keeps an anchor in loose, grooving experimental  jazz throughout.

Darrell Scott

7 p.m. Sunday, April 1, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $22.50-$27.50. 704-372-1000.

After a career as a revered country songwriter (for the Dixie Chicks and Brad Paisley instance) and sideman, Scott is enjoying a bit of a higher profile thanks to his work in Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. But his latest, “Long Ride Home," shows he’s a heck of solo artist.

Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy

8 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $6-$9. www.etix.com

Brass and grass is the perfect term to describe this Kansas-based outfit that fires up brisk bluegrass-esque tunes with vaudeville-style horns and fun, punk attitude.

Van Hunt

9 p.m. Thursday, April 5, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $15. 704-376-1446.

One of the most rewardingly adventurous artists since Prince, this funk-soul artist follows up 2011’s incredible “What Were You Hoping For?” with a live album that captures his band’s vibrant energy on stage.