Thursday, June 28, 2012

This week's hot concerts


Chiddy Bang
8 p.m. Friday, June 29, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $15/$50 VIP (includes Meet and Greet & photo opp). www.etix.com
The hip-hop duo headlines Kiss 95.1’s Summer Jam displaying its knack for splicing childlike hooks into irresistibly fun hits like “Mind Your Manners” and “Opposite of Adults.” Australian DJ Havana Brown (“We Run the Night”) also performs.

Bubonik Funk
10:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $5. 704-376-3737.
The bluesy jam band celebrates the release of its new album, “Zabooki,” which seems to find the Charlotte act focusing more closely on its lyrics and vocals amid veering between funky atmospherics and fun and quirky rock workouts.

S.O. Stereo/Local Traumatic
8 p.m. Saturday, June 30, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $8. 704-377-6874.
Long one to watch, this Charlotte quartet continues to evolve as a formidable pop-rock unit whose work has appeared on Showtime's "Shameless" and "The Vampire Diaries" (where its frontman was even hypnotized into backing one of the main characters onstage). Its paired with young female fronted up and comer the Local Traumatic.

Groove 8
10 p.m. Saturday, June 30, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $7. 704-376-1446.
Before embarking on its annual West Coast tour this Charlotte jazz-funk institution (members hail from Audioform and The X-Periment) celebrates the release of its latest album, which delivers everything from Latin jazz to funky R&B to cinematic retro flavor while featuring vocals for the first time.

Fresh Music Festival
7 p.m. Sunday, July 1. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. $52-$90.10. www.ticketmaster.com
Doug E. Fresh hosts this hip-hop and R&B flashback, which includes native sons K-Ci (recently seen on stage and in the crowd at May’s New Edition concert) and JoJo, Keith Sweat, SWV, and Guy.

Hellbound Glory
8 p.m. Sunday, July 1, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $8. www.etix.com
The Reno outfit makes modern outlaw country that’s far removed from today’s glossy Nashville. Instead its songs of drinking and hard living resonate with lived-in grittiness, gruff vocals, and lines like “I’m spittin’ blood but still running my mouth.”

Coldplay/Robyn
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. Time Warner Cable Arena. $38.45-$116.60. www.ticketmaster.com
The British rock band create a revival-like atmosphere that's cemented its as a pop force. Swedish dance pop’s Robyn creates a spectacle with irresistible songs, space age fashion risks and wacky dancing.

Foxy Shazam
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $10.65. www.etix.com
As an opening act, this live force usually steals the show. As a headliner the over-the-top, Queen-like glam throwback spins positive arena-ready anthems with all of its members oozing charisma and character on stage.