Thursday, January 17, 2013

This week's hot concerts

Paul Thorn
8 p.m. Friday, January 18, Don Gibson Theater, 318 S. Washington St. Shelby, $26. www.dongibsontheater.com
Leave it to acclaimed bluesy songwriter to do the unexpected - releasing an album of mostly obscure covers (Buckingham/Nicks, Foy Vance, Buddy and Julie Miller) for his latest release, “What the Hell Is Going On Here?” in order to “get away from himself” for a while.

Christopher Cross
7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 20, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $32-$50. 704-358-9298.
The Oscar and Grammy winning singer-songwriter behind “Ride Like the Wind” and “Sailing” is considered the captain of Yacht Rock - late `70s/early `80s soft rock and AM pop - and this marks (according to Cross) his first Charlotte concert in 35 years.

Hot Water Music
7 p.m. Sunday, January 20, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $17-$20. www.etix.com
The blue collar Florida punk band took eight years to make a new record and it paid off. With its fast-paced collision of Springsteenian songwriting and Bad Religion’s furor, “Exister” is the group’s most commercially successful album and is adding new, younger fans to its audience.

Bryan Adams
8 p.m. Monday, January 21, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $39.50-$79.50. www.blumenthalarts.org
The Canadian rocker returns for a solo acoustic theater performance, which seems a fitting venue for songs like “Heaven” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” But like his 1997 “Unplugged” record, it should be interesting to hear rockers like “Summer of `69,” “Cuts Like a Knife” and “Run To You” in that intimate, stripped down setting.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $64.50-$99.50. 704-372-1000.
Not to be mistaken for a low-key acoustic duo show, the `80s rock queen is now sharing the marquee with her husband/guitarist Giraldo who’s always been an integral part of her band. It promises (in the dark - wink) to be an intimate, still rocking, full band show.

Ryan Montbleau Band
9 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $10. 704-376-1446.
The old school soul singer in this old soul really comes to life on 2012’s “For Higher” - the product of a star studded two-day New Orleans’ recording session that took place immediately following Jazz Fest 2011 and boasted Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr. and Anders Osborne.

Geoff Koch
8 p.m. Thursday, January 24, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $8. 704-376-3737.
The Nashville by way of St. Louise songwriter’s tracks worm their way into your psyche as he rides the line between Americana and gentle indie-pop. His skills recently won him a Chevy van to tour in and an upcoming spot on ABC’s “Nashville.”