Music Factory launches Friday Live! concert series

The NC Music Factory announced its annual Friday Live! outdoor concert series today. This summer's lineup features a few returning faces from past years and focuses heavily on some of `90's rock radio's biggest staples.

The Spin Doctors kick off the concert series May 3 with Charlotte-based national alt-rock act Paper Tongues. That's followed by Tonic May 10 and Texican blues-rock trio Los Lonely with Jerry's Bones May 17. Both played the series last year and this actually makes Tonic's third.

Fuel helps kick off Memorial Day weekend May 24 with Charlotte's the Hot Gates. Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland and his band the Sweet Tea Project headlines May 31 with opening act Simplified.

Acts for June 7 have yet to be announced, but Atlanta's kitschy Yacht Rock Revue who recreates the soft rock sounds of the late `70s and early `80s (think Michael McDonald and Hall & Oates in period appropriate dress) will play June 14. Live favorites Cowboy Mouth heads up the June 21 bill with Cracker and American Aquarium closing out the series' third year on June 28.

Friday Live! takes place after work each Friday in May and June between 6 and 11 p.m. on the Fountain Plaza Stage at the heart of NC Music Factory. Advanced tickets are $5 and a pass to all nine shows is $35. Tickets are available at NC Music Factory and www.ncmusicfactory.com.