Saturday, March 2, 2013

Spring/early summer concert announcements

Spring and summer concert announcements began rolling in this week with word that David Byrne & St. Vincent would make a post-Bonnaroo stop at Belk Theater June 18. Then I heard my very favorite band, the National, would make a pre-Bonnaroo June 10 stop at Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheatre (yes, Raleigh, groan! I have never seen them here).

Closer to home Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band return to Time Warner Cable Arena April 25. Smashing Pumpkins makes its Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre (not to be confused with the arena) debut May 8 with special guests Awolnation. Brad Paisley is back at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre June 7 with Lee Brice and Chris Young opening.

Tickets for Paisley and the Pumpkins go on sale Friday, March 8 at Ticketmaster outlets. Seger tickets go on sale from the same sources Saturday, March 9.

At the club level Tremont Music Hall announced that the fabulous Lee Fields & the Expressions would return the to Southend venue April 12. If you missed the veteran soul singer (who is on a long and winding comeback trail) in December, then go, go, go.

Speaking of worthwhile shows, Texan songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard is back at The Double Door March 24.

The buzzed about (at least by my high school friends who are rounding up a group to make the trip to Charlotte) Suicidal Tendencies and DRI tour stops at Amos' April 26. Clutch is back May 7. The Dillinger Escape Plan will be there May 29 as well.

The Neighborhood Theatre began revealing some of its post-renovation dates. Surfer Blood and Foals will be there May 1. Paul Thorn is back May 4.

Just around the corner, the Chop Shop is starting to see the results its association with former Neighborhood Theatre runner Zach McNabb's Zali Presents. Former theater staples like the Mantras and Bakalao Stars (who headlined past Carlotan Rock fests) appear at Chop Shop April 5 and 6, respectively. The English Beat, who played Neighborhood Theatre several times, makes its Chop Shop debut April 26.

On the West side, buzz band Iceage, who I've been hearing in regular rotation on Sirius/XMU, will play The Milestone June 10. Merchandise, another XM favorite, is there June 20.

Tickets for all shows are available through venue websites.