Music Factory's Friday Live! series reveals summer lineup

The annual Friday Live! concert series at NC Music Factory announced its lineup today. While the outdoor concert series has featured predominantly alt-rock hit makers from the `90s wth artists like Tonic and Soul Asylum filling up the calendar in previous years, this year's lineup features a more eclectic mix.

Live favorite Cowboy Mouth will kick off the series on May 9 with local reggae rock act Of Good Nature. Rising Knoxville roots rock combo the Dirty Guv'nahs will headline May 16. Cracker brings a bit of that `90s nostalgia back with its May 23 show with Charlotte stalwarts Simplified. Atlanta's Yacht Rock Review sends crowds back even farther in time to the late `70s and `80s on May 30 with its fully-committed, tongue-in-cheek take on hits by Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, and other stars of the AM pop era. Ultralush opens that show.

The series celebrates the 50th anniversary of Beatlemania with Charlotte's Spongetones revisiting the Fab Four's greatest hits during its June 6 tribute. Another rising buzz band, Blackberry Smoke brings a change of pace with rocking Americana on June 13. The Chris Cook Band will open the show.

Veteran cover band Charity Case, which features Ace from Ace & TJ, heads up the June 20 bill while On the Border recreates the lush harmonies of the Don Henley, Glenn Frey and company with its impressive Eagles tribute closing out the series June 27 with opener Jive Mother Mary.

As always tickets are $5 in advance for each show. An eight show pass is available for $30 at http://ncmusicfactory.com/. The events kick off every Friday in May and June at 6 p.m.