Thursday, June 5, 2014

This week's hot concerts


Lucinda Williams
Friday  8 p.m., McGlohon Theatr 345 N. College St., $29.59-$59.50, www.blumenthalarts.org
If her winter set lists are any indication the celebrated singer-songwriter delivers a sweet overview of her impressive catalog which includes some of the sultriest, sexiest, and most soulful songs ever sung by a sexagenarian.

Bubonik Funk
Friday  10 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $10, www.chopshopnoda.com
The Charlotte jam-funk combo has tweaked its bluesy mix of Chili Peppers, 311, fusion jazz, and classic rock touring the East Coast and recently performing at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. The band returns home to celebrate the release of its new EP “Oddfish, Volume 1.”

John Mark McMillan/Songs of Water
Saturday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $15-$18, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The Charlotte-based singer-songwriter’s music has long straddled the line between Christian rock (where he’s embraced on the charts) and secular appeal. For his fittingly titled “Borderland” album he raised nearly $70,000 via crowd funding. He’s paired with similarly-minded orchestral NC folkies Songs of Water.

Foxy Shazam
Saturday  8 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $15-$18, www.amossouthend.com
It’s unlikely you’ll find a more energetic, show-stopping act than this Cincinnati rock outfit which consists of six outrageous personalities on stage, though none more over-the-top than singer Eric Sean Nally. After two major label records it self-released the new “Gonzo” album digitally for free and on LP.

Fourplay
Sunday  8 p.m., Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., $39.50-$69.50, www.blumenthalarts.org
The jazz supergroup of keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East (Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories,” Michael Jackson’s “Bad”), guitarist Chuck Loeb, and drummer Harvey Mason (all established solo musicians) steps into its 23rd year continuing to blur the lines between smooth jazz, pop and R&B.

Twin Forks
Monday  8 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $12-$15, www.chopshopnoda.com
Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba heads up this acoustic roots quintet whose uplifting down home barn-stompers are quite an about face from his angsty emo roots, but he still belts his joy and heartbreak with the same distinct emotional vocals. Now he just does in three part harmony with new addition to the group, the Baron Sisters.

Skinny Lister
Tuesday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $15-$17, www.visulite.com
The British sextet turned heads opening large tours for bands like Flogging Molly and (in the UK) Boy George. It laces its folk-base with pastoral touches, pint-raising Celtic muscle, and elements of Irish and English pub rousers and sea shanties.

Future
Tuesday  8 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $29.50/$75 VIP, www.amossouthend.com
With fiancé Ciara giving birth to his son in mid-May and the release of his new album “Honest,” the “Tony Montana” rapper and recent BET Award nominee is having a very busy Spring. On the road he cuts down on the futuristic Auto-Tune and delivers a mean, succinct set that plays up strengths that aren’t as notable on record.

The Foreign Exchange
Thursday  8 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $20-$25, www.chopshopnoda.com
It’s been over a decade since Little Brother’s Phonte and Dutch producer Nicolay began trading files online to create an updated take on classic soul and R&B Postal Service-style. The group released its sunny fourth album, “Love in Flying Colors” in 2013. It escapes the throwback tag with striking modern flourishes.