Thursday, August 28, 2014

This week's hot concerts


Blake Shelton/the Band Perry
Friday  7 p.m., PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., www.livenation.com
It wasn’t so long ago (five years actually) that “The Voice” coach was still an opening act (for George Strait’s 2009 tour) despite five No. 1 singles. Today he’s an award winning celebrity. The Mississippi-bred opening trio doesn’t seem to have lost its momentum with its sophomore album “Pioneer.”  With Neal McCoy and Dan + Shay.


Bryan Andrew Wilson
Friday  7 p.m., 2XSalt Ministry, 1900 Queen City Dr., $5, http://www.2xsalt.org/
The former child gospel star, whose breakout performance was with the Mississippi Children’s Choir at age 12, is all grown up 20 years and a theology degree later. His new Top 20 hit “Turning Away” has drawn comparisons to John Legend. He also appears during 5 p.m. service at Generation One Church in Huntersville Saturday.

Punk Rock Picnic
Saturday  3 p.m., Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave., $7, www.tremontmusichall.com
Charlotte punk has taken big hits this year with the deaths of Antiseen’s Joe Young and Rogue Nations’ Chris Peigler, but the loud, fast, local, and cheap spirit of punk rails on in acts like No Anger Control, Radio Reds, Drone, HU/LK, Dirty South Revolutionaries, the Stems, the Not Likelys, Pleasures of the Ultra Violent, Sick Sick Sick, You Me & Us, Claypool, and Dollar Signs.

Drake vs. Lil Wayne
Saturday  7 p.m., PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., $46.27-$146.42, www.livenation.com  
The two hip-hop giants, friends, and label mates’ backstories couldn’t be more different - from Canadian teen soap star to Grammy winner; from 14-year-old drop-out to music mogul - their pairing is certainly the biggest next to Jay Z and Beyonce and it’s actually coming here. Plus, Wayne claims retirement is in the cards so this tour could be his last.


Raheem DeVaughn
Saturday  9 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $30-$40/$50 VIP, www.amossouthend.com
The Grammy nominated self-proclaimed “Love King” is having  a particularly prolific year with his 2013 release “A Place Called Love Land,” which rides high on classic R&B balladry without going retro. Co-produced and partly co-written with likeminded crooner Ne-Yo, DeVaughn already followed it up with two free mixtapes in 2014.


The Fire Tonight
Saturday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com  
On its latest release, “How Could Anyone Do This?,” the Southeastern indie trio collaborated with 25 guests to create an artistic rock record that’s disregard for musical categories echoes the freedom of early `80s MTV and is a bit like Flaming Lips whirring in a blender with piano poppers and hip-hoppers.

USNWC Labor Day Celebration
Sunday  4 p.m., US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Free/VIP $45-$75, www.usnwc.org
Following two trail races and a relay race, the whitewater crowd winds down with boot-stomping Americana original Langhorne Slim & the Law, talented songwriter Joe Pug, and blues guitarist Lefty Williams, who kicks things off. The evening ends with fireworks.

Psychostick
Wednesday  7 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $12-$15, www.amossouthend.com  
Who said metal has to be humorless. This comic-rock four-piece approaches growled vocals, distorted riffs, and pretty much all lyrical subjects with a refreshing sense of humor. Its Blood, Guts and Sprinkles Tour promises new material from its upcoming crowd-funded album - its first since 2011.

Grouplove/Portugal the Man
Wednesday  7 p.m, The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $34.66, www.livenation.com
This arty alt-rock band - a collective of visual artists and musicians that met on a retreat in Greece - emits the sort of spontaneity and positivity of early Arcade Fire and was one of the highlights of this year’s Coachella Festival. It’s paired with like-minded free thinkers Portugal the Man.

Ghost Trees
Wednesday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., Free, www.snugrock.com  
The experimental, sax and percussion combo kicks off its month long Wednesday residency with the release of its latest album “The New Gravity” (which is available digitally and is limited to 250 clear vinyl copies). Friends from the Wm. B. Kennedy chamber ensemble help flesh out the minimalist duo feel on several tracks.