Ancient Cities
Following last year’s critically acclaimed debut full-length, the
Charlotte folk-rock foursome celebrate the release of a six track live EP
recorded at WDVX in Knoxville’s Blue Plate Special daily lunchtime series. The
fast-rising group’s music was also used in a recent episode of the TBS sitcom “Cougar
Town.”
Wayne Krantz Trio
Friday 10 p.m., Smokey Joe's, 510 Briar Creek Rd., TBA at door, www.smokeyjoescharlotte.com
The jazz fusion guitarist is best known for his work with Steely Dan and Donald Fagen, but as a solo artist has released 10 albums. On his latest, "Good Piranha/Bad Piranha," he interprets songs by Ice Cube, MC Hammer, Pendulum, and Thom Yorke, not one, but twice each.
Rachel Kate
Like a lightning rod plucked from another era, this Charleston
singer-songwriter could stop traffic with her stunning bluesy alto, bold
presence, and a dramatic antiqued sound that combines modern soul with Southern
gothic, vaudeville camp, and Depression era strength. She’s joined by the
Menders and She Returns from War.
American Aquarium
Saturday 10 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $14,
www.visulite.com
With its distinctively Southern new album “Wolves,” the Raleigh
roots-rock act captures the struggle of a band on the brink, the disconnection
of road life, and the sacrifices that come with choosing art over security.
“Wolves” echoes the working class blues of Drive-By Truckers and Ryan Adams and
is one of the best early releases of the year.
Bryan Sutton
A Grammy winner and six time International Bluegrass Music Awards
guitarist of the year, this Asheville native divides his time between solo
work, Nashville session work with eclectic artists like Dolly Parton, Harry
Connick, Jr., and Taylor Swift, and legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize. If
bluegrass makes your sweetheart’s knees weak, this is the Valentine’s show for
you.
R&B Reunion Tour
Turn back the clock to the golden age of Bad Boy Records with the
reunion of P. Diddy’s label’s biggest acts - classy, charismatic crooner and
Notorious B.I.G widow Faith Evans, Carl Thomas - the R&B singer behind the
hit “I Wish” - and girl group Total (who appeared on Biggie’s “Juicy”). Hosted
by Tone X.
The Loose Lugnuts/Bill Noonan
Saturday 9 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave.,
$7, www.doubledoorinn.com
If spending Valentine’s Day alone means tears in your beers, then
the honky-tonk of these two Charlotte acts will help drink you through. The Lugnuts
capture vintage country while rocking Telecaster slinger Noonan delivers his
share of twang and heartache.
Johnson Brothers' Valentine's Bash
Saturday 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
Wes and Chris Johnson's band Hardcore Lounge has been hosting this annual Valentine's Day party for 23 years and since making it a fundraiser 12 years ago have raised $6,000 for R.A.I.N. This year marks the return of Charlotte music vets Hope Nichols and Aaron Pitkin (Fetchin Bones, Sugarsmack, Snagglepuss) with their new band It's Snakes as well as the fittingly named duo Lovesucker who open the show.
Wale
With the Grammy night news that his amusingly titled new album,
“The Album About Nothing,” will be released March 31, the DC rapper heads up
the Simply Nothing Tour with Audio Push and Bizzy Crook. Wale performs an
assist on the former’s new single “Quick Fast,” which serves as a preview of
its upcoming debut album.
Erin McKeown
Tuesday 8 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St.,
$12-$14, www.eveningmuse.com
In 2013 the quirky and creative jazz-folk singer-songwriter
decided to combine her interest in activism and social justice with her musical
pursuits and created the musical call to arms “Manifestra.” She returns to the
Southeast touring between teaching music, activism, and hosting and blogging
for a NYC NPR station.
Gordon Lightfoot
Having weathered illness earlier this century, the Canadian
folk-rock legend behind `70s hits and classic rock radio staples “The Wreck of
the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Sundown” returns to celebrate 50 Years on the
Carefree Highway.
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