Stuck Mojo
Friday 8 p.m.,
Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $17-$20, www.amossouthend.com
Earlier this month frontman Rich Ward told “That Metal Show’s”
audience that the recently reunited original lineup will record a new album.
Its December hometown show at Atlanta’s Masquerade was its first with Ward,
Bonz, Corey Lowery, and Frank Fontsere since 1998.
Blackberry Smoke
Friday
8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $31.08,
www.livenation.com
Over the course of four albums the Atlanta country-rock quintet
has gained a reputation on the strength of its soulful live shows, riveting
blues and Southern rock with nods to both AC/DC and the Allman Brothers that still
manages to top the Billboard Country Chart. The Ben Miller Band and the Temperance Movement open the show. The latter is an on the verge act from the UK where it's already opened for the Stones.
The London Souls
In 2012, guitarist/vocalist Tash Neal survived a hit and run car
accident that resulted in two brain surgeries. Only now are he and
bandmate Chris St. Hilaire releasing the
album they recorded pre-coma, but the mix of Thin-Lizzy-meets-funk, poppy
Beatles, wailing Zeppelin and folk, soul
and roots is worth the wait.
Stephane Wrembel
The French-born/Brooklyn-based guitarist is an incredibly nimble
and fast picker with a light touch who flits between channeling Django
Reinhardt and dividing his attention from Flamenco to rock. Wrembel, who
performed his song from Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” at the Oscars, will
play his latest album, “Dreamers of Dreams.”
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Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel
The former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, who replaced Randy Rhoads and
played on “Blizzard of Oz” and “Ultimate Sin,” made headlines in late 2014 for
admitting he was railroaded out of publishing royalties for the former. His
first album with RDC is his first solo album since 2008 and his first output
since 2009.
Guster/Kishi Bashi
It’s hard to believe this Massachusetts alternative rock outfit
has been at it for almost 25 years. It’s latest doesn’t sound like a band
that’s growing old. The “Evermotion” is a lush, moody pop-rock album that calls
on shoegazing Brit-pop, electronic jam bands, and pastoral folk-pop. One man looping
violinist Kishi Bashi’s live execution can hypnotize.
Billy Joe Shaver
Last year the legendary Texas songwriter released his first album
in six years, “Long in the Tooth,” with the help of A-list peers like Willie
Nelson, Leon Russell, and producers Ray Kennedy and Gary Nicholson. By all
accounts he hasn’t lost any of his ornery fire or his knack for creating hooky
choruses and descriptive honky-tonk verses.
Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour
Flyleaf heads up this all female-fronted lineup, which feature
“The Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock” according to “Revolver Magazine.” The
Agonist, Fit For Rivals, Diamonte, Falling for Scarlet, and Tattermask -
Charlotte’s answer to Evanescence and Lacuna Coil - thankfully aren’t just a
bunch of pretty faces, but rock in equal measure.
The Woggles
Tuesday 9 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $8,
www.snugrock.com
Known for its rollicking live sets, the veteran Athens-GA garage
rock n’ soul throwback is a staple on Sirius/XM’s Little Steven’s Underground
Garage where frontman Mighty Manfred is a DJ. The band is also signed to Steven
Van Zandt’s label and just finished a EP of R&B covers that will be
released in late summer.
Merlefest
Thursday 2:30 p.m., N. Wilkesboro Community
College,$50 single day, $155-$180 3 and 4-day pass, respectively; RV camping is
sold out, but tent camping is available for an added $75, www.merlefest.org
The annual 4-day music festival kicks off its 27th
year with a strong opening night lineup featuring Bela Fleck and Abigail
Washburn, Scythian, Trampled By Turtles, Lee Ann Womack, and Hot Rize along
with its alter-ego Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers. The Avett Brothers,
Dwight Yoakam, Del McCourty Band, and North Mississippi Allstars are among the
weekend acts.