Thursday, April 30, 2015

This week's hot concerts

Outlaw Country Tribute and Benefit
Friday  8:30 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $10, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com 
After four successful tribute concerts to benefit Levine Children’s Hospital, local musicians the  New Familiars, Amigo, Jim Avett, Chris Cook, the Sammies, Sherman Hellville, the Funky Geezer, Kodiak Brotherhood and others pay tribute to  country’s beloved one-time outsiders Merle Haggard, Willie & Waylon, and Johnny Cash.


The Offspring
Friday  9 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $30-$35, www.amossouthend.com
The little Cali punk band that did, did it again - topped Billboard’s mainstream rock chart, that is with its latest single “Coming For You” (no doubt aided by the band’s trademark humor of its mime-bests-killer-clowns video). It’s another in a string of hits that trade in half-time rocking testosterone, pop-grit, and a knowing wink.

Black Lodge Brouhaha: A Celebration of Twin Peaks
Friday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
Showtime’s “Twin Peaks” reboot may be uncertain after David Lynch’s departure, but local fans Gray Revell’s Roman Candle, Toleman Randall, and Sam the Lion will revisit the `90 cult series with music from and fitting the show and its subsequent big screen prequel. There’s also prizes for the best Peaks’ costume. My money’s on Mrs. Palmer or Bob.


The Relationship/Gringo Star
Sunday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $12-$15, www.visulite.com     
Weezer’s Brian Bell and US Bombs’ Nate Shaw tap Jon LaRue (Albert Hammond, Jr.’s writing partner) and Bravery/Morrissey drummer Anthony Burulcich for the second coming of this snappy anthem-writing pop-rock side project. Eccentric opener Gringo Star’s psychedelic Brit-influenced pop sounds like Arctic Monkeys meet the Pixies.

The Doobie Bros.
Tuesday  7:30 p.m., Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., $20-$94.50, www.blumenthalarts.org
Last year the legendary classic rock band reteamed with former vocalist Michael McDonald and rerecorded some of its biggest hits with country stars like Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley. It’s no surprise the Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons-fronted mainstay appeals to both the rock and country crowds. It’s even added bluegrass-soul singer John Cowan on bass.


Shy Girls
Tuesday  8 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., $10, www.eveningmuse.com    
Portland songwriter/vocalist Dan Vidmar left night shifts in the ER and the promise of medical school to focus on the bedroom R&B he’d been producing after work.  With 2015’s minimalist, left of mainstream “4WZ” mixtape, he’s proving that sensual soul doesn’t have to mean dumbed down.

John Fogerty
Wednesday  8 p.m., Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $29.50-$75, www.livenation.com   
Fogerty is felling nostalgic. With his memoir, “Fortunate Son,” due in October, the longtime Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer revisits his biggest year with Creedence Clearwater Revival playing music from 1969. That was the year the band released an unprecedented three classic albums, which he’ll revisit along with several of his own hits.     


Midnight Ghost Train
Wednesday  9 p.m., The Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd., $7, www.themilestoneclub.com      
The heavy blues and groove-anchored fuzz-rock trio (think headbanging stoner rock with growling metal vocals) was created as a tribute to a friend of founder Steve Moss. The group’s first release with Austria’s Napalm Records “Cold Was the Ground” celebrates masculine pursuits with a dark, rural bent that - in the video for “BC Trucker” has them charming even the “Children of the Corn.”


Delta Rae
Thursday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $24, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com     
The harmony-driven Durham soulful folk-pop sextet followed up 2012’s career-making “Carry the Fire” in April with its sophomore album “After it All.” Built on those resonant harmonies and grand melodies, its receiving ample praise. Rising songwriter Greg Holden, who is drawing comparisons to A-list lyricists, opens the show.