Friday, May 8, 2015

This week's hot concerts


Butch Walker
Friday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $22-$24, www.visulite.com   
The pop producer/songwriter and former Marvelous 3 guitarist has written or co-written numerous hits for acts like Avril Lavigne, All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, and Pink, but on solo albums like 2015’s “Afraid of Ghosts” he tempers those pop tendencies with a rootsy rural folk feel that connects to his youth growing up in Georgia. With Jonathan Tyler. 


Caleb Johnson
Friday  8 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $15-$18, www.amossouthend.com
The 24 year old Asheville-based “American Idol” season 13 winner, who quickly released his post “Idol” debut “Testify” last summer, announced this week that he’s leaving Interscope Records after disappointing sales. The bluesier rocker, who is one of many Carolinian “Idol” grad, is looking at Nashville for his next project.

Caleb de Casper
Friday  8 p.m., Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave., $10-$13, www.tremontmusichall.com  
Through his theatrical piano pop, danceable rock, and outrageous performances, the local glam-goth rocker is like a male Amanda Palmer combining horror (he’s been known to incorporate animal organs on stage) and LGBT-friendly imagery (his new video for “Monster Love”) - two things that rarely mesh outside of bondage parties.

NeedtoBreathe/Colony House
Saturday  7 p.m., Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $25-$49.50, www.livenation.com      
The Clemson area band spent the last decade climbing from tiny clubs to headlining major venues with its version of polished Southern-steeped arena rock (think U2-meets-Kings of Leon). It makes three Carolina stops with Franklin, Tennessee indie rock trio, Colony House who is currently enjoying its own climb from clubs to prime opening spots.


Mingo Fishtrap
Tuesday  8 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $12-$15, www.visulite.com
The eight mean outfit is the latest to tap retro soul for inspiration, populating its jazzy funk grooves with bouncing horns, colorful percussion, gritty bass, and Roger Blevins’ Jr.’s hearty voice that screams Memphis or New Orleans. Surprisingly the band calls Austin home.


Ciara
Tuesday  8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $27.50, www.livenation.com      
“I Bet” - the first single from the Grammy winning R&B singer’s just-released sixth studio album, “Jackie” - may more than hint at raw emotions following last year’s breakup with baby daddy Future, but don’t expect anything too revealing as the sultry singer is in the midst of her first headlining tour in six years.


Primal Scream
Wednesday  7:30 p.m., Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., $25-$30, www.visulite.com
Kings of reinvention from its early place in the UK’s `90s rave scene to later segues into psychedelic, garage, and dance music, the prolific Scots remain delightfully fun and inventive 30-plus years into its existence. The group, whose latest “More Light” melds all those styles, makes a very rare Charlotte appearance.      


Lost Lander
Wednesday  8 p.m., Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., $6, www.eveningmuse.com        
Portlandia comes East via this smarty indie-pop unit, whose latest album “Medallion” may focus on life, death and the struggles and acceptance in between but balances its emotions with synth-pop perkiness reminiscent of early Killers. Southern singer-songwriter Sam Burchfield shares the bill.


Ani Difranco
Thursday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $35-$50, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com   The feminist folkie returns to NoDa following the November 2014 release of her latest album, “Allergic to Water,” which she recorded and mixed at home in New Orleans before and after the birth of her son. Her twentieth album was recorded with her live band and guests like Ivan Neville. Eccentric one man band, That 1 Guy, opens the show.