Sunday, February 12, 2012

Robert Cray Band at Neighborhood Theatre tonight (2/12/12)

Posted by Alison Angel on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 8:51 AM

ROBERT CRAY BAND Critically derided as the Mitt Romney of rockin’ blues — a too perfect automaton with zero soul — Robert Cray has unfairly paid the price for his Grammy-fueled mega success in the ’80s and ’90s. With his radio play days long behind him, Cray should rightly get some love for his lyrical complexity, smooth soulful vocals and fiery-but-carefully-phrased guitar that recalls the stinging telecaster of mentor Albert Collins. Maybe he’s no longer the modern blues innovator he was in his heyday, but Cray proves that smooth and virtuosic doesn’t have to mean lazy and lugubrious. With Shane Pruitt Band. $30. Neighborhood Theatre.

Tags: , , ,

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Marc Broussard brings blues to Neighborhood Theatre (2/11/12)

Posted by Samir Shukla on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:48 AM

MARC BROUSSARD Second generation Louisiana music man Broussard informs his chops with the unmistakable blues that call the bayou home. Gathering the rich musicality of southern Louisiana — Cajun, Crescent City funk and jazz, horns-caressed R&B — Broussard writes and croons radio-friendly rockers, some of which are destined to become classics. This is date-night music that’s sure to heat up a chilly Saturday night. RIYL: John Hiatt, Dr. John. With Sugar & the Hi Lows. $20. Neighborhood Theatre.

Tags: , , ,

Johnson Valentine Bash featuring Hardcore Lounge at Snug Rock tonight (2/11/12)

Posted by Mike McCray on Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:43 AM

JOHNSON VALENTINE BASH. This annual event celebrates its 20th anniversary with a show headlined by Charlotte music scene vets, Hardcore Lounge. A fixture in the area since forming in 2001, don’t let the name mislead you — it’s more Studio 54 than CBGB’s but still pretty engaging. The Monterreys and folk/bluegrass act Alex Kastansas are also on the bill. Proceeds from the show go to R.A.I.N., the Regional Aids Interfaith Network. $7. Snug Harbor.

Tags: , , ,

Friday, February 10, 2012

Carolina Rebellion lineup announced

Posted by Jeff Hahne on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM

Carolina Rebellion, which will take place on Saturday, May 5, at the Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. announced its lineup today. Headliners Shinedown and Korn will be joined by Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Chevelle, Volbeat, Halestorm, P.O.D., Adelitas Way, Paper Tongues, Weaving The Fate, Redlight King, Red, New Medicine and Ghosts Of August.

It's a pretty solid lineup if you're looking for a day-long metal-centric music fest. The only oddity for me was the inclusion of the Charlotte band Paper Tongues who are closer to pop than anything metal. Singer Aswan North is far more likely to wear bling than anything studded or spiked.

For comparison, here are the Paper Tongues:

And here is one of the headliners:


This year will also feature the ability for concert-goers to camp out the night before. A campground party featuring Foxy Shazam, Lez Zeppelin and One was also announced.

Last year, the inaugural event was held at Charlotte's Metrolina Expo and featured Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Stone Sour, Seether, Bullet For My Valentine, Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Hinder, Skillet, Saving Abel, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry, My Darkest Days, Cavo, Rev Theory, Pop Evil and Art Of Dying.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lucky Five to rock Tremont Music Hall (2/10/12)

Posted by Alison Angel on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 8:39 AM

LUCKY FIVE This five-piece looks more like a boy band than a rock band, but a unique blend of bluesy beats, classic guitar riffs and jazz make them stand out like no other. Singer Marques Nash brings the soulful sound together with a voice like that of Jimi Hendrix while heavy bass lines provide a heartbeat for each song and keep the blues influence steady. They have been popping up all around Charlotte venues to bring their unique groove to the music scene and are guaranteed to have your body moving on the dance floor with their fast-paced funk. With Groove 8 and the O-Getters. $8. Tremont Music Hall.

Tags: , , ,

Sunshone Still at Evening Muse tonight (2/10/12)

Posted by John Schacht on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 8:34 AM

SUNSHONE STILL From great tragedy comes great art, the old saw goes. But as good as Columbia native Chris Smith’s new record — TheWayTheWorldDies — is, rest assured he’d take back its inspiration in a heartbeat: in 2010, Smith’s brother killed himself, and these 10 poignant songs deal with the grief, anger and incomprehension that followed and led, eventually, to acceptance. Musically, Smith bridges out some from his previous desert-baked sound (which fit the Kit Carson-inspired tale of 2007’s Ten Cent American Novels), and the more rock-flavored songs here are graced with beautiful guitar fills from our late friend Rodney Lanier. With Hausman and Danielle Howle. $10 in advance. The Evening Muse.

Tags: , , ,

A John Williams Spectacular at the Belk Theater tonight (2/10/12)

Posted by Corbie Hill on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 8:29 AM

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY: A JOHN WILLIAMS SPECTACULAR When you think Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Jaws or Jurassic Park, likely one of the first things to come to mind is some defining orchestral theme: something so perfectly matched with each film as to be culturally inseparable. And that’s John Williams’ gift. As much a skilled pop musician as a composer, his themes are accessible enough for even the tone-deafest to hum — though this pops master has never been one to sacrifice dynamics or complexity. So come out to celebrate his 80th birthday (actually on Feb. 8, but who’s counting?). This is the first of two consecutive nights. $26.50-$71.50. Belk Theater.

Tags: , , ,

Sol Driven Train brings soul-inspired rock to the Double Door Inn (2/10/12)

Posted by Jeff Hahne on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 8:24 AM

On the road in support of their latest EP, Watermelon, Charleston, S.C., quintet Sol Driven Train finds that fine line between a variety of genres. Steadily building a fan base since 2005, the band combines elements of soul, funk, blues and rock into a jam-infused stew of their own. With Dangermuffin. $8-$12. Double Door Inn.

Tags: , , ,

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Live review: Augustana

Posted by Alison Angel on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 1:52 PM

Throughout their 25-song set at the Visulite Theater on Monday, Feb. 6, Augustana frontman Dan Layus was never without a smile on his face as he belted out lyrics that make up the band’s nine-year history. It was quite a different sight from the frontman of two years ago — an alcoholic who couldn’t seem to see the brighter side of life.

With this tour, Augustana makes it clear that those days are long gone. Despite a lineup that has been in constant turmoil and being dropped from their label, Epic, after six years, the band is back with a new set of songs reflecting their contentment with life and a mellow attitude which is reflected in every song.

The foursome took the stage without a word. Only the low whine of a lone guitar chord announced the band's presence as they launched into “Hey Now” from their 2008 album Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt.

With lyrics like “Now we’re bleeding for nothing... We’re damned at the end and we’re damned at the start,” Layus showcased his attitude as a songwrtier and his crew blossomed with a steady guitar rhythm carrying them forward. Constant smiles on their faces indicated that although the same sweet melodies drive their music, they are not the same band that wrote those words so long ago.

Continue reading »

Tags: , , , ,

Samantha Crain returns to Evening Muse (2/8/12)

Posted by Jeff Hahne on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Ramseur Records artist Samantha Crain is on tour in support of her latest release, A Simple Jungle. The Oklahoma resident of Choctaw heritage has the right combination of soulful vocals and sometimes-energetic, sometimes-somber songwriting to fit well within the label’s stable of artists. With American Aquarium. 8 p.m. $8 advance. The Evening Muse.

Tags: , , ,

Search Events

Recent Comments

www.flickr.com
items in Creative Loafing Charlotte More in Creative Loafing Charlotte pool

© 2012 SouthComm, Inc.