CL previews upcoming concerts (Jan. 26-31) 

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26

NONPOINT The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., quartet is one of the those bands I always expected to hit it big in the mainstream, but could never figure out why they haven't. Heavy rock grooves? Check. Energetic and charismatic front man? Check. Ability to write aggressive lyrics that get the adrenaline flowing? Check. Go see for yourself. $12-$15. Amos' Southend. www.amossouthend.com. (Jeff Hahne)

THURSDAY, JAN. 27

PIERRE BENSUSAN It's no wonder after performing and recording for over a quarter of a century, Bensusan is hailed a guitar virtuoso. He explores jazz, world fusion, classical, new age and traditional music on the acoustic guitar with spacey, flawless playing that's mellow, gentle, yet enticing. Crooning lyrics in both English and French, Bensusan is touring in support of his new recording Vividly. $20. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. (Samir Shukla)

THE BEAR ROMANTIC Singer Jesse Clasen is known for his sometimes-theatrical performances with the Charlotte band Harvard, but there's a softer side to the Raleigh transplant. His solo project, The Bear Romantic, showcases not only his vocal talents, but his instrumental ones as well. Sometimes haunting, usually introspective, here's a glimpse at a side of the singer that's hasn't been often seen — until now. With Cement Stars, Lady Lazarus. $8. 9 p.m. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. (Jeff Hahne)

FRIDAY, JAN. 28

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO & THE SENSITIVE BOYS Escovedo, to many, is one of the few, count-on-your-hands-and-feet real music legends-in-waiting we have in the roots music genre. But as with a monarchy, the people haven't had as much say in the matter as have the writers and critics everywhere who swoon with every strum of his beat-to-hell guitar. Blending Tex-Mex with punk (check out Escovedo's incarnation in the Nuns) and adding in a healthy dose of wide open space, Escovedo's music is indeed often spare, beautiful and honest to the point of wincing — you can tell some of the words he sings cut on their way out. Man still puts on a hot show, however, if often truncated to an hour or less the last couple of times I've seen him. $20-$35. Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Timothy C. Davis)

GARRIGAN Garrigan (Poprocket, The Garrigan Brothers, Transmission Fields) has been a fixture on the Charlotte music scene for years. And not just a static, lamp post-like fixture, mind you — he's had his hands in any number of good bands over the years, and takes more creative chances than most. Now he's got likely his strongest band ever to back his own considerable fretwork (Shawn Lynch, CR Rollyson, Jason Atkins), and the results are palpable. Not pap or pablum, mind you. Palpable, powerful pop. With The Spiveys & Small Talk Industries. $5. Visulite Theatre. www.visulite.com. (Davis)

THE LEE BOYS This sacred steel group definitely keeps the family style going. Three brothers and three cousins know how to get a crowd moving with their infectious grooves and soulful vocals. The guys grew up in the church and have brought a piece of that into its Robert Randolph-like fusion of rock, soul and funk. $10. 10 p.m. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. (Hahne)

HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL Like a New Orleans jazz band that meets up with its rock cousin and heads to a bluegrass hoedown, HGTR are unpeggaeably genuine. The combo has become so adept at merging American music genres, that the banjo seems feistier and the guitar, the horns and the percussion seemingly dance along with abandon. With Matrimony and Efren. $8. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Shukla)

JODI BLU Putting your name in the same sentence as legendary songwriters like Smokey Robinson and Willie Dixon is a bold move, but Jodi Blu is holding herself to a different standard from many of her peers. The Charlotte product blends jazz, spoken word and R&B into thoughtful, considerate and calculated soul, with its slant very much on feel-good music of the past. Undergroundqween is also on the bill. Wine Up. www.wine-up.com. (Mike McCray)

SATURDAY, JAN. 29

THE POP FERGUSON BLUES REVUE Pop Ferguson has dedicated more than 70 of his 82 years on Earth to the blues. With that, pure, down-home blues is to be expected from one of North Carolina's real musical gems. Hell, the Smithsonian Institute took note! What are you waiting on? The show will be part of the triannual Tosco Music Party series bringing together more than 20 acoustic acts from all over the place. $8-$15. Dale F. Halton Theater (CPCC). www.toscomusicparty.com. (McCray)

SUNDAY, JAN. 30

SUN-DRIED VIBES With less than a year under their belt as a group, Sun-Dried Vibes does not consist of any newbies when it comes to producing quality music. With a mix of reggae, rock and pop, the mellow grooves of the three-member band will have one feeling like they are listening to the more popular band Rebelution. As they gear up to the release of their first studio album, the Vibes musical choices will only grow along with their fan base. Jeff's Bucket Shop. www.jeffsbucketshop.com. (Johnathan Cruse)

MONDAY, JAN. 31

LAZARUS A.D. At first listen, thrashers Lazarus A.D. sound a bit run of the mill, but the blokes pick up the slack fast. They make no bones of channeling '80s thrash, a la Testament, Slayer, where metal riffs incessantly pounce out the amps onto the pit dwellers. Their new album, Black Rivers Flow, is slated to drop this week. Also on the bill of this night of ear pounding metal mayhem: Death Angel, Bounded by Blood, and SkinKage. $17-$20. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. (Shukla)