CL previews upcoming concerts (May 5-11) 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5

Sad Red Confounding yet intriguing, Brooklyn's Sad Red composes sparse electronic arrangements into a groove that's all over the musical map. The quintet's sound is existential yet grounded, rooted in Americana. The bouncy, minimalist tension somehow gels because they're not in any hurry to get anywhere. It's akin to heading out of a watering hole, nicely buzzed, zigzagging along urban alleyways, with no particular destination in mind. With the Spalding Grays and Transmission Fields. Snug Harbor (Samir Shukla)

Future Islands Awash in bleeps and bloops of new wave electronica, Future Islands evoke a beachfront love scene, the lovers traipsing around the rollicking waves, and then diving into the murky froth. Formed while attending college in Greenville, N.C., the lads are touring in the wake of the new disc, In Evening Air, released on the ever-eclectic indie label Thrill Jockey. Also on the bill: Lower Dens, Human Pippi Armstrong and Ultimate Optimist. Milestone (Shukla)

Fred Eaglesmith Canuck Eaglesmith will sing about cars, mind you, and old dogs, and all the bullshit that goes into too much of what's called Americana these days. However, like his old country-mates Blue Rodeo, he's shucked the usual trappings of the genre for a trippier take on heartland country. While he's penned some solid Big Theme stuff over the years, Eaglesmith flies highest when he thinks small, as in little things like love and hope and missing his old lady. Little old lady, that is. The Evening Muse (Timothy C. Davis)

THURSDAY, MAY 6

American Bang Another so-called "Southern rock" band from Nashville whose national reputation probably exceeds its local one (think Kings of Leon), American Bang isn't altogether dissimilar to the Followill brood musically: straight-ahead Camaro rock, served up with some smokes and a sneer. They've got an eponymous platter set for release this spring from Reprise, produced by none other than the poor man's Mutt Lange, former Metallica and Crue knob-twiddler and '80s dinosaur Bob Rock. He gets older, they stay the same age. With Alberta Cross. Visulite Theatre (Davis)

FRIDAY, MAY 7

Levon Helm Band Gathering gospel, New Orleans horns, bluegrass, country and, well, pretty much the span of American roots music, Helm, an alumnus (drummer/vocalist) of the legendary group The Band, has released a string of records since the heyday of that landmark outfit. His latest disc, Electric Dirt, is loaded with rustic originals and covers like Grateful Dead's "Tennessee Jed." Helm's post throat cancer voice remains vibrant. With The New Familiars. Knight Theater (Shukla)

Raised by Wolves Alas, the long-running pack (3/4ths of RBW were together in the old Memphis Quick 50) is losing its lead wolf, CT Stephenson, who is moving to Nashville. As such, this is the Wolves' farewell show, at least until, you know, Stephenson comes back to visit and an off-the-cuff "reunion" show gets thrown together. No matter: Stephenson's songwriting chops – rough-hewn, tender-hearted – were always a perfect pairing with the sly shuffle his bandmates (Charlie Heard, drums; Bobby Gillespie, bass; Grant Funderburk, guitar) ably evidenced. They'll surely be missed – not many Charlotte bands do the Trad American thing nearly as well. With Shalini, Garrigan. Snug Harbor (Davis)

SATURDAY, MAY 8

Old Crow Medicine Show Hard to believe that this band has been together for 12 years, but the songs they play are even older. Along with their own stuff, the bluegrass/Americana songsters have also been known to throw in some covers ... but not the kind you'd expect. These are pre-WWII and old folk songs that have been revived in their own style. Popular? The last time they were in town, the show sold out. Neighborhood Theatre (Jeff Hahne)

Tommy Castro Although labeled a bluesman, left Coast guitarist Tommy Castro turns anything he touches into soul, sounding like Delbert McClinton with a funkier scream.  On his last release, ‘09’s Hard Believer, Castro converted Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” to soul and covered both guitarist Steve Cropper and vocalist Wilson Pickett’s parts on his scorching remake of Pickett’s ’66 soul classic “99/1/2.” Featuring the Stax records r&b sounds of Memphis and second-line funk of N’Awleans, Castro’s blues are real soul food. Double Door at Lake Norman (Grant Britt)

SUNDAY, MAY 9

Legendary Shack Shakers Irreverent to a fault, Legendary Shack Shakers guarantee a raucous live gig. The Nashville quartet explodes with a mix of hard tonk, punk blues and even rockabilly. Hitting the road in support of the new record, Agridustrial, the gents, including recent recruit former Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison, light a rootsy fire not easily extinguished. Front man and harpist, and budding filmmaker, J.D. Wilkes is a true Southern original. Visulite Theatre (Shukla)

TUESDAY, MAY 12

Angels and Airwaves Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge is back out on the road with his solo band. Once again he has abandoned the playful attitude and snarky lyrics for something more down-to-earth and atmospheric. Not to say that DeLonge doesn't act sophomoric in both acts, but this band's a little more straightforward. I would expect him to be in a better mood this time around, now that Blink is back together. The Fillmore Charlotte (Hahne)