WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
PHOTOSIDE CAFE This Chicago-based indie rock band is all over the festival circuit this summer, so catching them in an intimate setting like the Muse should be a welcome change of pace for the group that self-describes itself as an edgier Dave Matthews Band. Their live show allows for everyone in the band to show off their individual skills with songs that range from a whisper to as loud as a roar. Rob Jones and Adam Reid Wilson are also on the bill. $8. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. (Mike McCray)
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS Out of the slew of indie rockers crossing my boombox on a regular basis, an occasional standout rears its head. ECC is such a combo. After parting ways with their major label, they’ve evolved their music, flying under the radar, where the eclectic guitars can soothe or scream, and piano-touched numbers stack right up against rockers. With Ultralush and Dead Rabbits. $5. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Samir Shukla)
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
APPALUCIA Led by the three-headed, “South of the Catawba River” country holler-hollers of Corey Ziegler, Andy Fenstermaker and Wylie Buck Boswell, the local sextet generates considerable punk energy with the acoustic back porch jams that highlight their excellent self-titled debut. Unlike a lot of faux twang, these ne’er-do-well tales of Saturday night sinning and Sunday morning regret (not to mention the one about camping and bears) ring lived-in true — more importantly, they’re just damn fine songs. And live? Fuggedaboutit. Get liquored up and let ’em lift you aloft. With Wretched, Silence the Messenger and Wiggle Wagons. $8-$10. The Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. (John Schacht)
KEITH URBAN Keith Urban often gets tagged with a country label, but there’s not a drop of Southern blood in his body. The Australian may get thrown into the genre due to songs of heartbreak and use of banjo, but catch his live show and you’ll see more rock than you’d expect. The guy’s a great guitar player, too, and not afraid to unleash those rock ‘n’ roll demons often. With Jake Owen. 7:30 p.m. $35.20-$70.50. Time Warner Cable Arena. www.timewarnercablearena.com. (Jeff Hahne)
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
MORRIS DAY & THE TIME Some songs are just undeniable, and “Jungle Love” and “777-9311” by these guys easily fit into the category of crowd pleasers decades after their initial release. Armed with Jerome, his mirror and his band, Day often played the villain to close-friend Prince but oozed the charm and charisma to win over an audience with a high-energy stage show, clearly honed from non-stop touring. Not nearly as legendary as his Minnesota counterpart, he is certainly as iconic for his era. $34.50-$64.50. Knight Theater. www.carolinatix.org. (McCray)
LUCKY FIVE Lucky Five may appear like the average rock ‘n’ roll band, but a quick listen shows they’re breaking any stereotypes you may have. Piano-driven tunes backed with strong vocals, stage presence and solid musicianship show there’s a lot more going for them. Meanwhile, the guys in Heywire are set to release a three-song EP showcasing new material. Makes for a great night. $5. Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Hahne)
UPTOWN CHARLOTTE JAZZ FEST Headliners George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn are jazz, R&B and funk veterans. The elder Duke’s ’60s and early ’70s records were jazz affairs and his muse since also fuses R&B and funk. Sax man Sanborn’s crossover jazz can be oft sensuous and at times syrupy. Bassist Miller is the youngster of the bunch, a jack of all trades, a multi-instrumentalist. All three have so much output that it’s only natural that the worthy stuff is littered with some throwaways. Expect the trio to bring out their best material and, if the stars align, the night will bloom. Also on the bill: Gerald Albright and Jeff Lorber Fusion. $35-$75. Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheater. www.uptowncharlottejazzfest.com. (Shukla)
THE HOUSTON BROTHERS Over the years, the brothers Houston (nee Faircloth) have added various pieces but found their real comfort zone in the two-piece of Matt on guitars/bass pedals and Justin playing keys and drums (all of that done simultaneously, mind you). But the recent pick-up of David Kim on drums and Molly Jay (Secret Weapon) Brown on additional keys and wind instruments may have hit the sweet spot — it sure sounded that way at a recent benefit gig. You’ll soon get a chance to hear how it translates to record, too, as there’s a new set of songs in the can. Speaking of benefits … this one is to help raise licensing fees for Plaza Midwood Community Radio. Dial in (the kids call it linking) and hear what’s floating the locals’ boats. With Modern Primitives and the Chalkies. $6. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Schacht)
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
PJ MORTON A preacher’s son, Morton builds on his gospel foundation with sweet crooning and raises the musical bar higher into urban and classic R&B sprinkled with jazz. Shades of John Mayer peek out into the writing where Morton guides the contours of love song ethos into a sound that’s not easily tagged. $15-$20. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. (Shukla)
MONDAY, JUNE 27
TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN Like old cassettes, the Tape Deck Mountain’s brand of what they call “acoustimatic” have a warped but well-loved sound around the edges. The San Diego trio gives nods to tapes from the Jesus and Mary Chain, and have released two albums of their own soundtracks for shoe-gazing. Secret Serf, their January-released EP, joins their discography of hazy music with blurred album art. If Coldplay was recorded in a cavern, this is what they’d sound like. With Dirty Documentaries. $6. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Tommy Werner)
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2011.
