Ocoai This instrumental combo from the hills of Tennessee plow through epic shoe-gazing, moody, spacey, creepy even, dirges that regularly clock in over 10 minutes. Props to them for making it work, and the Neurosis and Mastodon influenced sound, splashed with contemporary psychedelics, is generally downright intriguing. With Machete! and Gruppe 36. Snug Harbor, www.snugrock.com (Samir Shukla)
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Cement Stars Apart, members of Cement Stars keep busy, whether it's the Olson brothers in Small Seas or Cody Hare making noise as Buckmaster. Collectively, though, the Charlotte band is a truly underrated act. With a sound that's familiar but fresh and as polished as anyone locally and lyrics that feel sincere, you'd expect some local love for the Nu-Gaze band but seeing is believing. Catch them during the Outsiders Fashion Show with Buckmaster following. Dharma Lounge, www.dharmacharlotte.com (Mike McCray)