This week's hot concerts

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Benji Hughes/LuckyFive/Grown Up Avenger Stuff and Holy Ghost Tent Revival
6:30 p.m. Friday, NCMusic Factory Fountain Plaza, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $5. www.ticketleap.comThenationally revered songwriter headlines the second week of the Friday Live!series – the only installment to showcase local bands. With support from arising funk-rock powerhouse (Lucky Five), a female-fronted alt-rock combo(Grown Up Avenger Stuff), and Greensboro’s Holy Ghost Tent Revival.
Get More: Whiskey and You, Julie Roberts, Julie Roberts VideosJulie Roberts 7 p.m. Friday, May 4,Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $20-$30. 704-358-9298.The Lancaster, SC country star best known for 2004’s “BreakDown Here” has weathered MS and the loss of her record deal and everything sheowned (in the Nashville flood). She emerges as a newly independent artistthat’s feisty, soulful and inspiring.
Amy Ray8 p.m., Friday, May 4,Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $20. 704-358-9200. The Indigo Girl has long moonlighted as the leader ofrollicking rock bands (which feature members of the Butchies), she merges thoserock, soul, and folk sides on her latest solo album, “Lung of Love.” With theShadowboxers.
Carolina Rebellion11 a.m. Saturday, May5, Rockingham Speedway, 2152 N. US HWY 1. $92.35. www.carolianrebellion.com The hard rock festival moves to Rockingham and boasts alineup that includes Slash, Staind, Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm,Shinedown, Adelita’s Way, Chevelle, P.O.D., Evanescence, Volbeat, Weaving theFate, New Medicine, Ghost of August, Red, Redlight King, and Charlotte’s ownPaper Tongues.
Mickey Avalon7 p.m. Saturday, May5, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $15. www.etix.comLadies love this notorious sexually explicit party rapperwhose colorful backstory includes drug addiction, prostitution, and youngparenthood. After parting ways with Interscope, who released his buzzy debut,he finally delivers the follow-up, “Loaded.”
Bombadil/Justin Robinson& the Mary Annettes8 p.m. Saturday, May5, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $10-$12. 704-358-9200.Sidelined by medical issues after early buzz, theDurham-based Ramseur Records’ act made a triumphant return in 2011. It’s joinedby former Carolina Chocolate Drop Robinson, who navigates folk waters with theinventiveness of a roots music Prince.
Beats Antique8:30 p.m. Saturday,May 5, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $15-$20/$30 VIP.704-358-9298.The San Francisco trio fuses electronica, world music, andbelly dancing with musically progressive performance art that appeals to bothyoung beatheads and more mature fans of forward thinking international musicand dance.
Snagglepuss10 p.m. Saturday, May5, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5. 704-333-9799.Hope Nicholls and husband Aaron Pitkin’s (Fetchin Bones,Sugarsmack) say farewell to their long running third act, due to the departureof guitarist Amy K. (who moves west for grad school), with a cd and video releaseCinco de Mayo party that promises guests and career spanning tunes.
Ingrid Michaelson8 p.m. Tuessday, May8, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $20-$23. www.etix.com The New York indie-pop songwriter whose career gained steamin 2007 thanks to an Old Navy commercial (and numerous TV placements since)that took her quirky and beautiful pop melodies (think Sara Bareilles) to themasses.
Matthew Santos8 p.m. Wednesday, May9, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $10-$12. 704-376-3737.Best known for crooning the hook in Lupe Fiasco’s“Superstar,” as a solo artist this Chicago singer-songwriter actually lends hissoulful pipes to atmospheric original rock and folk.
Mastodon/Opeth7:30 p.m. Thursday,May 10, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $39.50. www.livenation.comCritics hailed the Atlanta metal act’s latest full-length, “TheHunter,” as an end of year best in 2011. Some called it a modern classic. Itjoins purveyors of equally theatrical metal, Sweden’s Opeth.