Benefit for upcoming Treasure Fest tomorrow at Milestone

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The second annual Treasure Fest takes place May 18 and 19 at eight venues in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. The festival boasts a whopping 60-plus acts. With two-night passes at just $25 each festival organizers and local bands are throwing a benefit concert Friday, April 27, to help offset costs and pay bands.

Charlotte bands One Another, Pullman Strike (which includes festival creator Joshua Robbins), Moenda, Meat Group, and AM/FMs play the Tuckaseegee Road venue tomorrow. Robbins says the eclectic lineup which covers roots rock to garage to experimental, is intended to reflect the wide spectrum of genres that Treasure Fest covers. Tickets for the benefit are $8-$10. 8 p.m.

Treasure Fest's lineup includes the Emotron, My Captain, Red Collar, Naked Gods, 1994!, Appalucia, 2013 Wolves, Old Flings, Alex Kastanas, Blossoms, Chemical Peel, Temperance League, Hungry Girl, Secret Hospital, Towering Pyre, Little Bull Lee, Jr. Astronomers, Sinners and Saints, and many others. The full lineup and ticket and venue information can be found here. Bands play Plaza-Midwood venues that are all within walking distance of each other. These include Twenty-Two, Snug Harbor, Common Market, The Thirty Beaver, Lunchbox Records, Studio 1212, Kickstand, and Thomas St. Tavern.

If you don't want to spring for a two-night ticket, venues will also be charging at the door. Prices range from $5 to $10 per venue per night. Some venues are by donation. Times vary (see schedule here), but music starts at 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. So you could spend all evening bouncing back and forth between spots getting a taste of numerous local artists and many national and regional ones as well as experience how varied neighborhood nightlife in P-M can be from the stylish gallery space of Twenty-Two to the Beaver's down home honky-tonk atmosphere.

This week's hot concerts

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Sugarland/Dave Stewart7:30 p.m. Friday,April 27, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd. $40.75-$79.25. www.livenation.com The chart topping Atlanta duo kicks off the summer concertseason with its blend of twangy country, rootsy pop, rock, and even a littlereggae. With Dave Stewart (of the Eurythmics) and Canaan Smith open.
Alan Evans Trio/Groove810 p.m. Saturday,April 28, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $10. 704-376-1446. The Soulive drummer leads his latest project - a `70s organtrio and jazz-funk throwback with guitarist Danny Mayer (On the Spot) andorganist Beau Sasser. Charlotte’s Groove 8, who worked with Evans on its lastalbum, is readying a new one, “Curious Poses,” for summer release.
Hope for AGoldenSummer9 p.m. Saturday, April28, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5. 704-333-9799. The Athens trio showcases the sweet sisterly harmonies ofPage and Claire Campbell, which float on dreamy chamber folk arrangements andstir the soul with raw, gospel-tinged a cappella. Jason Herring & the MysteryPlan and Melissa Burgher also play.
Lee Brice 11 p.m. Saturday, April 28, Coyote Joe’s, 4621Wilkinson Blvd. $12-$15. www.etix.comAfter over a decade in Nashville the Sumter, SC-nativefinally has a number one hit (after writing others for Eli Young Band and GarthBrooks) and a brand new album, “Hard 2 Love,” that’s brimming with potentialchart toppers.
Steve Earle & theDukes8:30 p.m. Wednesday,May 2, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $25/VIP $40.704-358-9298. With the Dukes and Duchesses (which includes his wifeAllison Moorer, whose live voice is a beautiful force), the outspokencountry-rock songwriter makes a long awaited return. The Mastersons open.
Black Joe Lewis &the Honeybears8 p.m. Wednesday, May2, Visulite, 1615 Elzabeth Ave. $12-$15. 704-358-9200.After opening for Flogging Molly at The Fillmore, Lewis andhis crack band returns for a headlining set that promises more of the fire andenergy the soul-rock throwback has built its reputation on.
Rise Against7 p.m. Wednesday, May2, Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $38-$50. www.livenation.com The politically active rock band makes post-modern anthemsin the tradition of inspiring, motivational punk. And while its ticket pricesdon’t scream punk, the group puts its money where its mouth (and music) isbacking countless causes.
Peter Karp & SueFoley9 p.m. Wednesday, May2, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $12-$14. 704-376-1446. The blues duo tackles life in a crashing economy with allthe brush-yourself-off positivity they can muster with Foley delivering raspylines like Annie Potts’ “Pretty in Pink” character leading a rock band. 

Another Charlotte band strikes label deal

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HRVRD, the Charlotte-based band formerly known as Harvard, announced yesterday that it has signed a deal with Equal Vision Records. The Albany, NY independent label is home to bands like Eisley and Say Anything and is distributed by RED, which also distributes labels like Victory, Fat Wreck Chords, Fat Possum, Razor & Tie, Metal Blade, and other well known indies. That means you should be able to find HRVRD's upcoming album almost anywhere.

The band recently finished up recording the follow-up to 2009's "The Inevitable and I" at Baltimore's Salad Days Studios with producer Brian McTernan. It's the group's second album with McTernan, who is known for his work with bands like Circa Survive and Senses Fail (although I remember him best for his late `90s work with Hot Water Music, the Explosion, Converge, and Cave In).

HRVRD consists of Jesse Clasen, Lee Herrera, Jason Shaw, Tim Cossor, and Garret Leister (those shadowy figures pictured above). Shaw and Herrera founded the group in 2004. For anyone that has followed HRVRD from early on this announcement is a long time coming. Like a handful of young local bands, HRVRD has grown up in the Charlotte scene. In that time it's evolved from a scrappy post-hardcore band into a more experimental and more original group boasting complex and inventive arrangements. Imagine a collaboration between Minus the Bear and Explosions in the Sky with a vocalist as soulful as Adam Levine or Jay Kay from Jamiroquai.

The group has also grown in popularity as its matured drawing a few hundred fans to shows locally, which isn't always an easy feat for a local band.

Equal Vision Records, in partnership with Enjoy the Ride Records, will release HRVRD's new album later this year. HRVRD headlines Neighborhood Theatre May 25. For more information on the band check out http://hrvrdmusic.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/harvardband.

Sugarland opens Verizon's season with interactive set

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Sugarland made a name for itself as a country act, but the duo of JenniferNettles and Kristian Bush demonstrated their love for all sorts of stylesFriday during its “In Your Hands” concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
First off the pair didn’t opt for typical established opening acts that arealready well known to country fans. Instead rising country artist Canaan Smith(whose sound straddles adult contemporary acoustic rock and country) and theEurythmics’ Dave Stewart warmed up the crowd. More on the latter, who delivereda set of bluesy new songs and old favorites, later.
Sugarland casually opened its setwith a stripped down rendition of “Wide Open” with Bush on guitar and Nettlesbanging a drum and singing her heart out loudly in front of the curtain thathid its five-piece band. As the whole band launched into “Stuck Like Glue” thecurtain rose to reveal a simple stage set. The band gathered on one level withonly the drums and keys on risers a couple of feet off the stage. The setup wasindicative of the nature of the show which centered on music and fans notglitz and props. Nettles in tight red pants and a shiny gold tank and Bush ina baby blue t-shirt and vest, led the band through a string of hits beginningwith “Settlin’,” “Everyday America,” “It Happens” and “Tonight.” The singerturned down the twang on the latter although her homespun charm and thick asmolasses accent remained the most country thing on stage all night.
The bulk of Sugarland’s set list referenced the concert tour’stitle, “In Your Hands." Fans were asked to scrawl their favorite tracks oncardboard or, in one case, a professionally made banner that Nettles compared tosomething from “Game of Thrones,” and submit requests by text and online. Thefirst request? Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” which the group a blast with. 
It followed that with “LittleMiss," “Every Girl Like Me," “Already Gone,” and “Run.” Bushsang Nettles’ duet partner Matt Nathanson’s parts on the latter. His voice didn’tsoar over the band as well as her powerful pipes do, but the harmonies werenice. Nettles’ voice is a powerful instrument that rises above everything withease. She completely captivated the crowd during the ballad “Stay,” a tearjerker-meets-independent woman anthem written from the perspective of “theother woman.” Women in particular joined her in sisterly salute.

She stopped midway into “Baby Girl” to invite a nine-year-old girl on stage (the second such guest of the night). Nettles was right when she described the scene - with the girl singing as expressively as Nettles - as “cute overload.”

“All I Want To Do” was another hit with the ladies (kudos to the creators of the “Do Not Disturb” sign that Bush wore around his neck during part of the song). The biggest surprise of the night was the band’s own request for “Ice Ice Baby.” “I’m not afraid,” Nettles shrugged before launching into a rapid fire first verse and chorus of the Vanilla Ice hit before veering back into “All I Want’s” “Oohoohooohoooh” refrain. The crowd went crazy. It was yet another moment that illustrated the vast musical pool Sugarland pulls from.

It ended its regular set with the bouncy `80s ska/new wave throwback, “Find the Beat Again” (which sounds very No Doubt) before encoring with a stark rendition of fellow Georgians R.E.M.’s “The One I Love.” In their hands, with only acoustic guitar and chiming mandolin, the song seemed like a letter from a soldier going off to war. The feel good spirit elevated again another peak - “Something More” - before it ended the set with the song that bears its name.

Sugarland’s rocking ways are no surprise considering their history. Both were in alternative folk-rock and bluesy folk-rock outfits that toured the Southeast before joining forces in Sugarland. Charlotteans may remember his Billy Pilgrim or her Jennifer Nettles Band and Soul Miner’s Daughter. Both played here.

I don’t know when Stewart last graced a Charlotte stage. His performance was quite a treat for Eurythmics fans that got to hear different versions of “Here Comes the Rain Again,” “Missionary Man,” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Keyboardist Dana Glover (wiping streams of mascara from her cheeks at one point - I'm assuming she had something in her eye) took on Annie Lennox’s big, soulful vocals on those tracks.
Stewart must surround himself with beautiful women with powerful voices because both she and bassist/soul singer Nik West were gorgeous, talented figures on stage. What was more than Stewart’s rendering of Eurythmics’ favorites as well as Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (which he wrote), was his original solo material and introductions. He talked about falling in love with Lennox prior to “Magic in the Blues," for instance. Those moments gave the amphitheatre show an intimate feel. I hope he’ll return for a solo headlining gig after the release of “The Ringmaster General” in September.

Jackson Browne to play Charlotte

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Singer-songwriter and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame member Jackson Browne launches his 2012 acoustic tour at Charlotte's Belk Theater Saturday, July 14. Singer-songwriter and fiddler Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek will join him as a special guest. Browne, who will alternate between piano and guitar, promises a career spanning set list.

The month-long tour hits several spots in Virginia and the Carolinas including Charleston, Durham, Richmond, and Floyd, Virginia's Floyd Fest.

Watkins' sophomore solo album, "Sun Midnight Sun," is out Tuesday, May 8. The pair have shared the stage before and Browne speaks highly of her as an instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Prices are $49.50 to $84.50 and are available at the Blumenthal Arts box office, by calling 704-372-1000 or online at www.carolinatix.org. One dollar from each ticket will be donated to charity and special VIP and benefit seating (which includes a larger charitable donation) is also available.

Shiprocked sails into its fifth anniversary

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Snug Harbor celebratesits fifth anniversary in May and that means Shiprocked - the club’s hugelypopular weekly dance party - celebrates its fifth anniversary Thursday, May 3. Captain Scott Weaver and Shiprocked's cast of performers will do so byturning Plaza-Midwood’s only stationary sailing vessel into a carnival completewith stilt-walkers, aerialists, dancers, a fortune teller, a dunk tank, and drag,burlesque and sideshow performances as well as fun fair food like hot dogs, cottoncandy, and popcorn. Former cast member Lilith DeVille joins founder Weaver (pictured with cast above), who serves as DJ, and performers Cherry Von Bomb and Bethann Phetamine.
Shiprocked has becomeSnug’s signature event drawing large late night crowds each Thursday. Themusic and performances are fun and even the most reluctant dancer can be luredto the floor there. It’s even attracted some celebrity partygoers. Actor Tony Todd (aka The Candyman) was spotted therealong with some of his fellow Mad Monster Party convention guests in March.
Admission to the anniversary party is free forthe first 100 people. After that it’s $2. 21 and up.

Firstman unveils new band during homecoming show at Chop Shop Friday

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The longer singer-songwriter Joe Firstman is away from the Carolinas the closer his music draws to his Southern roots. Charlotte raised Firstman, who moved to Los Angeles over a decade ago, returns to his hometown with a new band, Cordovas (pictured above), Friday at the Chop Shop. He'll also serve as a solo opening act.

His latest solo album and his work with Cordovas follow his recent progression into rootsier music. On 2011's "Swear It Was a Dream," Firstman explores Southern boogie ("Who's Turnin' Your Light Out?"), funky blues ("Standin on the Porch"), and bluegrass ("Angel Moon") as well as rock ("Born Dreamer").

Cordovas features three part harmonies in the tradition of Crosby, Stills & Nash courtesy of Firstman (pictured in back) and fellow songwriters Jaron Lowenstein (middle) and Jon Loyd. Both draw heavily on 1970's Southern rock, blues, and Southern California sounds.

In 2001 Firstman hopped a Greyhound heading to Hollywood with little money and a guitar. He eventually scored a deal with Atlantic Records, which released 2003's "War Of Women" album and put him on the road opening for Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson. Firstman's profile rose further during his stint as house band leader on "Last Call with Carson Daly," where he demonstrated his capabilities in a number of genres. When Daly's show switched from the traditional talk show format to more of a news magazine style show, that gig ended giving Firstman more time to focus on his solo career.

Since forming Cordovas, Firstman has released both his latest solo album and two records - live and studio discs - with Cordovas. You can check out both acts with Steve Everett and John Wesley Satterfield Band at Chop Shop in NoDa Friday.