May Charlotte Local Music Concert Guide

By Shirley Griffith

April 29, 2023

Lofidels 

Monday, May 1 at Snug Harbor at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $15 plus 

Lofidels is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Lenny Muckle, who you may recognize from Patois Counselors or Pretty Baby. The artful quartet makes thoughtful, lingering synth-heavy, experimental post punk in the vein of early Sonic Youth. Alongside Pleasure Venom and sparkling local DJ Scott Weaver, Lofidels opens up for Austin, Texas shoegazers Ringo Deathstarr.

Thousand Dollar Movie

Thursday, May 4 at Petra’s at 9 p..m.

Tickets: $12 plus 

Local instrumental shoegaze wizards, Thousand Dollar Movie recently released their new album, Give Me A Year. The album was written as an ode to the city and singles like “Central Ave,” “East,” and “Elizabeth” premiered with video reels of the band’s favorite neighborhood hangouts. The night is shared by Patois Counselors and New York guitarist Mike Baggetta’s new project, Dumbass Youth. 

Will Wildfire

Thursday, May 4 at The Evening Muse at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $10 plus 

Labeled by Noisey as “North Carolina’s next great soul-rock bad boy,” Charlotte’s self-taught alternative R&B musician and producer Will Wildfire performs at the Muse with support by Greensboro’s Forever Jabrone and Durham’s JooseLord. Since Wildfire’s 2022 album, Book of Love Vol. 1, he’s slowly released singles, including “Floods 7” with William Singe.

Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers

Friday, May 5 at Snug Harbor at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $12 plus 

Quentin Talley and the Soul Providers blend jazz, funk and soul with spoken word to create a glorious signature style that brings a cool vibe to any listening room. The band, fronted by singer-songwriter Quentin Talley, released its debut EP Fall Thru last year. The night is shared with Asheville’s psychedelic-soul band The Fritz who are touring in support of their third album.  

Kadey Ballard

Saturday, May 6 at Petra’s at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $7 plus 

Sure to be an otherworldly experience, self-taught Appalachian psych-folk musician Kadey Ballard releases her much-awaited album, Sibyls. The night also includes the music video premiere of the title track, choreographed and directed by Ladyfest co-director Megan Payne. The night is rounded out by intimate solo sets from indie rock frontwoman Madison Lucas of Modern Moxie and Lindsey Ryan of dreamy MOA. 

Faye

Thursday, May 11 at The Milestone at 8 p.m.

Ticket: $10 plus 

Indie fuzz punks Faye bring Athens’ SheHeHe and Greensboro’s punk rock band Totally Slow to the World Famous Milestone. Started nearly ten years ago by best friends Sarah Blumenthal Robbins (Self Aware Records) and Susan Plante, Faye’s live sets are consistently stellar, blending fuzzy guitar with fluid structure, and plenty of banter about puppies between songs. 

Bergenline

Saturday, May 13 at Petra’s at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $12 plus 

Bergenline is a Latin-inspired, blues rock trio consisting of guitarist Carlos Cortez, bassist Oscar Castillo and drummer Ariel Cortez. The band’s Latin framework gives their rock songs an effortless buoyancy while dripping blues tones add cool elements of style. Their newest single, “Corazon,” was released on Valentine’s Day. The night also features rock-based singer-songwriters VESS and Rasmus Leon.

Paint Fumes

Thursday, May 18 at Snug Harbor at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $12 plus 

Storied Charlotte punk rockers Paint Fumes recently released their fourth LP, Real Romancer, which sees the band at its best and most cohesive. Paint Fumes have toured the world and became legendary for their live sets as they lurch into their binge-drinking, fast-living blowout performances. The night also features heavy hitters The Whiffs, Comino, and Civil Rats. 

Mindvac

Saturday, May 20 at Snug Harbor at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $12 plus

Prog-metal, post-punk Mindvac will release its debut self-titled EP with support from Plan B, Mutant Strain and Tongues of Fire. Mostly instrumental, the fast and furious Mindvac is composed of drummer Garrett Herzfeld, guitarist Syd Little of Petrov, and bassist Andy Cummins. The trio’s live concerts are cathartic, heavy thrills of chugging bass, sludgy guitar and thundering percussion.  

Wine Pride

Friday, May 26 at Snug Harbor at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $12 plus 

Dreamy shoegazers Wine Pride will release a much-awaited debut album with support from Cor de Lux and Day & Dream. Marrying melancholy with bliss, Wine Pride uses a shroud of reverb, textured layers of synth, and guitar tones to elicit emotional and introspective thoughts from their listeners.  

Ashlyn Uribe

Friday, May 26 at Petra’s at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $7 plus

Newcomer to the scene singer-songwriter Ashlyn Uribe writes bright, upbeat indie pop grounded with the balancing support of her perceptive lyrics. Uribe’s powerful vocals bring a dynamic force to her songs and art of storytelling. The night’s lineup is rounded out with singer-songwriters Bruce Hazel (Temperance League) with John William Harrell (Hectorina), and SOLIS. 

Natalie Carr

Saturday, May 27 at Visulite at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $14 plus 

Charlotte’s beloved pop star Natalie Carr opens up for the Brooklyn-based electronic, neo-soul Cal Maro for a sultry smooth night at the cozy Visulite Theatre. Carr flirts with a dynamic pop/R&B styling and honest lyricism influenced by artists like SZA, Halsey, and Kehlani. Carr’s knack for pop melodies crafts her songs into instant hits, memorable in their authenticity. The night opens up with Te’jani, a self-taught producer/musician based in Charlotte. 

Nige Hood

Wednesday, May 31 at The Milestone at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $10 plus 

Storyteller and folk rapper Nige Hood brings his eclectic and innovative style to the Milestone with Aarondynamics, Spoken Nerd, Soul Tru, and B-Villainous. Hood has recorded with Afroman on Hood’s song “Bowl in the Woods,” and his effervescent rhythm and clever lyrics make his live shows great. His recent works show Hood delving into a more finessed style, like on his recent 2023 single, “Pimpin Neva Simpin.”  

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