The Motet @ Neighborhood Theatre
Thur 3/7 | TICKETS
The Motet bring their funk-fueled dance party to Neighborhood Theatre in support recent LP Death or Devotion.
The Motet are a throwback to the funk and soul sounds of the ’70s, with hypnotic horns and swaggering guitars, but manage to keep the sound contemporary. This is the their eighth studio album and while the essence of their recent album is in the groove, the band decided to create conversation around the division they see growing in our country and around the world.
“That conversation doesn’t have to be political either. It can be about love or an introspective journey. I think the commentary should be on what it’s like to be alive today. By drawing on funk, we create a fun, palatable musical vehicle for the message to go down” says lead vocalist Lyle Divinsky. “Our goal is for you to recognize we’re all dancing on the same dance floor-even though our steps may look a little different.”
At the end of the day, the band is there to take you on a journey far away from the confines of earth and into the “Supernova”.
“When you’re listening to us, I want your mind to be taken away from wherever you are during the day and into some other place,” states founder and drummer Dave Watts. “It’s all about that.”
The Motet will be supported by the NO BS! Brass Band out of Richmond, VA.
Elonzo Wesley @ Free Range Brewing
Fri 3/8 | TICKETS
Who is Elonzo Wesley you ask?
Charlotte singer-songwriter Jeremy Davis is Elonzo Wesley. Named after his father, Elonzo Wesley is currently fronting a four-piece string band in a bluegrass setup (guitar, upright bass, mandolin, and fiddle).
After five albums under his belt, Davis is ready to embark on his next musical journey as an Americana string band blending traditions of the past with unique, soulful songwriting and genre-bending influences.
Elonzo Wesley is certainly the musical truth of the moment, combined with the beauty of what has passed. The current Elonzo Wesley lineup:
Jeremy Davis – guitar/harmonica/vocals
Alicia Driver – fiddle/vocals
Dennis Contreras – string bass/vocals
Taylor Winchester – mandolin/vocals
Exmag @ Heist Brewery
Sat 3/9 | TICKETS
Exmag hits the Canteen Room at Heist Brewery on Saturday in support of their most recent EP Glimpses Of A Vision.
Exmag is an American Brooklyn-based electronic band that fuses elements of hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul, and R&B into a fresh and unique sound, helping them resonate with fans of many genres.
Their take on electronic music is exciting and refreshing, as they push the limits of what the audience can expect at the crossroads of programmed beats, samples, and live instrumentation.
Exmag will be supported by Trismalux and DJ Dangfunky
Robert Glasper @ The Fillmore
Sun 3/10 | TICKETS
Three time Grammy Award winner, pianist, singer, and producer Robert Glasper returns to Charlotte to play the Fillmore Sunday evening.
Glasper has built a career out of a vibrant fusion of R&B, jazz and hip-hop as the leader of the acoustic Robert Glasper Trio and the electronic Robert Glasper Experiment.
In each genre, the pianist has pushed the musical boundaries. However, it’s his commitment to change our assumptions about jazz music that is his true calling.
The virtuostic pianist and composer is often cited as a gateway into jazz for younger audiences who might view the genre as stuffy or something their parents listen to. His wide array of collaborators, from The Roots and Erykah Badu to Kendrick Lamar are a testament to his talent and flexibility as an artist.
“I want kids to look at me and say, wow he looks like me and to get inspired the way I was,” said Glasper who cites an early experience seeing the late jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove play at his high school in overalls and Timberlands, instead of a suit.
Tank And The Bangas @ Neighborhood Theatre
Wed 3/13 | TICKETS
After selling out the Visulite Theatre last May, Tank And The Bangas return to Charlotte as part of their busy spring tour.
Tank And The Bangas landed on most peoples radar when they won NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Concert series. They NPR panel voted unanimously to crown them the winner and gained immediate praise from Phish guitarist, singer, and panelist Trey Anastasio.
“I immediately loved this,” Trey told NPR. “Tank is a force of nature, just full of joy — and her band is killing in the background.”
Tank And The Bangas are like a psychedelic joy-rap explosion. Like a female Sly Stone teleporting into 2019 and landing in New Orleans. They are certainly one of the most unique acts to come out of the Crescent City in recent years and you’ll find the Bangas to provoke a musical reference of rhythmic soul and spoken word among other genres such as Rock, Gospel, Funk, and Folk.
The Bangas will be supported by Maggie Koerner and Alfred Banks
Ghost-Note @ Heist Brewery
Fri 3/22 | TICKETS
Ghost-Note return to Charlotte for the second time in six months, having displayed their virtuostic chops to a rowdy crowd at the Neighborhood Theatre in October.
Headed by Snarky Puppy’s Multi-Grammy winning percussion duo of Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, Ghost-Note is an explosion of sound.
In support of their 2018 release Swagism, Ghost-Note has made their mission very clear. The album puts the rhythms at the forefront, with irresistible, heavy-hitting beats underlying the groups wild live performances.
The band is also pushing funk music into the future by building on the uplifting, pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of Sly & The Family Stone and James Brown and infusing their own take with elements of Afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, and more.
Ghost-Note will be supported by Brooklyn based multi-instrumentalist and Grammy nominated Louis Cato at Heist.
Notable Shows in March
Black Violin @ Belk Theatre • 3/5
Citizen Cope @ The Fillmore • 3/5
Lawrence @ Visulite Theatre • 3/12
Band of Friends
A Celebration of Rory Gallagher
Stage Door @ Blumenthal • 3/29