Football season is finally upon us and fall tours will start kicking into high gear this month.

In our September music preview we explore some really great free shows, highlight an album release, a highly lauded female piano player, a wild Talking Heads Tribute band, and share latin, jazz, funk, soul, jamtronica, and bluegrass shows with you.

 

Elonzo Wesley @ Neighborhood Theatre
FRI – 9/6 | TICKETS

Singer-songwriter Jeremy Davis (Elonzo Wesley) and his string band are set to release his fourth full-length album, Songs To No One, this Friday at the Neighborhood Theatre.

After moving from Atlanta in the mid 2000’s, Davis formed the indie rock band in 2015, naming it after his father. The band self-released three full length records and two EP’s, touring the Carolina’s and Southeast.

With 3 full length albums, hundreds of shows, and a few years under his belt, Jeremy Davis will continue to carry his father’s name as a moniker and guide.

Elonzo Wesley will be supported by Charlotte singer-songerwriter Brit Drozda.

 

The Hawthornes @ The Vinyl Pi
SAT – 9/7 | FREE SHOW

The Hawthornes make their return to the Vinyl Pi this Saturday night.

This widely-influenced group of musicians have taken time to craft compositions that stretch to the edge of their varied styles, noting that most fans of music can find familiarity in elements of their sound. Sultry soul, old-school funk, 90’s rock, and even some hip hop elements are all portioned out in a musical journey that thoroughly lays out the complete sound of the band.

The Hawthornes deliver musical experiences that delight the casual music fan and the audiophile.

 

Spyro Gyra @ Romare Beardon Park
SAT – 9/7 | FREE SHOW

Part of the free concert series at Romare Beardon Park in Uptown, contemporary jazz icons Spyro Gyra will hit the park this Saturday, September 7th from 6-9pm.  Bring a picnic and lawn chairs or a blanket and come enjoy the music and friendly ambiance of the park. Food and beverage vendors will be available on site.

Spyro Gyra is an unlikely story of a group with humble beginnings in Buffalo, NY who has continued to reach an international audience over forty years, resulting in sales of over 10 million albums and having played over five thousand shows on five continents.

They have accomplished this due to a forward looking approach combined with the work ethic of an underdog, always challenging themselves to do something new while never resting on past success.

Spyro Gyra will also welcome special guest Dante Lewis and Kevin Whalum.

 

LITZ w/Porch 40 @ Visulite Theatre
THUR – 9/12 | TICKETS

LITZ brings together a wide array of musical influences ranging from funk, jam, go-go, soul, electronica and just about everywhere in-between to amalgamate a new sound for the ears of the world.

Their sound strides to sonically transport it’s listeners to another planet free of the stress, struggles, and tribulations of modern day life through the use of funky horn riffs, wah-wah keys, pounding bass, driving/progressive rhythms and melt your face guitar.

In support, Porch 40 delivers a hip take on modern Rock & Pop with funky undertones that highlight their clever arrangements.

 

Keller & The Keels w/Coddle Creek @ First Ward Park
FRI – 9/13 | FREE SHOW

Keller Williams is a busy man.  Having toured relentlessly over his 25+ year career, he’s played in various configurations and several side projects.

One side project, Keller & The Keels, brings him together with award-winning flat picker Larry Keel and his wife Jenny (bass) for what can be best described as Appalachian Psychedelic Bluegrass.  With two albums recorded together, the handful of gigs they play each year turn into acoustic picking parties.

The Sounds of Summer Concert series at First Ward Park is a live music series that brings together top artists in Roots and Americana music surrounded by food trucks, craft beer, and wine in a relaxed setting in First Ward Park.

They’ll be supported by Charlotte bluegrass band Coddle Creek.

 

Snarky Puppy @ NoDa Brewing Co.
SUN – 9/15 | TICKETS

After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, Snarky Puppy has suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world.

The musical collective (with as many as 25 members in regular rotation) have earned 3 Grammy awards in the past five years and earned praise for their ever evolving sound and must see live shows.  It truly is a wall of sound that needs to be experienced first hand.

By taking on a foundation of jazz and world music, the ensemble then fuses their music into something funkier, more direct, and more visceral.

Snarky Puppy will be supported by GroupUp Music label-mates Breastfist.

 

Holly Bowling @ Belk Theater
THUR – 9/26 | TICKETS

Texture, nuance, and a gift for dexterous high-wire improvisation are the hallmarks of San Francisco-based classically trained pianist Holly Bowling, who infuses jam band music with a technically advanced, emotionally rich style.

Holly Bowling has also been a rising star on the festival circuit for many years now.

Her instantly compelling playing and unerring ability to successfully collaborate with other musicians in an impressive array of styles has brought her to the attention of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes, and other luminaries who’ve asked Bowling to perform with them.

However, in the past three years she has come into her own by joining up with Tom Hamilton (JRAD, American Babies) to start jam band Ghost Light and started touring as a solo artist.

 

Space Cadet @ Heist Brewery
THUR – 9/26 | FREE SHOW

Mixing elements of electronic, dance and traditional music genres such as drum and bass, house, break beats, electro-funk, lofi hip-hop and more, Space Kadet will make you groove and leave you in a trance.

Navigating the space ship is Alex Etheridge on bass, synth and production, Rohan Prakash on drums and samples and Thomas Garrett on guitar.

The band combines live improv, technical chops and atmospheric sounds with live electronic production and soaring guitar melodies. This electronic trio has been making waves through out the south east and beyond over the past 5 years and are based out of Atlanta, GA.

 

Start Making Sense (Talking Heads Tribute) @ Triple C Barrel Room
FRI – 9/27 | TICKETS

If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to a genius.

The musicians in this 7-10 piece Talking Heads Tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads entire career.

Together they bring much of the Heads unique live show to the stage, with front man Jon Braun as a spot-on David Byrne,  giving you a “once in a lifetime” experience.  Prepare yourself for a rockin’, funkin’, danceable celebration of the new-wave art punk you loved from the 80’s

They’ll be supported by dynamic steal drum player Jonathan Scales and his trio of all-star musicians.

 

Bakalao Stars @ Evening Muse
FRI – 9/27 | TICKETS

Started by the Anzola brothers in 2002, Bakalao Stars are a Charlotte based Latin band that fuses elements of reggae, Latin ska, and punk rock.

They have four full length albums now under their belt and will be supporting their 2019 release, Azuka.

Bakalao fuses these rhythms to create catchy melodies, which are performed with the highest level of energy and enthusiasm. Over the years, Bakalao Stars has become Charlotte’s most popular Latin band due to their unique style, and their energetic shows.

 

Other Notable Shows

AKITA @ Southern Strain Brewing • 9/7
Popa Chubby @ Neighborhood Theatre • 9/19
Honey Island Swamp Band @ WWC • 9/20
Blackfoot Gypsies @ Evening Muse • 9/20
Pursey Kerns @ Veteran’s Park in Huntersville • 9/27