1 Raphael Saadiq

8:30 tonight, Amos' Southend ($30)

The former Tony! Toni! Toné! member rented a time machine for his new solo disc “The Way I See It,” which lovingly captures the Motown, doo-wop, and beach-music eras that provided the soundtrack for the civil rights and Vietnam War years. 704-377-6874.

2 Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre ($53.75-$194.75)

After postponing last Saturday's concert, the R&B diva and retro-soul heartthrob are in town for this makeup date. VIP tickets and good seats were still available at press time. www.ticketmaster.com.

3 Sam Bush

7 p.m. Saturday, Neighborhood Theatre ($25-$40)

The limber-fingered mandolin player, fiddler and New Grass Revival founder returns for an eclectic set. Get there early for Custom Grass Revue's energy-packed picking. 704-358-9298. 4 Buckcherry

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Grady Cole Center ($30)

After outrocking the Crue on Cruefest and scoring its first Top 10 album with September's “Black Butterfly,” the “Crazy B*tch” band lights up the long-dark concert venue with more dirty rock 'n' roll swagger. www.ticketmaster.com.

5 Skeletonwitch

8 p.m. Monday, The Milestone Club ($7-$8)

The tight speed-metal unit merges the dexterity of Dragonforce, the dual guitar sound of Iron Maiden and the grooves of the Accused. It's a good chance to see them perform an intimate show; it'll open larger venues for Danzig and Dimmu Borgir later this fall. www.themilestoneclub.com.

6 Devil Music Ensemble

7 p.m. Tuesday, Visulite Theatre (TBA)

This three-piece has been doing live scores for silent films since its core trio solidified in 2002. For this tour, they provide the soundtrack for the 1920s kung fu flick “Red Heroine.” Watch the trailer and hear a snippet of the score on YouTube. 704-358-9200.

7 Senses Fail

7 p.m. Thursday, Amos' ($14-$17)

With its new album, “Life Is Not a Waiting Room” (out Tuesday), the New Jersey outfit continues to churn out pummeling post hardcore and pop-punk hooks. This is the second show of a 38-date tour. 704-377-6874.

8 Allman Brothers Band

5 p.m. Saturday, Verizon ($22-$54)

Southern rock's tireless road dogs (the photo above is from 1972) return almost like clockwork to help wind down the outdoor concert season with classic-radio staples and extended jams. They're joined by fellow jam-rock stalwarts Phil Lesh and Friends. www.ticketmaster.com.

9 Chubby Carrier

and the Bayou Swamp Band

8:30 p.m. Saturday, Double Door Inn ($10)

Led by the squeaking soul of this third-generation musician's accordion (which the 41-year-old has been playing since he was 15), this no-nonsense, high-energy group delivers a healthy dose of Louisiana Zydeco. 704-376-1446.

10 Public Radio

7 p.m. Thursday, Tremont Music Hall ($10)

The dance pop-rock outfit – one of the area's most exciting new bands – boasts the songwriting of frontman Mark Mathis, the supporting keys and vocals of wife Jessie, and the most charismatic drummer since Tommy Lee. 704-343-9494.

11 Jonathan Richman

8 p.m. Thursday, Evening Muse ($10-$12)

Casual music fans know the veteran singer-songwriter from his appearance in “There's Something About Mary.” He returns with drummer Tommy Larkin for more dry wit and acoustic songs on his latest “Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild.” 704-376-3737.

12 Seether/Ashes Divide

7 p.m. Monday, Amos' ($25-$27)

Seether frontman Shaun Morgan publicly tackled his demons and unleashed the post-grunge band's latest disc, “Finding the Beauty in Negative Space.” Ashes Divide is the latest project for A Perfect Circle's Billy Howerdel, mixing Smashing Pumpkins and Linkin Park. 704-377-6874.