tonight

Chris Knight

9:30 p.m. Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Ave. $15. 704-376-1446.

The commercially underrated but critically adored songwriter’s new album, “Little Victories,” is a timely, rugged roots-rock effort that echoes lonesome, modern outlaw country and the writing of John Prine and Steve Earle.

saturday

Chatham County Line

7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $15-$25. 704-358-9298.

The venerable Triangle-area new-grass four-piece seamlessly weaves traditional and contemporary roots music (and includes Charlotte natives in its membership). Its live show was recently captured on a double CD/DVD release, but you can witness it here.

Tom Chapin

7 p.m. University City United Methodist Church, 3835 W. W.T. Harris Blvd. $25. www.tomchapin.com.

Contemporary folk musician Tom Chapin – a three-time Grammy winner – performs at a benefit for Jason’s Getaway, a nonprofit established to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities.

John Jorgenson Trio

8 p.m. Stage Door Theater, Fifth and College streets. $22.50. 704-372-1000.

The ambassador of gypsy jazz and one-time guitarist for Elton John (who fittingly portrayed Django Reinhardt in the film “Head in the Clouds”) takes audiences on a guided, time-traveling tour of Europe, South America, and pockets of the U.S.

Swans

8 p.m. Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $16-$19. www.etix.com.

After a 14-year hiatus, the ever-evolving post-punk band is back with a second album, “The Seer,” and a tour led by founder Michael Gira and original member Norman Westberg, supported by an impressive list of musicians from the Swans family.

Southern Culture on the Skids

8 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $17-$20. www.visulite.com.

The N.C. institution is back for a pre-Halloween romp to revisit the high camp horror send-up that was last year’s “Zombified,” a record that paid tribute to leader Rick Miller’s favorite holiday.

Ben Taylor

8 p.m. Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $15-$18. www.eveningmuse.com.

The second-generation singer-songwriter, son of James Taylor and Carly Simon, makes the kind of folk-tinged pop and rock you’d expect from that lineage, with a voice and delivery akin to his dad’s.

monday

Kevin Seconds/Kepi Ghoulie

8 p.m. Milestone Club, 3400 Tuckaseegee Road. $8-$10. www.etix.com.

Two veteran punk rock band leaders – of 7 Seconds and the Groovie Ghoulies, respectively. Seconds continues with his long-running acoustic solo work, while Ghoulie retains the campy pop-punk of his former band.

tuesday

Alejandro Escovedo

7:30 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $22-$25. www.visulite.com.

Although considered a countrified Americana artist since alt-country magazine No Depression declared him “artist of the decade,” the former punk band leader actually rocks harder and is edgier in his 60s than he was in his 40s.

wednesday

Papadosio

9 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $8-$10. 704-358-9298.

Blurring the definition of “jam band,” this growing festival fixture creates moods and scenes with electronica, old-school soul/R&B, hypnotic rock and blues that can be as accessible as Lake Trout or as trippy as STS9.