Hot Concerts: Corinne Bailey Rae, The Cult, Diddy's Bad Boy Family Reunion, Anni Piper and more this week

A decade after first convincing fans to “Put (her) Records On” and six years since her last full-length, the Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter is back with the new album, “The Heart Speaks in Whispers.” On it, she and husband and co-producer Steve Brown lace loose jazz, gentle slow jams, synth-driven pop and delicate R&B.

Mining a world of ’80s pop and dance music, the alter ego of South African-born producer-turned-band leader Jean-Philip Grobler writes modern synth-pop songs that could be mistaken for New Order circa 1987. “Matter,” its 2016 release, is awash in synthesizers, Grobler’s strong vocal presence, and a thread of positivity.

Charlotte area trio Amigo teams with Greenville, S.C.’s the Long Canes on the new split seven-inch single “I Wanna Live” as well as at this EP release show. The EP, which includes digital tracks of the bands covering each other’s songs, should appease fans anxious for the next full-length Amigo release due in 2017.

On the folk-rock singer-songwriter’s sixth album, “Spirit,” he continues to expand his sound by digging deeper into soul and symphonic pop with orchestral strings, beats and other production flourishes that give his tracks a bigger adult contemporary sound without cutting out the folk singer heart that’s long resonated with fans of his music.

The British rock veteran led by Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy recently opened for Guns n’ Roses’s Not in This Lifetime tour and returned with its 10th album, “Hidden City.” Rich in Astbury’s leading-man croon, Duffy’s boogying blues licks and the band’s signature goth metal aesthetic, “City” sounds much like vintage Cult.

The Idaho-born outfit led by Doug Martsch continues to balance fuzzy guitar rock, psychedelic musings, pastoral shading, and hooks that are dramatically big and catchy for an indie rock band that cut its quirky musical teeth in the ’90s alt-rock landscape alongside Sonic Youth, Dinosaur, Jr. and Pavement.

Australia’s first lady of blues brings her “More Guitars than Friends” Tour to the soon-to-be-demolished local fixture for what’s likely the last time. Piper, who spikes her Texas swing and bawdy blues with humor and sex appeal, moved to Florida two years ago. The move is fitting given the American South’s presence in her music.

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Hot Concerts: Corinne Bailey Rae, The Cult, Diddy's Bad Boy Family Reunion, Anni Piper and more this week."