9 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week

Although not a household name in the states, Canadian Dallas Green (who records under the City and Colour alias) has collaborated on arena shows and pop projects with Pink as well as received two songwriter of the year Juno Awards. There’s an undercurrent of country-rock and Americana edge to his adult-friendly pop and guitar rock, which is curiously matched with pristine, polished vocals reminiscent of James Blunt.

The adult-pop hit-maker, which turns 25 next year, rounds up live-rock stalwart O.A.R. and British pop vocalist/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield for its Play That Song Tour. Between the three acts, there’s certainly a stream of hit songs to play.

Now that he’s no longer the resident (non-costumed) celebrity on the toddler-friendly “Yo Gabba Gabba!” tours, the beat-boxer, sought-after party DJ, and one-time hit-maker (hip-hop classic “Just a Friend”) returns to his spot behind the decks – where he’ll re-visit one party-starting jam after another.

At 75, the folk-rock pioneer makes Charlotte the fourth stop on his month-long U.S. tour. With the number of living rock n’ roll legends beginning to dip, this summer trek is a good time to catch him if you’ve never heard classics from his six-decades-long career (“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “The Boxer”) played live before.

By telling stories of personal experiences in her songs and self-directed music videos, the former Disney actress/singer-songwriter (who also played Velma in Cartoon Network’s “Scooby Doo” movies) gives a voice to LGBTQ youth. A former member of the short-lived girl group the Stunners, Kiyoko brings strength and independence to her dancefloor pop.

With its 40th anniversary looming, the quartet behind early MTV staples like “Rosanna” and enduring mainstay “Africa” continues to tour behind 2015’s “XIV,” with four additional musicians in tow. The 1983 Album of the Year Grammy winner has a rich history outside its own hits as well: It backed Michael Jackson on his global best-seller “Thriller.”

On what would have been Prince’s 59th birthday, Charlotte native and saxophonist Harvey Cummings II and friends remember the legendary musician through his music. Covering an artist as beloved and unique can be hard to pull off and sometimes ill-advised (note the various country versions of “Purple Rain”), Prince’s eclectic catalog and appreciation for riffing and musicianship makes jazz a fitting backdrop for his work.

Known for his philanthropic concern for Chicago’s schools and gun violence as well as his 2016 album “Coloring Book” (which became the first exclusively streaming record to win Grammys), the 24-year-old emcee is the hip-hop role model millennials need. The largely self-made rapper continues to defy statistics on tour, headlining large amphitheaters as a truly independent entity in a fast-changing business.

The Canadian twin sisters continue to evolve its guitar-based, indie-rock sound, turning to mainstream electronic-based pop on its last two albums. The sisterly harmonies and pop songwriting remain at its core, as does female- and LGBTQ-friendly messages. The pair pops in between festival appearances; it’ll head to Bonnaroo after coming here.

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 11:49 AM with the headline "9 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week."