8 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week

More than 20 years after radio’s John Boy & Billy introduced listeners to Keen’s dysfunctional holiday anthem, “Merry Christmas From the Family,” what started with the song has grown into a holiday show that incorporates Keen’s sense of humor, a set inspired by the song, and a musical sleigh ride through a memorable country Christmas.

If you like your holidays with loud guitars, classic hot-rods with rip-roaring engines, the steady thump of upright bass, and heavy-handed cocktails, this all-star holiday revue captures that rockabilly spirit. Hosted by headliner The Reverend Horton Heat, the lineup includes Junior Brown, the Blasters, Big Sandy and Charlotte’s own Belmont Playboys.

For his 10th studio album, “Ladies Auxiliary,” the former V-Roys frontman surrounds himself with female musicians, co-writers, producer (Anne McCue) and sometimes lyrical subjects as he ruminates on rural and domestic concerns — from an overbearing mother-in-law to rich retirees moving to a dying town to a widower left with two young girls.

The R&B vocal quartet had its biggest hits in the ’90s, but its members have gone on to write monster hits for other artists (TLC’s “No Scrubs”) and star in a string of reality shows (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “Tiny & T.I.: The Family Hustle”) and Tyler Perry films. Tiny, Tamika, LaTocha and Kandi now reunite for 29 dates that include openers Monica, Tamar Braxton, (Tiny’s daughter) Zonnique and June’s Diary.

One of fringe country’s greatest unsung songwriters, Branan boasts natural charisma on stage, and his original songs can be clever and funny or gut-punching tearjerkers (like the ones about his late father). On his latest album, “Adios,” he retreats to his punk roots singing with Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace and knocking out messy yet inspired guitar solos. With The Whiskey Gentry.

Decades after bringing rockabilly to the new wave via MTV, this Stray Cat still struts, slinging a mean hollow-body guitar and sliding across the stage on his knees like a rocker half his age (he’s 58.) He’s back for his semi-annual Christmas tour, which combines the best of his holiday albums with his signature Grammy-winning swing.

Speaking of swing, this N.C. outfit was a big part of the retro revival of the mid- to late ’90s, back when it released its “Christmas Caravan” album. The reignited group is on the road for 10 shows, which include the band’s hits and fan favorites — as well as spirited versions of Christmas classics.

Part laid-back jam band, part jazz-funk experimenters, the Richmond quintet combines improvisational jazz and funk through wah guitar and synth backdrops, burping and billowy retro keys, jangling, electric blues guitar, and intricate, flowery percussion that never lets the funk fall behind, even on gentler moments.

This story was originally published November 29, 2017 at 2:00 PM with the headline "8 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week."