8 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week

The Gastonia native — who made her film debut as the choir soloist in 1985’s “The Color Purple” and has since appeared in everything from “Hidden Figures” to TV’s “Saints & Sinners” — returns for her annual Independence Day performance at the Bechtler with Ziad Jazz Quarter. Friday’s early show is already sold out.

The monthly golden era hip-hop, soul, pop, and reggae party known as Off the Wall celebrates its seventh anniversary with a live set from the Charlotte-raised, DC-based emcee/producer. His album “The Actual Heat” is building buzz thanks to its juxtaposition of mellow, jazzy production and poetic wordplay.

The Nashville songwriter/guitarist has played sideman to Robert Plant in Band of Joy, written hits for the Dixie Chicks and Brad Paisley, and has co-written with Grammy-winning Charlotte native Anthony Hamilton and country powerhouse Zac Brown. His own albums balance thoughtful originals and covers. While it’s hard to predict his setlist, it’s sure to be good.

The British synth-pop duo and LGBTQ icon responsible for inspirational dance-pop anthems like “Chains of Love” and “Chorus,” marks 30 years since the former with 2017’s politically charged “World Be Gone” and its classical cousin “World Beyond.” Expect plenty of rabble-rousing, glitter-bomb hits at its live show.

A week after showing her horses at the Featherhorse Classic in Clemson, the fiery country star is back in the Carolinas to kick off The Bandwagon Tour with co-headliner Little Big Town and support acts Tenille Townes and Natalie Hemby. The largely female lineup is a rarity in mainstream country, but fits with the times.

The emo-pop-punk stalwart behind genre classics like “Clarity” and “Bleed American” (which still makes up much of its 20-some song setlist) celebrates its 30th year as a band while touring behind 2016’s “Integrity Blues.” It released a new single in May, which hints at what’s to come.

For someone whose time in Charlotte was relatively brief (she went to college here), the Jersey native has maintained her local connections, which makes each return like a homecoming. With 2017’s “Goodnight Rhonda Lee,” she really found her calling for torchy soul (think Dusty Springfield meets Patsy Cline) with beautiful classic production.