8 buzzworthy concerts coming to Charlotte in the next week | Nov. 29-Dec. 5
Manchester Orchestra
8 p.m. Friday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $25.
It’s been a busy two years for the Atlanta indie-rockers, since the release of their stellar 2017 album “A Black Mile to the Surface” — which kept them simmering at the top of multiple charts. One of the best things about Manchester Orchestra, and specifically their live shows, is the band’s robust energy and unpretentious allure, attracting just as many emo fans as it does hard rockers and thoughtful singer-songwriter enthusiasts.
Xavier Omar
8 p.m. Saturday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $20-$30.
The artist formerly known as Christian hip-hopper SPZRKT left behind his religious sect and aimed for a more universal appeal in 2015. Since then, the songwriter’s style has evolved to become equal parts soul, pop and the gospel he grew up on (a la John Legend and Frank Ocean), as he thoughtfully croons smooth vocals over tactful, sparse instrumentation creating memorably melodic slow jams. Recently, Omar reconnected with Seattle-based producer Sango to release “Moments Spent Loving You”, a surprise album that navigates the intricacies of romantic relationships with heartfelt relatability.
EPMD
8 p.m. Saturday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $32 and up.
Legendary hip-hop icons Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith released one of the most essential albums of the genre in 1988 — “Strictly Business,” which stamped them in the same classic tier as Public Enemy, N.W.A. and Eric B. & Rakim. EPMD is known for its funk-heavy, boom-bap stylings, and despite breakups and makeups has been touring steadily over the past 30 years. The group also recently teased what would be its first album since 2008.
Cage the Elephant
8 p.m. Monday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $60.
Opening night of 106.5 The End’s Festivus gives us one of the most engaging and exciting performers of the moment in Cage the Elephant’s tireless, passionate frontman Matt Shultz, who is known to employ pyrotechnics and entrancing dance moves inspired by the Japanese art of Botuh. The Grammy Award-winning band released its fifth studio album, “Social Cues,” in January of this year and spent the summer on a co-headlining tour with indie heavyweight Beck.
Of Monsters and Men
8 p.m. Tuesday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $40.
Night 2 of 106.5’s “Festivus” features the Icelandic folk-pop group creating sweeping arrangements that blend its native region’s signature elegant stylings within today’s modern folk revival. The band released third album “Fever Dream” earlier this year to wide acclaim, thanks to the pulsing percussive and lively pop elements. Its live show is rumored to be invigorating and intense, with tremulous vocals, thunderous drumming and sparkling guitars.
Phantogram
8 p.m. Wednesday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $30.
The electronic dream-pop duo is the headliner for Night 3 of 106.5’s “Festivus,” with support from opening act The Foxies. Since releasing its 2016 album “Three,” the band has been a force on the festival circuit, learning to ignite its live shows with large LED screens, and steadily releasing singles like “Into Happiness”, “In a Spiral” and “Mister Impossible” throughout the year in anticipation of a follow-up fourth studio album.
Tobe Nwigwe
9 p.m. Wednesday. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $25-30.
Currently on “The Ivory Tour,” the Texas born Nigerian American (whose last name is pronounced “nuh-wee-gweh”) brings a creative and dynamic composure to the Southern rap genre. His relentlessly clever lyrics are touching and hopeful, layering a knowing, smooth sense of ambition over producer LaNell Grant’s futuristic, sophisticated beats. The pair recently performed a “Tiny Desk” concert for NPR that tightly ricocheted from spoken word to gospel to a rap solo onslaught that showcased Nwigwe’s vocal prowess.
Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness
8 p.m. Thursday. The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St. $37.
Rounding out The End’s reign over The Fillmore is an intimate acoustic performance of the indie-rocker and his band’s “In the Wilderness Tour.” McMahon — who may be best known as the frontman for Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin — will focus his performance around his buoyant skills on the piano as he performs hit songs like “Cecilia and the Satellites” and “Fire Escape.”