April 21, 2016

Livewire: 10 concerts happening this week that will please your ears

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Friday, 4/22
Anthony Hamilton?and Fantasia
@ Fox Theatre
An R&B artist and an American Idol winner join forces this spring. Just recently releasing their fifth albums, Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia Barrino are sharing the stage from April to June. The Grammy Award-winning artists will perform hit singles and new tracks from their latest albums. Hamilton’s album What I’m Feelin’ just dropped on March 25. Providing an “emotional cleanse” for the musician, What I’m Feelin’ features beautiful lyrics and soulful, emotional instrumentals — both of which audiences can expect to see live throughout this tour. Season three Idol winner Barrino joins Hamilton, stepping back to the main stage after venturing on other career paths. The singer-turned-author, actress, and Broadway singer is set to release her fifth studio album later this year. 
Doors at 8 p.m.; 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; olympiaentertainment.com; Tickets start at $48.50.
Friday, 4/22 Anthony Hamilton?and Fantasia @ Fox Theatre An R&B artist and an American Idol winner join forces this spring. Just recently releasing their fifth albums, Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia Barrino are sharing the stage from April to June. The Grammy Award-winning artists will perform hit singles and new tracks from their latest albums. Hamilton’s album What I’m Feelin’ just dropped on March 25. Providing an “emotional cleanse” for the musician, What I’m Feelin’ features beautiful lyrics and soulful, emotional instrumentals — both of which audiences can expect to see live throughout this tour. Season three Idol winner Barrino joins Hamilton, stepping back to the main stage after venturing on other career paths. The singer-turned-author, actress, and Broadway singer is set to release her fifth studio album later this year. Doors at 8 p.m.; 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; olympiaentertainment.com; Tickets start at $48.50.
Friday, 4/22
Jonathan Edwards 
@ First United Methodist Church
Acclaimed folk singer Jonathan Edwards will be performing as part of the Greenwood Coffee House Series. Edwards recently released his 15th album, Tomorrow’s Child, with the help of four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott. In the music business for nearly four decades, Edwards is skilled at writing and releasing songs with meaning and feeling. Like wine, the well-traveled musician gets better with age. With a never-ending passion for touring and performing, Edwards still brings joy and entertainment to his audiences with great harmonies, instrumentals, and an all-around classic Americana sound. In addition to great music, the Friday night Coffee House event also offers free coffee and dessert.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 1001 Green Rd, Ann Arbor; jonathanedwards.net; Tickets are $20.
Friday, 4/22 Jonathan Edwards @ First United Methodist Church Acclaimed folk singer Jonathan Edwards will be performing as part of the Greenwood Coffee House Series. Edwards recently released his 15th album, Tomorrow’s Child, with the help of four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott. In the music business for nearly four decades, Edwards is skilled at writing and releasing songs with meaning and feeling. Like wine, the well-traveled musician gets better with age. With a never-ending passion for touring and performing, Edwards still brings joy and entertainment to his audiences with great harmonies, instrumentals, and an all-around classic Americana sound. In addition to great music, the Friday night Coffee House event also offers free coffee and dessert. Doors at 8 p.m.; 1001 Green Rd, Ann Arbor; jonathanedwards.net; Tickets are $20.
Friday, 4/22
Laura Rain and the Caesars
@ Callahan’s Music Hall
Get your soul on at Callahan’s Music Hall. Laura Rain and the Caesars are bringing their blues and soul stylings back to Auburn Hills. Born and raised in Motown, Laura Rain and the Caesars embody the true Motown sound. Their latest release, “Gold,” was written by Laura Rain and George Friend. The record has met with great success, getting national airplay and earning four Detroit Music Award nominations. Returning from a tour in France, Laura Rain and the Caesars are performing at Callahan’s Music Hall to celebrate the success of “Gold.” A must-see for Motown lovers, the show will also be the band’s only Detroit-area date for the month of April. 
Doors at 6:30 p.m.; 2105 South Blvd., Auburn Hills; laurarain.net; Tickets are $10.
Friday, 4/22 Laura Rain and the Caesars @ Callahan’s Music Hall Get your soul on at Callahan’s Music Hall. Laura Rain and the Caesars are bringing their blues and soul stylings back to Auburn Hills. Born and raised in Motown, Laura Rain and the Caesars embody the true Motown sound. Their latest release, “Gold,” was written by Laura Rain and George Friend. The record has met with great success, getting national airplay and earning four Detroit Music Award nominations. Returning from a tour in France, Laura Rain and the Caesars are performing at Callahan’s Music Hall to celebrate the success of “Gold.” A must-see for Motown lovers, the show will also be the band’s only Detroit-area date for the month of April. Doors at 6:30 p.m.; 2105 South Blvd., Auburn Hills; laurarain.net; Tickets are $10.
Friday, 4/22
Trinity House Theatre Benefit 
@ Trinity Church
The Trinity Church in Livonia is hosting a fundraiser for their Trinity House Theatre. The Trinity House Theatre is a great listening space and hosts many different artists throughout the year to show off their talents. This show will feature the music of folk duo Red Tail Ring, folk singer and radio host Matt Watroba, and indie-folk newbie Olivia Millerschin. If you’re a fan of America’s Got Talent, you may recognize Millerschin, as she made it to the quarterfinals. 
Doors at 8 p.m.; 38840 W. Six Mile, Livonia; Tickets $15.
Friday, 4/22 Trinity House Theatre Benefit @ Trinity Church The Trinity Church in Livonia is hosting a fundraiser for their Trinity House Theatre. The Trinity House Theatre is a great listening space and hosts many different artists throughout the year to show off their talents. This show will feature the music of folk duo Red Tail Ring, folk singer and radio host Matt Watroba, and indie-folk newbie Olivia Millerschin. If you’re a fan of America’s Got Talent, you may recognize Millerschin, as she made it to the quarterfinals. Doors at 8 p.m.; 38840 W. Six Mile, Livonia; Tickets $15.
Friday, 4/22
Seax
@ UFO Factory 
Metalheads, this one is for you. Heavy rockers Seax are “possessed by the axe,” according to their Facebook page, and they guarantee “to possess you,” as well. What else could you ask for in a night on the town? Hailing from Massachusetts, these guys play very fast and very loud. May we suggest some earplugs? The opening acts are also metal bands. Sauron and Nuke will be there for support and to keep the metal rocking. 
Doors at 9 p.m.; 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; Tickets $8.
Friday, 4/22 Seax @ UFO Factory Metalheads, this one is for you. Heavy rockers Seax are “possessed by the axe,” according to their Facebook page, and they guarantee “to possess you,” as well. What else could you ask for in a night on the town? Hailing from Massachusetts, these guys play very fast and very loud. May we suggest some earplugs? The opening acts are also metal bands. Sauron and Nuke will be there for support and to keep the metal rocking. Doors at 9 p.m.; 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; Tickets $8.
Saturday, 4/23
RJD2 
@ Majestic Theatre
RJD2 is not the brother of the little blue Star Wars robot. A Columbus, Ohio-based hip-hop artist and producer, RJD2, also known as Ramble Jon Krohn, has been making music since 2003. Blending hip-hop with other musical influences, RJD2 can be called a pioneer of hip-hop. In addition to producing and writing his own tracks, RJD2 also owns his own record label, RJ’s Electrical Connections. Juggling producing and managing his record label, the producer found time to record his own album. Titled Dame Fortune, the album features RJD2’s unique twist on producing tracks, creating an album that blends hip-hop with blues and soul.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; rjd2.net; Tickets are $17.
Saturday, 4/23 RJD2 @ Majestic Theatre RJD2 is not the brother of the little blue Star Wars robot. A Columbus, Ohio-based hip-hop artist and producer, RJD2, also known as Ramble Jon Krohn, has been making music since 2003. Blending hip-hop with other musical influences, RJD2 can be called a pioneer of hip-hop. In addition to producing and writing his own tracks, RJD2 also owns his own record label, RJ’s Electrical Connections. Juggling producing and managing his record label, the producer found time to record his own album. Titled Dame Fortune, the album features RJD2’s unique twist on producing tracks, creating an album that blends hip-hop with blues and soul. Doors at 8 p.m.; 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; rjd2.net; Tickets are $17.
Saturday, 4/23
Detroit Blues Piano Unplugged
@ The Scarab
Love the sound of the porcelain keys? As a part of the Detroit Blues Heritage Series, Saturday is dedicated to the pianists. The event, titled “Detroit Blues Piano Unplugged,” will feature the musical talents of jazz and blues pianist Kerry Price, as well as the fast fingers of “The Boogie Woogie Kid,” Matthew Ball. Price, also a vocalist in a jazz band, will play jazzy melodies, perhaps accompanied by her impressive and extensive vocal range. “The Boogie Woogie Kid” Ball will be throwing back to the swing era, playing ragtime, blues, and boogie-woogie classics with the vocal accompaniment of Emma Aboukasm. 
Doors at 2 p.m.; 217 Farnsworth St., Detroit; detroitbluessociety.org; Admission is free, $5 donation recommended.
Saturday, 4/23 Detroit Blues Piano Unplugged @ The Scarab Love the sound of the porcelain keys? As a part of the Detroit Blues Heritage Series, Saturday is dedicated to the pianists. The event, titled “Detroit Blues Piano Unplugged,” will feature the musical talents of jazz and blues pianist Kerry Price, as well as the fast fingers of “The Boogie Woogie Kid,” Matthew Ball. Price, also a vocalist in a jazz band, will play jazzy melodies, perhaps accompanied by her impressive and extensive vocal range. “The Boogie Woogie Kid” Ball will be throwing back to the swing era, playing ragtime, blues, and boogie-woogie classics with the vocal accompaniment of Emma Aboukasm. Doors at 2 p.m.; 217 Farnsworth St., Detroit; detroitbluessociety.org; Admission is free, $5 donation recommended.
Saturday & Sunday, 4/23 & 4/24
Moodymann
@ the Grasshopper Underground
As we all know, Moodymann has been creating very funky electronic music in the city of Detroit for years, and we’re super excited to see that he’s playing a rare local show. His influence can be seen throughout so many local Detroit artists, whether they are rappers or DJs. Moodymann hasn’t had a new album out since 2014, so be on the lookout for some new music at this show. Andres and Sheefy McFly are opening it all up, so get there early. 
Doors at 9 p.m.; 22757 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; Tickets $15.
Saturday & Sunday, 4/23 & 4/24 Moodymann @ the Grasshopper Underground As we all know, Moodymann has been creating very funky electronic music in the city of Detroit for years, and we’re super excited to see that he’s playing a rare local show. His influence can be seen throughout so many local Detroit artists, whether they are rappers or DJs. Moodymann hasn’t had a new album out since 2014, so be on the lookout for some new music at this show. Andres and Sheefy McFly are opening it all up, so get there early. Doors at 9 p.m.; 22757 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; Tickets $15.
Sunday, 4/24
Tech N9ne
@ The Fillmore
Rapper and producer Tech N9ne is more than just that; he is also the founder of his own record label, Strange Music, which features a variety of artists ranging from rap to house to electronic dance. This Fillmore show is presented by Channel 95.5 and features a slew of artists from Tech N9ne’s label. You’ll see Rittz, Mayday, Stevie Stone, and Ces Cru. Do you think having a strange stage name qualifies you to be a part of Strange Music? Head out to the Fillmore and find out!
Doors at 6:30 p.m.; 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; Tickets $30.
Sunday, 4/24 Tech N9ne @ The Fillmore Rapper and producer Tech N9ne is more than just that; he is also the founder of his own record label, Strange Music, which features a variety of artists ranging from rap to house to electronic dance. This Fillmore show is presented by Channel 95.5 and features a slew of artists from Tech N9ne’s label. You’ll see Rittz, Mayday, Stevie Stone, and Ces Cru. Do you think having a strange stage name qualifies you to be a part of Strange Music? Head out to the Fillmore and find out! Doors at 6:30 p.m.; 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; Tickets $30.
Tuesday, 4/26
Matthew Logan Vasquez 
@ The Magic Bag
If you’re a fan of the indie rock band Delta Spirit, then you’ll want to check out Matthew Logan Vasquez when he comes to town. The lead singer of the band decided to make a solo album of his own, and it’s a stunning mix of folk and indie rock. Vasquez moved back to his hometown of Austin, Texas, to start his own family, and the move inspired new music. Delta Spirit is not over with, but Vasquez said in a press release that he needed to get this music out of him. 
Doors at 8 p.m.; 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; Tickets $14.
Tuesday, 4/26 Matthew Logan Vasquez @ The Magic Bag If you’re a fan of the indie rock band Delta Spirit, then you’ll want to check out Matthew Logan Vasquez when he comes to town. The lead singer of the band decided to make a solo album of his own, and it’s a stunning mix of folk and indie rock. Vasquez moved back to his hometown of Austin, Texas, to start his own family, and the move inspired new music. Delta Spirit is not over with, but Vasquez said in a press release that he needed to get this music out of him. Doors at 8 p.m.; 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; Tickets $14.