Jul 27

Jul 27 This Week in Asheville: July 27-Aug. 2

Asheville’s wealth of live music, theater, and comedy offerings can leave concertgoers feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking which shows to attend. But have no fear! The Asheville Stages staff is here to help with insights on the week’s most appealing options.

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

Somehow, their name is the least strange thing about this band. Known for bizarre performances and eccentric genre-hopping music built on homemade instruments, the Oakland, CA group has been one of the most idiosyncratic acts of the 21st century — like the illegitimate love child of Mr. Bungle, The Residents, and a dustbowl carnival. Arrive early for experimental guitarist/singer-songwriter Wendy Eisenberg, whose latest album is one of this year's finest. —Jonny Leather

w/ Wendy Eisenberg
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Tuesday, July 28
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[art rock, experimental rock, avant-garde metal]
more info

Rhiannon Giddens + Mary Chapin Carpenter + Mavis Staples + Hurray for the Riff Raff

After an opening weekend that brought Dinosaur Jr, Band of Horses, Fruit Bats, and Watchhouse to Asheville's newest venue, the space should be ready for its next show. The series of dates arranged by Rhiannon Giddens and billed as American Tunes: Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing finds the former Carolina Chocolate Drop joined by music icons Mavis Staples, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Hurray for the Riff Raff, performing the kind of deeply rooted tunes that have survived — and will keep surviving — for generations. Hopefully the “Carolina Rain” won't make an appearance. —JL

at Hellbender
Saturday, Aug. 1
Doors: 4:30pm / Show: 6pm
[folk, americana, soul, folk-rock]
more info

Souls of Mischief

In 1991, Oakland rappers A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai joined forces. Two years later, the crew dropped its iconic debut, 93 ’til Infinity, still regarded as one of the true alt-hip-hop masterpieces. That record has overshadowed the rest of the group’s catalog, but the output since has been solid — including its most recent release, the Adrian Younge-produced There Is Only Now, which didn’t get the acclaim it deserved despite features from Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Go see these hip-hop legends.—JL

at Revival
Sunday, Aug. 2
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[hip-hop]
more info