May 11

May 11 This Week in Asheville: May 11-17

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.

Napalm Death

None of the band’s founding members remain, but four of the current five have been pulverizing audiences since the late '80s. In April, Barney Greenway, Shane Embury, and John Cook joined Melvins' Dale Crover and Buzz Osbourne for the ferocious collaborative album Savage Imperial Death March. Protective armor is strongly advised: that pit is going to be brutal. —Jonny Leather

w/ Deadguy + Serrate
at Eulogy
Tuesday, May 12
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[metal, hardcore]
more info

Sun Kil Moon

In recent years, sexual misconduct allegations have tarnished the image of one of the greatest living songwriters. Considering that this show sold out well in advance, there’s still plenty of folks who’d look past this for a chance to hear Mark Kozelek play “Carry Me Ohio.” —JL

at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Tuesday, May 12
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[folk, indie rock]
more info

Reggie Watts

Part live music performance, part stand-up comedy showcase and completely improvised, there’s truly nothing like a show by the former The Late Late Show with James Corden bandleader. Whether using looping pedals to craft hilarious and extremely catching original songs or offering wry, stream-of-consciousness commentary on a wide range of topics, this comedic force is a must-see each time he takes the stage. —Edwin Arnaudin

w/ Chess Club
at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Amphitheatre
Thursday, May 14
Doors: 6pm / Show: 6:30pm
[comedy, improvisational music]
more info

Lucinda Williams

The revered Americana rocker’s latest Asheville stop is billed as “An Evening With,” so there will be no opener to stand between her increasingly fiery set(s) — almost certainly packed with urgent new material from her January release World’s Gone Wrong. She’s been opening for Heart on their recent arena tour, so she’ll likely be ready to let loose and make the most of the night. —EA

at The Orange Peel
Thursday, May 14
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[Americana, rock]
more info

Setting

The trio of Nathan Bowles, Jaime Fennelly, and Joe Westerlund have been performing under the Setting moniker for only five years, but have already amassed several releases, including their recent self-titled album, recorded locally at Drop of Sun Studios. Marrying the earthy tones of southern Appalachian music with cosmically inclined experimentalism, it's no wonder the Durham trio has forged such a strong connection with Asheville over the years. —JL

w/ XOR
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Saturday, May 16
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[experimental, folk, drone]
more info

The Black Angels

Twenty years ago, the group from Austin, TX released its debut LP, Passover. Drawing inspiration from Spacemen 3, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and, of course, The 13th Floor Elevators, the record's sinister mood and hypnotic pulse immediately established the band as one of the essential acts of 21st-century psychedelic rock. Over the following decades, they built on that initial hype with five additional solid albums and a heightened stage presence. Even so, there's no record of theirs I'd rather see performed than the debut — and that's exactly what's happening this weekend. —JL

w/ L.A. Witch
at Burial Forestry Camp
Saturday, May 16
Doors: 5pm / Show: 7pm
[psych rock]
more info