This Week in Asheville: May 18-24
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.
Clownvis
When his 2000s psychobilly band 7 Shot Screamers failed to take off, Michael Leahy reinvented himself as an Elvis-impersonator-clown hybrid. It's a move most could never pull off, but with genuine songwriting chops and natural charisma, Leahy has elevated Clownvis beyond what could easily have been a one-note gimmick. —Jonny Leather
at Eda’s Hideaway
Wednesday, May 20
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[rockabilly, comedy]
more info
Future Islands
Celebrating 20 years together, the Baltimore-based quartet is making a special "hometown" run through North Carolina, with multiple nights each in Wilmington, Carrboro, and Asheville, as well as a stop in Greenville, NC, where the band originally formed. With their post-punk rhythmic propulsion and Sam Herring's unusual, infectiously joyful stage presence, every Future Islands show is a treat. As an added bonus, long-lost electro-pop duo EAR PWR — featuring UNCA alumni Devin Booze — will be opening the Saturday show. —JL
w/ Jenny Besetzt
at The Orange Peel
Friday, May 22
w/ EAR PWR
at The Orange Peel
Saturday, May 23
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[synth pop, indie rock, post-punk]
more info
Sluice
Three albums in, Justin Edward Morris appears to be on the verge of a major breakout. The Winston-Salem native has caught the attention of critics and fellow singer/songwriters, winning them over with contemplative lyrics and twangy well-crafted folk rock that places Sluice in the same territory as MJ Lenderman, Bill Callahan, and Friendship. —JL
w/ Peter Horses
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Saturday, May 23
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[folk-rock, indie rock]
more info
Psych Rock BBQ
Grocery Bag + Impending Joy + Moon Owl’s Mages + Powder Horns + Starseer + Gentry Blue
If you prefer your barbecues with a bit of LSD, then this mini festival is made for you. Combining three of the best local garage psych rock bands with a stellar trio of under-the-radar touring acts, this bill is stacked and a great way to take advantage of the extended holiday weekend. —JL
at Fleetwood’s
Sunday, May 24
Doors: 5pm / Show: 6pm
[psych rock, garage rock]
more info
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Blvck Hippie (Photo by Vivian Cheslack)
🎤 = comedy; 🎭 = theater
May 19: Drum Major Instinct with Jeff Arnal and Curt Cloninger + Tony Rolando + Jessica Pavone and Katherine Young at AyurPrana Listening Room
May 19: Hot 8 Brass Band at Eulogy
May 19: Frail Talk + Sophia Corinne + Lyle de Vitry at Static Age Records
May 20: Pride and Prejudice at Flat Rock Playhouse 🎭
May 20: Josh Ritter at The Orange Peel
May 21: Pride and Prejudice at Flat Rock Playhouse 🎭
May 21: Sean O'Hara + Slake + Bridge Gamble at Fleetwood's
May 21: THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA” at Grey Eagle Music Hall 🎤
May 21: Josh Ritter at The Orange Peel
May 21: Blvck Hippie + Latchkey Kids at Static Age Records
May 22: BitBrigade Performs”MegaManX” at Asheville Music Hall
May 22: Natalie Spears & David Brown (of Rising Appalachia) at AyurPrana Listening Room
May 22: Supernova - A Tribute to Oasis at Eulogy
May 22: Pride and Prejudice at Flat Rock Playhouse 🎭
May 22: MCW and the Cheap Suits + Die Spinns + The Dolltones + Lucky Flip at Fleetwood's
May 22: Michael Gungor at Grey Eagle Music Hall
May 22: Umphrey's McGee at Pisgah Brewing
May 23: Pride and Prejudice at Flat Rock Playhouse 🎭
May 23: Convalescent + Lucille lement + Mckinney at Fleetwood's
May 23: Umphrey's McGee at Pisgah Brewing
May 24: George Terry & The Zealots at Grey Eagle Music Hall
For full events listings check out AVL-Live.com
(Sluice photo by Charlie Boss)
