Oct 6

Oct 6 This Week in Asheville: Oct. 6-12

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.

Melvins

It’s hard to overstate the impact this Northwest metal band has had on American music. Since forming in the early ’80s, Buzz Osborne & Co. have forged a singular blend of psych rock, punk, and metal that laid the groundwork for grunge, sludge, and alt-metal alike. Without them, the Seattle grunge explosion of the early ’90s is almost unimaginable. Now, 28 albums deep, the Melvins remain one of the most inventive rock bands still going.

Not to be overlooked, they’ll be joined by fellow underground legends Redd Kross. The long-running California band energetically fused power pop, punk, and glam metal in an idiosyncratic package. —Jonny Leather

w/ Redd Kross + JD Pinkus
at The Orange Peel
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[metal, alternative, power pop]
more info

Neko Case

Last month, the chanteuse released her first album in seven years. With a molasses-rich voice so soothing it could disarm any conflict, she could have coasted and still delivered something worth hearing. Instead, Neon Grey Midnight Green stands among her most profound works, with lush arrangements that let her thoughtful alt-country tunes soar higher than ever. —JL

w/ Des Demonas
at The Orange Peel
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alt-country, singer-songwriter]
more info

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Pop some shrooms and lose yourself in the intoxicating, disorienting electronic grooves of Pittsburgh’s Thomas Fec. —JL

at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Friday, Oct. 10
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[neo-psychedelia, electronic]
more info

Ben Folds with the Asheville Symphony

It’s happening! After decades of checking the rock ‘n’ roll pianist’s tour announcements and seeing dates with symphonies not in Western North Carolina, he is indeed bringing his infectious style of indie pop songwriting to town, backed by the city’s top classical musicians. If you’ve seen his seminal Ben Folds and WASO Live in Perth DVD, you know what kind of rich sounds await. If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and join the rest of us witnessing it live in person. —Edwin Arnaudin

at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Friday, Oct. 10
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[singer-songwriter, rock]
more info

Gus Englehorn

The former professional snowboarder crafts a delightfully offbeat strain of lo-fi rock that feels unmoored from any particular era. Fittingly, WNC’s own lo-fi psych legend Seth Kaufman joins Englehorn on the bill. —JL

w/ Floating Action
at Static Age Records
Friday, Oct. 11
Doors: 8pm / Show: 8:45pm
[psych pop, garage rock]
more info

Zak Toscani

Modelface Comedy keeps the laughs coming to Asheville. This Sunday, they welcome this LA–based stand-up and writer whose work has appeared in TIME, The A.V. Club, Buzzfeed, Vice, and more. —JL

at The Mule
Sunday, Oct. 12
Doors: 6:15pm / Show: 7pm
[stand-up comedy]
more info