Thursday, Sept. 9
• Richie Tipton and the First Kings play The LAB. Check out a review of Tipton’s recent self-titled CD here. You Dirty Rats and Matthew Knights Williams also play. 9:30 p.m., $5.
• “For Woody Pines, you find yourself in the Mississippi Delta when AM radio is king, sippin’ whiskey if you re fortunate and moonshine if you’re desperate,” says the bio. Or you can find yourself at MoDaddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550) around 10 p.m. $5.
Friday, Sept. 10
• Highland Brewing Company’s Friday fete kicks off around 5 p.m. with Grant DaSantos & Fatback. They know Levon Helm, FYI. Fiore’s vends food, admission is free.
• Will Straughan (of Red June, Garbage Bear and other bands) and Allison King perform Americana at Craggie Brewing Company (197 Hilliard Ave., Asheville, 254-0360). 7 p.m., free.
• The Garage at Biltmore (101 Fairview Road, Ste B, Asheville, 505-2663) gets ready for an all-ages metal show: Alarka releases a CD, Telic (pictured), Burnstich and MayLay also play. 8 p.m., $5.
• “I’ll play it first and tell you what it is later” is the tagline of jazz/funk fusion band Melodious Earth. They play the Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612) with 26 Ways. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11
• Brit rockers The Cheeksters tell Xpress that they have a new album in the works and, so, some new songs to share. Check out those songs at The Flat Rock Wine Shoppe’s Back Room (2702 Greenville Hwy., Suite C, Singleton Centre, Flat Rock, 697-6828). 9 p.m.
• Good Stuff Grocery (133 S. Main St., Marshall, 649-9711) hosts the excellently-named punk/experimental Lords of Chicken Hill. 9 p.m., tips.
• Ron Short & the Possom Palyboys describe their sound as “Featuring fiddle and ‘Cajun’ accordion, the Playboys play a lively mix of ‘jam band’ music from ‘swamp to swing’ that sets feet tapping, hips swinging, and people singing!” They’ll be at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445). 9:30 p.m.
• A Ghost Like Me (pictured) plays cool, spooky rock (Brad Rogers is actually credited with “guitars, synths and shininess” — listen to the band and you instantly hear the shine). They share the stage at Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill (122 College St., Asheville, 281-0920) with The Dark Shave. 10 p.m.-ish.
Straightaway Cafe in Black Mountain will have an awesome bluegrass band on Friday night- Wiseapple… I am pretty sure it is free- can see their page on facebook
Amy White plays free folk at Craggie Brewery on Sat., Sept. 11.
The Goodies play Stella Blue Saturday night