Livewire: 10 concerts happening in metro Detroit this week

Thursday, 1/21 - Chris Bathgate @ The Ark - Chris Bathgate is a singer-songwriter from the Ann Arbor area. He began his musical career in a metal band, but soon after changed styles to a more folk song with poetic lyrics style that helps to highlight the dude’s raspy, striped-down voice. His music is often compared to other folk singers like Sufjan Stevens or Father John Misty. Bathgate has broken the Michigan scene and is starting to gain national attention. He was even featured on an episode of NPR’s highly regarded Tiny Desk Concert. Bathgate will also be joined by the band Bear Medicine, who probably play some kind of updated folk-rock. Doors at 7:30 p.m.; 316 S Main St., An Arbor; theark.org; Tickets $15.

Friday, 1/22 - Denmark Vessey @ Blind Pig - Detroit-born emcee and producer Denmark Vessey will be making a return to metro Detroit by performing at the Blind Pig. The emcee released a new EP at the end of 2015 awesomely titled Martin Lucid King. The best song on the EP, “Don’t Smoke K2”, is far more than just a drug PSA. Vessey raps about government hypocrisy like phone taping and class warfare. Check it out. Doors at 9 p.m.; 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor; blindpigmusic.com; $7.

Friday, 1/22 - David Bowie tribute night @ Smalls - It’s been a matter of days since the shock of super-legend David Bowie’s death has hit us all. And it’s becoming harder to believe that the prolific, genre-shifting, often transcendent artist was even alive during our lifetime. There are tons of tribute concerts happening all over the country, both locally and nationally. And lucky for us there will be this one at Smalls. DJ Pleasure Kitten, DJ Aaron Hingst, and special guest DJ Jamie Jones will be serving up new wave and alternative as well, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Expect great music from Bowie as well as hits from his contemporaries. Doors at 9 p.m.; 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; smallsbardetroit.com; No cover before 10 p.m., $3 after.

Friday, 1/22 - DJ Carnage @ Royal Oak Music Theatre - Los Angeles-based producer and DJ, Carnage is bringing us his super heavy beats and infectious dance music and it will be one hell of a party. Carnage originally grew up in both Guatemala and Nicaragua before moving to Maryland at a young age. His mother encouraged him to start making his own music because he loved it so much, and the rest is history. His live shows are described as insane and thrilling, with choreographed lights along with Carange’s addictive sounds. Doors at 8 p.m.; 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; royaloakmusictheatre.com; Tickets $29.50 in advance, $35 day of.

Friday, 1/22 - Colin Tucker @ Trinosophes - Colin Tucker is a Michigan-born composer who will present “Maps of Disintegration and Forgetfulness,” a series of works for acoustic chamber ensembles. The concert will feature three new pieces for an ensemble of double-basses, creating a heavy bass sound that will be not only enjoyable but intriguing as well. This will be a great show for music fans who love seeing orchestras play, because this is very much an unconventional orchestra. The bass and melody of the pieces will often juxtapose themselves, creating an interesting evening for live music. Doors at 8 p.m.; 1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; triosophes.com; Tickets $5-10, sliding scale.

Saturday, 1/23 - Due North @ PJ’s Lager House - On a Saturday night filled with great local Detroit and Michigan-area rock ’n’ roll, add this bill, which has Due North performing with Jake Simmons and the Little Ghosts, Smash the Jukebox, and Jimmy Vee. Whew. Due North are from Detroit and have a punk-influenced sound with rock ’n’ roll originality. The band cites the Replacements, Tom Petty, and the Clash as major influences of their work. Soul-punksters Jake Simmons and the Little Ghost are from Kalamazoo, and they released a new LP called No Better. The event also includes Detroit punk rockers Smash the Jukebox and local artist Jimmy Vee. Doors at 8 p.m.; 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; pjslagerhouse.com; $6.

Saturday, 1/23 - Bronze Mambas, the Sun Parade @ The Majestic Theatre - This show is for anyone who wants to see up and coming rock bands do what they do best. Detroit natives Bronze Mambas will be bring their style of psychedelic-rock alongside the Sun Parade and George Morris and the Gypsy Chorus. Bronze Mambas have been playing the local Detroit scene for a while now, and are on the verge of breaking through nationally. The Sun Parade have been touring the U.S. after releasing their EP Heart’s Out this past fall. George Morris and the Gypsy Chorus are another great Detroit band; they were just nominated for 89x’s Homie Awards. Doors at 8 p.m.; 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; majesticdetroit.com; cover is $8.

Saturday, 1/23 - Robert Gordon @ Magic Bag - If you’re a fan of rockabilly, then you already know you won’t want to miss living legend Robert Gordon at the Magic Bag in Ferndale. Gordon has been making a wonderful racket since the 1970s, ranging from some of the earliest and best punkabilly to the more classic heavy twang he’s best known for, and excels at. Gordon’s latest album came out in 2014, and the 68-year-old still tours regularly. Here’s to many more years of active, heavy rocking for the super cool cat in the leather jacket. Doors at 8 p.m.; 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; themagicbag.com; $15.

Saturday, 1/23 - Tenth Avenue North @ Grace Gospel Fellowship - Massively popular contemporary Christian band Tenth Avenue North will be performing at Grace Gospel Fellowship to benefit Grace Centers of Hope. The band has released four studio albums and has received three Dove Awards (the Chrstian music scene’s own Grammy Awards) including best new artist in 2009. The band’s latest album, Cathedrals, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Music Chart. All proceeds from this event will support the new William A. Davis Women and Children’s Center. Doors at 6:30 p.m.; 65 E. Huron St., Pontiac; www.gracecentersofhope.org; Tickets at $20-$40.

Wednesday, 1/27 - Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton @ Michigan Theater - Lisa Fischer can sing like nobody’s business. If you don’t immediately recognize her name, that’s because she’s spent the majority of her career as a backup singer for the Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross, Sting, Chris Botti, and dozens of others. As one of the top session and backup singers, she’s prominently featured in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom. Her astonishing range, spot-on intonation, mastery of the stage, and infectious sweet smile make her a go-to singer for the likes of Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, Bobby McFerrin, and Aretha Franklin. After winning Grammys for best female R&B performance (1992) and best music film, she ha now assembled her own band and claimed her well-deserved place center stage. Starts at 7:30 p.m.; 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; ums.org/venue/michigan-theater; Tickets at $22- $42.