Friday, 3/25 –
Kirk Franklin
@ Fox Theatre –
A choir leader at his local church by the age of 12 and founder of his own 17-person choir, the Family, at age 21, one could say gospel mega-star Kirk Franklin has the divine gift when it comes to making some seriously spiritually uplifting tunes. Franklin revisits the landmarks of his career, which include 11 albums, nine Grammy Awards, and numerous other accolades with the 20 Years in One Night Tour, a retrospective not to be missed.
Starts at 7:30 p.m.; 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-3200; olympiaentertainment.com/fox-theatre; tickets are $25, $35, $50, and $75; all ages.
Thursday, 2/18 –
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
@ Saint Andrews Hall –
Nostalgia alert! One of the best rap groups of all time, Cleveland’s Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, will be returning to Detroit at Saint Andrews Hall to give one hell of a performance. If you’re somehow not familiar with the legends, rapper Eazy-E of N.W.A. signed the group to Ruthless Records in the early ’90s and the rest is history. The group has been working on new material since 2014, so you will hear a mix of the new stuff and the ’90s rap goodness that we all long for.
Doors at 7 p.m.; 431 E Congress St., Detroit; saintandrewsdetroit.com; $30.
Thursday, 2/18 –
Ches Smith with Craig Taborn and Mat Maneri
@ Trinosophes –
Ches Smith is one of the best jazz percussionists in the country, and it’s a damn shame that he’s not better known. Smith has been lending his talents to many other musicians by playing percussion on their respective albums, but never on his own. In early January, Smith released his first album The Bell as a composer and bandleader with the help from pianist Craig Taborn and violist Mat Maneri. The trio is now on tour supporting the album and will be hitting up Detroit along the way. The trio creates an interesting blend of contemporary jazz and indie, with Smith at the center with his drum kit.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; trinosophes.com; $10-$20 suggested.
Friday, 2/19 –
Fetty Wap
@ The Fillmore –
Oh, Fetty Wap. It feels like eons ago when we all danced to “Trap Queen” and had to Google what “cookin’ pies with my baby” really means (if you haven’t yet, please do so now). Fetty Wap was one of last summer’s biggest surprises. The up-and-coming hip-hop star is finally making a stop in Detroit. As silly of a song as “Trap Queen” is, there is no denying that it is infectious and catchy as hell. With his other singles “679” and “Again,” this will be a show that everyone will be talking about the next day and beyond.
Doors at 7 p.m.; 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; livenation.com; Tickets $25-$45.
Friday, 2/19 –
Lee DeWyze
@ The Magic Bag –
With the ending of American Idol in the future, it’s perfect timing for season nine winner Lee DeWyze to tour the country. DeWyze has had a successful post-Idol career with multiple albums and tours. His latest album, Oil & Water, just dropped last week and is full of his classic “WGWG” songs (white guy with a guitar). DeWyze has alt-pop group Wakey Wakey along for the tour.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 22920 Woodward Ave, Ferndale; themagicbag.com; Tickets $15, VIP package $5o.
Friday, 2/19 –
Black Sabbath
@ The Palace of Auburn Hills –
This is monumentally exciting news for fans of the truest heaviness. Minus original drummer Bill Ward (who is still feuding with lead singer Ozzy Osbourne), we’ve got the original lineup of one of the best rock bands in the history of forever, Black Sabbath. The originators of so many things, we don’t have space to list them here. The End of the World Tour is touted as their very last tour, so how can you miss it? Well, if you do miss it, you can catch them on the return leg of the tour, when they play again at the DTE Energy Music Theatre on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Doors at 7:30 p.m.; 6 Championship Drive, Auburn Hills; blacksabbath.com;
Tickets in the resale market start at $56.
Friday, 3/25 –
Yung Lean
@ Populux –
Our favorite Arizona-swilling, bucket hat-wearing Swedish rapper is coming to town, this time on the worldwide Warlord Tour in promotion of his second studio album of the same title. Yes, the Sad Boys crew have come a long way from the days of viral video hits on YouTube, trading their Pokemon cards for more innovative production techniques and more serious content. That being said, I think we’ll always have a special place in our hearts for the moon-faced 16-year-old in the endearingly absurd “Ginseng Strip” music video in 2002.
Starts at 8 p.m.; 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-603-5343; populuxdetroit.com; tickets are $18; all ages.
Saturday, 3/26 –
Steve Leaf & the Ex Pats
@ New Way Bar –
Steve and his Ex Pats like to let the hurt linger on their latest release, Three Circles and a Speaker, a searing break-up album that opts for the slow burn rather than the “rip the Band-Aid off” technique. Taking cues from indie balladeers like Buckley, Malkmus, and Tweedy, Leaf warbles on so earnestly to his fuzzed-out guitar that you can’t help but wish the poor guy some closure. With special guests Joe and These Curious Thoughts.
Starts at 8 p.m.; 23130 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-541-9879; newwaybar.tumblr.com; tickets are $5; 21 and older.
Saturday, 3/26 –
Eugene Chadbourne
@ Trinosophes –
Psychedelic improviser and multi-instrumentalist Eugene Chadbourne fuses free jazz, bluegrass, noise, and folk into avant-garde performances that are simultaneously political, irreverent, and dementedly tinged with LSD. If you’re into the likes of Coltrane, Braxton, Hendrix, Zappa, and Americana in general, check out this legendary eccentric.
Starts at 9 p.m.; 1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-737-6606; trinosophes.com; $10 to $20 suggested donation; all ages.
Saturday, 3/26 –
Panic in Detroit!
@ Northern Lights –
This star-studded event bills itself as a “night of glam rock featuring an acoustic tribute to David Bowie.” DJs will spin Bowie and glam greats, while some of your favorite locals cover Bowie tunes unplugged. Among the covers we’re most excited about is Margaret Doll Rod taking on “Moonage Daydream,” Audra Kubat and Tamara Finley tackling “Space Oddity,” David Shettler doing “Warszawa,” Matthew Smith covering “Boys Keep Swinging,” Jarrett Koral and Johnny Chan doing “Five Years,” Willa Rae covering “Life on Mars,” and then there’s Emily Rose’s take on “Man Who Sold the World.” This just might be awesome.
Doors at 9 p.m.; 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739; $5.
Saturday, 3/26 –
Mama
@ UFO Factory –
Gritty power-pop quartet Mama usher in the springtime sunshine with a heavy dose of ferociously gleeful tunes that make you feel wistful, hopeful, and hedonistic all at the same time. The Chicago-based group released their Speed Trap EP off underground rock ‘n’ roll label Hozac. Check out the single “Speed Trap,” which rolls the Dictators, Thin Lizzy, and the Ramones all into one undeniable hit, no matter which side of the power-pop line you land on.
Starts at 9 p.m.; 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; ufofactory.com; tickets are $7; 21 and older.
Friday, 2/19 –
Lotus
@ Royal Oak Music Theatre –
What makes Lotus such a great band to see live is that you truly never know what you’re gonna get. The band has solid jam-bands root with lots of improv and long sets, but as music evolves so does the band. They are not afraid to dabble and sample into more electronic sounds with synths and drum machines. They released a new single, “Eats the Light” and are always creating and working on new music.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 318 W. Fourth St, Royal Oak; royaloakmusictheatre.com; $25.
Saturday, 3/26 –
Prism Quartet
@ Northside Community Church –
The critically acclaimed Prism Quartet, one of the greatest contemporary saxophone chamber ensembles of the moment, is performing a benefit concert for six schools in greater Detroit in which proceeds will fund 28 programs serving more than 3,400 students. A great cause made even greater by the additional accompaniment of jazz saxophone legends Diego Rivera and Andrew Bishop, who will perform for part of the program, which features works ranging from John Coltrane to Robert Schumann.
Starts at 8 p.m.; 929 Barton Dr., Ann Arbor; 800-838-3006; prismquartet.com; tickets are $22 GA and $17 for students advance purchase only, $3 more at the door; all ages.
Saturday, 2/20 –
Palmer Woods Music in Homes
@ House in Palmer Woods –
Palmer Woods Music in Homes is celebrating its ninth year of jazz and world music in this historic Detroit neighborhood. If you’ve never heard of the event, here is the lowdown. Once you buy a ticket to the show, you will be given an address to the house that the show is taking place in. It’s sort of like Eyes Wide Shut, but with jazz. This month’s event will be celebrating black history Month with a Dobbins-Krahnke-Weed-Barefield Quartet. You will hear some fantastic jazz music, and there is even an intermission with some delicious treats being served.
Doors at 8 p.m.; Tickets $40-$50; palmerwoods.org; Location revealed when ticket is purchased.
Tuesday, 2/23 –
Wavves and Best Coast
@ Majestic Theater –
Indie-rock will be in the air at the Majestic Theater with California bands Wavves and Best Coast heading out on their co-headlining tour called, Summer Is Forever II. In 2011, the bands released a split-single called Summer is Forever, and we’re excited to see these two bands reunite for another single and tour. Cherry Glazer will be along as well, opening for both bands.
Doors at 7 p.m.; 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; majesticdetroit.com; $30.
Tuesday, 2/23 –
Eleanor Friedberger
@ MOCAD –
Could Eleanor Friedberger be indie-rock’s next big act? The singer-songwriter has been making music and touring for years now (she just released her third solo album), but her latest effort entitled New View is confident and free. The singer-songwriter was inspired by some of her heroes like Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Yoko Ono. After writing and recording in Brooklyn for years, Friedberger relocated to upstate New York, and recorded the entire album in a barn turned studio.
Doors at 8 p.m.; 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit; mocadetroit.org; $12.
PISCES: February 21 – March 20
You can go one way or another. The less complicated you make this, the better. You’ve have so many decisions to make don’t add to your pressure by dreaming up even more options. Before you do anything, consider the need to take care of yourself first. Don’t be too quick to believe that you’ve got to turn yourself inside out to keep up with your life. Nothing works that way — and it seems to me that you need to step out of your traces and go far enough away from all of this to see exactly where you fit into it. From a different vantage point everything will be clear.
Tuesday, 2/23 –
Sumerian Records’ 10 Year Anniversary Tour
@ The Crofoot Ballroom –
Sumerian Records has done so much for the metal and deathcore scene that it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary with a tour of some of the label’s favorite artists. Headlining the tour will be Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, and After the Burial. Sub-headliners include ERRA and Bad Omens. Born of Osiris and Veil of Maya will be supporting new albums, and the two bands have toured together before, so it’s sure to be a great time.
Doors at 6 p.m.; 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; thecofoot.com; $20.
TAURUS: April 21 – May 20
To really be able to deal with this you need to disengage enough to be objective to it. Nothing is ever wrong unless we make it so. You keep looking at things with the idea that something is in need of correction. It never works to judge your experience. With this in mind it might be time to start allowing yourself to be OK with whatever isn’t working. And you might ask yourself, “How do you know?” Because the truth about life is that it is all good. And right now, in order to restore things to balance you’ve got to be able to accept everything that’s going on, unconditionally.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
You’ve come a long way. Looking back over the last few years it’s been like some sort of initiation. If you are willing to continue to maintain the same level of honesty that you’re working with now, the next few months will reward you with more than one opportunity to get some mileage out of all the effort you’ve expended. Don’t be afraid to develop something of your very own and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make it work. You’d be surprised what will work for you right now. Watch for signs and be open to offers of help and support.
CANCER: June 21 – July 20
The best you can do is stay in the moment. Too much of what’s going on with you has to do with getting too far ahead of yourself. Any plans that are in place are always subject to change. The reason you’re nuts to be projecting too far into the future is because anything can happen. Murphy’s Law is the order of the day. Luckily it works both ways, so if things fall flat or fizzle out, don’t be too quick to make it wrong. It could very well be that whatever comes undone opens the space for you to take some time off and get a leg up on things that truly matter to you.
LEO: July 21 – August 20
You can’t allow yourself to close yourself off to things. The tendency to withdraw into your ivory tower only works when you’re hiding from whatever it is that makes you feel unappreciated. For many of you, there’s a touch of snobbism to this that doesn’t resonate at all with who you really are inside. You’ve got to step out a bit more and allow yourself to mingle long enough to remember that you’re just like everyone else, and that it’s your job to shine your light and express yourself even when others are too deaf, dumb, and blind to get the picture.
VIRGO: August 21 – September 20
You could make things easier if you weren’t so hung up on getting everything right. So many of you function under the impression that you can fix what’s broken by keeping the surface polished. Everything grows from the inside out; if anyone knows this, you do. You’ve got to find a way to settle up with the inner you before the outer stuff can begin to look anything like you want it to look. Others are giving you a hard time about the whole issue of getting real — and what all of this suggests is that it’s time to re-center yourself and get clear that it’s OK to be you.
LIBRA: September 21 – October 20
An old friend, or an older companion, or relative has a lot of good advice for you now. Don’t let pride or convention stop you from getting back in touch. You have too much at stake to worry about how it might look if you show any sign of weakness. Those close to you can’t be objective. Sometimes the only way to heal yourself is to let down your guard and allow the deeper part of you to reach out and admit that you don’t have the answer. Others are more than willing to share but you need to be willing to get over yourself before they deign to let you in on their secrets.
SCORPIO: October 21 – November 20
You’ve got to be careful. In going out of your way to press onward and upward you need to be sure that you’re up to speed with the rate of change. In some cases, you need to know that you’re with the right people — because any false move on any front will weaken your ability to proceed from a clear foundation. The security of things is an issue. For now you’ve got to stay put long enough to get a toe-hold on who you’re with and/or what you’re doing. Look at all of it and give yourself time to let the inner you be the one to tell you how far and how fast you’re ready to go.
SAGITTARIUS: November 21 – December 20
Put your fears to rest. Nursing them any longer than you have to will only make things worse. The thought that you’ve got to bow down to the will of fate, or to anyone’s will but your own has you convinced that you are powerless to do anything but cave in. If you really want this, and if it’s in your highest good to have it, after a period of waiting it will be yours. Before that can happen you need to stop rewinding and repeating the same story and begin to act in a way that allows others to back off enough to see that they have nothing to gain by putting you down.
CAPRICORN: December 21 – January 20
Give yourself time to settle up, down, or in and give yourself enough room to stretch beyond the limits of the ordinary. If it sounds impossible, it isn’t. You’re entering a period where you need to find a way to balance your freedom needs, with your security issues. It won’t be too hard to do once you understand that what makes you feel safe has to make you feel free, and vice versa. Check out your life and watch the ways in which you could turn what’s going on right now into more of an adventure. The box has gotten too small. Stretch your limits. Draw new boundaries.
AQUARIUS: January 21 – February 20
What do you want out of this? It’s time to get clear. The truth may be very different for you than it was a year ago, so don’t use the old frame of reference to figure out where you’re at. At rock bottom, you’ve undergone some sort of process that has rearranged all of your perceptions. Hanging on to the idea that you have to make things right, or allow pride to dictate your choices and behavior keeps you from getting in touch with what your spirit needs more than anything. If there are hatchets to bury put them to rest and get on with the business of reinventing yourself.
Tuesday, 3/29 –
She Is We
@ Crofoot –
She Is We is the new band of He Is We’s Rachel Taylor, who describes the project as a sort of “He Is We 2.0,” but with a new lineup, and help from five-time Grammy Award winner Chris Lord-Alge and big-time pop songwriter Mike Elizondo. So, in other words, a far cry from the original indie pop band from Tacoma. Nevertheless, Taylor is still just as sweet and upbeat, and her infectious vocals shine through as never before on the debut album, War. With special guests We the Kings, Elena Coats, and Brothers James.
Starts at 6 p.m.; 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; 248-858-9333; thecrofoot.com; tickets are $25; all ages.
