Arts and Entertainment

November 2009

(page 7 of 8)

MUSIC

Celtic Thunder: These male troubadours, ranging in age from 16 to 40, perform solo and ensemble Celtic numbers, accompanied by dramatic lighting and choreography. They even performed at the White House last St. Patrick’s Day. 3 p.m. Nov. 1. $37.50-$145. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-983-6000.

Rob Thomas: Thomas’ Web site cites the Matchbox Twenty frontman and solo artist as “arguably the most accomplished singer/songwriter of his generation,” and his recently released second solo album, Cradlesong, as a “magical collection.” No pressure, buddy! 7 p.m. Nov. 2. $40.50-$475. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451

Black Heart Procession: For the first three years of the band’s existence, each album of haunting, piano-driven gloom pop was numbered in succession, from its debut — 1997’s 1 — to 2000’s Three. Then, in 2002, the band took a turn toward the equator with Amore del Tropico. A few more albums with actual titles followed, but must not have succeeded as well as planned, because Black Heart is back with a new album, Six. Can you guess how many came before it? 7 p.m. Nov. 6. $10. The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Dan Auerbach: Auerbach is best-known as half of the two-piece Akron blues revival band The Black Keys. His first solo album, Keep It Hid, retains the same soul of his full-time gig while incorporating elements of country, reggae, and ’60s pop psychedelia. Justin Townes Earle, son of country star Steve Earle, opens the show at 8 p.m. Nov. 6. $20. The Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

Ska Is Dead IV feat. Mustard Plug, The Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls: If you didn’t get a chance to catch the Verve Pipe perform their hit “The Freshman” last month, don’t sweat it. Grand Rapids-based third-wave ska pioneers, Mustard Plug, do a better rendition than the original anyway — because a horn section improves any song. 8 p.m. Nov. 6. The Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

David Wilcox: Wilcox’s 16th album, Open Hand, was recorded in just one week, live, with minimal overdubs. The singer/songwriter, who has drawn comparisons to James Taylor and Nick Drake, performs solo, accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, at 8 p.m. Nov. 10. $20. The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor; 734-761-1800.

Keb’ Mo’: Born Kevin Moore in south central Los Angeles, the modern-day bluesman takes his cues from Muddy Waters and Taj Mahal, then adds a modern twist. His songs span eras and genres, jumping from Delta blues to jazz without skipping a beat. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11. $26-$50. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-668-8397.

Skinny Puppy: This Canadian industrial outfit formed in 1984, the year that George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel took place. And “dystopian” is an excellent adjective to describe Skinny Puppy’s music. Their live set plays out like a horror show, with apocalyptic themes of chemical warfare. In other words: A great way to spend an autumn evening. 8 p.m. Nov. 11. $27 in advance. $30 at the door. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: The Boss is experiencing an upswing in popularity lately. He has somehow transcended generations; parents who remember the release of Born to Run are finding their teenagers in tight jeans and plaid shirts with cut-off sleeves playing air guitar to “Thunder Road” in their bedrooms. Springsteen, who has been the butt of many jokes (like the very funny “Counting with Bruce Springsteen” sketch from Ben Stiller’s short-lived ’90’s TV show), has become the quintessential American rock legend — and the hardest-working man in show business. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13. $29-$89. Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

Boys Like Girls: “I used to be love-drunk/But now I’m hung-over” is the hook for the band’s first single from their latest release, Love Drunk. For a band with a name like “Boys Like Girls,” whose members all sport Zac Efron hairdos, the sentiment is fitting. 5 p.m. Nov. 14. $25-$100. Clutch Cargo’s, 65 E. Huron, Pontiac; 248-333-2362.

Saving Abel: Saving Abel is Mississippi’s answer to Canadian gener-rock band Nickelback, which is fine, because innovation isn’t exactly the band’s forte. Frontman Jared Weeks describes the band as “accessible and comfortable.” He characterizes their songs as the kind that sound as though you’ve heard them before. It might not be the most gripping sales pitch, but if everything has been done before, then at least Saving Abel is keeping it honest. 7 p.m. Nov. 14. $21 in advance. $25 at the door. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451.

Four Tops: Even though the Motown record label left Detroit in the early ’70s, the Four Tops have stuck around. Down to one surviving original member — Abdul “Duke” Fakir — the band continues to entertain audiences who can’t help themselves to a little “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch.” 8 p.m. Nov. 14. $32.50-$35.50. MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River, Detroit; 313-237-7711.

Brian Setzer Orchestra: Setzer has always been an advocate of out-of-style genres of music — first with his rockabilly band The Stray Cats in the ’80s, and then with his orchestra during the height of the ’90s swing revival. His big band released a number of Christmas albums, and they remain a popular fixture in the merriest time of the year. 8 p.m. Nov. 20. $52-$435. MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River, Detroit; 313-237-7711.

Gary Hoey: Hoey has become a staple on Drew & Mike’s WRIF-FM morning show thanks to his Ho! Ho! Hoey! series of Christmas albums and tours. If you don’t know, Hoey re-appropriates classic yuletide carols for the heavy-metal crowd. Think the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, minus the overblown theatrics. 8 p.m. Nov. 20. $20. Blondies Detroit, 2281 W. Fort, Detroit; 313-964-1000.

The Jesus Lizard: The Jesus Lizard likes to keep things terse; each of their albums is titled with just one word, including their 1990 debut full-length, Head, the follow-up, Goat, their last album of original material, 1998’s Blue, and all the compilations, live albums, and studio works in between. And although their handle is supposedly taken from the nickname for a basilisk, the band has always displayed a degree of concupiscence in their live sets. Catch them for their first tour in 10 years at 8 p.m. Nov. 25. $20 in advance. The Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Matt Watroba: Watroba is best-known as the longtime host of the Folks Like Us program, heard Sundays on WDET-FM. But the radio personality is also an accomplished folk musician in his own right, covering songs by everyone from Woody Guthrie to Phil Ochs, as well as writing his own pieces. Nov. 27. $15. The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor; 734-761-1800.

The Big Pink with Crystal Antlers: Though named after the debut album by the Band, the Big Pink take their cues from electro outfits like Crystal Castles (not to be confused with show openers, Crystal Antlers), even though they recorded their first full-length, September’s A Brief History of Love, at Electric Lady Studios. The studio is a better fit for Crystal Antlers, whose spazzy psychedelia recalls the heyday of rock ’n’ roll. 8 p.m. Nov. 28. $12. The Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-9700.

All Time Low: This band sounds like power-chords, octaves, and palm-muting behind lyrics detailing suburban heartbreak — with a polish that even Pete Wentz’s fingernails would be jealous of. 7 p.m. Nov. 29. $20. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5451

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