Justin Townes Earle Saturday, June 2 Headliners Music Hall A folk singer-songwriter with an affection for Memphis soul and the country blues, Justin Townes Earle crafts evocative songs that are serious and breezy.
Shilpa Ray Thursday, June 7 Zanzabar A versatile musician who mixes jazzs swagger, pops catchy sensibilities and punks impact, Shilpa Ray uses direct, ear-to-the-street poetry that recalls Lou Reed, telling the sort of everyday stories that dig deep into the human experience.
Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue Thursday, June 7 Mercury Ballroom A New Orleans jazz rolling machine, Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue take those electric performance that youll find in the Big Easy on the road. Sometimes they mix in hip-hop and pop, but theyre young prodigies and trailblazers in this storied and venerable genre.
John Prine Friday, June 8 Louisville Palace A living legend, and one of the most important American songwriters to ever exist, John Prine continues to build on his iconic, idiosyncratic stories, providing the same sort of roller coaster ride as the greatest novelists.
Alt-J Friday, June 8 Iroquois Amphitheater With dreamy, slacker indie-rock, Alt-J makes dense, precise music thats part experimental and part lush pop, walking that line very well.
Of Montreal Saturday, June 16 Headliners A project thats been around the indie scene for two decades, Of Montreal plays weirdo psychedelic pop thats catchy.
Young Widows Thursday, June 21 Zanzabar A driving, stormy Louisville rock band that is celebrating a B-sides collection that spans a decade of their work, Young Widows are a local post-punk juggernaut thats consistently made refreshing music.
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Friday, June 22 Zanzabar The former frontman of Pavement, Stephen Malkmus is touring on a brand new record, Sparkle Hard, a clever, wide-ranging release that shows he has plenty left in the tank.
Bettye Lavette, Company of Thieves, Dr. Dundiff/Otis Junior Wednesday, June 27 Waterfront Wednesday The June installment of WFPKs Waterfront Wednesday, featuring soul icon Bettye Lavette, indie band Company of Thieves and the local duo of Otis Junior and Dr. Dundiff.
Tyler Childers Thursday, June 28 Gravely Brewing Co. A benefit for Johnny Boone of Cornbread Mafia fame, quickly-rising Kentucky songwriter Tyler Childers will perform. Tickets are $50, but Childers upcoming two-night stand at Headliners in August is sold out.
This article appears in May 30, 2018.
