Knaves Grave, Barreracudas and the Runaway Suns
529, 529 Flat Shoals Ave.
Friday, Nov. 5, 9 p.m.
$7, 21-and-up
Atlanta’s all-female, punk-influenced trio Knaves Grave churns out distorted, guitar-heavy pop gems with silly titles and irresistible melodies. Likeminded locals Barreracudas point their guitar work closer to catchy power-pop, and boast similarly giggle-worthy content (see “Diet Coke” and “Dog Foods”). Rounding out the cool-but-silly bill with a bit of sincerity is the Runaway Suns, a Brooklyn-based band rife with Atlanta ex-pats. The five-piece does more than nod toward the psychedelic ‘60s—it emulates the sounds of the era with pride, and offers a brand of trippy jams that feels effortlessly natural. —Jhoni Jackson, Entertainment Editor
La Roux and Francis and the Lights
Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St.
Friday, Nov. 5, 8:30 p.m.
$29, all ages
English duo La Roux and New York-based Francis and the Lights bring the experimental and electrifying style of their debut releases La Roux and It’ll Be Better to downtown Atlanta. La Roux relives the sounds of British synth-pop dance music (think Erasure and Depeche Mode), while Francis and the Lights combines rock, alternative, jazz and a dash of hip-hop. Led by the animated Francis Farewell Starlite, the band offers sequenced, unorthodox percussion on easily likeable songs. Formerly an opener for both MGMT and Drake, Francis and the Lights inserts quality covers in live shows and music compilations, like the late Otis Redding’s “The Immortal Otis Redding” and, more recently, Kanye West’s “You Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” —Isabelle Ahanotu, Staff Writer
Wiz Khalifa and Yelawolf
Masquerade, 695 North Ave.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 9 p.m.
$20, all ages
On the eve of the release his first official single “Black and Yellow”—a mark of respect for his hometown and its professional sports teams—the Taylor Gang General is headed back to the South. For the last year, the Pittsburgh native has been the face of hip-hop’s new school artists, as well as that illegal substance which many crave with their Florida breakfast juice. Reminiscent of an early ‘90s Snoop Dogg, Khalifa’s northern East Coast flow with tatted-up flair gives the hipster crowd something to rock to.
Wiz declined to tour with Drizzy Drake, instead launching his 2010 Waken Baken tour in September. Performing live music from his successful mix tapes Kush and Orange Juice, Flight School and Burn After Rolling, prepare to be smoked out at Saturday night’s show. The concert will also feature the rugged, hardcore Alabama hip-hopper Yelawolf, who’s made a huge climb from the southern underground rap scene to sharing a bill with big shots like Rakim, Lauryn Hill and the Clipse at the Rock the Bells hip-hop festival this summer. Who says white men can’t jump? —Isabelle Ahanotu, Staff Writer
Of Montreal and Janelle Monáe
Variety Playhouse,
Saturday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
$25-$27.50, all ages
Athens, Ga.-bred dance-demanders Of Montreal and up-and-coming funk-pop purveyor Janelle Monáe pair up for a two-night stand at Variety Playhouse. Monáe is featured on Of Montreal’s latest album, False Priest—a live collaborative performance is practically inevitable. Of Montreal is known for its explosively theatrical shows, so expect a visual take on the band’s latest album in gargantuan proportions. —Jhoni Jackson, Entertainment Editor
