For more live music to see in Birmingham, check out Weld‘s Live Music Calendar or visit our music section.
Creepoid perform at Saturn Birmingham on Wednesday, May 6. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Elvis Perkins/Duquette Johnston
WorkPlay | Friday, May 1 | 8 p.m.
Elvis Perkins, like many folk singers, has more than a shade of Bob Dylan in his sound. But don’t take that as a dismissal. Perkins’ latest record, [ITAL] I Aubade [E.ITAL], takes that sound and mutates it into something that sounds both intimate and ethereal, lo-fi yet meticulous. Perkins will perform at WorkPlay on Friday where he’ll be joined by Birmingham’s own Duquette Johnston.
Octopus Project/Nowhere Squares
Saturn | Saturday, May 2 | 9 p.m.
Let’s just assume that you’re going to Saturn’s opening night celebration (why would you not?), but if you’re looking for your next show to attend at Birmingham’s newest venue, head back there the following night for the Octopus Project, whose blend of indie rock and electronica is pretty unique: If you’ve ever wanted to see dueling theremins, here’s your chance. The band are also working on the venue’s ambient music installation project, so if you want a taste of Saturn history in the making, here’s your chance.
The Forge | Saturday, May 2 | 8 p.m.
The unchecked id of Vampirates manifests in a brand of manic punk, if you can even call it that (the title of the group’s latest EP insists that they are [ITAL] Post Genre[E.ITAL]). The group describe their live shows as having a “barroom brawl vibe,” which includes the band members sometimes fighting on stage. If that’s your kind of scene, the band’s Saturday set at the Forge promises to deliver in spades.
Iron City | Sunday, May 3 | 8 p.m.
Keb Mo has been playing the blues since the 1980s, and has become a prominent, prolific part of contemporary blues culture, having performed at the White House and President Obama’s Inaugural Ball. The 63-year-old musician will come to Iron City on Sunday, touring behind his latest album, last year’s [ITAL] BLUESAmericana [E.ITAL], one of his most solid efforts to date.
Saturn | Wednesday, May 6 | 8 p.m.
Creepoid specialize in a particularly dissonant brand of rock that isn’t too distant from what you might call shoegaze; think a curdled version of My Bloody Valentine. The band’s studio material, particularly last year’s self-titled album and Wet EP, is immersive and perfectly unsettling. For Wednesday’s show at Saturn, they’ll be joined by Birmingham metal-turned-post-punk band Null.
