Musiq Soulchild at Fridays at Sunset
Not many artists can take a four-year break and pick up where they left off. Musiq Soulchild does just that this week at Fridays at Sunset at Kanawha Plaza. His latest release, “Luvanmusiq,” has generated strong sales and numerous remixes for his hit single, “Buddy.” While the singer recently returned to his former moniker, the music has stayed the same. Musiq Soulchild plays June 1 at 6 p.m. $20. Call 888-301-4102 or visit www.fridaysatsunset.com.
Huey Lewis and the News at Innsbrook
If you wanted a new drug in the ’80s, Huey Lewis was the man to see. As MTV served up synth-laden haircut-driven bands with questionable talents, Huey and the boys offered old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll like Mom used to buy. While many of those new wave bands have vanished along with neon headbands and portable cassette players, Lewis is a long player. The band performs in the Snagajob.com Pavilion Wednesday, May 30, at 6 p.m. $15-$35. Call 423-6589 or visit www.innsbrookafterhours.com.
Soulive at Friday Cheers
How soulful is Soulive? It’s signed to the newly relaunched Stax records. The trio of jazz-trained musicians has worked with some of the top vocalists in R&B and some of hip-hop’s more notable talents, amassing a funk-filled jazzy catalog. Now touring as a quartet with a guest vocalist, the group aims to show Richmond there’s no place like soul on Brown’s Island June 1 at 6 p.m. Free. Call 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
Martina McBride at the Richmond Coliseum
Word from up the line, from the cities she’s already hit on her tour, is that McBride is a woman of many styles: She’s country, sure enough, and rock, and she’s also part diva. She covers, if www.newsday.com is to be believed, Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and even a little Judy Garland number called “Over the Rainbow.” Which might just beat “The Dark Side of Oz” for a surreal experience. McBride performs Thursday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. $33.75-$54.75. That ought to put you in the mood for the Greg Potter Slate River Ranch Classic the following night, June 1, at 8. Tickets to the bull-riding are $15-$61. Call 262-8100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Richmond Idol at Short Pump Town Center
While some folk choose to wallow in the shame of a poorly chosen tank top or pair of jean shorts, others opt for disgracing themselves in front of a crowd of fellow mall-goers. Some, hopefully, will do both Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m. Free. Visit www.foxrichmond.com or call 358-3535. S
