Author: Matthew Cawthon

Celtic couture
King Golden Banshee is mysterious in the vein of traditional Irish folklore. With a limited presence online, the only information gleaned from the band’s Facebook description is a collective interest in Guinness. The five-piece counts flutes, fiddles, banjos, the bodhran, and tin whistles among its instrumental repertoire and uses them skillfully to recall classic Celtic mythology. Tune titles include “Rakish Paddy,” “Old Apples in Winter,” and the appropriately Irish Gaelic “Si Bheagh,” as composed by the Irish harpist Turlough O’Carolan. The act’s emerald country rusticity is palpable.

Sunday 3/17 No cover, 8pm. Fellini’s #9, 200 W. Market St. 979-4279.

Faithful foursome
While the eleventh studio album by the well-established Christian southern rock band seems the result of hard work and posterity, Third Day has made it a goal to prove that its latest release falls into another category: miraculous. After a troubling start with a suspect record deal, Miracle, released in fall 2012, became an unexpected passion project for the Georgian group. It’s a collection of songs dedicated to inspiring fans and newcomers, without gimmicky concepts to weigh down the album, thanks to the veteran chops of rock producer Brendan O’Brien.

Thursday 3/14 $37-77, 7pm. John Paul Jones Arena, 295 Massie Rd. 243-4960.

Django untamed
A guitarist who learned his craft in gypsy campsites scattered across the French countryside sounds like the stuff of myths, but Stephane Wrembel’s colorful beginnings define his artistic career. His fifth album, Origins, was released last year and finds him reaching into that history to incorporate a broader palette of sound into his music. Though his reputation as a French musician has paid off—Woody Allen even recruited him to compose the score for his recent rom-com Midnight in Paris—Wrembel shows no signs of limiting himself as he blends flamenco, blues, and rock into a work of jazz impressionism.

Wednesday 3/13 $12, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttPmn3nSb7k

Prop and circumstance

Step right up for Another RoadSide Attraction with strings, saws, and drums in tow. Hailing from Roanoke, the group’s uncanny ability to envelope audiences in its strange carnival atmosphere comes as a result of pure dedication. Prepare yourselves for the hypnotic, the bizarre, and the downright spooky as you approach this indefinably eclectic group of performers who’ve gone from a “costumed act” to “living costumes.”

Friday 3/1 $8, 8pm. C’ville Coffee, 1301 Harris St. 817-2633.

Notable artist

After starting out with a few scribbles on paper napkins, local singer/songwriter Ashley McMillen is proving that inspiration combined with perspiration breeds success. Influenced by country music of all generations, the bootstrapping McMillen has worked diligently for her fast-growing audience, and frequent radio airplay. The rising musician refuses to slow down after years of gigging everywhere from diners to Disneyland.

Friday 3/1 $8, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590.

Faith lift

Get on board the soul elevator with Kiss FM’s Chucky Hayes of “Total Praise with Chucky Hayes” fame as he hosts Notes on High, a Gospel Showcase. This night of inspirational music features four local choirs sending up a variety of praiseworthy tunes as they carry the torch of gospel tradition forward. The evening promises to lift up audiences of all ages.

Saturday 2/23 $10-12, 7:30pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building, PVCC, 501 College Drive. 961-5376