Snoop Dogg, Tyler Childers and The Connells are bringing tours to the Triangle
It’s that time of the year, when holiday tunes are featured at musicians’ shows. Quite a few Christmas songs will be delivered this week. However, don’t expect any such tunes at Snoop Dogg’s soldout concert (though we can always hope for a surprise from the iconic rapper.)
1. Snoop Dogg
The details: Dec. 19, 8 p.m. The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh. Sold out. 919-424-1400, or ritzraleigh.com
The Dogfather is back. So much is made of Snoop’s love of weed, but hip-hop’s most lovable figure is always positive. Snoop Dog recently told Billboard that there are no boundaries in music, which is his message to children.
Snoop is unpredictable, amusing and colorful when he performs live. Check out some of Snoop’s tattoos, including a tribute to his late old friend, rapper Nate Dogg. Our burning question: does Snoop have a Martha Stewart tat?
2. Tyler Childers
The details: Dec. 18, 8 p.m. The Ritz. Sold out.
Childers is justifiably blowing up. “Country Squire,” his latest album is filled with hard hitting but catchy country. Childers, with the help of his co-conspirator Sturgill Simpson, delivers potent, meaningful tunes.
“A lot of times, you’ll be flipping through country radio and there’s just no substance,” Childers tells GQ. “It’s all about props: Solo cups or whatever. It’s not about a dude’s work day or someone that lost a good friend or relative. There’s nothing to hold onto when you’re going through something.
“That’s what music is supposed to do. It’s supposed to help people out. Anybody can listen to what they want, I just don’t have the time or patience for it.”
3. Reverend Horton Heat
The details: Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro. Voodoo Glow Skulls and Dave Alvin will open. Tickets start at $25. 919-967-9053 or catscradle.com
Expect quite a few Christmas songs from Reverend Horton Heat, which is on its “Horton’s Holiday Hayride” tour. One of the favorite songs delivered by the Rev (aka Jim Heath) is the quirky “Santa’s on the Roof.” The track was inspired by Heath’s father, who would pretend to be Santa while stomping on the roof of a neighbor’s house.
“My dad did that because their dad was in Vietnam,” Heath said while calling from Dallas. “ He climbed on the roof and jingled some bells and stomped around. When he was climbing down the ladder, one of the kids said, ‘Mr. Heath,’ did you see Santa Claus while you were up there?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, David, he knows you’re awake. Get some sleep.’ That night is forever etched in my memory. My dad was sonic proof that Santa is real.”
Arrive early to catch the Rev’s entertaining pals, the Voodoo Glow Skulls and Dave Alvin.
4. The Connells
The details: Dec. 13, Cat’s Cradle. Tickets start at $20.
When The Connells emerged from the Triangle a generation ago, it appeared that the quirky alt-rock band might grab the brass ring like R.E.M.
“(R.E.M.) demonstrated that homegrown bands from the South, small college towns, could make a big splash,” singer-songwriter Mike Connell explained to the North State Journal. “They were freaking awesome.”
The Connells remain pretty special, and the underheralded band is still alive and well.
5. Street Corner Symphony
The details: Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham. Tickets start at $15. 919-901-0875 or motorcomusic.com
The a cappella group from Nashville, which was competed on the NBC reality show “The Sing Off,” will deliver Christmas songs.
6. Thunder Jackson
The details: Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Motorco. Tickets start at $12.
Fun pop-rock from the adventurous duo.
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Snoop Dogg, Tyler Childers and The Connells are bringing tours to the Triangle."