THURSDAY, MAY 26
HOMETOWN HEROZ
Most artists on Hometown Heroz, a Carolina-based hip-hop showcase, are indeed young regional torchbearers. Kinston native Jackie Spade, for instance, earned some glow last year as a spitter selected for the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Littleton's Shamiere Jackson, or Swank, began blazing his trail last year with two bold projects and updates of Ginuwine classics and a Sampha cut. Upstart Raleigh club charmer and image guru ZenSoFly has already been celebrated by some as the "mayor" of the city's new music identity. While the remaining rascals on this bill, Rodney Wright and Gentry, have a way to go before they reach similar levels, they'll be forced to step their games up in the company of such quickly rising peers. In the context of this show, everyone's a hero for assuming such lofty local responsibilities. Cheer them on, and you may hear pieces of the state's musical future. —Eric Tullis
MOTORCO, DURHAM 9 p.m., $12–$15, www.motorcomusic.com