NEOSOUL
Musiq Soulchild
If two Hummers traveling toward each other at 45 miles per hour were to collide, would the impact be as great as that of Musiq Soulchild when he hits a woman’s heart?

The dripping, soulful voiced Musiq channels all the great soulsters that ran through Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia Sound machine, the city that made Musiq a man, too.

Although he cites every musician on the planet as influences, Musiq's sound is so distinct that "he's never mistaken for anyone else." With a sound that's unique even among the most imaginative R&B cats, he seems to slither through decades of musical innovation with a sound that is neither here nor there: it's rooted in the funk and melodies of Sweet Philly of ’74, sensual landscapes painted by DeBarge in ’78, and lyrical rhythms compliments of Stevie Wonder. On thing is for certain, your woman isn’t on your planet when he’s singing. â€" Suzy Stump
[Emerald Queen Casino, 8:30 p.m., also Saturday, March 29 8:30 p.m., $25-$50 at Ticketmaster, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777]

COWPUNK
Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies
There are plenty of things wrong with country music. Toby Keith’s Chevy commercials and Keith Urban’s facial hair top the list. Though the genre has gained a place in pop culture â€" a transition jumpstarted by Garth Brooks’ tight fitting black jeans and Billy Ray’s achy breaky heart â€" all the quality and authenticity has been lost in the process.

Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies remind us that it doesn’t have to be like this. Though comparing Wayne to popular country artists is nothing but a discredit to the man who will bring his red-eyed circus to Hell’s Kitchen this Friday, March 28, Wayne is country at heart, and his songs reek of dusty legitimacy. Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies are two parts country, one part punk, and one part booze. â€" Matt Driscoll
[Hell’s Kitchen, Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies, James Hunnicutt and the Revolvers, Hartwood, The Joshua Cain Band, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LINK: Waves & Radiation CD Release Party and other in the clubs tonight.
LINK: Tacoma City Ballet goes Bohemian tonight.
LINK: Let’s eat Asian today.