The Smokers S.C. rockers have been turning heads with a mishmash of dirty blues, '60s garage rock and sloppy punk since their arrival on the scene last year. Cranked to the max, this is drinking music that also, um, smokes. On a good night, it's all about rocking out with battered guitars and even more battered brain cells. With Appalucia and Sioux City Pete and the Beggars. The Milestone (Samir Shukla)

T.I. Every time his name is mentioned, it's usually followed by "who is going to jail in two weeks." I've been hearing that for what seems like an eternity, but the fact he's on tour shows his date behind bars is at least not happening this week. He was sentenced to one year on weapons charges – scheduled to start in March – so you should probably see him now, because the next chance you get will be a while. Bojangles Coliseum (Jeff Hahne)