Miami, we may not agree on a lot. But one thing we can all concur that the 305 is the place to be when autumn rolls 'round.
It's the perfect (and only) time of year to sit under a tree and sip on a Shipyard Pumpkinhead, stay out partying all night without having to worry about sweat stains, and see talented musicians put on a show for the Magic City.
Here are the five best concerts to check out in Miami this week.
See also: New Times' Concert Calendar
OLA! Music Fest. With Elastic Bond, Mr. Pauer, Meridian Brothers, Dengue Dengue Dengue!, and Los Chinchillos del Caribe. Presented by MDC Live Arts. Friday, October 11, 9 p.m., Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-377-2277; grandcentralmiami.com. Tickets cost $25 plus fees via ticketfly.com. There's more to Latin music than salsa, merengue, y reggaeton. The new wave of Spanish-language sounds, or Onda Latino-Americana, is a melodic, high-energy fusion of funk, dancehall, cumbia, and electronic vibes that's rocking this hemisphere with a different type of descarga.
Emeli Sandé. With Johnnyswim. Friday, October 11, 8:30 p.m., Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7300; fillmoremb.com. Tickets cost $28.50 plus fees via livenation.com. Emeli Sandé is like British pop royalty. She performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. She was given the Brit Awards Critics' Choice Award that same year. And she has written for musical sensations Alica Keys, Rihanna, the U.K.'s Ella Henderson, and other pop starlets. So find out this Friday why the Brits (and the rest of the world) admire Ms. Sandé.
Jorge Drexler. Saturday, October 12, 8:30 p.m., New World Center, 500 17th St., Miami Beach; 305-673-3330; newworldcenter.com. Tickets cost $41.50 to $61.50 plus fees via newworldcenter.com. "Everything Transforms." Just take a listen to Jorge Drexler's song of the same name. The Uruguayan musician went from working as an otolaryngologist (that's an ear, nose, throat specialist) to crafting award-winning tunes. Aside from countless Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, the doctor won an Oscar for his song "Al Otro Lado del Río," or "On the Other Side of the River," from the 2004 flick The Motorcycle Diaries. Guess Drexler's a natural.
A SongVersation with India.Arie. Presented by Soulbird. With Gramps Morgan. Sunday, October 13, 8 p.m., Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7300; fillmoremb.com. Tickets cost $32.50 to $45 plus fees via livenation.com. India.Arie wants to have a SongVersation and illuminate you with her soothing melodies and inspirational lyrics. So take in her words of wisdom and "Just Do You."
The Band Perry. As part of the BleauLive series. Sunday, October 13, 8 p.m., Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2000; fontainebleau.com. Hotel packages cost $299 to $599 plus fees per night based on double occupancy. Dinner and show packages cost $100 plus fees via nightpass.co. Don't be fooled by the brotherly-sisterly love that the guys and gal of the Band Perry have got goin' on. If you "cross the line too many times," these three siblings will work their Southern charm on you, slap the sass outta your ass, and "put you in your place."
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