Sylvia Theater in York is the place to be tonight

By Debby Jet Jennings

The next year of the cat doesn't come around until 2011 (according to the Vietnamese Zodiac), but you can catch up with singer/songwriter Al Stewart, whose hit song “The Year of The Cat” (1976) helped move his musical career into high gear.

Now, Stewart, along with musical partner Dave Nachmanoff, appearing tonight at the Sylvia Theater in York, waft away on a trek together through Stewart's vast musical environs as presented on the recent album “Uncorked.” Music for this album was chosen from a considerable catalogue of approximately 20 albums' worth of songs, often dubbed “historical folk-rock.” That label might be puzzling or even a bit high-falutin' with regard to truly illuminating the style of Stewart and his songs which include the mega hits “The Year of the Cat” (1976) as well as “Time Passages” (1978), but there's a lot more material available.

Just know that Stewart's flair for exotic settings, intriguing imagery, clever flowing lyrics, and agile technique go a long way to illustrate his compelling folk/rock approach. Scottish-born Stewart was part of the celebrated late 1960s and 1970s British folk/rock revival, running alongside the renowned and the legendary. He has been referred to as “chief scribe of English music,” thanks to his flair for writing visually provocative lyrics. And while Al usually comes in to a gig with a set list in mind, often times, he'll just throw it out and go with the flow. To find out where the flow will go, head to the Sylvia Theater, downtown York. Call 803-684-5590 or check sylviatheater.com. For more on the music go to myspace.com/officialalstewart and alstewart.com.

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Calculate the multiple factors that make MuteMath, playing Saturday at Amos' Southend in Charlotte, musically extraordinary and totally atypical. Based in New Orleans, the group's music consists of numerous elements and has been described as everything from electro-alternative-rock to psychedelic-gospel to experimental-pop. Grammy-nominated, the band was formed in 2003 and features Paul Meany, keyboards/vocals; Darren King, drums/samples; Greg Hill, guitar; and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas, bass. Together they factor several decades of alternative rock cues into a sophisticated cipher of sound and swagger.

According to Meany, “for us, we just try to keep it simple. We're obviously a band; that's really all we ever wanted to be from the very beginning without catering to any particular genre or political or religious agenda. We just want to make music with no barriers.” Count on finding something to like about Mutemath plus As Tall As Lions this Saturday at Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Call the club at 704-377-6874 for show info or check amossouthend.com. For more on the band, check myspace.com/mutemath and mutemath.com.

Speaking of variety, here's a lusty lineup of bands: Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, The Maine, A Rocket To The Moon and Versa Emerge converging Tuesday on Amos' Southend in Charlotte. All these relatively new up and comers have ganged together just about guaranteeing something for everyone. Other entertaining outings to consider include solid sassy rock from Mack Fowler and Company with guest opener Tim McGuire tonight at Carolina Bistro in Fort Mill; ravin' rock at the RamonesFest with AntiSeen, Flat Tires, 25 Minutes To Go, Psycho Deville and Trouble Walkers this Saturday at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; classic hit rock from Foreigner this Sunday at The Fillmore, Charlotte; and debut pop rock from Honor Society, this Tuesday at The Fillmore, Charlotte.

Tonight: Elonzo at McHale's On Main, Rock Hill; Matter of Fact at The Money, Rock Hill; Jake Haldenwang and the Highway 61 Band at Sammy's, Pineville; Al Stewart and Dave Nachmanoff — “Uncorked” at Sylvia Theater, York; Mack Fowler and Company, Tim McGuire at Carolina Bistro, Fort Mill; Square Roots at T-Bones, Lake Wylie; Badfish, Scotty Don't, Ballyhoo at Amos' Southend, Charlotte; Evelynn Rose, Dylan Gilbert, Caleb Caudle at Prevue, Charlotte; Cadillac Sky, Michael Ford and Apache Relay at Visulite Theater, Charlotte; Southern Fire at Puckett's Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Eyes of the Elders CD Release, The Beast at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Joanna Lynn, Coles Whalen, Jeremy Aggers, Enigmatic Foe; Cary Ann Heart and Stephanie's ID at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Hex Machine, Teams, Reverser at The Milestone, Charlotte; Nicole Hart Band at Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Gyp-Hop, Sarah Stephens, Jubal Kane, Christy Snow for Taste in NoDa Benefit at Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; The Lenny Federal Band at Comet Grill, Charlotte; Steve Engler Band at Blue Restaurant, Charlotte; Green Vegas at Irish Cue, Cornelius; Thom Crumpton Trio at Lake Wylie Junction Grille and Pub, Lake Wylie; Green-Eyed Stare, Seventh Epic, Veritas, Assonance at Charlotte's Underground, Charlotte.