Chapel Hill–Carrboro this week: The Afghan Whigs, Michigander and a full week at the Cradle

Eleven shows, and seven of our eight picks are at Cat's Cradle or its Back Room — with The Afghan Whigs' new-album tour on Saturday.

Saturday at Cat's Cradle is the one people will be talking about on Monday. The Afghan Whigs bring their Soft Control tour to Carrboro on Nov 7, three nights into the North American leg. Around it, the Cradle and its Back Room run nearly every night of the week. There are 11 shows listed in Chapel Hill–Carrboro for Nov 2 – Nov 8; here are the eight we'd plan around.

Wednesday, Nov 4 — Sam Shackleton at Cat's Cradle (Back Room), 8 p.m. A stop on his North American headline tour. eTix.

Thursday, Nov 5 — Michigander with Wildermiss at Cat's Cradle (Back Room), 8 p.m. Carrboro is the first date on the run Michigander and Wildermiss are sharing this month, which continues to Charlottesville, D.C., Detroit, Columbus, Cleveland Heights and Chicago (Wildermiss tour listing). eTix.

Thursday, Nov 5 — HARBOUR at Cat's Cradle, 8 p.m. Same building, bigger room, same start time — pick a side. eTix.

Thursday, Nov 5 — Ak'chamel at Local 506, 8 p.m. The left-field option on Franklin Street, $22.75. eTix.

Friday, Nov 6 — Aaron Lee Tasjan with Madeleine Kelson at Cat's Cradle (Back Room), 8 p.m. eTix.

Friday, Nov 6 — The Stews with Tomorrow's Problem at Cat's Cradle, 8 p.m. eTix.

Saturday, Nov 7 — The Afghan Whigs with Night Moves at Cat's Cradle, 8 p.m. The band is touring *Soft Control*, its 10th studio album, released Aug. 21 on Royal Cream and BMG (Consequence). The North American leg opened Nov 4 in Orlando and runs to Austin on Nov 21, with Minneapolis band Night Moves supporting (Baltimore Soundstage listing via Visit Baltimore). That's a separate run from the spring 40th-anniversary tour with Mercury Rev. In a 750-capacity room, this one should go. eTix.

Sunday, Nov 8 — Slow Pulp with Snuggle at Cat's Cradle, 7 p.m. An earlier Sunday start to close the week. Cat's Cradle.

Thursday is the night for hopping between rooms; Saturday is the night to commit. If you've only got one ticket in you this week, make it the Whigs.

Thursday is the night for hopping between rooms; Saturday is the night to commit.

See you on Main Street.

Sources: The Afghan Whigs Announce New Album Soft Control and 2026 Tour Dates — Consequence (concerts.consequence.net); The Afghan Whigs — Visit Baltimore (baltimore.org); The Afghan Whigs Announce 40th Anniversary Tour — Consequence (concerts.consequence.net); Wildermiss events — Live Nation (livenation.com); Wildermiss tour dates — festivaly.eu (festivaly.eu); Cat's Cradle (catscradle.com)