Annelle Staal

Annelle Staal headlines Kings on Friday, October 9, as part of Indie Queens, an all-femme night that brings three North Carolina artists together on one bill. She's joined by Scarlet Tantrum and KARiS, and the whole thing is all-ages, so it's a night that works for a crowd that spans a few generations.

Staal is Raleigh-based, and her sound pulls from indie pop and dance with soulful vocals and songwriting that's built her an international following. Her voice has been described as silk, and she's known for a fanciful, capricious stage presence that keeps things unpredictable. On this bill, she's backed by the Annelle Staal Trio—a group of producers and multi-instrumentalists including Ben Youngblood and 'X' on drum machines, clarinet, guitar, and bass, with Staal on keys. The trio is rooted in roots music and mixes original material with classics and revival hits, all decorated with improvised movements, crowd work, and spontaneous comedy.

Scarlet Tantrum comes from Carthage and blends modern pop with the raw edge of '90s and 2000s alternative rock. KARiS is led by Raleigh singer-songwriter and guitarist Karis Adderly, who brings a young, raw energy that leans into punk, grunge, and indie. Between the three, the night covers a fair amount of ground—indie pop, alternative rock, punk, and high-energy live music—all from women making their mark on the state's scene.

Kings is at 14 W. Martin St. in downtown Raleigh. Doors open at 7 PM and the music starts at 8 PM. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the show.