High-flying Pete Francis may have a legitimate claim on the title of the most popular musician no one has ever heard of -- although "no one" is unfair and inaccurate. In fact, when his previous band, Dispatch, announced its farewell performance, the concert drew more than 100,000 fans. Three reunion shows in 2007 (with the profits going to charity) meant three sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden.

Now, Francis is touring under his own name with a different band (The Flyers) in support of a third solo album ("Iron Sea and The Cavalry"), so the venues naturally get a bit smaller. But you can expect his fans' adoration to remain arena-size.

Pete Francis & The Flyers play The Satellite Ballroom in Charlottesville on Thursday, along with Braddigan and Alex Mejias. The doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door.-- Ryan Muldoon