It’s an especially intriguing Friday night to catch local music – or even vaudeville in the process. That’s what Doom Lover – a great rock band that boasts three singers (and even a theremin) – offers at the Middle East Upstairs; the night includes a contortionist, a comedian and fellow eclectic music acts Cordelia & the Buffalo and Matthew Connor, while Tad McKitterick from Sidewalk Driver emcees the odd festivities.  Meanwhile, over at the Lizard Lounge, Peter Moore and Sarah Rabdau sing with their art-rock outfits Count Zero and Self-Employed Assassins as well as in an opening duo set “A Thing Like That,” likely to include this Beck cover. Friday’s also a great night to settle in at Atwood’s Tavern for guitar ace Lyle Brewer, while the Tweed River Music Festival presents a birthday bash show for Dan Nicklin, featuring his roosty soul band OldJack and Vermont’s Bow Thayer, founder of the Tweed River fest and a 2012 Rumble winner, at Cuisine en Locale in Somerville.

Friday also cooks with other great cross-genre offerings from out of town. Folk-rocker Conor Oberst can be counted on for his personal, passionate songs, which he’ll bring to House of Blues. Jazz organist Larry Goldings leads a sharp trio with guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart at the Regattabar, and blues harp icon James Cotton plays Scullers Jazz Club. And for a real change-of-pace, the new-music group So Percussion plays chordsticks (a freshly invented instrument) on “Music for Wood and Strings,” a piece by guitarist Bryce Dessner of the National, at the Museum of Fine Arts’ Remis Auditorium on Friday night.

Saturday starts off with a great showcase for local arts at the Cambridge River Festival, starting about noon around Central Square, including numerous rock groups such as Dirty Bangs and Ruby Rose Fox as well as jazz vocalist Meli Bermejo. Here’s the whole rundown. Speaking of local roots, Della Mae (pictured above) may have moved its base to Nashville, but the bluegrass/pop group salutes “Boston Town” on its fine eponymous third album, which builds on its wonderful This World Oft Can Be, suggesting a promising night at the Sinclair on Saturday (Della Mae also plays Newburyport’s Belleville Church on Friday). Meanwhile, Michael Franti and Spearhead share good vibes at House of Blues on Saturday. And while Oasis reunions come and go, its crusty guitarist/songwriter gathers no moss as Noel Gallagher brings his High Flying Birds to the Opera House the same night. On Sunday, blues legend Buddy Guy nicely rounds out the weekend at the Wilbur Theatre and the enticing French/Finish indie-pop group the Do plays the Brighton Music Hall.