Weekend Ideas: January 15, 2016

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Guster (above) once bounced around town with acoustic guitars, bongos and a lightness of being. But the Tufts University-born pop combo has since broadened its sound with moody sophistication (along with some actual drums, keyboards, etc.) that culminated in last year’s textural gem Evermotion, produced by Richard Swift (the Shins, the Black Keys). Nonetheless, one can usually count on Guster for frisky, crowd-pleasing charisma, and plenty of diehards should thrive on that at Friday and Saturday’s homecoming dates at House of Blues. Better yet, folk-rockers the David Wax Museum — another evolving, locally grown combo — opens the shows.

Soon-to-close Johnny D’s Uptown also hosts a banner triple bill in its Friday local-legends series with a farewell performance by New Wave-era rockers Robin Lane & the Chartbusters, whose set will be followed by drummer Tim Jackson’s documentary film “When Things Go Wrong,” named after one of their hits. But a special pair of opening solo performers balance the night, with returning scene veteran Laurie Sargent (Orchestra Morphine, Twinemen) and red-hot upstart Ruby Rose Fox, who’ll bring along backup vocals from the Steinhems.

Folky jam-rock veterans Strangefolk’s reunion a few years ago has extended into occasional shows and one of them will grace the Paradise Rock Club on Saturday. The same night brings emotive R&B standout Bettye LaVette to Scullers and New Orleans’ savvy Dirty Dozen Brass Band to the Sinclair, while the Boston Bluegrass Union presents singer/fiddler Laurie Lewis and her Friends (expected to include partner Tom Rozum, fiddler Darol Anger and banjoist Greg Litzt) at Lexington’s Scottish Rite Masonic (formerly National Heritage) Museum.


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