Spring arrives with a slew of concert options. Perfume Genius highlights Friday’s palette at the Sinclair, as frontman Mike Hadreas sings and plays piano with an atmospheric and lyrical tension that draws power from his perspective as an out gay man. Perfume Genius’ third album Too Bright ranked among 2014’s best pop albums. The same night offers the New Orleans funk-fusion of Galactic at House of Blues and the ’80s-bred power pop of the Smithereens at Johnny D’s Uptown.

Saturday’s the busiest night. Lou Barlow’s band Sebadoh returns to action at the Brighton Music Hall, passionate indie-rockers Cold War Kids hit House of Blues and the socially rooted folk-punk group Andrew Jackson Jihad roll into Royale. Roots-rock enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a chance to catch the spirited ex-Blasters brothers’ team of Dave & Phil Alvin with the Guilty Men at the Sinclair. On the jazz side, guitarist John Abercrombie leans to lyrical ballads with his quartet of pianist Marc Copland, bassist Drew Gress and frisky drummer Joey Baron at the Regattabar. And if you’re up for a Saturday road trip to the other end of the state to toast spring, Goyte (yes, the “Somebody That I Used to Know” guy) joins kindred indie-pop experimentalists Zammuto at MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center in North Adams.

On Sunday at Club Passim, tough and tender singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier shares tales of heartbreak from her recent album Trouble & Love with fellow country-shaded artist Allison Moorer, who sorted through her own personal struggles (including her divorce from Steve Earle) on her own Down to Believing. And across Harvard Square at the Sinclair the same night, singer Georgia Nott and her multi-instrumental brother Caleb of the New Zealand electro-pop group Broods seal their introduction.