Wild Flag existed – sadly – for only one great 2011 album. But we can consider ourselves blessed that while Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss revived Sleater-Kinney, singer/guitarist Mary Timony hatched her own spunky all-woman power trio Ex Hex, which plays Great Scott on Friday (as well as the Sinclair on June 13).  Also Friday, fiery Welch alt-rockers the Manic Street Preachers make their highly anticipated return at the Sinclair, while Boston’s long-excellent jazz/groove/world collective Club d’elf brings back original drummer Erik Kerr as well as violist Mat Maneri for an old-school night at the Lizard Lounge.  Psych-prog rockers Ghosts of Jupiter (now with the Ryan Montbleau Band’s Jason Cohen on second keyboard) retool at the Davis Square Theatre in advance of a new album. And here’s the lineup for the Rock and Roll Rumble semifinals, which conclude Friday at T.T. the Bear’s Place.

On Saturday, Johnny D’s Uptown rumbles with the invigorating Afro-Cuban grooves of New York’s renowned Pedrito Martinez Group, led by the conga virtuoso of the same name, presented by World Music/CRASHarts. And Boston-bred acoustic guitar/cello trio Tall Heights charms with an early show at Brighton Music Hall.