Nikki Lane brings her smart outlaw brand of country to the Sinclair on Sunday

Halloween weekend scares up some great shows, whether or not they particularly fit the costume-y holiday. Vermont-born rocker Grace Potter, who sang “Gimme Shelter” with the Rolling Stones in Minneapolis this year, channels her inner pop star in support of her non-Nocturnals album Midnight at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday and Saturday. Better yet, Potter brings dynamic, heartfelt R&B survivor Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires along to kicks things off. On the more psychedelic side, if you’re not indulging in Boston’s jazz/dub/world collective Club d’elf’s Halloween-themed Friday show at the Lizard Lounge, you might absorb the electronic ambience of Youth Lagoon — the chamber-pop project of Trevor Powers — that night at the Paradise Rock Club.

Guitar fans might need to rock on Halloween as Saturday boasts two temptations. An underrated singer with a gritty bite on guitar, Gary Clark Jr. takes Texas blues-rock in an eclectic, soulful direction at House of Blues. And fusion guitarist Al Di Meola toasts his 1977 breakthrough solo album Elegant Gypsy (and more) at the Berklee Performance Center with a typically sharp band that lets violin find Evan Garr go toe-to-toe with Di Meola. And Atwood’s Tavern taps the holiday spirit with Vapors of Morphine hosting a vintage “Sesame Street” Halloween.

Flamboyant British hard-rockers the Darkness (led by high-voiced Justin Hawkins and boasting new drummer Rufus Taylor, son of Queen drummer Roger) arrives a day late for Halloween with a Sunday concert at House of Blues. And South Carolina-bred country singer Nikki Lane, whose All or Nothin’ was one of last year’s best albums, graces the Sinclair on Sunday. And ahead to Monday, Chicago band the Orwells (fronted by rough-and-tumble Mario Cuomo) headline a Converse Rubber Tracks show at the Sinclair with compatible locals Nice Guys.