Friday: Alabama Shakes at Austin360 Amphitheater. Brittany Howard is one of the most fascinating lead singers in rock music today, largely because of her stunning range. One moment she’s belting out gospel with the soul fire of a southern preacher, the next she’s spinning her voice high in her head, coaxing out eerie noises, exploring “Sound and Color” in a way that transcends the boundaries of popular music, but remains broad in its appeal. Watching her channel spirits, transforming raw emotion into sound, is riveting. British soul singer/NPR favorite Corinne Bailey Rae opens. $36-$76. 7 p.m. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. austin360amphitheater.com. — D.S.S.
Friday: Kronos Quartet with Rhiannon Giddens at Bass Concert Hall’s McCullough Theater. The lineup of Bay Area-based Kronos has reshuffled over the decades since is 1973 founding, but its mission of adventurousness within the classical form has remained the same. Witness this team-up with Rhiannon Giddens, who won a Grammy with the Carolina Chocolate Drops and has proved even more broadly and deeply talented as a solo artist. $10-$40. 8 p.m. 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. texasperformingarts.org. — P.B.
Rhiannon Giddens plays ACL Fest 2015. Suzanne Cordeiro for AMERICAN-STATESMAN
RELATED: Read our interview with Rhiannon Giddens
Friday-Sunday: Sonic Transmissions Fest II at North Door. An outsider-music event that did well enough in its debut last year to spark a sequel, this two-day extravaganza features Rabit, Chicago Underground Duo, Obnox and dozens more local, national and international acts. The fest moves to Central Presbyterian Church for its final night. $10-$50. 8 p.m. each night. 501 Brushy St. ndvenue.com. — P.B.
Saturday: Pachanga Presents the Mavericks at ACL Live. Pachanga mutated from a festival to a series of concerts this year, and they’ve been good ones. The return of Raul Malo’s still-vibrant left-of-center country band with Latin tinges is no exception. One of Austin’s favorite touring acts since the ’90s, the Mavericks have a sound that fits perfectly within our city’s renowned melting-pot musical culture. $35-$49. 8 p.m. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. acl-live.com. — P.B.
FALL MUSIC GUIDE: See who’s playing when in the next four months
Sunday: Glen Hansard at Stubb’s. Hansard hit it big with the Swell Season’s Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly” from his indie-film star-turn “Once,” but he’d been slugging away brilliantly for years with the great Irish rock band the Frames. Neither of those chapters are necessarily in the past, but he’s opened new doors as an artist with two solo albums, plus the EP “Season on the Line” issued earlier this year. Don’t miss opener Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Hansard’s violinist bandmate in the Frames, who has issued a couple of mesmerizing instrumental solo albums on his own. $30-$32. 6 p.m. doors. 801 Red River St. stubbsaustin.com. — P.B.
Sunday: James Blake at ACL Live. Like Florence Welch, Blake’s music carries a British bleak mysticism. But while Welch stands on rocky cliffs, soaring over crashing waves, Blake’s haunted heartbreak tales creep through misty moors and mossy forests where his tormented melodies are set against a backdrop of darkness and drizzle. Moses Sumney opens. $35-$45. 8 p.m. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. acl-live.com. — D.S.S.
Sunday: Shawn Colvin & Steve Earle at Paramount. Austinite Colvin and native Texan Earle worked with renowned producer Buddy Miller on this year’s duo album, finding common ground on tracks both old and new. The six original co-writes sound like neither artist’s typical solo work, but rather about what you might expect if you combined their respective aesthetics, with elements of both rough rambling and lyrical introspection. $28.50-$57.50. 7 p.m. 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org. — P.B.
MORE SHOWS THIS WEEKEND
Friday
Singer-songwriter Butch Walker brings the tour for his new Ryan Adams-produced album to the Mohawk’s outdoor stage with Suzanne Santos.
Los Angeles Electronica duo Classixx is at the Parish (sold out).
Former Austinite Sue Foley brings her blues-guitar rock back to Antone’s with an all-star local band.
Austinites Danny Malone, Residual Kid, Shmu and more play Nirvana songs at Cheer Up Charlie’s.
Rattletree Marimba kicks off a three-day glow party at their new South Austin space.
Local band Ruby & the Reckless play an album release show at Empire with Purple, MCG, the Wild Now and more.
Reunited pop band Cotton Mather plays two shows at the Townsend to celebrate a new record.
The Beach Cabaret Reunion features Coffee Sergeants, Jennifer Ellen Cook, Big Foot Chester and more at the Local.
Latin/reggae/groove ensemble Cilantro Boombox plays 3Ten.
Outlaw country heir Shooter Jennings plays Lone Star Grille in Cedar Park.
Saturday
British folk-rock legend Donovan plays the Paramount.
Pecan Street Festival presents three stages of free music including sets from Mama K and the Shades, Mindz of a Different Kind, the Nightowls and more.
East Cameron Folkcore celebrates their new album at Empire with Possessed By Paul James, A. Sinclair, Harvest Thieves and more.
Black Crowes co-founder Rich Robinson brings his new band to Stateside at the Paramount.
Northwest singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato plays the Parish.
Texas country singer Cody Johnson plays outdoors at Stubb’s with Jon Wolfe.
Red River club Sidewinder celebrates one year with electro-funkers Capyac and Ishi’s EP release.
Former Austinite Bruce Salmon returns for a CD release show at Radio Coffee & Beer with Erik Hokkanen.
Sunday
Free music at Pecan Street Festival continues with Pleasure Venom, Conjuntos Los Pinkys and more.
Former Lovin’ Spoonful leader John Sebastian visits One World Theatre.
New York indie rockers Cymbals Eat Guitars play Sidewinder.
