Kanye is gone, people. Let’s get over last Sunday night’s show because there’s plenty of other good music to keep us busy this weekend. Get on your feet for Rubblebucket and Thundercat, or sit back and chill for Lissie and Minor Alps. Whatever you choose, know this: it’s your last weekend of fun before holiday family time. So get after it.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Start the weekend in the most psychedelic fashion by heading to Kendall Square’s Redstar Union to catch local psych-rock bands Ghostbox Orchestra and New Highway Hymnal, a band that has a fresh new EP out today (8 p.m., $10, all ages). You can also stream the show online for free via Redstar Union’s website. For a more electronic option, Make It New at Middlesex this week features London-based Hessle Audio co-founder Ben UFO (with John Barera and Baltimoroder; 9 p.m., $10, 21+). San Diego-based garage rockers Crocodiles come to Great Scott with San Francisco’s Wymond Miles to give us a heavier option (with Orca Orca; 9 p.m., $10, 18+).
Friday, Nov. 22
If you’re looking to dance until you can’t really stand up anymore, Brooklyn-by-way-of-Vermont eclectic collective Rubblebucket hits The Paradise (with And The Kids and Body Language; 9 p.m., $16, 18+). For a taste of the underground, check out TT’s as locals Krill and Pile join a bill featuring Brooklyn bands Porches and Summer People (8:30 p.m., $10, 18+). Westbound Train returns to the stage, bringing its soulful ska reggae to the Middle East Upstairs for another very danceable option (with The New Limits and The Screw-ups; 10 p.m., $12, 18+). The raspy-voiced Lissie comes to Royale to support her latest, “Back To Forever,” and drags along Nashville newcomers Kopecky Family Band (6:30 p.m., $18, 18+).
Saturday, Nov. 23
Minor Alps, a new supergroup pairing of local legend Juliana Hatfield and Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws, hits The Sinclair to support its debut “Get There” (with Sylvan Esso; 9 p.m., $25, 18+). If you’re dreaming of sunnier vibes, there may just be a cure for that, too. All day Saturday, O’Brien’s hosts TubeFest, which is a showcase featuring surf rock bands from all over New England including Tsons of Tsunami, Surf’s Up Spicoli, The Televibes, and many more. Apparently surf rock bands have the best band names (2 p.m., $8, 21+).
Sunday, Nov. 24
Electronic R&B artist and Flying Lotus collaborator Thundercat brings his smooth forward-thinking jams to The Sinclair for a bit of a Sunday night spark (with The Range and Bosq of Whiskey Barons; 9 p.m., $18. 18+). If you crave a different kind of energy, Great Scott has plenty of it with Long Island punks Iron Chic, joined by some local standouts and Connecticut’s Exploding in Sound Records rockers Ovlov (with Awful Man and Peeple Watchin’; 9 p.m., $10, 18+). For a way to wind down your weekend, chill out with soulful songstress India.Arie at The Wilbur (7 p.m., $45-$65, all ages).
