FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Beppe Gambetta
Italian guitarist Beppe Gambetta is a wonder to behold for anyone whose interest in acoustic guitar stretches beyond G-C-D progressions. His music blends Italian flavors with near-bluegrass picking styles and an almost Celtic vibe, among plenty more. He's known as the "Italian King of the flatpick guitar," and it'd be tough to dispute that. Lots of Gambetta's stuff can be found online; start with 2010's Collection. (Eric Sandy), 8:30 p.m., $15. Nighttown.
Into the Blue: Grateful Dead Revival
Regardless of your take on the Grateful Dead, the band to which Into the Blue, an ensemble of local musicians pays tribute, the group maintains a damn important stature in the rock 'n' roll canon. Into The Blue revives that spirit and lends it the respect Jerry and Co. rightfully deserve. Anyone interesting in hearing — and seeing — great music flow from the stage should check out what these guys are doing. Fellow musicians and artists will glean inspiration. (Sandy) 9 p.m., $10. Musica.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Bayside
Since forming in Queens in 2000 when members responded to an ad for bands to submit songs for a tribute album to the seminal ska band Operation Ivy, Bayside has stayed true to an ethos that looks back to the time period when bands like Minor Threat/Fugazi and Bad Religion addressed political and social issues in their lyrics. Raneri admits those groups were the band’s initial inspirations. Many punk bands don’t last past a gig or two. So it’s all the more remarkable that the Queens-based punk band Bayside has persevered for 15 years now. The group’s style of punk rock, which often borders on pop, features introspective lyrics and catchy hooks. That’s part of the reason why the band’s been such a steady presence on the scene. To celebrate the anniversary, the band has embarked on the 15 Year Birthday Tour in support of Cult White Edition. 7:30 p.m., $17.50 ADV, $21 DOS. House of Blues.
Donna the Buffalo
For 25 years, singer and multi-instrumentalist Tara Nevins and singer-guitarist Jeb Puryear have guided Donna the Buffalo through a sonic travelogue of American music, serving up a gumbo of bluegrass, rootsy rock, folk and country, spiced with exotic bits of Cajun and reggae. Considering the diverse genres that the band draws upon and the freewheeling manner in which it interprets them — particularly with Nevins’ Emmylou Harris/Dolly Parton/Natalie Merchant warble and Puryear’s laconic Buddy Miller delivery — the group has become a rootsy fave within the jam community. The beauty of Donna’s presentation and the secret of their success and longevity is the purely organic way they weave genres together without diluting them. Many bands can’t generate this kind of enthusiasm and energy in half as much time and with half as many albums that Donna the Buffalo have over twentysomething years and ten studio albums. (Brian Baker) 8 p.m., $22.50-$26.50. The Kent Stage.
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Bleachers
What's left to do after winning multiple Grammy Awards? Well Jack Antonoff, from the indie-pop band fun., decided to form his new project Bleachers in 2014. While with fun., Antonoff and the band scored Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "We Are Young." With fun. currently on hiatus, allowing members to focus on their own projects, Antonoff is focusing on Bleachers. The debut album by the indie-pop act debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200. (Martin Harp), 8 p.m., $28. Beachland Ballroom.
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