FRIDAY

CASSAVETTES/MOVERS & SHAKERS

Two locally based bands (the first a Texas transplant) that do tough pop with a touch of twang. At the Middle East, Cambridge, 617-862-3278.

LYLE LOVETT

His new “Natural Forces” is lower-key than usual, but he’s got a mighty catalog to draw from. At the Orpheum, 617-679-0810.

JOHN PRINE/PATTY GRIFFIN

Two names that invariably come up when cult-hero singer/songwriters are mentioned. At the Citi Wang Theatre, 617-482-9393.

CHRIS SMITHER/CAROLINE HERRING

A godfather of acoustic music in Boston and a country-blues singer much-acclaimed in her hometown of Austin, Texas. At the Regent Theatre, Arlington, 781-646-4849.

THE SWELL SEASON

The Irish music romance “Once” made a small sensation out of this modest duo. At Berklee Performance Center, 617-266-7455.

SUZANNE VEGA

Bohemian songwriter groomed for mass success, Vega proved too quirky. More power to her. At Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, 617-496-4595.

WARSAW VILLAGE BAND

Punk folk with a Zappa-esque slant, brought to you by the fall of communism. At the Somerville Theatre, 617-625-5700.

SATURDAY