Guitarist Steve Hackett wasn’t the attention-getting guy in early Genesis with the reverse mohawk, face paint and theatrical costumes (aka frontman Peter Gabriel), and he left the band before its second wind full of chart hits and MTV stardom, but he’s an important part of the popular band’s history.
In Genesis’ prog-rock heyday (1971-77), Hackett was the lead guitarist, responsible for iconic electric solos (like the fretboard-tapping and volume swells in “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight”) and shimmering acoustic textures (the Hackett-penned “Entangled” is one stunning example, made of mesmerizing merry-go-round arpeggios and a rich sing-along chorus).
Hackett brings his ensemble to town for a generous show called Genesis Revisited, in which they’ll perform the band’s 1973 album “Selling England by the Pound” in its entirety, play a set of songs from Hackett’s solo records, and also perhaps sneak in a surprise Genesis deep cut or two. At the Academy of Music in Northampton on Wednesday, March 11, at 8 p.m.
And though Gabriel himself won’t be on stage, singer Nad Sylvan inhabits Gabriel’s old role with a similar vocal timbre (he too has a bit of husky “bark” when he pushes his upper range) and exhibits his own style of proper prog pomp.
Fancy Trash throws a birthday bash for frontman Dave Houghton (turning 50) and shares the bill with opening act John Crand (from The Original Cowards) at the Ashfield Lake House in Ashfield on Friday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Singer/songwriter Cris Williamson celebrates the 45th anniversary of her groundbreaking indie album “The Changer and the Changed” (recorded for Olivia Records — the first woman-owned, woman-focused record company) with a concert at the Institute for the Musical Arts in Goshen on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. A documentary on the making of the album will be screened at IMA on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m., with Williamson and collaborator June Millington in attendance, discussing the album and the era.
Loudon Wainwright III has been writing attention-getting songs for a half-century, often with a cutting sense of humor (“IDTTYWLM” springs immediately to mind) and always with raw emotional honesty. He returns to the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m.
Local artists Adam Dunetz (7 p.m.), Mark Delgado and Wounded Knee (8 p.m.) and Lonesome Brothers (9:30 p.m.) appear at the Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton on Saturday, March 7.
Nashville singer/songwriter Nora Jane Struthers just released her record “Bright Lights, Long Drives, First Words,” and she celebrates with a show at the Parlor Room in Northampton on Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. Twang-tastic local singer/songwriter/guitarist Dez Roy opens.
The Jayhawks (their song “Blue” was one of the very best of the ‘90s) take the stage at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sunday, March 8, at 8 p.m. The Mastersons are the opening act.
Alto saxophonist Erena Terakubo, born in Sapporo, Japan, and now an NYC resident, is this week’s guest musician with the Green Street Trio at the Northampton Jazz Workshop at City Sports Grille inside Spare Time Northampton on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Harmonizing siblings The Gibson Brothers bring their country/bluegrass/pop sound to Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. Local favorites The Green Sisters will open up the show.
The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow are a group of Americana singer-songwriter friends (Tory Hanna, Billy Keane, Chris Merenda, Greg Smith and David Tanklefsky) whose latest record is “Band Together,” produced by Johnny Irion. The quintet sings at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls on Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Jonathan Richman and Bonnie Prince Billy make up the stellar double-bill at the Academy of Music In Northampton on Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m.
Comic, author, humorist and podcast host Paula Poundstone appears at John M. Greene Hall on the campus of Smith College in Northampton on Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m.
Reverend Dan and The Dirty Catechism (Americana/rock), The Search Party (garage) and the great Bamboo Steamers (surf/spy/twang) will be at the 13th Floor Music Lounge in Florence on Saturday, March 14, at 9 p.m.
Inspired country singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks appears at the Westfield Woman’s Club on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m.
Postmodern Jukebox, the clever style-splicing cover band collective that first took YouTube by storm eight years ago, returns to the Valley for a show at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sunday, March 15, at 8 p.m.
Houston rapper Riff Raff makes a rare appearance at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Wednesday, March 18, at 8:30 p.m. Also on the bill are Fatty Thicc, Lagoon, Don Lox and Big Drip.
Ken Maiuri can be reached at tunedincolumn@gmail.com.