MICHAEL HURLEY This roots-music maverick taped his 1964 debut LP on the same reel-to-reel machine used to capture Lead Belly’s last session; seems entirely plausible that some rare element stuck to a pinch roller might have saturated Hurley’s music in slightly warped form, the sweet tunes and the spooky ones alike. April 17, 7:30 p.m. $17, advance $15. Davis Square Theatre, Somerville. 617-684-5335, www.davissquaretheatre.com

DREAM THEATER Nothing about “The Astonishing,’’ the new opus from this Berklee-polished prog-metal quintet, falls short of the title: a full-blown rock opera more than two hours long. On disc(s) it boasts choirs, bagpipes, an orchestra, and more; live, projected animations set the post-apocalyptic stage as the band plays its epic in full. April 19, 7:30 p.m. $25-$75. Orpheum Theatre. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS Still cruising along on the momentum provided by “Made for Pleasure,’’ a disc of seductive, Meters-besotted jazz-funk jams that arrived late last year, this Leeds quartet slips into the Sinclair two days before the arrival of “The Nashville Session,’’ a new set of first-take recordings taped in the titular town. April 20, 7:30 p.m. $25, advance $22. The Sinclair, Cambridge. 617-547-5200, www.sinclair cambridge.com

TOM CARTER The museum’s 2ndSHIFT Music Series, a promising new venture curated by roots-music maven Michael Tarbox, hosts a solo set from the psych-folk guitarist (pictured) responsible for one of 2015’s best things: “Long Time Underground.’’ April 21, 7:30 p.m. $20-$30, advance $15-$25. Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Waltham. 781-893-5410, www.charlesriver museum.orgSTEVE SMITH

Steve Smith can be reached at steven.smith@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nightafternight.