SANTA CRUZ

Devendra Banhart brings different take on folk music to Rio

In the 2000s, there emerged a new genre called freak folk. This sound took the aesthetics of ’60s folk music while adding a more avant-garde approach and DIY sensibilities. Leaders of the genre included Animal Collective, Joanna Newsom and Devendra Banhart, the latter of whom will be performing at the Rio Theatre Thursday.

Born in Houston and raised in Venezuela and Los Angeles, Banhart dropped out of the San Francisco Art Institute to make his own music. After opening for bands like Sonic Youth, he independently released his debut album, “The Charles C. Leary” in 2002 and first made the U.K. album chart with 2004’s “Rejoicing in the Hands.” Since then, he has performed at festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo, collaborated with members of The Strokes, had drawings displayed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and took part in Yoko Ono’s “Water Piece” project. Opening will be singer-songwriter Kath Bloom.

The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $36.75 for general admission and $50.40 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Harbor High showcases artistic skills with M.A.D. Film Festival

The school year might be winding down, but Harbor High School students want to go out with a bang. That is true for Harbor High’s art students, which will once again be highlighting the artistic skills of students in the 15th annual Music. Art. Dance. Festival at the Rio Theatre Saturday.

Expect an evening of dancing and musical performances. Additionally, student films will be screened, including some made in Paris. The acronym might be MAD, but audiences will be anything but.

The festival is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults. For information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Robyn Hitchcock returns to SC with Moe’s Alley show

A native of England, singer Robyn Hitchcock is no stranger to performing in Santa Cruz. He played Kuumbwa Jazz in 2023 and will be coming back to the city, this time with a concert at Moe’s Alley Sunday.

Hitchcock’s career began in the ’70s as the lead singer of the Soft Boys, a British band who were only active for five years in their initial phase, but who turned out to be hugely influential on the big college rock bands of the ’80s, namely the Replacements and R.E.M. Hitchcock formed a new band in the ’80s, the Egyptians, who found success with alternative hits such as “Balloon Man,” “Madonna of the Wasps” and “So You Think You’re in Love.” Since 1994, Hitchcock has had a solo career, reformed the Soft Boys on multiple occasions and performed with the Venus 3, also featuring members of R.E.M. and Ministry. Last year, Hitchcock released his second book “1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left,” in conjunction with the album “1967: Vacations in the Past,” featuring covers of songs by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Procol Harum and other chestnuts from ’67. He also is planning to release new music this year.

Opening for Hitchcock will be Kelley Stoltz, a San Francisco-based singer-songwriter who has been compared to the likes of Brian Wilson and Leonard Cohen.The show begins at 8 p.m. Sunday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $28 in advance and $33 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older show. For information, go to MoesAlley.com.

FELTON

Get the Hull experience with Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull has played in the Santa Cruz area at the past, and sometimes her shows have sold out. The 33-year-old Tennessee bluegrass singer has a strong fanbase in the area, largely due to frequent airplay on KPIG but also because of her smooth voice and intricate banjo playing. If you have not seen her live yet, her show at Felton Music Hall Saturday should provide just the opportunity.

Hull released her first album, “Angel Mountain,” when she was 10 and has proven herself as a virtuoso ever since. She was mentored by bluegrass legend Alison Krauss, who she performed with at the White House in 2011, and has been a staple at bluegrass festivals, won multiple International Bluegrass Awards and performed with the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Molly Tuttle and Rhiannon Giddens. She released her sixth album, “A Tip Toe High Wire,” March 7. Opening will be Indiana singer Stephanie Lambring.

The concert is 8 p.m. Saturday at Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $41.15. This is a 21-and-older show. For more information, go to FeltonMusicHall.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.