Music Forecast: Mass Gothic, Chris Young, Galactic, Rayland Baxter

Chris Young with Cassadee Pope

Chris Young has come a long way since his 2006 Nashville Star win. In November, the singer released I’m Comin’ Over — and if such a thing as a slow jam exists in country music, well, this album is full of ’em. Young delivers one smoldering ballad after another, and Thursday night at the Midland, you can bet he’ll have you weeping into your whiskey and raising your lighter in solidarity. Cassadee Pope — the Season 3 winner of The Voice — opens as she continues to promote her debut country album, Frame by Frame.

Thursday, February 18

The Midland, 1228 Main

Mass Gothic with Mazed, Jaenki

Noel Heroux emerges from the ashes of his former band, Hooray for Earth, with a promising, Phoenix-like sheen. He calls himself Mass Gothic now, but fret not: His self-titled debut (released last week) is not the work of a black-hearted fatalist. Heroux is still a synth-loving, power-popping artist. Mazed and Jaenki — the new project from Ryan Wallace (Heroes + Villains), Drew Little (Vedera, the Slowdown) and Kenn Jankowski (the Republic Tigers) — open.

Friday, February 19

Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Galactic

Jazz, funk and jam music have never sounded better together than on Galactic’s latest album, Into the Deep. The sextet harnesses the vibrant, energetic soul of its New Orleans roots, proving that even 20 years into its career, this band has a lot left to give. Into the Deep features guest appearances from a slew of top-notch musicians — including Macy Gray and Mavis Staples — but even without those big names on the bill, you can expect Friday’s show to lure you to the dance floor.

Friday, February 19

Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Rayland Baxter

As the son of in-demand pedal steel player Bucky Baxter (who accompanied Steve Earle and Bob Dylan), Rayland Baxter has some big shoes to fill — and it seems he’s well on his way. With the release of Imaginary Man last fall, Baxter casts himself in the role of Americana troubadour. There’s some scruff to Baxter’s voice, which lends his sensitive lyrics an edge, and that sound is, unsurprisingly, helping him find a new spotlight.

Saturday, February 20

The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Thursday, February 18

Matt Hopper Trio, Brett Jackson Quartet: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

CS Luxem, Mystery Blood, Mr. & the Mrs., DJ G Train: Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Liquid Stranger: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Old Shoe, the Center State, Brave the Spirit: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Day Camp, Hintermaier, Preston Ott & Glass House: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Friday, February 19

Boogaloo 7: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Here Come the Mummies: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Fullbloods, Dean Monkey & the Dropouts: Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

NGHTMRE: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Rick Gibson Band, American Slim: Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Sexafones, Nuthatch 47, Electropossum, Deadman’s Friend, Smash the State: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Ida McBeth: The Blue Room, 1616 E 18th

Saturday, February 20

Communion Music Showcase featuring Allan Rayman, Lolo, Whiskey Shivers and My Oh My: Tank Room, 1813 Grand

Nick Schnebelen Band (live recording): Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

The Travel Guide, Jungle Behavior, Til Willis, Cinemaphonic with Cruz & Cyan: Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

The Main Squeeze, Gekko, Oceanside Hotels: Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Trace Bundy: Uptown, 3700 Broadway

Sunday, February 21

627 Big Band: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Freakwater, Jaye Jayle, Morgan Geer’s Druhnken Prayer: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Monday, February 22

Stan Kessler’s Force5: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Post Malone: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Particle, City of the Sun: Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Jazz Disciples: The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Tuesday, February 23

Chris Hazelton Trio: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Dylan LeBlanc with Sara Morgan: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Hop Along, La Guerre, Doby Watson: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Brothers Gow, Shedding Watts: Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Logic with Dizzy Wright: Uptown, 3700 Broadway

Wednesday, February 24

New Jazz Order: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Big Sandy & the Flyrite Boys with the PopSkull Rebels: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Mike Stud: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Bronze Radio Return, Howard: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Aaron Kamm & the One Drops, Soul Rebel and the Beast: Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence