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This week’s music picks: Perfume Genius, Haim, Marcia Ball, Wine Down and more

Peter Blackstock
pblackstock@statesman.com

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Monday: Perfume Genius at Emo’s. “No Shape,” the 2017 release from Perfume Genius, is a lush and lovely collection of ebullient synth jams and heart-tugging ballads. In his early work, openly gay frontman Mike Hadreas explored his struggles with addiction. The new album is a celebration of life and love in recovery. His partner, Alan Wyffels, whom he met at an AA meeting, is part of his three-piece backing band. Reports from the tour describe Hadreas playing the best shows of his life. Sarah Jaffe opens. $22.50. Doors at 7 p.m. 2015 E. Riverside Drive. emosaustin.com. — D.S.S.

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Tuesday: Haim, Lizzo at Stubb’s outdoor. Here’s your solid girl power bill for the month. Watching the Haim sisters rock out live puts a rousing spin on their catalog of radio hits. These women have been playing together their whole lives and they’re not afraid to go hard. Lizzo is pure magic. She’s a killer rhyme-slinger who sings like an old school soul queen, and along with her Big Girl dance team, she’s redefining cool, sexy and beautiful. You will leave this show with a smile on your face. $49.50. Doors at 7. 801 Red River St. stubbsaustin.com. — D.S.S.

RELATED: Our ACL Fest interview with Lizzo

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Tuesday: Marcia Ball at Waterloo Records. She’s the official Texas State Musician for 2018, and she’s been an Austin treasure since her days fronting Freda & the Firedogs in the early 1970s. April brings a new album, “Shine Bright,” on renowned blues label Alligator Records, her home for nearly two decades. An earlier Alligator release was titled “Live at Waterloo Records”; hear her revisit the scene of that sublime crime for this free show. 5 p.m. 600 N. Lamar Blvd. waterloorecords.com. — P.B.

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Wednesday: The Wine Down with Kalu & the Electric Joint at 3Ten. The annual rush of spring and summer programs featuring free live music has begun, and one of the best is this monthly series pairing local bands with wine and food samples. Charles Smith Wines, the series sponsor, will feature free tastings, with music from a different artist each month plus bites from a rotating cast of local restaurants and pop-up shops from area businesses. Batting leadoff is Kalu & the Electric Joint, whose new album “Time Undone” marks a career high point for Nigerian-born Austin musician Kalu James. The series continues on the last Wednesday of every month through September. 5 p.m. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. 3tenaustin.com. — P.B.

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Thursday: Opening night of Levitation in Red River Cultural District. After taking a year off in 2017, the Black Angels-affiliated event once known as Austin Psych Fest returns for four days of a la carte club shows in the Red River Cultural District. You might not get a full weekend of lounging in the sun listening to trippy sounds, but the lineup is well curated with plenty of interesting bills to choose from each night. Opening-night highlights include Ty Segall, Parquet Courts, A Giant Dog and Ron Gallo at Stubb’s; Dead Meadow, Windhand and Ruby the Hatchet at Barracuda; and Ringo Deathstarr, Blushing and Suspirians at Beerland. Times and prices vary; see levitation-austin.com for details. — D.S.S.

ALSO PLAYING

Monday

  • Mystery Monday with Christine Albert, Bill Kirchen, Rich Brotherton, Kym Warner at El Mercado Backstage
  • Blue Monday with Gene Taylor Trio & Chris Ruest at Antone’s
  • Counterfeit, Dube at Stubb’s indoor
  • Jonathan Terrell at Sam’s Town Point
  • Dallas Moore, Craig Gerdes, Texas Tycoons at White Horse
  • Watters at Geraldine’s

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday