The lineup for this year’s Solid Sound Festival — happening today through Sunday at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Mass. — is more eclectic than last year’s, with a greater emphasis on soul and a selection of bands that are, frankly, a little weird. There’s not a dud among them, though, and the schedule is set up in such a way that it’s possible to catch pretty much everything.
Still, there’s plenty of other things to do at Mass MoCA, what with the art exhibits and comedians, so here are few acts worth setting aside time to see.
FRIDAY
Wilco. Duh. It’s their festival. (8:45 p.m.; also Saturday at 9:15)
Pajama Club. When Neil Finn’s not playing with Crowded house, he and his wife Sharon are jamming away at home in their PJs — except this time, they’re doing it on stage, probably in regular clothes, with assistance from their son Liam, who performs his own set Saturday. (Friday, 7:45)
SATURDAY
Sic Alps. The San Francisco group plays lurching, noisy songs underscored with catchy little melodic hooks. (12:45 p.m.)
The Handsome Family. Husband-wife duo plays rootsy, naturalistic songs featuring his rich, resonant voice. (1:30 p.m.)
Here We Go Magic. Everyone’s from Brooklyn these days, but not everyone sounds like this band, whose songs veer from hazy pop to more expansive, experimental tunes. (3 p.m.)
Jamie Lidell. Sort of a one-man soul band accompanied by plenty of electronic wizardry, Lidell sings sweetly enough to move your heart on songs that are funky enough to move your booty. (4 p.m.)
Syl Johnson & the Sweet Divines. A one-man force of nature, Johnson helped pioneer both soul music and the so-called Chicago Sound with a huge catalog of old-school R&B jams lovingly repackaged last year by the Numero Group. Double bonus: Johnson rarely performs outside of major markets, and he’s backed here by a 14-piece band. (7:15 p.m.)
SUNDAY
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. Get your strut on with this modern take on vintage ’70s-style soul and funk from a Chicago band that just signed to Bloodshot Records. No joke: they do a killer version of Wilco’s fractured “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” (1:15 p.m.) I Am Trying to Break Your Heart video
Pillow Wand. Is it even legal to put Wilco’s Nels Cline and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore on the same stage together? It’s been 13 years since they last performed as Pillow Wand, and it truly seems like anything at all could happen. (3:30 p.m.)
Levon Helm & His Rambling Band. He’s Levon Helm, from the Band. ’Nuf said. (4:30 p.m.)
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