There are plenty of opportunities to catch live music this weekend. Let us help you plan

One of the best and busiest weeks of the year so far.

Multiple acts playing multiple shows

This week offers several attractions playing multiple dates, so let's take a closer look.  MITSKI: Singer-songwriter Mitski has forged a laudable career with her songs encompassing angst, heartache and catharsis, set in a singular style that might be folk-based lyrically, but delves into alternative rock and pop. Her father worked for the State Department, so she grew up all over the world, but it was while studying music at State University of New York-Purchase that she released her first two self-funded albums. Mitski's fan base has been steadily growing ever since, despite her announcing her retirement in 2019 after the tour promoting her "Be the Cowboy" album. Her seventh album, last year's "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We," won typically glittering reviews, but also proved to be a commercial breakthrough of sorts, reaching the No. 2 spot on Billboard's Rock, Alternative, and Indie charts. Mitski, 33, is taking over MGM Music Hall in Boston on Thursday through Sunday nights – four concerts in a row at the new venue by Fenway Park.

JOSH RITTER: Idaho native Ritter has lots of ties to the local area, as he lived in Providence, Rhode Island, for a while, and also had a Somerville home at one point. Before that, he spent time living in Scotland, and then in Ireland. The singer-songwriter is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his third album, "Hello Starling!" which was his first work to gain widespread recognition, starting in Ireland. Ritter will be playing all of that 2003 album, and then doing music from throughout his long career, with his 5-piece Royal City Band backing him all weekend, Friday and Saturday nights, at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. SESSION AMERICANA:  The acclaimed crew of Boston area Americana artists might be a motley bunch, but they deliver superb folk/country/rock roots music. The are playing Thursday-through-Saturday at Club Passim in Cambridge.

THURSDAY, Feb. 15: Wheaton alum Henderson back in town

Marblehead/Wheaton/Brown product, jazz singer Lauren Henderson returns to the RegattaBar in Harvard Square. Mitski opens her four-night run at MGM Music Hall in Boston. Session Americana begins its three-night run at Club Passim in Cambridge. Pop/hip-hop star Ericdoa gets down at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Chief Adjuah – aka jazz star Christian Scott – warms up City Winery in Boston.

Looking back: Jazz singer, a Wheaton College alum, to make long-awaited Boston-area return this month

FRIDAY, Feb. 16:  Cowboy Junkies touching down in Plymouth

The Cowboy Junkies tour touches down at Memorial Hall in Plymouth. The 1980's trio of Beantown rockers Butcher, Baglio & Estes takes over the Haymarket Lounge at City Winery in Boston, while rocker Ron Pope holds court in the main room. Soul-popster Curtis Stigers is behind so many songs you'll know, at the Spire Center in Plymouth. The Tokyo Tramps uncork their unique take on blues, rock and jazz at The C Note in Hull. Flatland Cavalry's sharp lyrical take on country-rock at The House of Blues in Boston. South Shore standouts Paul Doolittle and Kelly Gilbert perform at The Church Hill Coffeehouse in Norwell. Folk and jazz singer Suede at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Americana songsmith Reed Foehl headlines the Narrows Center in Fall River, with Cape Cod's Monica Rizzio opening. It's Friday Night Funk at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, with the rockers from Six Fox Whiskey showing their dance-happy side. Josh Ritter's weekend at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston opens, saluting the 20th anniversary of "Hello Starling!"

SATURDAY, Feb. 17:  Roomful of Blues vets in separate shows

Music fans know the glittery history of New England's Roomful of Blues, and tonight we have two of their most beloved guitarists in separate shows: founding member Duke Robillard, who has branched out to jazz, swing and rock records, headlines the Spire Center in Plymouth; while meanwhile the man who succeeded him in Roomful, Ronnie Earl, stops off at the Narrows Center in Fall River with his superb Broadcasters band – either show is sure to leave you awestruck at these musical giants. Boston's own soul queen, Toni Lynn Washington, always has a remarkable backing band, and tonight at The C Note in Hull she'll be joined by Gordon "Sax" Beadle and Lenny Bradford, among others. The Best of Foo is the tribute band shaking down the rafters at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke. Amadee Castanell leads the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble into Scullers in Boston for a Mardi Gras party. Folk singer Erin Ash Sullivan at the Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Mansfield. Deep Blue gets in the groove at The Next Page Cafe in Weymouth. Tatiana Eva-Marie, whom The New York Times describes as a "gypsy jazz warbler," charms the crowd at City Winery in Boston.  Guitarist Eric Hofbauer brings his quintet – including saxophonist Noah Preminger – into The RegattaBar in Harvard Square.  Road trip: Cat Power's latest album is all Bob Dylan songs, and her tour hits Medford's Chevalier Theater. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 18: Pair of songwriters hit Boston

Catch two superb songwriters together at City Winery in Boston with Glen Phillips and Shawn Mullins; or venture into the Paradise Rock Club in Boston for thrash-metal outfit Municipal Waste.

Coming attractions

MONDAY: The band Crosses, or as it's posted +++, the side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, is at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston.

TUESDAY: Robert Cray's 50th anniversary tour at the Narrows Center in Fall River is sold out; but Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke unveils a cool residency as Neighbor, the quartet that includes jazz-rock fusion guitarist Lyle Brewer, will be jamming every Tuesday for the next month.

WEDNESDAY:  Iconoclast songwriter Bob Schneider rocks City Winery in Boston, with Chris Trapper opening; while the compelling young Nashville songsmith known as Sunny War brings her unique blend of what's been called "anarchist gospel" to the Narrows Center in Fall River.   

FEB. 23: The roots rockin' frolic of the Slambovian Circus of Dreams lands at the Spire Center in Plymouth.

FEB. 24: Folk music icon Tom Rush at the Narrows Center in Fall River.

FEB. 29: The legendary Atlanta Rhythm Section is sure to light up the Spire Center in Plymouth.                   

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Where to see live music near Quincy and Boston from Feb.15-18