This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, March 24

• Start the weekend with a performance of your own as Craggie Brewing Company (197 Hilliard Ave., 254-0360) hosts its weekly open mic night from 6-9 p.m. The downtown brewery also features an eclectic double header Saturday, featuring old-time and Americana by Southern Exposure from 6-8 p.m., followed by the psychedelic pop of The Critters. Free.

• Asheville gets a taste of Brooklyn as experimental New York indie rockers The Rex Complex and Railbird visit Mo-Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., 258-1550). Local indie pop trio Grammer School opens. 9 p.m. $5.

• Savannah’s Little Tybee makes music that is awfully hard to put your finger on, in a good way. The self-described “mini-orchestra” ranges from five to 10 members and belts out a pop-friendly sound that is undeniably complex, yet remarkably accessible. The band stops by The Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave., 232-5800) for a show with local indie-folk quartet Do It To Julia and the ever-evolving psychedelic folk of Sky Lake. 8:30 p.m. $7.

• “Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun is a band of four,” reads the group’s bio. “Two boys. Two girls. Noisy. Dancy. Loud. Sincere. Sweaty. Loveable. Hardworking. Fun!” Catch them at The LAB (39 North Lexington Avenue, 252-0212) with The Critters. 10 p.m.

Friday, March 25

• Future Islands are sometimes referred to as “post-wave,” but dance-y, electronic rock is an equally fitting description, and one that actually means something to most people. The Baltimore trio plays Broadway’s (113 Broadway St., 285-0400) with local electronic duo EAR PWR. 10 p.m. $7.

• Mo’ Betta Soul online magazine hosts a “night of music, art and coffee, featuring musical artist Lyric Jones, visual artist Joshua Spiceland and hosts Preach Jacobs and Secret B-Sides’s Juan Holladay,” according to a release for the event. Held at Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce Street, 255-8115). 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

• “They are fun loving, open-hearted girls who play irresistible punk-infused pop music with a passion that is truly contagious,” says The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs of Sick of Sarah, an all female quintet from Minneapolis. “The girls are hilarious and wild, and have a charisma and chemistry that I found to be utterly charming … I think you will too!” See them at Club Hairspray (38 N. French Broad Ave., 258-2027). 10 p.m.

• Calling all Deadheads: Relive the glory days of tour as Violin River visits The Root Bar (1410 Tunnel Road) for a night of classic covers and fan favorites. 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 27

• “We are the Archrivals,” proclaims a bio for this side-project of stephaniesid’s Chuck Lichtenberger. “We are the team that Teen Wolf beat to win the championship. We are the two guys that Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson beat at the end of White Men Can’t Jump. You know what I’m talkin’ about…” Maybe not, but you can check them out at Barleys Taproom (42 Biltmore Ave., 255-0504) to see for yourself.

• “D. Charles Speer & the Helix are a group of believers,” reads the band’s Myspace. “They believe in the eternal sway that raw, honest sweat can generate in a crowd. They believe in a diabolic combination of godheads all focused toward lifting the listener into a space which harkens back to the past glories of Bakersfield, San Francisco, Pireaus and New Orleans, while hurtling past the darkened horizons of today. Diverse voices blend into a raging mass of excitation with a perspective markedly set askew from the frozen hipster wasteland. Dust off yr nudie suit and shine yr boots then come on out and burn it down!!!!!” Believe it or not, the group’s music is nearly as cryptic as its bio. The Brooklyn outfit plays Broadway’s (113 Broadway St., 285-0400) Sunday. 10 p.m. $7.