Maine offers lots of spots for concerts this weekend

The summer’s winding down. A new year of high school or college is looming for some of us. It’s getting dark a little earlier. The other day I saw a leaf – which was definitely not green, but an autumnal shade of yellow – flutter to the ground. I was not impressed.

But, hey, it ain’t over till the fat lady busts out the polar fleece. And this weekend brings as colorful and diverse a lineup of summer shows as we’ve seen yet this season. There’s something for everybody.

Folk troubadour Ellis Paul returns to his home state when he plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Camden Opera House. Paul was part of the Boston-based mid-90s folk resurgence that brought artists such as Dar Williams to national prominence, but he grew up in Presque Isle. His new album, “American Jukebox Fables,” is his 11th, and he has won 10 Boston Music Awards. Not bad for a County boy.

Moving on to the harder side – this weekend is chock full o’ metal. First off, the Gigantour stops tonight at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fear Factory, and Dream Theater provide support to metal gods Megadeth, starting at 6:15 p.m.

If that lineup doesn’t sate your hunger for headbanging, another show picks up at the State Theatre after the Civic Center show ends at 9:45, featuring Bobaflex, Nevermore, Dry Kill Logic, Symphony X and Life of Agony. While all that’s going on, western Maine-based band Deadseason is throwing a CD release party at the Asylum, with friends Seemless opening. And let’s not forget that Sworn Enemy and Scars of Tomorrow are playing at Ushuaia in Orono on Sunday at 6 p.m, and Chimiara and Six Feet Under are playing on Monday at the Station in Portland.

If metal’s not your thing, you can enjoy another huge lineup of bands – jam bands, to be specific. Hempstock, now in its 15th year, has had its share of controversy and legal tangles. It is, after all, sponsored by the marijuana legalization advocacy group Maine Vocals. But attendees of the festival, held once again on Harry Brown’s farm in the Somerset County town of Starks, say it’s a mellow gathering of like-minded individuals.

This year’s lineup features more than 30 bands, as well as Vince Welnick, former keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, playing Saturday night. Welnick has toured extensively since he left the band in 1995 after Jerry Garcia’s death, often with songwriter Gent Treadly. Hempstock started Thursday night, and will run through Sunday, with camping passes available.

However, if none of those shows sound good to you, there are more options. If you like punk, go see the Unseen and local favorites the Murder Weapon tonight at 6 at the Station in Portland. If hip-hop is more your style, check out the CD release party for Portland’s A-Frame and Mike Cloud at the Space Gallery, also in Portland. Their new album, “Life With a Hangover,” is on local label Milled Pavement. Or, for the indie rocker, the Pernice Brothers will bring their gorgeous guitar pop to the Space on Wednesday, August 24.

There’s no excuse. Get out and see live music.

Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Contact information for venues and tickets: Camden Opera House: www.camdenoperahouse.com;State Theater/Cumberland County Civic Center: www.liveatthestate.com; The Asylum/Ushuaia: www.eye9d.com; The Station: www.musclecityproductions.com; Hempstock: www.mainevocals.net; The Space Gallery: www.space538.org.