Clashing cultural sensibilities used to be at the heart of rock and roll — hip-hop is that way now — but after decades of assimilation, ethnicity gets expressed mainly as a genre choice, and Los Lonely Boys’ gentrified classic rock passes for diversity. Which just makes the Mars Volta all the more astonishing. Anchored by a pair of skinny, hyperactive kids who, respectively, sing like an angel and play guitar like the devil, the band rush from English to Spanish, from cumbia and salsa to prog-rock and psych-punk, as if there were hellhounds on their trail. This summer, they’ll open arenas for System of a Down; this week, they play sold-out shows Saturday at Lupo’s at the Strand (401-331-LUPO) in Providence and Tuesday at Avalon (617-262-2424) in Boston. But tickets remain for their gig Monday at the Palladium (800-477-6849) in Worcester. And Jeff Miller reviews their new Frances the Mute in "Off the Record."

Previously signed to the Salem hardcore label Bridge9, the Toronto-based, New York–influenced No Warning jumped to Warner Bros. after becoming — not their fault — "Linkin Park’s favorite hardcore band." That dubious recommendation notwithstanding, they’re old-school preservationists, and never mind that just now they’re on tour opening for Papa Roach. Tonight (Thursday, May 5) they’re at Toad’s Place (203-624-TOAD) in New Haven; Wednesday they’re at Avalon and next Friday, May 13, at Lupo’s.

Mary Gauthier used to run a damn fine Dixie Kitchen in these parts, and the long-time singer-songwriter is back in town this week with a Lost Highway debut — Michael Alan Goldberg’s interview is on page 12 — and an opening slot on Rounder roots-rock sensation Kathleen Edwards’s tour. (Jonathan Perry reviews Edwards’s new Back to Me on page 11.) They kick off their tour Friday at the Asylum (207-772-8274) in Portland; Saturday they’re at Higher Ground (802-654-8888) in Burlington, Monday at the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton, and Tuesday at the Paradise (617-562-8800) in Boston.

Tonight (May 5), Snoop Dogg and the Game are at the DCU Center (508-755-6800), formerly the Centrum, in Worcester. Weezer’s only New England date in advance of their forthcoming Make Believe — Sunday at Avalon — is sold out. The Black Crowes’ comeback tour hits the Orpheum (617-931-2000) in Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday and Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (603-929-4100) in New Hampshire on May 13 and 14; all four shows are sold out. And Nine Inch Nails play a sold-out gig at the Orpheum, with Dresden Dolls opening, next Thursday, May 12.