etween harbor cruises, underappreciated residencies, and the typical cast of club shows, there’s no shortage of live-music options this week leading up to July 4. Spiritual Rez plays music that travels well by sea, Delta Spirit plays the type that travels well on the endless highway, Club d’Elf can make any venue feel like home, and Session Americana might just find its home in a certain folk venue. But by the end of next week there’ll be no celebration greater than the Nateva Music Festival in Oxford, Maine (read all about it here). At least there are some great shows to tide you over until then.

On a Boat with Spiritual Rez

Spiritual Rez is a proven seven-piece reggae force that can draw a crowd in cities far from Boston, which makes its hometown shows a sure bet for a good party. Having owned the opening slot last month for Steel Pulse at House of Blues, Rez is primed to rip through a busy summer that includes multiple festival appearances and a CD-release party at the Paradise in September. But tonight’s show will be your only chance to say, “I’m on a boat,” while actually seeing them on a boat. Reggae on the high seas has a nice ring to it too. Snag your tickets here. (Spiritual Rez, boarding at 7:15 p.m. Friday, June 25, Mass Bay Lines, 21+, $25)

Session Americana at Club Passim

Every time I’ve been to Club Passim of late I couldn’t help but notice the Session Americana sticker high on one of the support poles. The folk group is composed of big names in the Boston roots music scene, but stripped of egos. The songs and the stories are what truly matter. And Passim—a legendary folk club that brings a quiet, respectful audience ready to listen to every breath—could be the perfect setting for the group’s in-the-round mentality. The 8 p.m. show is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the self-proclaimed “sloppy set” at 10:30 p.m. Let me translate for you: “Sloppy set” really means “fun and wild set.” Let the beers flow. Tickets are available online. (Session Americana, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, Club Passim, all ages, $8)

Residency Report: Po Boyz Hammond B-3 Organ Trio, Saturdays at the the Middle East Corner

I’m surprised this residency isn’t talked about more often. Every Saturday, on a corner that sees heavy foot traffic, Po Boyz light-up the small room with devilish music delivered straight from the bayou. There’s no cover, either. So stroll right in and order a ‘Gansett or three. And no band plays later in Central Square. The marathon final set usually ends sometime between 1:30 a.m. and last call, making it a great nightcap.

Delta Spirit returns, but on a bigger stage

I saw Delta Spirit in February at the Middle East upstairs. It was uncomfortably crowded and way too steamy, even for a cold night. But I was so moved by the show that I had to write a review. I knew the San Diego-based group would come back to Boston, but I’m (pleasantly) surprised to see them so soon. The band, which brings together a roots-y rawness with intellectual sensibilities, will play downstairs this time around. They just put out a new LP, too. It’s a healthy offering of ripe road songs that calls for treatment from the band’s rowdy stage presence. This show will likely sell out. Tickets are still available online. (Delta Spirit with Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, 8 p.m. Monday, June 28, the Middle East Downstairs, 18+, $14, $16 day of show)

Support local live music: MySecretBoston brings Americana to Precinct

Sam Reid and the Riot Act will front a roots-music bill of sorts at Precinct that includes righteous country-rock acts Odessa Rose and Mayberry. The night will showcase everything from punchy twang and Texas swing to unpure bluegrass. All for only $5 at the door. (9 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 21+, $5)

Victor Wooten with Club d’Elf

Victor Wooten is one of the most talented bass players alive. He always brings the low end to the front, whether hitting the funk or holding together the seams in his main group, the Flecktones. He’s like Eddie Van Halen, Bootsy Collins, Jimi Hendrix, and Stanley Clarke rolled into one. Check out the video below to see what I’m talking about. Local bass legend, Mike Rivard and the trance-jazz collective Club d’Elf will open the show. It’ll be interesting to see how the group reacts outside of its usual Lizard Lounge habitat of two-and-a-half-hour first sets and revolving cast members. But the thing about d’Elf is that it always finds a way to mold into its surroundings. Tickets are available online. (Victor Wooten with Club d’Elf, 9 p.m. Thursday, July 1, Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $22.50)

Nateva Music Festival debuts

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than dancing to live music written by America’s greatest rock band while fireworks explode overhead. And to do this (and plenty more) you only have to travel to Oxford, Maine, a two-and-a-half-hour trip from Boston, for the first annual Nateva Music Festival. (Just load the iPod with your favorite live albums and you’ll be there in no time). If you can’t make it to all three days, there are also single-day tickets and weekend passes available at reasonable prices. All tickets include complimentary camping and shuttle service, too, so you can save the legs for dancing. But what really matters is the lineup. It’s solid, fronted by the Flaming Lips, George Clinton & P-Funk, moe, Drive-by Truckers, Passion Pit, and Further, the newest collaboration between founding Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. The schedule of bands is perfectly laid out. There are very few conflicts that can’t be resolved by personal preference, and if you can’t make up your mind, the venue is small enough to skip around between shows, which is impossible to do at most other major music festivals. Stay tuned to Hearin’ the Hub for an in-depth festival playbook. In the meantime, here’s a dose of the freak-show madness of Saturday-night headliners, the Flaming Lips:

Heading to the Cape? Check out Cape Cod nightlife secrets at the new MySecretCapeCod.com.