Random acts of music? Not so.

"This is not an experimental music festival," says Jon Whitney, the mastermind behind the Brainwaves Festival, which takes over the Regent Theatre tonight through Sunday. "It's all very palatable, and even if you've never heard of these acts, I think people will find something they like."

With more than 20 acts in different genres (indie rock, folk, electronica, cabaret, ambient), there's plenty to choose from. Whitney made sure this year's festival, the second one since debuting in 2006, includes both national acts (Meat Beat Manifesto, Matmos) and hometown heroes (Major Stars, Glenn Jones, Marissa Nadler).

A few other highlights:

SILVER APPLES These electronic-music pioneers slipped into town almost unnoticed in June at T.T. the Bear's. Here's a chance to see why their late-'60s albums laid the foundation for so many future rock and electronica artists. (Tonight at 10.)

GARY WILSON Thirty years after his debut as an outsider artist, Wilson sounds as bizarre as ever on his latest recordings of synthesized soul and surreal narratives. (Tomorrow at 4 p.m.)

BODUF SONGS As Boduf Songs, Mathew Sweet (not the '90s rocker) finger-picks delicate and creepy folk songs perfect for a walk in the forest at midnight. He's part of a 15th-anniversary showcase for the influential indie label Kranky. (Sunday at 4 p.m.)

J.R.