With the opening of Thompson’s Point and expansion of the Maine State Pier schedule, there are more ways to enjoy live music in Portland in the summertime than ever before. In addition to a robust, rock-heavy local scene, Portland is increasingly a destination for touring acts of all genres. Here is a guide to some of the more prominent venues attracting such acts.

THOMPSON’S POINT

The biggest outdoors venue in the Portland area had a test run of just a few shows last summer. This year, the schedule at Thompson’s Point is much more robust, and fans of many types of music are going to enjoy the waterviews, food trucks and plentiful amenities of this festival-like venue. The affecting Americana of Brandi Carlile (June 4) and the polished, retro-minded dance-pop of M83 (July 20) are two highlights of the schedule – both artists sold out the State Theatre in recent years and gave some of the most memorable performances in the venue’s recent history. The Avett Brothers were too big for the State Theatre when they last played Portland in March 2014, instead playing to the masses at the Cross Insurance Arena, so the North Carolina folk-rock band’s July 4 gig with like-minded local openers The Ghost of Paul Revere should be a special evening.

HOW MUCH: $40-$50

MORE INFO: statetheatreportland.com

MAINE STATE PIER

Walking distance from much of the peninsula, the Maine State Pier is not without drawbacks, mostly due to some tricky sight lines, but it’s hard to beat the location, jutting out on Portland’s lively working waterfront, where ferries and lobster boats putter in and out of the harbor. This year, the strong bill of Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday (June 15) will attract an audience from all over the region. The two emo bands have built passionate fanbases in part based on their gripping live shows. Bonnie Raitt (Aug. 19) is another can’t-miss date; the blues-rock artist has been perfecting her performance for decades and is touring behind her best album in years, “Dig in Deep.” The Maine State Pier promoters host a full lineup of contemporary country at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, but for those who can’t make the drive, they bring the polished songwriting and smooth vocals of Josh Turner (June 25) and the party jams of Lee Brice (July 8) to southern Maine audiences.

HOW MUCH: Tickets vary widely, from $19.75 for the cheapest seats to Josh Turner to $89.75 for the most expensive for Bonnie Raitt.

MORE INFO: waterfrontconcerts.com

STATE THEATRE

The crown jewel in Maine’s live-music scene remains the exquisite, art-deco State Theatre. In the summertime, it can get toasty on hotter evenings, but it’s still hard to imagine the dog days without a trip to the downtown venue. This June, it hosts the metalhead’s concert of the season with Sleep (June 24). This is the only date north of New York City for a rare tour by the psychedelic cult band that spawned popular offshoot bands High on Fire and Neurosis, and getting them for this reunion tour was a coup. (Another excellent booking is Eddie Izzard on July 30, a comic raconteur who rambles through a very funny, stream-of-conscious monologue with a well-honed performance style that plays strongly even to the people in the back row.) Those who like brass instruments should consider Preservation Hall Jazz Band (July 15) and the Balkan-inspired indie rock of Beirut (July 31).

HOW MUCH: $25-$56.50

MORE INFO: statetheatreportland.com

PORT CITY MUSIC HALL

With its proximity to bars and restaurants of the Old Port and its rock-club vibe, Port City Music Hall is the perfect capper for a evening on the town. It’s ideal for midsized indie rock, hard rock and Americana bands. Tops among the summer offerings is the always-engaging Okkervil River (July 14), whose last album detailed stories from frontman Will Sheff’s New Hampshire upbringing. The group will no doubt be previewing material from their upcoming album, “Away,” due in September. Unknown Mortal Orchestra (July 25) is another higher-profile indie act coming to town. After setting the internet ablaze with their 2011 song “Ffunny Ffriends,” the band has built a collection of jangly, clattering dance songs that should play well live.

HOW MUCH: $18-$20

MORE INFO: portcitymusichall.com

SPACE GALLERY

National and local bands alike bring music lovers to SPACE Gallery, where they can expect intimate performances ranging from the avant-garde to the cathartic and attentive audiences. R&B concerts are uncommon in Portland, but SPACE makes a big exception on June 9, when they host KING, a trio of women who craft lush songs that harken to 1990s soul music such as TLC but also sound highly contemporary. Much of their appeal relies on their dreamlike production, but their songs and voices are potent enough to captivate with basic accompaniment. Mitski (July 25) is an artist on the brink of indie-rock stardom due to her razor-sharp writing, propulsive energy, and the high emotional stakes of her songs, and this evenings offers the chance to catch her on the way up. Both KING and Mitski have made two of the year’s finest records, and this is a unique chance to see both in a comfortable, cozy setting.

HOW MUCH: $10-$15

MORE INFO: space538.org

Robert Ker is a freelance music writer in Portland, where he and his wife own the vintage store Find. Contact him at:

bobzker@gmail.com

Twitter: @bobbker