Posted on April 2, 2018 at 10:00 am | Comments Off on [Nac Faves] My Favorite Music of 2017
Ah, the best laid plans and the most brutal excuses. My honest intention to get this sucker done before the new calendar year hit was derailed by a major bout of holiday pneumonia, then as December disappeared in a fevered haze and I gathered myself to finish in January… enter ye olde influenza! Such an enjoyable one-two punch. My immune system certainly isn’t going to make anyone’s “best of” list.
February was spent catching up on the day job and re-familiarizing myself with my family, and next thing you know, it’s mid-March. Then, naturally, the ‘Nac goes down for a week. As I wrap this thing up and April begins, my headphones are overflowing with music that will wind up on the 2018 edition. Good thing I’m on nobody’s deadline but my own.
So, yeah, another year long gone, another later-than-everyone-else list of musical favorites shared. Full lengthers, short players, and a few other random releases from throughout 2017. The silver lining of all that sickness was tons of idle time spent listening to neglected records, and deeper dives into the ones I loved. The list kept getting longer.
As you scroll, stream a Soundcloud playlist of songs from most of the releases below, or if you must, a longer one on Spotify, and use the provided label links to buy these records as direct as you can. Give these song makers, and the ones you love, your hard-earned dollars. #IRespectMusic
If you make it all the way through this too-long run-down (or, y’know, just skip to the end right now), you’ll find a few special giveaways I’ve gathered for random readers – the vinyl release of one of my favorite 2017 LPs, a gift certificate to a Boston-area used record shop, and an autographed copy of a truly moving book by one beloved artist about another gone too soon. So drop your name in my virtual hat and take a shot. Ya spin the wheel, ya take yer chances.
One undeniably catchy, infectious-insta-classic track surrounded by a collection of solid indie-pop songs, much like their debut LP. It may lack the ‘wow’ impact of their self-titled record, but that first breath of Canadian air was so fresh they can hardly be faulted.
Andrew Cohen adds a fruitful collaboration with pals Light Coma to his post-Silkworm discography, mixing full-band songs with a few solo jams. His SKWM/Bottomless Pit bandmate Tim Midyett continues under his Mint Mile moniker in parallel (new EP just showed up in the mail!), so even if their time of teaming up is behind them, I’m grateful their separate songs keep on coming. Getting to premiere a track from this AC&LC record was a genuine honor, and traveling out to Chicago to see them play (with Mint Mile, Out, & the Rutabega) was a personal 2017 high point.
I was embarrassingly tardy for the Julien Baker train, but wow, did I ever jump on board. This, Hhr second full-length, absolutely floored me – her open-hearted lyrics and sparse, beautiful arrangements hit me hard. There was no single song in 2017 that moved me more than “Sour Breath”, which I played over and over and over again, both in my headphones and in my head. I couldn’t make it to her most recent Boston show, and her upcoming appearance at the Boston Calling fest won’t be enough to satisfy, so I’m heading up to Vermont soon to see her play with Tancred, another fave. And I’d travel further for that team-up if I had to.
Following David Bazan’s career for so many years has been a singular, surprising joy. No, the joy itself hasn’t been a surprise, but the sonic turns he’s taken sure have been. From his full band Pedro the Lion output, his synth-based Headphones record, through his solo electric and acoustic work, and now “Care”, his most recent guitar-free solo LP, I’ve been all-in for all of it. Less than a year later and he’s back to working on Pedro the Lion songs, and I couldn’t be happier, though it does take a bit of the “what will he sound like next?” mystery out of it. Feels like we’ve gone full circle, and the thought of PtL’s scheduled Boston show has got me giddy.
previous release, expanding their sonic palette with the addition of collaborator Anthony Harmer on a variety of instruments (including the distinctive santur). It’s one of their most cohesive records, and all-the-more appreciated in that it may never have happened but for the chance re-meeting of Harmer and frontman Alasdair MacLean, and a spark of inspiration. May some special kind of spark strike again.
A banner year for each of the musical Crutchfields, with Merge releasing both Allison’s ace solo album and sister Katie’s killer Waxahatchee record (see below, of course). If they were trying to outdo each other, well, let’s call it a tie that we all won. Can barely believe I’ll be seeing Allison and her Swearin’ bandmates later this week when they open up a long-sold-out Superchunk show at the Sinclair. Wonder if they’ll do a song or two off this LP, or keep things separate? Either way, I’m walkin’ out happy.
I’ll buy anything Eitzel, but this LP feels more inspired than his last few full-lengths. Really glad he made the move over to Merge and that this album seemingly got some added attention – be nice to see that relationship stick and produce a string of equally solid records. The world sure needs more Mark.
The wait for this one seemed long, but so worth it. Part of the reason it felt drawn out was that the former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman gave us a window into the creative process with his Pledgemusic campaign, and that window opened early. From conception through studio time, previews to pressing, the project took over 2 years from start to finish, resulting in a beautiful, multi-layered collection. Enigk has such a singular voice that the production needs to be epic, and the fan-funds he gathered allowed him to make that happen.
It’s been a joy to see Girlpool’s relatively speedy rise from a basement-playing pair to a Paradise-packing full band – my nervousness that they’d lose something special by fleshing out their sound with bass & drums was mostly unfounded, and this record proved it. Admittedly, I’d love to see them as a duo again someday, but as long as they keep writing their heartfelt songs and singing those perfect harmonies, I’ll keep going regardless.
I kind of feel like this one flew under too many radars, but that could just be my Stateside-perspective. I owe my appreciation of these particular Scots to my bandmates, so this is the first of their releases I’ve been able to eagerly await, as it’s been ages since their last. Thankfully, and unsurprisingly, it’s another indiepop treasure. Just wish they were playin’ Indietracks this year, as it’s the first one I get to attend (!). Maybe they’ll be hangin’ around so I can pester them to play me a song or two. After I partake of some liquid courage.
Most appreciated musical gift of the year: Elizabeth Powell’s glorious recorded return. Her band has become one of my absolute faves over the past decade, since the moment I first set ears upon 2008’s “Some Are Lakes”. Her second full-length came less than two years later, and then… nothing. She seemingly disappeared, but I never stopped waiting, hoping, and searching for word of a return. Every year I’d write one of these favorites lists and wonder when her next LP would wind up on one. So here we are, with “Life After Youth” at last. Pretty sure I played it more than any other album I bought in 2017, and was grateful for every single note.
Speaking of more-than-welcome returns, Ted came back! Well, it’s not like he left. Solo shows, duo shows (with Aimee Mann as the Both), variety shows (I seem to remember him on stage wearing only a giant diaper at some point?), just no proper TL/Rx recordings since 2010’s “The Brutalist Bricks”. That’s a long time to go without a new release, but thanks to a wealth of fan funding and a trove of gathered songs, he presented us with “The Hanged Man”. The band he assembled to deliver these new tracks (and so many older faves) was a stacked powerhouse, and I’m not sure I had more fun at a show last year than I did when they played Brighton Music Hall in September. A total blast of an evening. I expect no less when Ted & co. return for two nights in June.
In my world, a super group if ever there was one. David Bazan, his ex-PtL bandmate (and fellow faves listee) TW Walsh, Jason Martin (aka Starflyer 59), and ace drummer Trey Many (His Name Is Alive & more) got together a few times and threw together a rock-solid record that was the perfect counterbalance to Dave & TW’s decidedly-more-digital solo releases.
Just the second solo LP from this Sebadoh co-pilot since his killer 2002 debut, “In Sixes and Sevens”, an record that blew me away and set one hell of a high bar. After what feels like a lifetime ago, he damn well mighta reached it. Another crackling collection of tweaked-out, propulsive rock songs. Bad timing and poor planning meant I missed him play these tracks live, but I’m hopeful it won’t be too long until I remedy that, and that it won’t be another 15 freakin’ years until album number three.
Sweden’s Emil Svanängen may take his own sweet time making records, but it has never resulted in one I haven’t loved. He harnesses a special kind of magic in his songs, laying his strong yet delicate voice over carefully-constructed emotional epics. I owe a great debt to Low for bringing him and his band (with Thor!) along to open their 2008 tour. I’ve been in love with Loney Dear since the first note of that first song at the Somerville Theatre.
Ridiculously talented Swedes making noise that’s both new and nostalgic, combining elements I love (and frankly should be tired of by now) into their own goosebump-raising mixture. I love my Allston neighbors at Run for Cover for many reasons, but helping this band get their music out into the world may be the biggest one.
The New Pr0ns fully embraced their inner-ELO and ponied up some of their most infectious songs in years, including the one that incessantly soundtracked my Spring, “This Is The World Of The Theatre”, which survived a ridiculous amount of repeated listening and remains a forever fave. Those post-chorus Neko notes? Super swoon.
Any release from the Kadane brothers and their compatriots is a gift, and this new LP is no different. Another chapter in the ongoing sonic story I’ve been obsessed with since I first heard Bedhead in the early 90s. The only negatives I can ever muster are “I wish this track was longer” or “I wish there were more songs”. Complimentary complaints if ever there were.
TJO returns with a self-titled LP of authentic beauty, full of gorgeously delicate, emotionally heavy songs. It’s such a pure, natural-sounding record that using her name for the title makes perfect sense – it serves as a songwriting mission statement for everything she does so, so well.
Seems like each year there’s at least one Boston-based band I adore that makes a measurable, well-deserved jump to wider recognition, and 2017 felt like Palehound’s year. “A Place I’ll Always Go“ was a showcase of Ellen Kempner & co’s song-building talents, adding further depth to the promise shown on their 2015 debut.
How the hell did Quicksand take a 22-year break and return with an LP that sounds as cohesive and powerful as they ever were? It’s like no time passed at all. A ridiculous and remarkable accomplishment. Side note: This damn record nearly got me a speeding ticket.
These four Oxford gents comprise one of my top ten all-time bands, so their 2014 return was an unexpected, magical gift. Their post-reunion live shows met and crushed my tempered expectations, then rumors of new recordings got me all-sorts-of giddy. Maybe too giddy. While I enjoyed “Weather Diaries” enough to list it here (and it certainly outdoes their final two LPs), it didn’t quite hit the sweet spot I hoped for. Much of it is ace, and there’s at least one stone-cold Ride classic (“Cali”), but I can’t help but think it would have made an absolutely killer EP. Speaking of which, they just released a new one. And that sweet spot? Nailed it.
A mid-2016 discovery for me, thanks to my faith in the fine taste of the CMO label, though I’ve heard and dug plenty of songs involving the individual players before. These members of Obits, Edsel, Ted Leo’s band, The Cops, Nation of Ulysses, Enon & more combined to release their debut LP that year, and quickly followed it up with this even-better collection on the EJRC in 2017. A record per year is quite a precedent, gents. Might hold you to it.
Even more unexpected than Ride’s return was the resurrection of my/our beloved Slowdive. While Ride’s legacy was a tad tarnished by their last pre-breakup recordings, Slowdive went out on an incredible high note with the bliss-filled, ahead-of-its-time “Pygmalion” LP in 1995. Getting to hear live renditions of the songs on that record was something I’d never hoped to dream of, so when they came back and did just that, it left me stunned (not ashamed to say my eyes welled up during the crescendos of “Blue Skied an’ Clear”, every time). New studio recordings, too? The swirly frosting on top. The fact that they pulled together an album that can sit proudly within their existing discography, with songs that fit seamlessly into their live set, is no minor victory.
Doing my hometown proud. It’s convenient when people you know put out a record you love, since it saves you from either avoiding the topic or offering vague compliments. These four Vermonters have that rare ability to fold a bunch of styles into their songwriting while remaining unmistakably themselves. Each song on this LP sounds like a Swale song, though they don’t often sound like each other, and it all comes together as a cohesive whole. That was some Kickstarter cash well-spent.
Timothy William Walsh’s latest LP is a triumph not just because of his songs (which are as solid as ever), but the impeccable production they’re wrapped in. He’s dialed back the guitars, using them as a tool rather than a base, and leaned more into synths and programming – yet ended up with his most soulful, natural sounding record so far. There’s a definite 70s vibe (a bit of Gary Wright, a dash of Gerry Rafferty, even a hint of early Peter Gabriel), but it’s more update than homage, avoiding nostalgic traps with meticulous ease. TW’s years of experience in mastering, mixing, and song-writing collaboration (in the Soft Drugs & Pedro the Lion) come together here effortlessly, and he’s already given us more: He recently offered up an excellent new song and accompanying video called “Born Hungry”.
The other half of 2017’s killer one-two Crutchfield combo, Katie’s record wastes no time letting you know her band’s gonna get a little loud this time out, the opening track starting in full-on rock mode with zero warning. It’s the perfect palette-cleanser, and readies you for the range of songs that follow – short, sharp slices of energetic indie-pop interspersed with moments of true, introspective beauty, all held together by her gorgeous voice and uncanny knack for melody.
Longtime area art-maker Gilmore Tamny once again showed us her sonic side with the second long player from her scrappy Somerville-based trio. Owing a clear debt to early-90s Pacific NW indie-punk, she kept the formula straight-forward – rock out with your guitar out while delivering evocative, literate lyrics as drummer Steph Melikian (Operators/GRCB) and bassist Jen Godfrey hold it down. As if a record that gives a shout out to Market Basket wasn’t going to end up on this list? I mean, come on.
Tyler Kershaw has that rare ability to write sparkling songs that sound uplifting while tackling some heavy, personal lyrical subject matter (a la Bobby Wratten of the Field Mice). His reverb-drenched guitar lines, melodies, and dynamic arrangements come together so well, and since I first heard their 2015 full-length, this band has become not just a Boston-area fave, but a fave period.
While most of Meredith Godreau’s doled-out, 10-song collection “On The Orange Mountain” was created and shared in 2016 (and made my faves list last year), it officially wrapped up last May, so I’m including it again. Lucky for us, the creating continues, as noted in a post-OtOM Patreon update: “In the past few months I have missed completing songs and making videos for you. So much so that I’ve decided to continue using Patreon to share my upcoming creations with you, not to limit my experience to just the one album.” So far we’ve heard “My Own Good”, posted in November, and hopes remain high for more this year.
[ Support GatH’s continued artistic output through Patreon ]
Compiling two solo releases from Wussy’s Lisa Walker, one first released in 2006 (when this was all recorded), and the other in 2015. A must-own for Wussy fans.
Released posthumously in mid-December, and recorded in 2015, but it’s great enough to not get lost in the end-of-year shuffle. If you missed it, here’s your heads up. Vocalist/guitarist Abe Kimball is working on a solo record, and Jesse Weiss & Theo Hartlett are working on a new project of their own with Morgan Luzzi. Meet Pet Fox.
Ex-Lockgroove members (and current twin brothers) Marty & Ryan Rex are doling out their latest aural creations in 3-month increments: One song per quarter, like clockwork (new one yesterday!). It’s a unique release style, but if the quality stays as high as the four songs they’re given us so far, I can easily take the 90-day waits. The first track they released, “Your Small Army“, stayed stuck in my head for much of the year, and that’s not a complaint. What a song, and what a way to announce yourself to the world. Keep ’em coming, boys.
Terry Malts have become one of those bands on my “I’ll buy anything they do” list, and the songs they contribute to this split 10-inch are further proof that was a wise decision. More greatness from these West Coast gents, alongside a band I wasn’t familiar with but am now glad I am. And that’s all you can ask from a split record release.
A welcome compilation of this Denton, Texas-based combo’s long-out-of-print discography (with some unreleased tracks), lovingly released in remastered, double vinyl form.
The world lost a gifted songwriter, and by all accounts a hell of a human being, when Karl Hendricks passed away in January 2017. The Comedy Minus One label rallied KH’s music-making friends and fans for this loving tribute, released just a couple of months later. The strength of the collection is a testament to his talent, and to the impact he had on everyone involved.
2018 has started ridiculously strong with great records already out from the Spook School, Superchunk, the Breeders, Buffalo Tom, Lake Ruth, Loma, Field Music, Yo La Tengo, Secretary, and a stellar EP from Ride. Soon enough we’ll be gifted with new sounds from other faves: Belly, Poster Children, Wye Oak, Wussy, and Hop Along. Not to mention recent word of the just-mastered final (sigh) Willard Grant Conspiracy album, in-progress LPs from Kristin Hersh, both solo and with her band Throwing Muses, a very hopeful update on that long-awaited next Wrens’ record, a soon-to-be-announced Eric Bachmann full-length on Merge, and news of an upcoming LP from the re-emergent Flower (!). Wonder if we’ll see one before the long-completed next Versus full-length? I’ll take ’em both, please. Also really looking forward to the first long player from Burlington, Vermont’s Clever Girls, given what I’ve heard so far.
And hey, Numero Group, how about following up those incredible Unwound, Codeine, & Bedhead box sets with a remastered SEAM collection? Just throwing that wish out there into the world.
After sporadic teasing that started in 2016, I’m still anxiously awaiting any news on the potential American Analog Set resurrection front. Though we did get this very promising instagram shot in December, which included the hashtag #weinthestudiodoots (!). What th’?! Have hope, will travel! Seriously. Just tell me where and when and I’m there, AmAnSet. I need you. #bringthatbeatback
Alright, you’ve nearly made it to the end of this thing, so how about some freebies for random (north american) readers? I’ve got three giveaways to choose from…
The vinyl edition of my most-appreciated recorded return of 2017: Land of Talk’s “Life After Youth”.
A $70 (!) gift certificate to used record shop Blue Bag Records in scenic Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A signed hardcover copy of “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die”, the deeply moving book that Kristin Hersh wrote about her time spent with the much-missed Vic Chesnutt.
To enter, drop an email to giveaways (at) bradleysalmanac (dot) com with “Gimme!” in the subject line, and specify what you’d like to try to win in the message (LP, book, gift certificate – you can try for all three, but only win one). Just get it to my inbox before next Monday, April 9th, 2018 at Noon EST, then I’ll select and notify the three winners that afternoon. Due to shipping costs, only enter if you’re from the US or Canada, and of course, only try for the gift certificate if you live in the Boston area, or are planning a visit.
Thanks for reading, all. If you’re still here despite my ever-slowing posting pace, it’s genuinely appreciated. Even when this place goes silent, I’m still sharing what I love over on Farcebook, so hit me up there in the meantime. Guess I should probably start working on next year’s ‘Nac faves list now, huh?
BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
Friday, July 11th
The Zombies film
"Hung Up on A Dream" with
Colin Blunstone playing live
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, July 11th
Neptune
Landowner
Germ House
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, July 11th
Winona Fighter
@ Crystal Ballroom
Friday, July 11th
Cap'n Jazz
Coffin Prick
@ the Sinclair
Friday, July 11th
Wu-Tang Clan (final tour)
with Run the Jewels
@ the Garden
Saturday, July 12th
A Monolithic Dome
Warmachine
Astral Bitch
@ 4th Wall, Arlington
Saturday, July 12th
Walter Sickert & the
Army of Broken Toys
with Eight Foot Manchild
& Lovina Falls
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, July 15th
Weird Al Yankovic
@ the Wang
Tuesday, July 15th
Daryl Hall
Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze)
@ Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Tuesday, July 15th
Authors Stephen Weiner
and Dan Mazur present their book
"Will Eisner: A Comics Biography"
@ Brookline Booksmith
Wednesday, July 16th
Slo-anne (last show for awhile)
Toluca Lake
Watson Park
@ Deep Cuts
Wednesday, July 16th
Shakey Graves
Hovvdy
@ the House of Blues Boston
Wednesday, July 16th
Kyle Mooney
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, July 16th
Tripping Daisy
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, July 16th
Mekons
Johnny Dowd
@ City Winery
Thursday, July 17th
Horse Jumper of Love
Special Live Music & Film Event
with a Solo Performance, short film,
& conversation with Lance Bangs
@ the Brattle Theatre
Thursday, July 17th
Cyndi Lauper's
Farewell Tour
with Jake Wesley Rogers
@ Xfinity Center
Thursday & Friday
July 17th & 18th
The Lumineers
Young the Giant (on the 17th)
St. Vincent (on the 18th)
Hippo Campus
@ Fenway Park
Friday, July 18th
Meg Toohey
@ Club Passim
Friday, July 18th
Samantha Crain
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, July 18th
Dinosaur Jr.
Snail Mail
Easy Action
@ Roadrunner
Friday, July 18th
Whirr
Nothing
@ the Royale
Friday & Saturday
July 18th & 19th
PIXIES
performing "Bossanova"
& "Trompe Le Monde" (18th)
with Momma opening
and a set of classics (19th)
with Kurt Vile & the Violators
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, July 19th
Happy Little Clouds
(album release show!)
with Eddie Japan
@ the Burren
Saturday, July 19th
Middle Aged Dad Jam Band
with Ken Marino, David Wain, & more
@ City Winery
Saturday, July 19th
Michael McColgan
& the Bomb Squad
with Badterms and
Nick & the Adversaries
@ the Middle East
Saturday, July 19th
Bad Moves (farewell tour)
Theo Grizol (of Nana Grizol)
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, July 19th &
Friday, September 5th
Men I Trust
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, July 20th
Thus Love
Lahnah
@ O'Brien's
Monday, July 21st
Pelican
Porcelain
Glacier
@ the Sinclair
Monday, July 21st
Ghost
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, July 23rd
Ben Folds & a Piano
@ Shalin Liu, Rockport
Wednesday, July 23rd
Cloudbelly
Lost Film
@ Bellforge Arts Center
Thursday, July 24th
Kesha
Rose Gray
@ the Xfinity Center
Friday, July 25th
Tinkertown
Ghosts & Shadows
@ the Burren Backroom
Friday, July 25th
Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage
Noah Britton
@ the Rockwell
Saturday, July 26th
Toto
Christopher Cross
Men At Work
@ Leader Bank Pavilion
Saturday, July 26th
The Dogmatics
(record release party!)
with Black Cheers,
Jay Allen & The Archcriminals
Last Stand, Gypsy Moths
Tom Baker & The Double Down
Stop Calling Me Frank, Band 19
3:30pm @ the French American
Victory Club in Waltham
Saturday, July 26th
Rod Stewart
Cheap Trick
@ the Xfinity Center
Saturday & Sunday
July 26th & 27th
GRUB SWEAT & BEERS
So many metal bands
@ O'Brien's
Tuesday, July 29th
Goo Goo Dolls
Dashboard Confessional
@ the Pavilion
Wednesday, July 30th
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, July 30th
TV on the Radio
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday, July 30th
The "Happy Together" Tour
featuring The Turtles,
Jay & the Americans,
Little Anthony, Mark Lindsay
(of Paul Revere & the Raiders),
The Vogues, & the Cowsills
@ Lynn Auditorium
Wednesday, July 30th
The Offspring
Jimmy Eat World
New Found Glory
@ Xfinity Center
Thursday, July 31st
New Bob Turks
The Drowns
Static Friction
@ Sonia
Friday, August 1st
LOST 80's LIVE
with A Flock of Seagulls,
Big Country, General Public,
The Vapors, Belouis Some,
The Icicle Works, China Crisis,
Josie Cotton, Polecats,
and more
@ the Wang
Friday, August 1st
The Church
@ the Somerville Theatre
Friday, August 1st
Sharpie Smile
@ the Rockwell
Saturday, August 2nd
Chicago
@ the Pavilion
Saturday, August 2nd
Pantera
Amon Amarth
@ Great Woods
Sunday, August 3rd
Clipse
EarthGang
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
August 7th, 8th, & 9th
SOMERGLOOM V
with Sumac, Body Void,
The Keening, Morne, Chepang,
Moths, Cowardice, Slow Quit,
Vudu Sister, Guhts, Lepra,
Lesotho, A Monolithic Dome,
Main Era, Chainlacing, &
Tears From A Grieving Heart
@ Deep Cuts &
@ Crystal Ballroom
a Rhode Island exception...
Sunday, August 10th
Rick Maguire (Pile)
Carl Shane (Kal Marks)
2pm-5pm @ Myrtle
Tuesday, August 12th
Stevie Nicks
@ TD Garden
Tuesday, August 12th
John Moreland
Jared Hart
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, August 13th
Clipping.
@ The Sinclair
Wednesday, August 13th
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets
@ The Center for Arts, Natick
Wednesday, August 13th
Open Mike Eagle
Oceanator
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Thursday, August 14th
The Armed
Prostitute
@ the Sinclair
Friday, August 15th
The Doobie Brothers
The Coral Reefer Band
@ Xfinity Center
Saturday, August 16th
The Black Keys
Gary Clark Jr.
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, August 16th
Architects
Erra
Holy Water
@ House of Blues
Saturday, August 16th
Toad the Wet Sprocket
KT Tunstall
Six Pence None the Richer
@ the Chevalier Theatre
Wednesday, August 20th
The Joe Perry Project
@ the Wang Theatre
Wednesday, August 20th
Viruette
Mallcops
@ Bellforge Arts Center
Thursday, August 21st
The Smiths Tribute (NYC)
Staring at the Sea (Cure tribute)
@ the Sinclair
Friday, August 22nd
Cave In
"Jupiter" 25th Anniversary show
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, August 23rd
Tugboat Annie
Vic Firecracker
Forevers
@ the Burren Back Room
Sunday, August 24th
"Twin Peaks: A Conversation
With The Stars" featuring
Ray Wise, Harry Goaz,
Kimmy Robertson, &
Executive Producer
Sabrina S. Sutherland
@ the Wilbur
Tuesday, August 26th
The Who
@ Fenway Park
Tuesday & Wednesday
August 26th & 27th
James Taylor
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, August 28th
Hotline TNT
@ the Sinclair
Friday, August 29th
Nine Inch Nails
@ the Garden
Saturday, August 30th
Coheed & Cambria
Taking Back Sunday
Foxing
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, September 5th
The Sheila Divine
Viruette
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, September 5th
James Austin Johnson
(comedian/SNL)
@ the Cut
Friday & Saturday
September 5th & 6th
TOUGH LUCK FEST 2025
day one: Slow Joy, Trophy Wife,
Actor Observer, Exit 18, 5ever,
& Sophie's Body
day two: Great American Ghost,
Move, Euclid, Blood Tithe,
Survive the Sun, & Sevalynn
@ Brighton Music Hall
Saturday, Sept. 6th
The 13th Annual JP Music Festival!
@ Pinebank Field in JP
Saturday, Sept. 6th
Slow Crush
Faetooth
@ the Sinclair
Saturday & Sunday
September 6th & 7th
Ron Sexsmith
@ Club Passim
Saturday & Sunday
September 6th & 7th
"Seisiún: a two-day Irish
music & cultural gathering"
6th: Dropkick Murphys,
the Hold Steady, Stiff Little Fingers,
The Scratch, The Rumjacks,
Holy Locuts, & more
7th: The Pogues, The Waterboys,
Cardinals, Just Mustard,
Lisa O'Neill, Mairead,
John Francis Flynn, & more
@ the Stage at Suffolk Downs
Sunday, September 7th
The Outlaw Music Festival
10th Anniversary Tour
@ the Xfinity Center
Sunday, September 7th
Rilo Kiley
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, September 7th
My Chemical Romance
Idles
@ Fenway Park
Tuesday, September 9th
James plays "Laid"
@ the House of Blues
Tuesday, September 9th
Mac DeMarco
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday, September 10th
Alex G
Nilüfer Yanya
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday, September 10th
Glitterfox
@ the Rockwell
Wednesday, September 10th
Robbie Fulks
@ Club Passim
Thursday, Sept. 11th
Sparks
@ Berklee Performance Center
Thursday, September 11th
Alex G
Nilüfer Yanya
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, September 11th
Bruce Dickinson
(Iron Maiden)
@ the House of Blues
Friday, September 12th
Superchunk
Tee Vee Repairmann
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, September 12th
The Brian's Jonestown Massacre
@ the Sinclair
Friday, September 12th
Ethel Cain
9million
@ Roadrunner
Friday, September 12th
Supergrass
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, September 12th
Greg Hawkes with Eddie Japan
performing the music of The Cars
@ the Spire Center, Plymouth
Friday, September 12th
Saturday, September 13th
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Ricky Eat Acid
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, September 13th
The Del Fuegos
@ Bellforge Arts Center
Saturday, September 13th
Dwight Yoakam
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, September 13th
Pulp
@ Suffolk Downs
Sunday, Sept 14th
Alabama Shakes
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, September 14th
Wet Leg
Mary In The Junkyard
@ Roadrunner
Monday, September 15th
PUP
Jeff Rosenstock
Ekko Astral
@ Roadrunner
Monday, September 15th
Steve Winwood
@ The Cabot
Tuesday, September 16th
Molly Tuttle
Cecelia Castleman
@ the Royale
Wednesday, September 17th
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Willie Watson
@ the Pavilion
Thursday, September 18th
The Bouncing Souls
H2O
Smoking Popes
Jer
@ the Royale
Thursday, September 18th
Rose City Band
Wet Tuna
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, September 18th
J. Robbins
Drew & Finley Do O'Doherty
@ the Old Fire Station
in Woods Hole, MA
Thursday, September 18th
Garbage
Starcrawler
@ Roadrunner
Friday, September 19th
Soccer Mommy
Dummy
@ House of Blues
Friday, September 19th
George Thorogood
& the Destroyers
@ Lynn Auditorium
Friday, September 19th
Russian Circles
Blackwater Holylight
@ the Royale
Friday & Saturday
September 19th & 20th
Boston Fuzzstival 2025
@ the Somerville Armory
Saturday, September 20th
Weakened Friends
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, September 20th
Turnstile
Mannequin Pussy
SPEED
Jane Remover
@ Suffolk Downs
Saturday, September 20th
Morrissey
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, September 20th
Wolf Alice
@ House of Blues
Saturday, September 20th
Silver Screams
Sonic Bomb
Linnea's Garden
@ Koto Salem
Sunday, September 21st
Sebadoh
@ the Middle East Downstairs
Sunday, September 21st
Laura Stevenson
@ the Sinclair
Sunday, September 21st
Marina
Mallrat
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, September 21st
Múm
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, September 21st
Nation of Language
Greet Death
@ the Royale
Sunday, September 21st
Shonen Knife
@ Sonia
Monday, September 22nd
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
"Radio Soul!" tour
with Charlie Sexton
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, September 23rd
The Minus 5
The Baseball Project
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Tuesday, September 23rd
Viagra Boys
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday, September 24th
The Beaches
Debbii Dawson
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, September 25th
Cowboy Junkies
@ the Shubert Theatre
Thursday, September 25th
Junior Varsity
@ the Rockwell
Thursday, September 25th
Iggy Pop
Sex Pistols
The Molotovs
@ Suffolk Downs
Thursday through Sunday
Sept. 25th, 26th, 27th, & 28th
John Mulaney
"Mister Whatever" tour
@ the Wang Theatre
Friday, September 26th
The Front Bottoms
Sincere Engineer
@ Roadrunner
Friday, September 26th
Lorde
Blood Orange
The Japanese House
@ TD Garden
Friday, September 26th
Stereolab
The Memorials
@ the Royale
Saturday, September 27th
Car Seat Headrest
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, September 27th
Rolo Tomassi
@ the Rockwell
Saturday, September 27th
X
Los Lobos
@ the Shubert Theatre
Sunday, September 28th
An Evening with author
Samin Nosrat discussing
her cookbook "Good Things"
with Hrishikesh Hirway
@ Emerson Colonial Theatre
Sunday, September 28th
The Tubs
@ Deep Cuts
Monday, September 29th
Melvins
Red Kross
@ Fete in Providence
Tuesday, September 30th
Murray Hill
@ City Winery
Wednesday, October 1st
Tropical F*ck Storm
Mark Robinson
@ Crystal Ballroom
Wednesday, October 1st
Bad Suns
Yot Club
@ the Royale
Thursday, October 2nd
Amy Millan (Stars/BSS)
@ the Middle East
Thursday, October 2nd
DEVO
The B-52s
Lene Lovich Band
@ the Xfinity Center
Thursday, October 2nd
Elbow
@ Roadrunner
Friday, October 3rd
Home Is Where
Forests
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
October 2nd, 3rd, & 4th
David Byrne
@ the Wang
Saturday & Sunday
October 4th & 5th
An Inconceivable Evening
with Cary Elwes
& a screening of
The Princess Bride
@ the Wilbur
Monday, October 6th
Swans
Little Annie
Paul Wallfisch
@ the Paradise
Monday, October 6th
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
"An Evening Of Tales,
Tunes And Other Mysteries"
Book Tour show
@ the Wang Theatre
Wednesday, October 8th
Anamanaguchi
Ovlov
@ the Royale
Wednesday, October 8th
Queens of the Stone Age
(acoustic show)
@ the Wang
Wednesday, October 8th
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
'Howl' 20th Anniversary Tour
with Humanist
@ House of Blues
Wednesday, October 8th
Water From Your Eyes
Her New Knife
Editrix
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, October 8th
The Murder Capital
@ Sonia
Thursday, October 9th
Team Dresch
Vitapup
@ Crystal Ballroom
Thursday, October 9th
The Rapture
@ House of Blues
Thursday, October 9th
Violent Femmes
@ the Chevalier Theatre
Friday, October 10th
AFI
TR/ST
@ the House of Blues
Friday, October 10th
Jukebox the Ghost
Boys Go To Jupiter
@ the Royale
Friday, October 10th
Destroyer
@ the Paradise
Saturday, October 11th
Pile
Nnamdï
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, October 11th
Kneecap
@ the House of Blues
Sunday, October 12th
The Miki Berenyi Trio
(that's Miki from Lush)
Gina Birch
The Unreasonables
@ the Sinclair
Monday, October 13th
My Morning Jacket
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, October 14th
Grandaddy
celebrating the 25th anniversary
of "The Sophtware Slump"
with Greg Freeman
@ the Royale
Wednesday, October 15th
Modest Mouse
Built to Spill
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, October 15th
Disclosure (Live)
Fcukers
Villager
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, October 16th
Moving Targets
Billy Batts & the Made Men
Spiller
@ Faces Brewing
Friday, October 17th
The Psychedelic Furs
Gary Numan
@ MGM Musis Hall
Saturday, October 18th
Patty Griffin &
Rickie Lee Jones
@ the Chevalier
Sunday, October 19th
Guerilla Toss
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, October 19th
Ruston Kelly
Sam MacPherson
@ the Sinclair
Monday, October 20th
Leisure
@ the Royale
Tuesday, October 21st
Big Thief
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, October 21st
Everclear
Local H
Sponge
@ Big Night Live
Thursday, October 23rd
Neko Case
Des Demonas
@ The Wilbur
Thursday, October 23rd
Belly
"King" 30th Anniversary Tour!
@ the Paradise
Thursday & Friday
October 23rd & 24th
Ali McGuirk
"Watertop" Release Shows
@ the Lizard Lounge
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
October 24th, 25th, & 26th
Jonathan Richman
with Tommy Larkins
@ the Somerville Theatre
Saturday, October 25th
Rufus Wainwright
@ City Winery
Saturday, October 25th
Ezra Furman
The Golden Dregs
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, October 25th
Minus The Bear
@ the House of Blues
Monday, October 27th
Laufey
Suki Waterhouse
@ TD Garden
Monday, October 27th
Autechre
Mark Broom
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, October 29th
Herbie Hancock
@ the Wang Theatre
Wednesday, October 29th
The Beta Band
@ the Royale
Thursday, October 30th
Cage the Elephant
Hey, Nothing
Common People
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, October 31st
Fleshwater
Chat Pile
@ the Paradise
Saturday, November 1st
Andy Bell (of Erasure)
@ the Wilbur
Sunday, November 2nd
Fruit Bats (solo)
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, November 5th
Boris
"Pink" 20th Anniversary Tour
with Uniform
@ the Paradise
Thursday, November 6th
Colin Hay (Men at Work)
@ the Chevalier Theatre
Thursday & Friday
November 6th & 7th
The Lone Bellow
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
November 6th, 7th, & 8th
Buffalo Tom's 2nd annual
"Please Come to Boston" fest
with special live performances
& guests each night
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday & Saturday
November 7th & 8th
Steve Martin & Martin Short
three shows @ the Wang
Saturday, November 8th
Cracker
with special guests
@ Abbot Hall, Marblehead
Saturday, November 8th
The Mars Volta
@ House of Blues
Sunday, November 9th
The Samples
@ City Winery
Tuesday & Wednesday
November 11th & 12th
Micky Dolenz (the Monkees)
Songs & Stories
@ City Winery
Thursday, November 13th
Janeane Garofalo
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday, November 14th
Geese
@ the Paradise
Friday, November 14th
Spiller
The Long Wait
@ the Middle East
Saturday, November 15th
Beach Fossils
@ the Paradise
Sunday, November 16th
The Faint
Hercules & Love Affair
@ the Royale
Wednesday, November 19th
Author Joe Hill
presenting 'King Sorrow'
@ Brookline Booksmith
Thursday, November 20th
Weakened Friends
@ the Sinclair
Friday, November 21st
Queensrÿche
Accept
@ Somerville Theatre
Saturday, November 22nd
Couch
@ Roadrunner
Monday, November 24th
Bar Italia
@ the Paradise
Monday, November 24th
Patti Smith
Horses 50th Anniversary Tour
@ the Orpheum
Wednesday, November 26th
The Lemonheads
@ The Wilbur
Saturday, November 29th
Portugal. The Man
@ Roadrunner
Monday, December 1st
(second show added)
The Beths
Phoebe Rings
@ the Royale
Saturday, December 13th
A John Waters Christmas
@ Berklee Performance Center
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Cate Le Bon
@ the Sinclair
Monday, January 19th, 2026
Shame
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, June 26th, 2026
The Church
The Singles Tour
(rescheduled from 8/1/25)
@ Somerville Theatre
