Well, someone’s gotta be the caboose, right? My total inability to share my annual musical-faves list in a timely manner has resulted in a single goal: To just finish it sooner than I did the year before. (*looks at last year’s post*) April 2nd. Big sigh. Not even close! But hey, at least today is closer to last year than next year. Wait, no, I passed that last week. Bigger sigh. Next year, I swear.
At last (literally), here’s my alphabetical run down of favorite long-players, and a few shorter-players, released in the long-gone calendar year of 2018. Things I loved, and still love, and will continue to love despite the constant churn of the new. I have no idea how anyone keeps up anymore, unless finding special new songs is your paid full-time gig. And if that’s the case, well, I wish you good fortune and steady health insurance.
I’ve included label links where I can, and at least one embedded song from each release, along with a streaming playlist that I spent waaaaay too much time sequencing. For the love of aural arts, don’t just listen to the streams, though… buy the stuff that strikes you as direct as you can from the artists and their labels below.
I’ve been doin’ these yearly posts for awhile, so long that stopping entirely would be both sad and silly, and here’s the proof in the form of those previous lists: 2017, 2016 & 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, & 2001. Check ’em out if you’re up for cruising my own little music-memory lane.
Yet another fantastic record from Mr. Bachmann that includes at least one instant, and instantly devastating, classic (“Daylight”). We’re so fortunate to have him regularly releasing solo material and touring while keeping his Archers of Loaf simmering on the backburner, ready to boil. Another recent show by that band has me hoping for more, but so long as Eric keeps putting out albums this stellar on his own, I’ll be fine.
I remember wondering if Courtney Barnett’s 2017 team-up with Kurt Vile would result in a longer wait for her own next record, so I was psyched when another fix of pure, undiluted Courtney showed up relatively soon after. Not only was it was packed with great songs (and Barry-approved), but she’s already given us a couple more excellent singles since. The rare quality + quantity combo.
A very, very welcome recorded return from Tanya, Gail, Tom, & Chris with an LP that can sit comfortably alongside their pre-reunion discography. We here in the northeast U.S. have been spoiled with multiple live Belly shows since they got back together in 2016, and each one has been no less than a joyous event, filled with familiar songs, new gems, and good friends wearing smiling faces. I can’t imagine the special vibes they conjured not resulting in more to come, but for now I remain grateful for what we’ve had.
One of last year’s new discoveries for me, and I fell for these New Zealanders very, very hard. Irresistible hooks and harmonies for days. I don’t rank my yearly faves, but if I did this one is an easy top spot contender.
The Frond’s discography can be an overwhelming one – after all, Nick Saloman and his mates have been putting out records for more than three decades. They skipped the whole break-up/reunite thing that every other 80s/90s outfit has done and just kept on keepin’ on, regularly releasing ace LPs every couple years. This one grabbed me more than the last few, and I still can’t believe Nick & bandmate Adrian somehow ended up performing in my dang living room. If I didn’t have the photos, I’d doubt it ever happened.
Just the Breeders doing what they do so perfectly, making an album only they could make. It’s an often-off-kilter record, in the best way – more Podish than Last Splashy, with songs maybe not as immediately catchy as their quote-unquote hits, but the oddness burrows deep. Kim finally ditching that other band has reaped some major rewards.
Another decades-old band that thankfully never bothered to break up, a local Boston-based fave that pops its head up every once in awhile to play sporadic shows and freshen up their discography. “Quite and Peace” is a worthy and welcome addition.
BTW, have you checked out Bill Janovitz’s recently-compiled “Covers of the Weeks” collections? Do so right here. Some truly great takes to be found within.
Another Australasian band that I heard for the very first time in ’18, and it took exactly one song to jump on their train (it was this video from January, in fact). Georgia McDonald is one hell of a frontperson, she brings such a powerful voice to the current chorus of strong female songwriters, and I absolutely cannot wait to see & hear where the road ahead takes her and her band. I’m here for all of it.
I felt a strong instant connection to Clever Girls, based purely on geography. Any band that comes outta my ol’ hometown, that writes songs and practices for shows in the same Burlington, Vermont environs I once did, gets extra attention when they pop up on my radar. And CGs have the songs to stay there. They even did me the kindness of playing about a block from my place last year, with an O’Brien’s set that easily measured up to the promise of the record.
The second record from this intense, angular Boston-based trio gives Thalia Zedek two appearances on my faves list: The TZ Band LP below, and this sophomore team-up with Jason Sanford (Neptune) and Gavin McCarthy (Karate). As much as I dig their recordings, E’s power best comes through in a live setting, and we’re lucky to get them fairly regularly here in town. If you get a chance to see ’em, take advantage.
I was hyper-aware of the 12-year gap between this and the previous Essex Green LP (2006 stand-out “Cannibal Sea”), both as a fan and a friend, so the wait felt extra-long. I resisted pestering them with too many questions (“How’s the recording going?! How many songs? Is Merge putting it out again?!”), and savored every little update from our Vermont-centric circle. Sure, there were times I wondered if it’d ever come out at all, until suddenly, word of a final mix… then a release date… a shared new song…and at last… a Merge package in the mail. Many joy-filled live shows have followed, proving that long wait was damn well worth it. Here’s to shorter waits ahead.
The Field Music formula hasn’t changed a great deal over the last few records, and that’s the opposite of a complaint. They Brewis Brothers have it down to a science, so why mess with it?
I honestly figured we’d lost Film School for awhile there. After a half-decade hiatus that started in 2011, I thought they could be gone for good, so the announcement of 2016’s “June” EP (recorded with reunited previous members) was cause for cheers. Two more singles proved that lineup reunion wasn’t a one-off, and shared photos of studio time in early 2018 teased a full-length. The result, “Bright To Death”, showed up in September, and it’s a perfect balance of “Hideout”-era, pop-noise Film School with the more expansive sounds they explored on 2010’s “Fission” LP. How this band isn’t a bigger deal eludes me, but I’m so glad they’re still plugging away.
(And I’m trying not to be too bummed that their recent East Coast trip skipped right over Boston. Next time, please?)
There were so many reasons I treasured the rare opportunity to travel to the UK to take part in the marvelous Indietracks Fest, and high among them were the bands I discovered sharing the lineup. London trio Happy Accidents were a standout, and I’ve been singing their praises (and their songs, um, in my car) ever since. I assumed it’d be a long while before I’d get to catch them again, if ever, so I was thrilled to see a Boston-area stop on their first-ever U.S. tour earlier this year. They were just as great in front of a small Monday-night Charlie’s crowd a mile from my house as they were in front of hundreds of fest-goers three thousand miles away.
In the fall of 1992, not long they had signed to Sub Pop (but before their debut LP had arrived) Portland, OR trio (the real) Pond finished up a UK tour opening for Throwing Muses and flew straight across the Atlantic to the sleepy little city of Burlington, Vermont. The occasion? Sub Pop’s monstrous Vermonstress festival, which took over my hometown for one ridiculously fun October weekend.
So what does this have to do with a 2018 Kristin Hersh solo record? Pond’s Chris Brady, that’s what. Back in ’92, the bass player/co-vocalist raved about touring with Kristin and her Muses, and a couple decades later the two of them teased a new trio named Outros (with 50 Foot Waves’ Rob Ahlers on drums). A promising demo track was shared, but nothing official ever became of their collaboration… until Possible Dust Clouds arrived.
My favorite Kristin solo release in ages features Brady’s unmistakable voice, singing on a few tracks that I assume were meant to be Outros songs but found their way here. These two singular songwriters working together? A dream for a longtime fan of both. Hearing Chris make music after so long is a gift, and one I hope we get again before too long.
Frances Quinlan and her band keep hitting the high bar of their debut, writing songs that shiver, stretch, and swerve in remarkable ways while making it sound effortless. Parts that shouldn’t fit together just do, songs go places you don’t expect, and this time I was even more blown away by Mark Quinlan’s sharp, innovative drumming. So, so good.
Still cranking out propulsive rock songs and pummeling live audiences like gentlemen half their ages. You’ll rarely see so much sweat on a stage. Long may they tour.
Did I like this record? Yes, I did. A lot. Am I going to return to it as much as I do so much of Low’s catalog? To be honest, probably not. This album is… deeply unsettling. It’s a very particular kind of weird, and very much of the time we live in. I wasn’t sure what to make of it on first listen, but it eventually burrowed its way under my skin and won me over, even more so after seeing some of the songs played live. I suppose if I’m ever feeling too comfortable, I’ll throw this on. To quote my kid from the backseat, “Dad, what the heck are we listening to? It’s freaking me out.”
I haven’t see this film, but I sure do love its soundtrack. Mogwai used this scoring opportunity to stretch a bit in a couple different directions, both poppier (the song shared below) and more spacey. Shame that this may have been overlooked by fans waiting for a ‘proper’ Mogwai LP, because to me it sure sounds like one.
It took the ever-dependable Slumberland to finally turn me onto the songwriting of Tony Molina, a guy whose name I’ve seen around for years but for some reason never heard until this LP. He puts the perfect amount of jangle in his pop, and strikes just the right balance between weight and wistfulness. “Kill The Lights” is a collection of songs that are made with care, and deserve to be listened to the same way.
Tony is about to release a follow-up of sorts, collecting a bunch of rarities as the “Songs from San Mateo County” LP on Smoking Room Records. Pre-order it here.
Anar Badalov (formerly of Metal Hearts & Travels) continues to quietly release gorgeous albums as New Dog, with “Curve of the Earth” being the fourth in the six years since he started doing the solo thing. This one’s a little more muscular, but doesn’t sacrifice any of the disquieting delicacy he conjures so effortlessly. I can’t imagine any fan of Sparklehorse or the Album Leaf not finding something to love here. I’d go so far as to say this is his best record yet, but I’m sure I’ve said that about the last couple, too. And will probably say it about the next.
Another welcome return, longtime faves Poster Children cranked the machinery back up and unleashed a “Grand Bargain” upon us. Hooky ferociousness & smartly-delivered frustration, the PKids have lost none of their bite in the 14 years (!) since their previous record. What a joy it was to see them in the tiny confines of O’Brien’s last July.
Maybe my favorite personal discovery of last year, RBCF do snappy Australasian-pop-rock to pure perfection. A cracking rhythm section lays the bed for the kind of sharp, clean, dual-guitar interplay that gives me headsparks. Their live set matched my high hopes, thankfully at the best-sounding venue in town, and that stand-out night at the Sinclair was absolute bliss.
RBCF has an excellent follow-up 7-inch, “In the Capital” b/w “Read My Mind”, available from Sub Pop.
After playing in bands for a bunch of years, Matt Batey made his recorded debut as Ruler with this insta-infectious first LP. It immediately brought to mind the initial impact of early Telekinesis, and that’s about the highest compliment I can give. Barsuk has brought us the goods once again, and I eagerly await a follow-up.
Savak! I’ve got deja-deja vu, since these gents ended up on last year’s list, too. And the year before that. And they’ll probably end up on next year’s (with this forthcoming EP). I said last time that I was going to hold them to this “album per year” thing, and it seems they took me seriously. Quality meets quanity with these guys, but with their pedigree, that should come as no surprise.
Their second full-length, but first for Slumberland, which is why this record got my ear (trust in Papa Slumber). It was their fuzzy kiwi-pop-inspired songs kept them in there. I’ve listened to this one a ton and still haven’t tired of it.
After a couple of solid EPs, Lindsey Jordan’s first full-length as Snail Mail arrived courtesy of Matador last summer and ticked all the requisite boxes for something I’d love. On its surface, sure, it’s ye olde three-piece indie rock, but it’s delivered with both delicacy and weight that belies Jordan’s (relatively) young age. Her gorgeous vocals, plaintive lyrics, standout guitar playing, and often off-kilter song structures combine to set her far above the standard singer-songwriter set. Here’s hoping she’s in it for the long haul.
More than one online acquaintance has conflated or confused Snail Mail with Soccer Mommy… and sure, they’re victims of career-trajectory timing, kindred styles, and fairly similar pen names. Hell, they’re right next to each other in this list, so it’s tough for me to avoid mentioning one without the other here.
Sophie Allison has her own special thing going on with Soccer Mommy, though – a bit more sonic beauty, a very subtle touch of twang, more dynamic in both production and overall aesthetic. Seeing her open for Liz Phair last year was a true pleasure, as the two share not only an obvious mutual admiration but a similar starting point, with bedroom-pop demos attracting unexpected attention and proper debut LPs that brought relatively rapid acclaim. It’ll be interesting to see how or if her career trajectory aligns with Phair’s early run from here on out.
Speedy’s third LP in five years, all released on Carpark, and I’m still going to say they’re “doing Boston proud” despite their now-tenuous local grounding. I’m loving watching this band mature, both on stage and on record. They’ve been getting a little weirder in the best way, tweaking their formula to keep things interesting, writing songs that are a bit more complex without sacrificing catchiness. I’m in for all of it.
Sigh. Farewell and thank you to my beloved Spook School, who are in the process of singing and dancing into the musical sunset at this very moment. Saying they’re leaving us on a high note is a big ol’ understatement, as this final (*sniff*) record is my favorite, and the last time I saw them was a total blast. They’ll play their so-long shows in September, and if I was in the UK I’d be in the front row with a giant, wistful grin on my face.
This record was a revelation. I’ve been into Steve Hartlett’s Stove for awhile now, as well as his excellent other project, the on-again-off-again-on-again rock band Ovlov, but for some reason none of his other output has floored me like this LP did. What ostensibly started years ago as a solo project has transformed into an incredibly cohesive band, and this album is the incontrovertible evidence. Lots of great ingredients in the sonic stew here, but the first influence that jumped to mind is maybe a moderately more melodic Swirlies. I love this thing first note to last, and it’s hard to say that about many full-lengthers these days.
Ah, the mighty Superchunk. Still going strong, still putting out ace LPs whenever the mood hits them, and their records always seem to show up at just the right time. This one was bolstered by some top-notch guests, including Katie Crutchfield, David Bazan, Sabrina Ellis, and Stephin Merritt. Talk about bringing in the ringers. The album may be better for it, but the songs were there either way
BTW, have you heard the just-released acoustic version of their classic “Foolish” LP? It’s Superchunk AF.
Thalia’s second appearance on this list has her fronting her eponymous rock band for what I’m pretty sure is my all-time fave TZB LP. At least until the next one. I have the location-based good fortune of seeing her play a lot, so hearing many of these tracks live before their release proved how much they’d stick with me, and how well the recording would capture her killer band’s on-stage sound. The release party for the record was a personal 2018 highlight.
This nearly-finished record was lovingly completed by Robert Fisher’s close collaborators in the aftermath of his passing in early 2017, and released by his longtime UK label Loose Music last year. It stands as beautiful memorial to a man who impacted all who knew him, either personally or musically. If you’re a WGC fan, you’re probably not a passive one… when you heard Robert’s remarkable voice and way around a song, you were likely all in. It took a village of musicians to help him bring his work to the world over the years, and the loss of their leader is a loss for all.
Another excellent addition to the Wussy discography, with the unmistakable voices & songwriting styles of Lisa Walker & Chuck Cleaver combining in all the best ways. “Gloria” is a an absolute stunner, and my anticipation to see it played live has only grown after the band put post-album shows on hold in the wake of some health issues. They’re back this summer as a (drummerless) touring trio, and coming through town again soon. Cannot wait. I volunteer as tribute! I mean, as drummer. For a song or two? I’m kidding. Kinda.
The ever-deepening discography of Jenn Wasner & Andy Stack continues to incorporate slight stylistic shifts while retaining whatever makes them so perfectly Wye Oak. Their accumlated songwriting and production experience has made each consecutive record even more rewarding with repeat listens, and their increased solo output and collaborations have given us even more to love.
Speaking of which, pre-order Andy’s upcoming full-length solo debut as Joyero from Merge, and grab Jenn’s latest Flock of Dimes 7-inch (a split with Madeline Kenney) from Carpark.
Not exactly Yo La Tengo’s most cohesive record, but I’m not sure it was meant to be. Album-release interviews spoke of new music cobbled together from practice space tape ideas, of soundtrack-ish snippets repurposed to create full songs. YLT usually covers many stylistic bases on their records, but there’s nothing I’d call a straight-up rock n’ roll song here, and it’s completely free of any patented Ira Kaplan guitar-freakouts. The Jersey trio ended up with one of their most laid-back, most beautiful LPs this time around, and it hit me just right.
Young Jesus was also new to me last year, though they shouldn’t have been – a quick email search shows I got my first promo note about them more than 7 years ago, ahead of their debut record. Maybe I wasn’t ready for them back then, but this new one hit me like a brick to the brain. Six songs totaling just under an hour, one of which is the 20-minute powerfully hypnotic closer, “Gulf”, a song I figured I’d never see played live.
I was wrong, and the band provided me with one of my favorite on-stage moments of 2018 when, after just a couple songs at Great Scott, frontman John Rossiter said “This will be our last one…”. My momentarily bummed-out brain thought “Last song?! Well, it had better be Gulf.” And so it was. Absolutely epic.
And a hat tip to the music supervisor for Netflix’s The OA, who used both “Gulf” and album-opener “Deterritory” in the latest season. Just perfect.
A split EP with a few new Bazan tracks, including the killer “Opposite Soul” (below). I think this was his last batch of solo songs released before his (ridiculously great) Pedro the Lion relaunch.
Mike Gent (of the Figgs/Gentlemen/Needy Sons) cranked out solid monthly singles all year long over on Bandcamp. Head on over there, and catch him solo or with the Figgs when and if you get the chance.
My other favorite discovery at last year’s Indietracks Fest, the truly wonderful Girl Ray. I fully absorbed their 2017 debut LP, “Earl Grey”, and absolutely cannot wait to hear its full-length follow-up.
Meredith Godreau follows up her Patreon-funded “On the Orange Mountain” series of songs with another chapter titled “Texan Collection”. It’s more sporadic, but I’ll take whatever I can get, so long as she keeps it coming.
Tim Midyett (Silkworm/Bottomless Pit) releases his third excellent EP in a row under the Mint Mile moniker, and I’m giddy at the news that he/they will have a double album, titled “Ambertron”, out sometime this year. YES.
They easily made last year’s list, and more songs in 2018 meant they’d end up on this one, too. You can head to Bandcamp to hear them all, or you can finally hit up Spotify as well. Here, I made you a playlist.
My favorite in Superchunk’s series of limited charity singles, with some artwork variants auctioned off for worthy causes. These things sell out pretty fast, but you can still listen to and buy the digital versions.
BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
Monday, March 20th
Bruce Springsteen
& the E Street Band
@ TD Garden
Tuesday, March 21st
EARFULL - words & music
from author Lauren Acampora,
composer Mason Darin with guest
Jeanie Stahl, writer/director
John Sayles, and musician Lizje
@ the Burren Backroom
Saturday, March 25th
Bird Streets (duo show)
@ the Village Social Club
inside Garrison House, Brookline
Saturday, March 25th
Yoni Gorden's
"Courtship"Record Release show!
with Kathy Snax and visuals
by Alison Tanenhaus & Vidumami
@ Boston Funk, Beach St.
Saturday, March 25th
Addie
Chris Normann
Thumber
@ EXIT Galleries
Sunday, March 26th
Andy Cohen
(Silkworm/Bottomless Pit)
Chris Brokaw
@ an Allston living room
Tuesday, March 28th
Sunset Rubdown
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Tuesday, March 28th
The Residents
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, March 30th
Will Johnson
@ an Allston living room
Thursday, March 30th
The Murder Capital
Pet Fox
@ the Sinclair
Friday, March 31st
The Church
@ the Sinclair
Friday, March 31st
Jukebox The Ghost
@ the Royale
Sunday, April 2nd
Robyn Hitchcock
Kelley Stoltz
@ City Winery
Monday, April 3rd
Tennis
Kate Bollinger
@ the House of Blues
Tuesday, April 4th
Jason Narducy (Split Single,
Superchunk, Bob Mould Band)
with a string section
live in Somerville
@ A Curated World
Thursday, April 6th
Rick Berlin w/Orchestra Luna,
Berlin Airlift, & Nickel & Dime Band,
with guests The Sheila Divine,
Hallelujah the Hills, & Nervous Eaters
@ Brighton Music Hall
Thursday, April 6th
Jake McKelvie &
the Countertops
with Thalia Zedek
@ Notch Brewing, Brighton
Thursday, April 6th
Caroline Rose
@ the Sinclair
Friday, April 7th
Laura Stevenson
"Wheel" 10th Anniversary
Kayleigh Goldsworthy
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, April 8th
Dear Nora
(Katy Davidson solo)
@ Gallery 263
Saturday, April 8th
Sleaford Mods
@ the Paradise
Saturday, April 8th
Emma Ruth Rundle
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, April 9th
Bikini Kill
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, April 13th
Andrew Bird
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, April 13th
Jake McKelvie &
the Countertops
with Dutch Tulips
@ Notch Brewing, Brighton
Friday, April 14th
U.S. Girls
Jane Inc.
@ the Sinclair
Friday, April 14th
Radio Compass
@ Faces Brewing, Malden
Friday, April 14th
Widowspeak
Duster
@ the Paradise
Saturday, April 15th
Raw Bell
Unmade Bed
The Mystery
@ the Jungle
Saturday, April 15th
Harris
Sidewalk Driver
Stars Like Ours
Aaron and the Lord
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, April 16th
Codeine
Barbara Manning
@ the Sinclair
Sunday, April 16th
Peter Case
Ben de la Cour
@ Atwood's Tavern
Sunday, April 16th
Dead Can Dance
@ the Wang
Wednesday, April 19th
Sloan
@ Brighton Music Hall
Thursday, April 20th
Black Flag
@ the Middle East Down
Thursday, April 20th
Jake McKelvie &
the Countertops
with Puppy Problems
and Slim Volume
@ Notch Brewing, Brighton
Friday, April 21st
Boyscott
Nova One
Lady Pills
@ the Lilypad
Friday, April 21st
The Feelies
@ the Sinclair
Friday, April 21st
Fruit Bats
@ the Royale
Saturday, April 22nd
Nora O'Connor
special intimate solo show
@ in Somerville
Saturday, April 22nd
Joywave
Elliot Lee
@ the Royale
Saturday, April 22nd
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, April 23rd
Skinny Puppy
@ House of Blues
Sunday, April 23rd
M83
@ Roadrunner
Monday, April 24th
Stay In Nothing
Wavier Wire
Indoor Friends
The Dream Today
@ the Silhouette Lounge
Tuesday & Wednesday
April 25th & 26th
Built to Spill
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, April 26th
Andy Shauf
@ the Royale
Thursday, April 27th
Jake McKelvie &
the Countertops
with Andy Cohen (of
Silkworm & Bottomless Pit)
and Ezra Cohen &
the Big City Band
@ Notch Brewing, Brighton
Friday & Saturday
April 28th & 29th
The Town & the City Festival
with so many artists, including...
Buffalo Tom, Ted Leo, John Doe Trio,
Vapors of Morphine, Rhett Miller,
Pile, Dave Herlihy (O Positive),
Robin Lane, Justine & the Unclean,
and many, many more
@ lots of walkable Lowell, MA venues
Saturday, April 29th
Screaming Females
Iron Chic
@ Brighton Music Hall
Saturday, April 29th
Lucius
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, April 30th
John Vanderslice
intimate solo show
@ somewhere in Somerville
Sunday, April 30th
Placebo
Deap Vally
@ Roadrunner
Monday, May 1st
Mill Pond Falls
Norris The Terrible
Modern Day Idols
Jim Healey
@ the Silhouette
Monday, May 1st
Pedro The Lion
performing
"It's Hard To Find A Friend"
and "Control" in full
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, May 3rd
The Natural Lines
(ex-Matt Pond PA)
@ Crystal Ballroom
Friday, May 5th
Fever Ray
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, May 6th
DARK SPRING BOSTON
@ the Middle East Down
Saturday, May 6th
Cathedral Ceilings
Hilken Mancini Band
Lupo Citta
@ the Midway
Saturday, May 6th
Muna
Nova Twins
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, May 6th
David Cross
Sean Patton
@ the Wilbur
Sunday, May 7th
Meg Baird
Damon & Naomi
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, May 7th
Goth Babe
flipturn
Yoke Lore
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, May 7th
Pixies
Franz Ferdinand
Bully
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, May 10th
Natalie Merchant
@ the Emerson Colonial
Thursday, May 11th
Chisel
Hilken Mancini Band
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, May 11th
Graham Nash
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Friday, May 12th
The Lemon Twigs
Josephine Network
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, May 13th
The Hold Steady
Dinosaur Jr.
Come
@ Roadrunner
Monday, May 15th
Radio Compass
@ Charlie's Kitchen
Monday, May 15th
The New Pornographers
Wild Pink
@ the Royale
Wednesday, May 17th
Feist
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, May 18th
The Pernice Brothers
perform "Overcome By Happiness"
(with a string section!)
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
May 19th, 20th, & 21st
Taylor Swift
Phoebe Bridgers
Gayle
@ Gillette Stadium
Sunday, May 21st
Blink 182
Turnstile
@ the Garden
Wednesday, May 24th
Beach Bunny
Pup
Pool Kids
@ Roadrunner
Monday, May 29th
An Attendant Ana
Adult Learners
Hands and Knees
@ O'Brien's
Tuesday, May 30th
Frank Turner
The Interrupters
Laura Jane Grace
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, May 30th
Crowded House
@ the Wang
Wednesday, May 31th
Sisters of Mercy
@ Big Night Live
Wednesday, May 31th
Fenne Lily
Christian Lee Hutson
@ the Sinclair
Friday, June 2nd
The Album Leaf
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday, June 2nd
Bruce Cockburn
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Saturday, June 3rd
AJJ
Oceanator
Gladie
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, June 8th
Pixies
Franz Ferdinand
Bully
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, June 9th
Tina Fey & Amy Poehler
"Restless Leg Tour"
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, June 10th
Bryan Adams
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
@ TD Garden
Friday & Saturday
June 16th & 17th
Chris Smither
@ Club Passim
Friday, June 16th
Steve Lacy
James Blake
Toro y Moi
Fousheé
@ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs
Saturday, June 17th
LCD Soundsystem
Jamie xx
Idles
L'Rain
@ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs
Sunday, June 18th
boygenius
Clairo
Dijon
Bartees Strange
@ the Stage @ Suffolk Downs
Sunday, June 18th
The Cure
The Twilight Sad
@ Xfinity Center
Wednesday, June 21st
Wednesday
Tenci
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, June 22nd
Tiny Habits
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, June 24th
Teen Suicide
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, July 1st
Sparks
@ the Wilbur
Saturday, July 15th
Jenny Lewis
Cass McCombs
Hayden Pedigo
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, July 15th
Counting Crows
Dashboard Confessional
Frank Turner
@ the Pavilion
Saturday, July 15th
Noel Gallagher's
High Flying Birds
with Garbage
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, July 16th
Braid
"Frame & Canvas"
25th Anniversary Tour
with guests
@ the Sinclair
Sunday, July 16th
First Aid Kit
The Weather Station
@ Roadrunner
Tuesday, July 18th
Panda Bear & Sonic Boom
with Braxe + Falcon
@ the Paradise
Tuesday, July 18th
Cake
@ the Pavilion
Monday & Tuesday
July 24th & 25th
Le Tigre
@ the Royale
Tuesday & Wednesday
July 25th & 26th
Billy Strings
@ the Pavilion
Thursday, July 27th
Jason Isbell and
the 400 Unit
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, August 5th
Mellow Bravo
Cask Mouse
Hayley Thompson-King
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, August 5th
Foreigner
Loverboy
@ Xfinity Center
Friday, August 11th
Band of Horses
The Revivalists
@ the Pavilion
Friday, August 11th
Glen Hansard &
Marketa Irglova
(of the Swell Season)
@ the Wang
Saturday, August 19th
Sigur Ros
with an orchestra
@ the Wang
Saturday & Sunday
August 19th & 20th
In Between Days Festival
with
Modest Mouse, Lord Huron, Metric,
Trampled By Turtles, Sunny Day Real
Estate, Cautious Clay, Yoke Lore,
Blitzen Trapper, Allison Ponthier,
Illiterate Light, Slothrust,
Miko Marks, Weakened Friends,
shallow pools, Kat Wright,
Fantastic Cat, Dwight & Nicole,
Paper Tigers, Dutch Tulips,
Carissa Johnson, Mint Green,
Gypsy Moths, & Sweet Petunia
@ Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Thursday, August 24th
Jimmy Eat World
Manchester Orchestra
Middle Kids
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, August 24th
Bruce Springsteen
& the E Street Band
@ Gillette Stadium
Friday, August 25th
Alex G
Alvvays
@ the Pavilion
Sunday, September 3rd
The Offspring
A Simple Plan
Sum 41
@ the Xfinity Center
Tuesday, September 5th
Beck
Phoenix
Weyes Blood
Sir Chloe
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, September 6th
Duran Duran
Nile Rodgers & Chic
Bastille
@ TD Garden
Tuesday & Wednesday
September 12th & 13th
Death Cab For Cutie
The Postal Service
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, September 14th
Peter Gabriel
@ the Garden
Wednesday, September 20th
OSEES
@ the Royale
Wednesday, September 20th
Death Grips
@ House of Blues
Friday, September 22nd
Tegan & Sara
Carlie Hanson
@ Roadrunner
Friday, September 22nd
Lady Lamb
celebrates 10 years
of "Ripely Pine"
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, October 11th
The Mission UK
The Chamelons
@ Brighton Music Hall
Monday, October 23rd
Pile
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, October 26th
Mudhoney
Hooveriii
@ Brighton Music Hall
Tuesday, October 31st
Depeche Mode
@ the Garden
Saturday, November 4th
Amyl and the Sniffers
Die Spitz
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, November 30th
Nation of Language
Miss Grit
@ the Sinclair
.
July 9th, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks for this.