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
Wednesday, April 30th
Twin Tribes
Chameleons
Vandal Moon
House of Harm
@ Big Night Live
Thursday, May 1st
Deep Sea Diver
Byland
@ Brighton Music Hall
Thursday, May 1st
Red Baraat
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Thursday, May 1st
Sharon Van Etten
& the Attachment Theory
Love Spells
@ Roadrunner
Friday, May 2nd
Bob Mould & his band
J. Robbins & his band
@ the Paradise
Friday, May 2nd
Shoney Lamar
Lunch Mother
Mike Sempert
Husbands
@ the Loft
Saturday, May 3th
Cheekface
@ The Sinclair
Saturday, May 3rd
BADBADNOTGOOD
Baby Rose
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, May 4th
Actor/writer Ed Helms
presents his new book "SNAFU"
@ WBUR's CitySpace
Sunday, May 4th
Lou Barlow
Bobby Bare Jr.
Acoustic Song Swap!
@ the Rockwell
Sunday, May 4th
The Queers
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Sunday, May 4th
Tim Hecker
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, May 4th
AC/DC
@ Gillette Stadium
Monday, May 5th
Craig Thompson
discussing
"Ginseng Roots: A Memoir"
@ Cambridge Public Library
Tuesday, May 6th
Dave Eggers
signing
"The Eyes & the Impossible"
@ Harvard Book Store
Wednesday, May 7th
Japanese Breakfast
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, May 7th
Sea Wolf (solo)
@ the Haymarket Lounge
@ City Winery
Wednesday, May 7th
Love
Johnny Echols
@ City Winery
Thursday, May 8th
Melvins
Napalm Death
@ the Paradise
Thursday, May 8th
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, May 9th
DEVO
"50 Years of De-Evolution...Continued!"
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, May 10th
The Hilken Mancini Band
(long-awaited LP release party!)
with The Cujo (feat. Jen Trynin) &
Mary Lou Lord with Annabelle Lord-Patey
@ Sonia
Saturday, May 10th
Lady Pills
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, May 10th
William Tyler
@ Warehouse XI
Saturday, May 10th
Advance Base
Kristin Daelyn
Puppy Problems
@ the Cantab Lounge
Saturday, May 10th
Mallrat
@ Brighton Music Hall
Sunday, May 11th
Worriers
Mint Green
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, May 11th
The Queers
@ the Middle East
Sunday, May 11th
Baroness
@ the Sinclair
Monday, May 12th
Kendrick Lamar
SZA
@ Gillette Stadium
Tuesday, May 13th
Mamalarky
Kennedy Mann
@ The Rockwell
Wednesday, May 14th
Ministry
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult
Die Krupps
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, May 15th
Pet Symmetry
Pony
Jimmy Montague
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, May 16th
The FUs
Silver Screams
Deprogrammer Cult
The Angry-LAs
@ Koto, Salem
Saturday, May 17th
Chris Brokaw (LP release!)
Beth Kaplan
Kathy Snax
@ Streetcar in JP
Saturday, May 17th
Califone (full band)
Dead Gowns
@ the Rockwell
Saturday, May 17th
Sunflower Bean
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, May 17th
Superheaven
Glare
Spy
Prize Horse
@ the Royale
Saturday, May 17th
Amyl & the Sniffers
Sheer Mag
@ Roadrunner
Saturday & Sunday
May 17th & 18th
Amy Poehler & Tina Fey
@ the Wang
Sunday, May 18th
Plight
Bedroom Eyes
The Dreamtoday
Louder Joy (members of
Taxpayer & Mean Creek)
@ O'Brien's
Monday, May 19th
Joan Shelley
@ Club Passim
Monday, May 19th
Model/Actriz
AFK
@ Deep Cuts
Monday, May 20th
Bimbo
Slo-Anne
Thought Partner
@ Deep Cuts
Tuesday & Wednesday
May 20th & 21st
Hamilton Leithauser
(of the Walkmen)
& Johanna Samuels
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, May 22nd
Slide Away Presents:
Swirlies
Mark Robinson
Her New Knife
Beach-O (film)
@ the Paradise
Thursday, May 22nd
Peter Bjorn and John
"Writers Block" album tour
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, May 22nd
Alison Bechdel
(graphic novelist)
presents "Spent"
@ the Brattle
Saturday, May 24th
The Wedding Present
"Bizarro" 35th Anniversary Tour
with The Tubs
@ the Sinclair
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
May 23rd, 24th, & 25th
Boston Calling Music Festival
@ the Harvard Athletic Complex
Saturday, May 24th
Gibby Haynes & the
Paul Green Rock Academy
perform the music of
The Butthole Surfers
@ the Middle East Down
Sunday, May 25th
Volume
@ the Middle East Up
Wednesday, May 28th
Scott Thompson
(of Kids in the Hall)
is Buddy Cole
@ City Winery Boston
Wednesday, May 28th
Barry Manilow
"the last Boston concert"
@ the Garden
Thursday, May 29th
Annie Dirusso
Squirrel Flower
@ the Paradise
Friday, May 30th
Thalia Zedek Band
record release show!
with Vivid Bloom
& Harsh Foxing
@ O'Brien's
Friday, May 30th
Florist
Allegra Krieger
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, May 30th
Orbit
Eldridge Rodriguez
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, May 30th
Teddy Swims
@ Suffolk Downs
Friday, May 30th
OK GO
@ the Royale
Friday, May 30th
Tennis
Billie Marten
@ Roadrunner
Friday, May 30th
Bloc Party
(performing "Silent Alarm" & more)
with Blonde Redhead
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, May 31st
Jet
Band of Skulls
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, June 1st
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
@ Roadrunner
Tuesday, June 3rd
Halsey
Alvvays
@ Xfinity Center
Tuesday, June 3rd
EARFULL Series
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Nicole Graev Lipson
& Jennifer Haigh
and musicians
Ava Valianti
& Naseem Khuri
@ Branch Line
Wednesday, June 4th
Young Widows
Rid of Me
Kal Marks
@ Crystal Ballroom
Thursday, June 5th
Screeching Weasel
@ the Regent Theatre
Thursday, June 5th
Dean Wareham
Escape-Ism
@ the Sinclair
Friday, June 6th
Aimee Mann
Jonathan Coulton
@ the Wilbur
Friday, June 6th
Jack's Mannequin
@ Roadrunner
Friday, June 6th
Sleigh Bells
@ the Paradise
Friday, June 6th
The Ocean Blue
playing their self-titled LP
and their "Cerulean" LP
@ the Somerville Armory
Saturday, June 7th
Dutch Interior
@ Warehouse XI
Saturday, June 7th
Lily Seabird
Hemlock
@ the Lilypad
Saturday, June 7th
Toby Tantrum
Sun Urchins
Yoni Gordon
Lunch Mother
@ the Loft, Somerville
Monday, June 9th
Head North
Good June
Trash Sun
Fun City Fan Club
@ Warehouse XI
Monday, June 9th
Billy Corgan and
the Machines of God
@ the Paradise
Tuesday, June 10th
EARFULL Series
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Ben Shattuck
& Tova Mirvis
and musicians
Chris Harford
& TAS Band Trio
@ Branch Line
Tuesday, June 10th
Heart Attack Man
The Dirty Nil
Carpool
Dear Seattle
@ Brighton Music Hall
Tuesday & Wednesday
June 10th & 11th
Queens of the Stone Age
The Kills
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday
June 10th, 12th, & 13th
Paul Simon
@ the Wang
Tuesday & Wednesday
June 10th & 11th
Queens of the Stone Age
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, June 11th
Turnover
"Peripheral Vision" tour
with Balance & Composure
& Citizen
@ the House of Blues
Thursday, June 12th
Clutch
@ Lynn Auditorium
Saturday, June 14th
Shawn Colvin
Rodney Crowell
@ the Somerville Armory
Sunday, June 15th
Simple Minds
Soft Cell
Modern English
@ Xfinity Center
Sunday, June 15th
Karate
@ The Sinclair
Tuesday, June 17th
EARFULL Series
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Michael Farris Smith
& Ernest Thompson
and musicians
Michael Farris Smith
& Samantha Farrell
@ Branch Line
Thursday, June 19th
Tanya Donelly & friends
with Danielle Miraglia
@ the Burren Back Room
Thursday, June 19th
Blondshell
Daffo
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, June 19th
This Will Destroy You
Jesse Beaman
@ Sonia
Saturday, June 21st
BRADLEY'S ALMANAC
(that's me) presents...
SAVAK
Lupo Citta
The Whimbrels
Andy Cohen (of Silkworm)
@ O'Brien's
Saturday, Jun 21st
Hallelujah the Hills
DECK release show
with Bongwish and
Choo Choo La Rouge
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, Jun 22nd
Todd Rundgren
@ Cary Memorial Hall, Lexington
Tuesday, June 24th
EARFULL Series
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Jessica Berger Gross
& Jessica Shattuck
and musicians
Tenzin Chopak
& The Starlings
@ Branch Line
Saturday, June 21st
Outloud Music Festival
with Kim Petras, Trixie Mattel (DJ set),
Flo Milli, Rebecca Black, G Flip,
Frankie Grande, Oompa, Hannah Rad,
Big Body Kweeng, MATH3CA
@ Suffolk Downs
Wednesday, June 25th
Deerhoof
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Wednesday, June 25th
BABYMETAL
Black Veil Brides
Bloodywood
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, June 26th
Faster Pussycat
The Supersuckers
The Rumours
The Lonely Ones
@ Koto in Lowell
Thursday, June 26th
Benmont Tench
@ City Winery Boston
Thursday, June 26th
Counting Crows
The Gaslight Anthem
@MGM Music Hall
Friday, June 27th
Khruangbin
John Carroll Kirby
@ Suffolk Downs
Saturday, June 28th
Friendship
2nd Grade
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, June 28th
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, June 28th
Tree
@ Brighton Music Hall
Sunday, June 29th
Preoccupations
@ the Middle East
Tuesday, July 1st
Julie Doiron
Caged Animals
@ the Middle East
Sunday, July 6th
Greg Norton & Büddies
Celebrate 40 Years of Hüsker Dü
@ Faces Brewing
Monday, July 7th
OMD
@ House of Blues
Tuesday, July 8th
Lifeguard
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, July 10th
Wavves
Beach Goons
chokecherry
@ the Sinclair
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
Tuesday, July 15th
Weird Al Yankovic
@ the Wang
Tuesday, July 15th
Daryl Hall
Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze)
@ Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Wednesday, July 16th
Shakey Graves
Hovvdy
@ the House of Blues Boston
Wednesday, July 16th
Tripping Daisy
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, July 16th
Mekons
Johnny Dowd
@ City Winery
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
Samantha Crain
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, July 18th
Dinosaur Jr.
Snail Mail
Easy Action
@ Roadrunner
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
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
Ghost
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, July 23rd
Ben Folds & a Piano
@ Shalin Liu, Rockport
Thursday, July 24th
Kesha
Rose Gray
@ the Xfinity Center
Saturday, July 26th
Toto
Christopher Cross
Men At Work
@ Leader Bank Pavilion
Saturday, July 26th
Rod Stewart
Cheap Trick
@ the Xfinity Center
Tuesday, July 29th
Goo Goo Dolls
Dashboard Confessional
@ the Pavilion
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
Saturday, August 2nd
Pantera
Amon Amarth
@ Great Woods
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
August 7th, 8th, & 9th
Somergloom V festival
in Somerville
Friday, August 8th
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
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
Saturday, August 23rd
Tugboat Annie
Vic Firecracker
Forevers
@ the Burren Back Room
Tuesday & Wednesday
August 26th & 27th
James Taylor
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, August 29th
Nine Inch Nails
@ the Garden
Saturday, August 30th
Coheed & Cambria
Taking Back Sunday
Foxing
@ MGM 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
"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
Mac DeMarco
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, Sept. 11th
Sparks
@ Berklee Performance Center
Thursday, September 11th
Bruce Dickinson
(Iron Maiden)
@ the House of Blues
Friday, September 12th
Superchunk
@ 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
Saturday, September 13th
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Ricky Eat Acid
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, September 13th
Pulp
@ Suffolk Downs
Sunday, Sept 14th
Alabama Shakes
@ MGM Music Hall
Monday, September 15th
PUP
Jeff Rosenstock
Ekko Astral
@ Roadrunner
Monday, September 15th
Steve Winwood
@ The Cabot
Wednesday, September 17th
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Willie Watson
@ the Pavilion
Thursday, September 18th
Garbage
Starcrawler
@ Roadrunner
Friday, September 19th
George Thorogood
& the Destroyers
@ Lynn Auditorium
Sunday, September 21st
Sebadoh
@ the Middle East Downstairs
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
Thursday through Sunday
Sept. 25th, 26th, 27th, & 28th
John Mulaney
"Mister Whatever" tour
@ the Wang Theatre
Friday, September 26th
Stereolab
The Memorials
@ the Royale
Saturday, September 27th
Car Seat Headrest
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, October 2nd
Elbow
@ Roadrunner
Saturday & Sunday
October 4th & 5th
An Inconceivable Evening
with Cary Elwes
& a screening of
The Princess Bride
@ the Wilbur
Monday, October 6th
Swans
@ the Paradise
Wednesday, October 8th
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
'Howl' 20th Anniversary Tour
with Humanist
@ House of Blues
Wednesday, October 8th
The Murder Capital
@ Sonia
Friday, October 10th
Destroyer
@ the Paradise
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 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
Saturday, October 25th
Rufus Wainwright
@ City Winery
Saturday, October 25th
Minus The Bear
@ the House of Blues
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
Friday & Saturday
November 7th & 8th
Steve Martin & Martin Short
three shows @ the Wang
Saturday, November 8th
The Mars Volta
@ House of Blues
Thursday, November 13th
Janeane Garofalo
@ the Somerville Armory
Saturday, November 22nd
Couch
@ Roadrunner
Monday, November 24th
Patti Smith
Horses 50th Anniversary Tour
@ the Orpheum
.
July 9th, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks for this.