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
Thursday, November 5th
Photographer Kelly Davidson's
Q Exhibit Closing Reception
@ Q Division Studios
Thursday, November 5th
Air Supply
@ the Chevalier
Thursday, November 5th
Unmade Bed
Arto Vaun
Shadow Monster
Dyr Faser
@ O'Brien's
Thursday, November 5th
Daniel Lanois Trio
@ City Winery
Thursday & Friday
November 5th & 6th
Sweeping Promises
Thu: w/Baby Baby Explores,
KO Queen, & Mae Flux
Fri: w/Landowner, Pew Pew,
& Purse
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, November 6th
Betty Goo
The Weisstronauts
@ the Midway
Friday, November 6th
Hovvdy
Christian Lee Hutson
@ the Royale
Friday, November 6th
The Northern Line
(EP release show!)
with Devil Love
& The Cocteau
@ the Square Root
Friday, November 6th
BEAT performs the music of
King Crimson
featuring Adrian Belew, Steve Vai,
Tony Levin, & Terry Bozzio
@ the Wang
Friday, November 6th
Deerhoof
@ Crystal Ballroom
Friday, November 6th
Marc Maron
@ the Chevalier
Friday, November 6th
A Place To Bury Strangers
Adult.
Lane
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, November 7th
Fruit Bats
Sarah Klang
@ the Royale
Saturday, November 7th
Monterey Mountain
Paul McMahon
Free Agent
@ the Square Root
Saturday, November 7th
Really Great
Miss Bones
Bird Bath
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, November 7th
Blondshell
Prewn
@ House of Blues
Saturday, November 7th
Jimmy Webb
@ City Winery Boston
Sunday, November 8th
Chris Brokaw (solo)
Kass Richards & band
@ the Lilypad
Sunday, November 8th
An Evening with
Rhiannon Giddens as part
of B.U.'s Conversations
in the Arts & Ideas
@ Tsai Performance Center
Sunday, November 8th
Joanie's Birthday Bash
Crow Follow
American Ocelot
Galaxy Cake
4pm @ Worthern Attic
Sunday, November 8th
Identical Cousins presents:
A Twin Peaks Tribute
with Julee Cruise Director,
BLK LDG, Celia Smokinbutts,
& much more
@ Myrtle, Providence
Monday, November 9th
The Blasting Company plays
"Over the Garden Wall"
@ the Royale
Monday, November 9th
Jessica Lee Mayfield
Rachel Bobbitt
@ Deep Cuts
Monday, November 9th
Hiss Golden Messenger
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, November 10th
Geese
Gwenifer Raymond
@ Roadrunner
Tuesday, November 10th
Journey
@ TD Garden
Tuesday, November 10th
Protomartyr
J.R.C.G.
@ Crystal Ballroom
Tuesday, November 10th
Shady Bug
7-11 Jesus
Night Moth
@ Deep Cuts
Tuesday, November 10th
Pokey LaFarge
Cicada Rhythm
@ the Somerville Amory
Wednesday, November 11th
The Bad Plus
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, November 11th
P.E.E.
Gapyear
The Ritornello Form
Summers In Autumn
@ Sonia
Wednesday, November 11th
Lee Bains III
@ Faces
Wednesday, November 11th
Brody Price
Tiberius
Clifford (solo)
@ O'Brien's
Wednesday, November 11th
Marshall Crenshaw
@ City Winery Boston
Wednesday, November 11th
Hamilton Leithauser
Rotsam
@ the Somerville Theatre
Wednesday, November 11th
Brookline Booksmith presents
Rachel Maddow
@ the Orpheum
Thursday, November 12th
Rachael Yamagata
@ City Winery
Thursday, November 12th
Silver Screams
Black Helicopter
Osis
@ the Square Root
Thursday, November 12th
Sleep
Zombi
The Schizophonics
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, November 12th
Die Spitz
@ the Paradise
Friday, November 13th
Colleen Green
Sad13
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, November 13th
Madeon
Anamanaguchi
@ Big Night Live
Friday, November 13th
Andrea Gibson's "Love
Letter From the Afterlife"
with Megan Falley,
the Goosebump Orchestra,
& special guests
@ Somerville Theatre
Friday, November 13th
Basement
Fiddlehead
High Vis
Big Boy
First Day Back
@ Roadrunner
Friday, November 13th
Dweezil Zappa
@ the Chevalier
Saturday, November 14th
18th Annual RiverFeast Benefit
for Greater Boston Food Bank
with Shawn Colvin
& Liam St. John
@ Blue Ocean Music Hall
in Salisbury, MA
Saturday, November 14th
Small Brown Bike
The Casket Lottery
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, November 14th
Girl With A Hawk
Glowbox
@ Underbones
Saturday, November 14th
Aaron Lee Tasjan
@ Warehouse XI
Saturday, November 14th
Carbon Leaf
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, November 14th
Slow Pulp
Her New Knife
Ivy
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, November 14th
BoDeans
@ City Winery Boston
Saturday, November 14th
Buffalo Tom
3rd Annual Charity Show
for Marblehead SEPAC
with
Sarah Swain & the Oh Boys
@ Abbot Hall, Marblehead
Sunday, November 15th
Leechfoot
Hot Slander
Divine Angel Awakening
@ State Park
Sunday, November 15th
Trophy Wife
Exit 18
Sophie's Body
@ Sonia
Sunday, November 15th
Senses Fail
Koyo
Initiate
@ Big Night Live
Sunday, November 15th
Gnarls Barkley
@ the House of Blues
Sunday, November 15th
Freak Slug
@ the Sinclair
Monday, November 16th
The War and Treaty
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, November 17th
ONCE presents...
Ms Ezra Furman
Doing What She Wants
@ the Rockwell
Tuesday, November 17th
Caroline
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, November 18th
The EARFULL series
writers reading,
songwriters performing.
with authors
M.L. Rio & Wally Lamb
and musicians
Amy Fairchild & Thomas Juliano
Morning Camera
(mems of Treat Her Right,
Either/Orchestra, and
Session Americana)
@ the Regattabar
Wednesday, November 18th
Low Cut Connie
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, November 18th
Why?
@ the Somerville Armory
Wednesday, November 18th
Tune-Yards
Rituals of Mine
@ the Paradise
Wednesday, November 18th
Sombr
Dove Cameron
Hannah Jadagu
@ TD Garden
Thursday, November 19th
Gollylagging (record release!)
Jonny Tex
Bus Crush
King's Evil
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, November 19th
Angine de Poitrine
@ the Roadrunner
Thursday, November 19th
Cowboy Junkies
@ the Cabot
Friday, November 20th
Minibeast
Thalia Zedek Band
Flying Vipers
@ O'Brien's
Friday, November 20th
Dead Gowns
Nova One
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, November 20th
Julia Jacklin
@ the Royale
Friday & Saturday
November 20th & 21st
The Dambuilders
with Sleepyhead (on the 20th)
& the Hilken/Melissa Band (21st)
@ the Burren
Saturday, November 21st
John Davis (Folk Implosion, etc)
Peter Peter Hughes
@ Underbones/Redbones
Saturday, November 21st
Lunch Mother
Forest Floor
Kass Richards
Whistle Jacket
@ the Loft
Saturday, November 21st
Guillermo Sexo
Harsh Foxing
Tequila Sirens
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, November 21st
The Menzingers
Hot Water Music
Weakened Friends
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, November 21st
Martin Sexton
@ City Winery
Saturday, November 21st
Orville Peck
Abbie Callahan
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday & Saturday
November 21st & 22nd
Letters to Cleo
The Sheila Divine
@ the Paradise Rock Club
Sunday, November 22nd
Ted Leo
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, November 22nd
"Hollow Harvest"
a benefit for Pair Project
with Autumn Hollow,
Nate Perry & Ragged Company,
& the Jamie Walker Band
@ the Burren
Sunday, November 22nd
TRANS DAY OF RESISTANCE
with Ted Leo, Ezra Furman,
Evan Greer, Grace Givertz,
Hazel Afrodite, Blame Shifters,
and Flight or Visibility
3pm @ Deep Cuts
Friday, November 27th
Judy Collins
@ Cary Memorial Hall
November 28th
Bim Skala Bim
The Chip Rockers
@ the Cut
Saturday, November 28th
Peter Wolf
& the Midnight Travelers
@ the Shubert Theatre
Saturday, November 28th
K.C.U.F. (release show!)
Unseemlier
Today Junior
Grub Lordnew
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, November 29th
The Temptations
@ the Cabot
Sunday, November 29th
Jason Bonham's
Led Zeppelin Evening
@ Lynn Auditorium
Sunday, November 29th
Shaun Cassidy
Holiday Show
@ Cary Memorial Hall
Wednesday, December 2nd
Wild Pink
Hiding Places
@ Deep Cuts
Wednesday, December 2nd
We Are Scientists
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, December 3rd
Lily Seabird
Eliza Niemi
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, December 4th
Caspian
Pile
The Infinity Ring
@ the Paradise
Friday, December 4th
The Pills (reunited!)
The Extra Virgin
& another band tba
@ Sonia
Friday, December 4th
A Holiday Show with
The Daylilies
Lovina Falls
Girl With A Hawk
American Ocelot
@ Deep Cuts
Friday & Saturday
December 4th & 5th
The Dresden Dolls
@ the Colonial Theatre
Saturday, December 5th
Q Division Studios' 40th (!)
Anniversary Holiday Party
@ Sonia
Sunday, December 6th
Advance Base
Karima Walker
Jake McKelvie
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, December 6th
Jim James
(My Morning Jacket)
@ the Wilbur Theatre
Sunday, December 6th
Brett Goldstein
"Sex, Death, & Small Talk"
@ the Wang Theatre
Sunday, December 6th
A Celebration of the Life
& Times of Bruce K. Tull
with Scud Mountain Boys
& more friends of Bruce
@ the Iron Horse
Monday, December 7th
Alfred Be Loud
Bangwell Putt
Cnt Muscle (debut!)
Daphne Blue Underworld
@ O'Brien's
Monday, December 7th
The Temptations
@ Cary Memorial Hall
in Lexington
Wednesday, December 9th
Porcelain
My Wife's An Angel
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, December 10th
Shakey Graves
Jobi Riccio
@ Roadrunner
Friday, December 11th
The LeeVees
@ Off Cabot, Beverly
Friday, December 11th
Doomriders
Whores.
Waxed
Severed Boy
@ Garage B, Brighton
Friday, December 11th
Jon Langford
(Mekons/Waco Bros)
@ the Parlor, Dorchester
(ask an old punk)
Friday, December 11th
Old Crow Medicine Show
@ the Cabot
Friday, December 11th
Let's Rock Cancer
A Dana-Farber Benefit
dedicated to Linda Pardee
hosted by Henry Santoro
featuring
Jeffrey Robbins (Orbit)
Vapors of Morphine
Muck & the Mires
The Ray Liriano Experience
... go! (and guests)
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, December 12th
Emma Ruth Rundle
Cinder Well
@ Roadrunner
Saturday & Sunday
December 12th & 13th
CONVERGE presents
"Saddest Day 2026"
with Saturday guests:
Converge, Cave In,
Emma Ruth Rundle, Pig Pen,
Deaf Club, Final Gasp,
& more TBA
and Sunday guests:
Converge, Chat Pile, Baroness,
Agriculture, Reveral of Man,
Habak, & Fuming Mouth
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, December 13th
Lord Huron
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, December 17th
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
@ the Cabot
Friday, December 18th
Trace Mountains
Mallory Hawk
@ Warehouse XI
Saturday, December 19th
The Del Fuegos
"Home For The Holidays 2026"
two shows @ City Winery
Saturday, December 19th
Showcase Showdown
New Bomb Turks
The Konks
& WMBR DJ Sara J.
@ the Paradise
Monday, December 21st
Sweet Petunia
@ Club Passim
Tuesday, December 29th
Juliana Hatfield
@ City Winery
Thursday, December 31st
Gov't Mule
@ MGM Music Hall
Thursday, January 7th, 2027
Kiwi Jr.
Hallelujah the Hills
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, January 8th
Portugal. The Man
Anthony Green
@ the Royale
Sunday, January 10th
Lisa Walker (Wussy)
Chris Brokaw (Come/Codeine/MVFs)
two shows in a nearby
Allston living room
Saturday, January 16th
Robin Lane
@ Club Passim
Sunday, January 17th
@ (at)
@ the Rockwell
Thursday, January 21st
Dead Pioneers
@ Sonia
Thursday, January 21st
Brian Vander Ark (Verve Pipe)
Tony Scalzo (Fastball)
John Hapson (Nine Days)
Luke Esterkyn (Stroke 9)
@ City Winery
Sunday, January 24th
Richard Thompson & his band
Clayton Linthicum
Quinn Bachand
@ the Wilbur
Wednesday, January 27th
Star Moles
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, January 29th
Spirit Ghost
Black Beach
Justin Schaefers
@ Deep Cuts
Tuesday, February 2nd
feeble little horse
Snuggle
@ the Royale
Tuesday, February 2nd
La Roux
@ Paradise Rock Club
Wednesday, February 3rd
Tara Clerkin Trio
@ Deep Cuts
Wednesday, February 3rd
Crooked Fingers
Julia Barfield
@ City Winery
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
February 4th, 5th, & 6th
Something In The Way Fest
with
The Jesus and Mary Chain,
Turnover, Wednesday, Trapped
Under Ice, Meat Puppets,
This Is Lorelei, Incendiary,
Jejune, Nothing, Model/Actriz,
Gouge Away, YHWH Nailgun,
Armlock, Knumears, Trauma Ray,
Wellness, Racecourse, Krill,
Holder, & Dream Fatigue
@ Roadrunner
plus a pre-show with
Bren Lukens, Wicca Phase Springs
Eternal (acoustic), & Georgia Maq
@ the Sinclair
& a to-be-announced after-show
Saturday, February 6th
Alan Cumming: Uncut
@ the Chevalier Theatre
Saturday, February 6th
"On A Winter's Night" Reunion
with
Patty Larkin, Cliff Eberhardt,
Lucy Kaplansky, & John Gorka
@ the Regent Theatre
Wednesday, February 10th
The Lemonheads
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, February 12th, 2027
Letterkenny Live
@ Agganis Arena
Saturday, February 20th
Dan Reeder
@ the Somerville Armory
Sunday, February 21st
Styx
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, February 24th
Hans Zimmer
@ TD Garden
Thursday, February 25th
Thao
@ the Paradise
Thursday, February 25th
Shapiro Celebrity Lectures
series presents an evening
with Rachel Dratch
@ the MFA's Remis Auditorium
Friday, February 26th
Fai Laci
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, February 27th
The Grownup Noise
@ Deep Cuts
Monday & Tuesday
March 1st & 2nd
Gracie Abrams
Grace Ives
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, March 3rd
Death From Above 1979
@ Brighton Music Hall
Saturday, March 6th
Michael Shannon,
Jason Narducy, & friends
play REM’s “Document"
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, March 6th
Meshuggah
Testament
Black Incantation
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, March 12th
Dropkick Murphys
Fiddlehead
Wisdom in Chains
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, March 13th
Nick Heyward
@ City Winery Boston
Saturday, March 13th
Dinosaur Jr.
@ the House of Blues
Saturday, March 13th
Dropkick Murphys
“For The Kids” Mini-Concert
2pm @ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, March 13th
Dropkick Murphys
Home Front
Spiritual Cramp
Cittizins
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, March 14th
Dropkick Murphys
“In The Round” show
with Brian Fallon,
Ben Nichols, & Jesse Ahern
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, March 16th
Anna Shoemaker
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Wednesday, March 17th
Dropkick Murphys
The Amazing Royal Crowns
Red Rockers
Liberty and Justice
Restraining Order
@ the House of Blues
Wednesday, March 24th
Caroline Rose
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, March 25th
This Is The Kit
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, March 26th
Lambrini Girls
Sprints
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, March 27th
Red Baraat
@ Crystal Ballroom
Monday, March 29th
Destroy Boys
Illuminati Hotties
The Rat Utopia Experiment
@ the Royale
Tuesday, March 30th
Hayley Thompson-King
@ David Friend Recital Hall
Sunday, April 4th
Haywire
@ Roadrunner
Monday, April 5th
Beirut
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday & Thursday
April 7th & 8th
Death Cab for Cutie
MGM Music Hall
Sunday, April 11th
Roger Waters presents
(but is not performing in)
"LEGACY - A Pink Floyd Show"
@ the Chevalier
Tuesday, April 13th
Cornelius
@ the Somerville Theatre
Thursday, April 15th
DIIV
Spirit of the Beehive
@ the Sinclair
Friday, April 16th
Eric Andre
@ the Chevalier
Tuesday, April 20th
The Growlers
@ the Royale
Wednesday, April 21st
Roger McGuinn
@ Cary Hall, Lexington
Tuesday, April 27th
A Perfect Circle
The Cult
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, April 28th
Tinashe
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, May 2nd
The Amy Winehouse Band
@ the Wilbur
Monday, May 3rd
Shygirl
@ the Royale
Monday, May 3rd
Angine de Poitrine
@ MGM Music Hall
May 13th & 14th
Frank Turner
& the Sleeping Souls
Skinny Lister
Beans on Toast
@ House of Blues
Friday, May 14th
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
@ the Sinclair
Sunday, May 23rd
Hum
Pelican
The Life & Times
@ Roadrunner
Monday, May 24th
Queens of the Stone Age
Pixies
Wheelchair Sports Camp
@ TD Garden
Saturday, Sunday,
Tuesday, & Wednesday
May 29th & 30th,
June 1st & 2nd
Noah Kahan
@ Fenway Park
Tuesday, June 1st
She Past Away
@ the Royale
Wednesday, June 2nd
Papa Roach
@ the Pavilion
Thursday to Sunday
June 10th to 13th
Providence Popfest!
mark it down.
Friday, June 18th
comedian Jimmy Carr
@ the Wang
Friday to Sunday
June 18th to 20th
Green River Festival
@ Franklin County
Fairgrounds, Greenfield
Sunday, June 20th
Lizzy McAlpine
Searows
Post Animal
@ Agganis Arena
Monday, July 26th
Donny Osmond
@ the Shubert Theatre
Wednesday, July 28th
Bon Jovi
@ Gillette Stadium
Saturday, July 10th
Matchbox 20
David Gray
@ the Xfinity Center
Saturday, July 24th
Leon Bridges
Kororoko
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, July 31st
Slipknot
Bring Me The Horizon
Lorna Shore
@ Fenway Park
Tuesday, Friday, & Saturday
August 10th, 13th, & 14th
Oasis
Richard Ashcroft
@ Gillette Stadium
Sunday, August 15th
Sienna Spiro
@ MGM Music Hall
.
