Posted on April 2, 2018 at 10:00 am | Comments Off on [Nac Faves] My Favorite Music of 2017
Ah, the best laid plans and the most brutal excuses. My honest intention to get this sucker done before the new calendar year hit was derailed by a major bout of holiday pneumonia, then as December disappeared in a fevered haze and I gathered myself to finish in January… enter ye olde influenza! Such an enjoyable one-two punch. My immune system certainly isn’t going to make anyone’s “best of” list.
February was spent catching up on the day job and re-familiarizing myself with my family, and next thing you know, it’s mid-March. Then, naturally, the ‘Nac goes down for a week. As I wrap this thing up and April begins, my headphones are overflowing with music that will wind up on the 2018 edition. Good thing I’m on nobody’s deadline but my own.
So, yeah, another year long gone, another later-than-everyone-else list of musical favorites shared. Full lengthers, short players, and a few other random releases from throughout 2017. The silver lining of all that sickness was tons of idle time spent listening to neglected records, and deeper dives into the ones I loved. The list kept getting longer.
As you scroll, stream a Soundcloud playlist of songs from most of the releases below, or if you must, a longer one on Spotify, and use the provided label links to buy these records as direct as you can. Give these song makers, and the ones you love, your hard-earned dollars. #IRespectMusic
If you make it all the way through this too-long run-down (or, y’know, just skip to the end right now), you’ll find a few special giveaways I’ve gathered for random readers – the vinyl release of one of my favorite 2017 LPs, a gift certificate to a Boston-area used record shop, and an autographed copy of a truly moving book by one beloved artist about another gone too soon. So drop your name in my virtual hat and take a shot. Ya spin the wheel, ya take yer chances.
One undeniably catchy, infectious-insta-classic track surrounded by a collection of solid indie-pop songs, much like their debut LP. It may lack the ‘wow’ impact of their self-titled record, but that first breath of Canadian air was so fresh they can hardly be faulted.
Andrew Cohen adds a fruitful collaboration with pals Light Coma to his post-Silkworm discography, mixing full-band songs with a few solo jams. His SKWM/Bottomless Pit bandmate Tim Midyett continues under his Mint Mile moniker in parallel (new EP just showed up in the mail!), so even if their time of teaming up is behind them, I’m grateful their separate songs keep on coming. Getting to premiere a track from this AC&LC record was a genuine honor, and traveling out to Chicago to see them play (with Mint Mile, Out, & the Rutabega) was a personal 2017 high point.
I was embarrassingly tardy for the Julien Baker train, but wow, did I ever jump on board. This, Hhr second full-length, absolutely floored me – her open-hearted lyrics and sparse, beautiful arrangements hit me hard. There was no single song in 2017 that moved me more than “Sour Breath”, which I played over and over and over again, both in my headphones and in my head. I couldn’t make it to her most recent Boston show, and her upcoming appearance at the Boston Calling fest won’t be enough to satisfy, so I’m heading up to Vermont soon to see her play with Tancred, another fave. And I’d travel further for that team-up if I had to.
Following David Bazan’s career for so many years has been a singular, surprising joy. No, the joy itself hasn’t been a surprise, but the sonic turns he’s taken sure have been. From his full band Pedro the Lion output, his synth-based Headphones record, through his solo electric and acoustic work, and now “Care”, his most recent guitar-free solo LP, I’ve been all-in for all of it. Less than a year later and he’s back to working on Pedro the Lion songs, and I couldn’t be happier, though it does take a bit of the “what will he sound like next?” mystery out of it. Feels like we’ve gone full circle, and the thought of PtL’s scheduled Boston show has got me giddy.
previous release, expanding their sonic palette with the addition of collaborator Anthony Harmer on a variety of instruments (including the distinctive santur). It’s one of their most cohesive records, and all-the-more appreciated in that it may never have happened but for the chance re-meeting of Harmer and frontman Alasdair MacLean, and a spark of inspiration. May some special kind of spark strike again.
A banner year for each of the musical Crutchfields, with Merge releasing both Allison’s ace solo album and sister Katie’s killer Waxahatchee record (see below, of course). If they were trying to outdo each other, well, let’s call it a tie that we all won. Can barely believe I’ll be seeing Allison and her Swearin’ bandmates later this week when they open up a long-sold-out Superchunk show at the Sinclair. Wonder if they’ll do a song or two off this LP, or keep things separate? Either way, I’m walkin’ out happy.
I’ll buy anything Eitzel, but this LP feels more inspired than his last few full-lengths. Really glad he made the move over to Merge and that this album seemingly got some added attention – be nice to see that relationship stick and produce a string of equally solid records. The world sure needs more Mark.
The wait for this one seemed long, but so worth it. Part of the reason it felt drawn out was that the former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman gave us a window into the creative process with his Pledgemusic campaign, and that window opened early. From conception through studio time, previews to pressing, the project took over 2 years from start to finish, resulting in a beautiful, multi-layered collection. Enigk has such a singular voice that the production needs to be epic, and the fan-funds he gathered allowed him to make that happen.
It’s been a joy to see Girlpool’s relatively speedy rise from a basement-playing pair to a Paradise-packing full band – my nervousness that they’d lose something special by fleshing out their sound with bass & drums was mostly unfounded, and this record proved it. Admittedly, I’d love to see them as a duo again someday, but as long as they keep writing their heartfelt songs and singing those perfect harmonies, I’ll keep going regardless.
I kind of feel like this one flew under too many radars, but that could just be my Stateside-perspective. I owe my appreciation of these particular Scots to my bandmates, so this is the first of their releases I’ve been able to eagerly await, as it’s been ages since their last. Thankfully, and unsurprisingly, it’s another indiepop treasure. Just wish they were playin’ Indietracks this year, as it’s the first one I get to attend (!). Maybe they’ll be hangin’ around so I can pester them to play me a song or two. After I partake of some liquid courage.
Most appreciated musical gift of the year: Elizabeth Powell’s glorious recorded return. Her band has become one of my absolute faves over the past decade, since the moment I first set ears upon 2008’s “Some Are Lakes”. Her second full-length came less than two years later, and then… nothing. She seemingly disappeared, but I never stopped waiting, hoping, and searching for word of a return. Every year I’d write one of these favorites lists and wonder when her next LP would wind up on one. So here we are, with “Life After Youth” at last. Pretty sure I played it more than any other album I bought in 2017, and was grateful for every single note.
Speaking of more-than-welcome returns, Ted came back! Well, it’s not like he left. Solo shows, duo shows (with Aimee Mann as the Both), variety shows (I seem to remember him on stage wearing only a giant diaper at some point?), just no proper TL/Rx recordings since 2010’s “The Brutalist Bricks”. That’s a long time to go without a new release, but thanks to a wealth of fan funding and a trove of gathered songs, he presented us with “The Hanged Man”. The band he assembled to deliver these new tracks (and so many older faves) was a stacked powerhouse, and I’m not sure I had more fun at a show last year than I did when they played Brighton Music Hall in September. A total blast of an evening. I expect no less when Ted & co. return for two nights in June.
In my world, a super group if ever there was one. David Bazan, his ex-PtL bandmate (and fellow faves listee) TW Walsh, Jason Martin (aka Starflyer 59), and ace drummer Trey Many (His Name Is Alive & more) got together a few times and threw together a rock-solid record that was the perfect counterbalance to Dave & TW’s decidedly-more-digital solo releases.
Just the second solo LP from this Sebadoh co-pilot since his killer 2002 debut, “In Sixes and Sevens”, an record that blew me away and set one hell of a high bar. After what feels like a lifetime ago, he damn well mighta reached it. Another crackling collection of tweaked-out, propulsive rock songs. Bad timing and poor planning meant I missed him play these tracks live, but I’m hopeful it won’t be too long until I remedy that, and that it won’t be another 15 freakin’ years until album number three.
Sweden’s Emil Svanängen may take his own sweet time making records, but it has never resulted in one I haven’t loved. He harnesses a special kind of magic in his songs, laying his strong yet delicate voice over carefully-constructed emotional epics. I owe a great debt to Low for bringing him and his band (with Thor!) along to open their 2008 tour. I’ve been in love with Loney Dear since the first note of that first song at the Somerville Theatre.
Ridiculously talented Swedes making noise that’s both new and nostalgic, combining elements I love (and frankly should be tired of by now) into their own goosebump-raising mixture. I love my Allston neighbors at Run for Cover for many reasons, but helping this band get their music out into the world may be the biggest one.
The New Pr0ns fully embraced their inner-ELO and ponied up some of their most infectious songs in years, including the one that incessantly soundtracked my Spring, “This Is The World Of The Theatre”, which survived a ridiculous amount of repeated listening and remains a forever fave. Those post-chorus Neko notes? Super swoon.
Any release from the Kadane brothers and their compatriots is a gift, and this new LP is no different. Another chapter in the ongoing sonic story I’ve been obsessed with since I first heard Bedhead in the early 90s. The only negatives I can ever muster are “I wish this track was longer” or “I wish there were more songs”. Complimentary complaints if ever there were.
TJO returns with a self-titled LP of authentic beauty, full of gorgeously delicate, emotionally heavy songs. It’s such a pure, natural-sounding record that using her name for the title makes perfect sense – it serves as a songwriting mission statement for everything she does so, so well.
Seems like each year there’s at least one Boston-based band I adore that makes a measurable, well-deserved jump to wider recognition, and 2017 felt like Palehound’s year. “A Place I’ll Always Go“ was a showcase of Ellen Kempner & co’s song-building talents, adding further depth to the promise shown on their 2015 debut.
How the hell did Quicksand take a 22-year break and return with an LP that sounds as cohesive and powerful as they ever were? It’s like no time passed at all. A ridiculous and remarkable accomplishment. Side note: This damn record nearly got me a speeding ticket.
These four Oxford gents comprise one of my top ten all-time bands, so their 2014 return was an unexpected, magical gift. Their post-reunion live shows met and crushed my tempered expectations, then rumors of new recordings got me all-sorts-of giddy. Maybe too giddy. While I enjoyed “Weather Diaries” enough to list it here (and it certainly outdoes their final two LPs), it didn’t quite hit the sweet spot I hoped for. Much of it is ace, and there’s at least one stone-cold Ride classic (“Cali”), but I can’t help but think it would have made an absolutely killer EP. Speaking of which, they just released a new one. And that sweet spot? Nailed it.
A mid-2016 discovery for me, thanks to my faith in the fine taste of the CMO label, though I’ve heard and dug plenty of songs involving the individual players before. These members of Obits, Edsel, Ted Leo’s band, The Cops, Nation of Ulysses, Enon & more combined to release their debut LP that year, and quickly followed it up with this even-better collection on the EJRC in 2017. A record per year is quite a precedent, gents. Might hold you to it.
Even more unexpected than Ride’s return was the resurrection of my/our beloved Slowdive. While Ride’s legacy was a tad tarnished by their last pre-breakup recordings, Slowdive went out on an incredible high note with the bliss-filled, ahead-of-its-time “Pygmalion” LP in 1995. Getting to hear live renditions of the songs on that record was something I’d never hoped to dream of, so when they came back and did just that, it left me stunned (not ashamed to say my eyes welled up during the crescendos of “Blue Skied an’ Clear”, every time). New studio recordings, too? The swirly frosting on top. The fact that they pulled together an album that can sit proudly within their existing discography, with songs that fit seamlessly into their live set, is no minor victory.
Doing my hometown proud. It’s convenient when people you know put out a record you love, since it saves you from either avoiding the topic or offering vague compliments. These four Vermonters have that rare ability to fold a bunch of styles into their songwriting while remaining unmistakably themselves. Each song on this LP sounds like a Swale song, though they don’t often sound like each other, and it all comes together as a cohesive whole. That was some Kickstarter cash well-spent.
Timothy William Walsh’s latest LP is a triumph not just because of his songs (which are as solid as ever), but the impeccable production they’re wrapped in. He’s dialed back the guitars, using them as a tool rather than a base, and leaned more into synths and programming – yet ended up with his most soulful, natural sounding record so far. There’s a definite 70s vibe (a bit of Gary Wright, a dash of Gerry Rafferty, even a hint of early Peter Gabriel), but it’s more update than homage, avoiding nostalgic traps with meticulous ease. TW’s years of experience in mastering, mixing, and song-writing collaboration (in the Soft Drugs & Pedro the Lion) come together here effortlessly, and he’s already given us more: He recently offered up an excellent new song and accompanying video called “Born Hungry”.
The other half of 2017’s killer one-two Crutchfield combo, Katie’s record wastes no time letting you know her band’s gonna get a little loud this time out, the opening track starting in full-on rock mode with zero warning. It’s the perfect palette-cleanser, and readies you for the range of songs that follow – short, sharp slices of energetic indie-pop interspersed with moments of true, introspective beauty, all held together by her gorgeous voice and uncanny knack for melody.
Longtime area art-maker Gilmore Tamny once again showed us her sonic side with the second long player from her scrappy Somerville-based trio. Owing a clear debt to early-90s Pacific NW indie-punk, she kept the formula straight-forward – rock out with your guitar out while delivering evocative, literate lyrics as drummer Steph Melikian (Operators/GRCB) and bassist Jen Godfrey hold it down. As if a record that gives a shout out to Market Basket wasn’t going to end up on this list? I mean, come on.
Tyler Kershaw has that rare ability to write sparkling songs that sound uplifting while tackling some heavy, personal lyrical subject matter (a la Bobby Wratten of the Field Mice). His reverb-drenched guitar lines, melodies, and dynamic arrangements come together so well, and since I first heard their 2015 full-length, this band has become not just a Boston-area fave, but a fave period.
While most of Meredith Godreau’s doled-out, 10-song collection “On The Orange Mountain” was created and shared in 2016 (and made my faves list last year), it officially wrapped up last May, so I’m including it again. Lucky for us, the creating continues, as noted in a post-OtOM Patreon update: “In the past few months I have missed completing songs and making videos for you. So much so that I’ve decided to continue using Patreon to share my upcoming creations with you, not to limit my experience to just the one album.” So far we’ve heard “My Own Good”, posted in November, and hopes remain high for more this year.
[ Support GatH’s continued artistic output through Patreon ]
Compiling two solo releases from Wussy’s Lisa Walker, one first released in 2006 (when this was all recorded), and the other in 2015. A must-own for Wussy fans.
Released posthumously in mid-December, and recorded in 2015, but it’s great enough to not get lost in the end-of-year shuffle. If you missed it, here’s your heads up. Vocalist/guitarist Abe Kimball is working on a solo record, and Jesse Weiss & Theo Hartlett are working on a new project of their own with Morgan Luzzi. Meet Pet Fox.
Ex-Lockgroove members (and current twin brothers) Marty & Ryan Rex are doling out their latest aural creations in 3-month increments: One song per quarter, like clockwork (new one yesterday!). It’s a unique release style, but if the quality stays as high as the four songs they’re given us so far, I can easily take the 90-day waits. The first track they released, “Your Small Army“, stayed stuck in my head for much of the year, and that’s not a complaint. What a song, and what a way to announce yourself to the world. Keep ’em coming, boys.
Terry Malts have become one of those bands on my “I’ll buy anything they do” list, and the songs they contribute to this split 10-inch are further proof that was a wise decision. More greatness from these West Coast gents, alongside a band I wasn’t familiar with but am now glad I am. And that’s all you can ask from a split record release.
A welcome compilation of this Denton, Texas-based combo’s long-out-of-print discography (with some unreleased tracks), lovingly released in remastered, double vinyl form.
The world lost a gifted songwriter, and by all accounts a hell of a human being, when Karl Hendricks passed away in January 2017. The Comedy Minus One label rallied KH’s music-making friends and fans for this loving tribute, released just a couple of months later. The strength of the collection is a testament to his talent, and to the impact he had on everyone involved.
2018 has started ridiculously strong with great records already out from the Spook School, Superchunk, the Breeders, Buffalo Tom, Lake Ruth, Loma, Field Music, Yo La Tengo, Secretary, and a stellar EP from Ride. Soon enough we’ll be gifted with new sounds from other faves: Belly, Poster Children, Wye Oak, Wussy, and Hop Along. Not to mention recent word of the just-mastered final (sigh) Willard Grant Conspiracy album, in-progress LPs from Kristin Hersh, both solo and with her band Throwing Muses, a very hopeful update on that long-awaited next Wrens’ record, a soon-to-be-announced Eric Bachmann full-length on Merge, and news of an upcoming LP from the re-emergent Flower (!). Wonder if we’ll see one before the long-completed next Versus full-length? I’ll take ’em both, please. Also really looking forward to the first long player from Burlington, Vermont’s Clever Girls, given what I’ve heard so far.
And hey, Numero Group, how about following up those incredible Unwound, Codeine, & Bedhead box sets with a remastered SEAM collection? Just throwing that wish out there into the world.
After sporadic teasing that started in 2016, I’m still anxiously awaiting any news on the potential American Analog Set resurrection front. Though we did get this very promising instagram shot in December, which included the hashtag #weinthestudiodoots (!). What th’?! Have hope, will travel! Seriously. Just tell me where and when and I’m there, AmAnSet. I need you. #bringthatbeatback
Alright, you’ve nearly made it to the end of this thing, so how about some freebies for random (north american) readers? I’ve got three giveaways to choose from…
The vinyl edition of my most-appreciated recorded return of 2017: Land of Talk’s “Life After Youth”.
A $70 (!) gift certificate to used record shop Blue Bag Records in scenic Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A signed hardcover copy of “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die”, the deeply moving book that Kristin Hersh wrote about her time spent with the much-missed Vic Chesnutt.
To enter, drop an email to giveaways (at) bradleysalmanac (dot) com with “Gimme!” in the subject line, and specify what you’d like to try to win in the message (LP, book, gift certificate – you can try for all three, but only win one). Just get it to my inbox before next Monday, April 9th, 2018 at Noon EST, then I’ll select and notify the three winners that afternoon. Due to shipping costs, only enter if you’re from the US or Canada, and of course, only try for the gift certificate if you live in the Boston area, or are planning a visit.
Thanks for reading, all. If you’re still here despite my ever-slowing posting pace, it’s genuinely appreciated. Even when this place goes silent, I’m still sharing what I love over on Farcebook, so hit me up there in the meantime. Guess I should probably start working on next year’s ‘Nac faves list now, huh?
BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
Sunday, March 23rd
Ida & Tsunami!
the Coin-Flip tour!
with guests Mary Lou Lord,
Mark Robinson, & Clint Conley
@ Crystal Ballroom
Tuesday, March 25th
Of Montreal
cumgirl8
@ the Royale
Tuesday, March 25th
Husbands
Chaepter
Warmachine
@ O'Brien's
Thursday, March 27th
Horsegirl
Free Range
@ the Somerville Armory
Thursday, March 27th
José González
@ the Cabot in Beverly
Friday, March 28th
Dead Kennedys
H.R. (of Bad Brains)
Raging Nathans
@ the Paradise
Friday, March 28th
Tinkertown
Hilken Mancini & Melissa Gibbs
@ the Lizard Lounge
Friday, March 28th
The Weather Station
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, March 29th
Robin Lane
@ Club Passim
Saturday, March 29th
Maya Hawke
Katy Kirby
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, March 30th
Famous Mammals
The Spatulas
@ O'Brien's
Sunday, March 30th
The Hard Quartet
Sharp Pins
@ the Paradise
Tuesday, April 1st
Earfull Series
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Alison Espach
& Meredith Goldstein
and musicians
John Powhida (solo)
& Nat Freedberg (band)
@ the Burren Backroom
Thursday, April 3rd
Alan Sparhawk (Low)
Circuit des Yeux
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, April 3rd
Immersion
(Colin Newman & Malka Spigel)
Suss
@ the Red Room at Cafe 939
Thursday, April 3rd
The Gossip
@ the Paradise Rock Club
Friday, April 4th
Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
Bill Ryder-Jones
@ the Orpheum
Friday, April 4th
The Long Wait
Spiller
Speed Teeth
@ O'Brien's
Saturday, April 5th
Snow Patrol
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, April 5th
Franz Ferdinand
@ the Orpheum
Sunday, April 6th
Lady Pills
Babe Report
Bus Crush
@ the Rockwell
Sunday, April 6th
The War & Treaty
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, April 8th
Deftones
The Mars Volta
Fleshwater
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, April 9th
The Yardbirds
@ City Winery Boston
Wednesday, April 9th
Kylie Minogue
@ the Garden
Thursday, April 10th
Silver Screams
The Winter Brave
Bob Cenci's Orange Guitar
@ Notch Brewing, Brighton
Thursday, April 10th
Clem Snide
Abe Partridge
@ Warehouse XI
Thursday, April 10th
FACS
Landowner
Major Stars
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, April 11th
Bruce McCulloch
(Kids In The Hall)
"Tales of Bravery & Stupidity"
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday, April 11th
Mogwai
Brainiac
@ the Paradise
Friday, April 11th
Dark Spring Boston Festival
Day 1
with Ashes Fallen, Panic Priest,
Ronnie Stone, Mirrored Hell,
Ghost Painted Sky, and
guest DJ Outsider
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Saturday, April 12th
Dark Spring Boston Festival
Day 2
Don't Get Lemon, Clone,
Lip Smear, Dutch Experts,
Blood Handome, and
guest DJ Dragnet
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Saturday, April 12th
Hot Stove Cool Music
25th Anniversary Show
Celebrating 25 Years of
Music, Baseball & Giving
ft. Greg Hawkes from The Cars
w/ Eddie Japan doing Cars songs,
plus the Hot Stove All-Stars with
Peter Gammons, Theo Epstein,
Kay Hanley, Bill Janovitz, Will Dailey,
and other MLB & Music Legends
@Paradise Rock Club
Saturday, April 12th
Franz Ferdinand
@ the Orpheum
Saturday, April 12th
Justin Lally (album release!)
Holding Napoleon
Ivy Boy
Audrey Ryan & friends
@ the Loft, Somerville
Sunday, April 13th
EXTC
(Terry Chambers & friends)
@ City Winery
Sunday, April 13th
Heart
@ Agganis Arena
Monday, April 14th
Everyone Asked About You
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, April 15th
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
St. Vincent
@ Agganis Arena
Wednesday, April 16th
L.S. Dunes
From Indian Lakes
Night Sins
@ the SInclair
Wednesday, April 16th
Trash Sun (solo set)
Donna Revving
Ethan W
@ the Silhouette
Wednesday, April 16th
Immaterial Possessions
@ O'Brien's
Thursday, April 17th
Dead Boys
Richard Lloyd Group
(of Television)
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, April 17th
Corridor
Robber Robber
@ the Rockwell
Thursday, April 17th
Jon King (Gang of Four)
presents his new memoir
"To Hell with Poverty!" in
conversation with Jim Sullivan
7pm @ Harvard Book Store
Thursday, April 17th
Mercury Rev
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, April 18th
Mount Eerie
Hana Stretton
@ the Sinclair
Friday, April 18th
Bright Eyes
Cursive
@ House of Blues
Saturday, April 19th
The Fixx
Jill Sobule
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Saturday, April 19th
"Wonderful & Strange: A Tribute to
David Lynch" with Annie Hart
(Au Revoir Simone, TP: The Return),
Julee Cruise Director
(all-femme & nonbinary supergroup
channeling the TP soundtrack)
PLUS a recreated Double R Diner!
Damn fine pie by Feast & the Fable!
Killer Bob drag by Celia Smokinbutts!
A Red Room photo booth!
A costume contest & much more!
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, Sunday, & Tuesday
April 19th, 20th, & 21st
Ani DiFranco
@ the Somerville Theatre
Sunday, April 20th
Gang of Four
"The Long Goodbye" farewell tour
playing "Entertainment!" & more
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, April 20th
Jay Aston's
Gene Loves Jezebel
Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats)
Belouis Some
@ City Winery
Sunday & Monday
April 20th & 21st
Lucy Dacus
Katie Gavin
Jamine.4.t.
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, April 22nd
Ben Kweller
Ryman
@ Brighton Music Hall
Tuesday, April 22nd
Alejandro Escovedo
@ City Winery
Wednesday, April 23rd
Dweezil Zappa
@ the Cabot in Beverly
Wednesday, April 23rd
Bartees Strange
Ekko Astral
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, April 23rd
The Linda Lindas
Pinkshift
@ the Paradise
Thursday, April 24th
Swervedriver
@ Brighton Music Hall
Thursday, April 24th
The Mary Wallopers
@ Big Night Live
Thursday, April 24th
Christian Death
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, April 25th
Sidewalk Driver
@ Deep Cuts
Friday & Saturday
April 25th & 26th
The Town and the City Festival!
@ various venues in Lowell
Saturday, April 26th
Poison the Well
Glassjaw
Better Lovers
Teenage Wrist
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, April 27th
Beach Bunny
Pool Kids
Jayla Kai
@ House of Blues
Sunday, April 27th
Indigo Girls
Melissa Etheridge
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, April 30th
Chameleons
Twin Tribes
@ Big Night Live
Wednesday, April 30th
High-Vis
Militarie Gun
Age of Apocalypse
@ the Middle East
Thursday, May 1st
Deep Sea Diver
Byland
@ Brighton Music Hall
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
Saturday, May 3th
Cheekface
@ The Sinclair
Saturday, May 3rd
BADBADNOTGOOD
Baby Rose
@ Roadrunner
Tuesday, June 3rd
Halsey
Alvvays
@ Xfinity Center
Sunday, May 4th
The Queers
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Sunday, May 4th
Tim Hecker
@ Crystal Ballroom
Sunday, May 4th
AC/DC
@ Gillette Stadium
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
(the long-awaited LP release party!)
with The Cujo (feat. Jen Trynin)
& Mary Lou Lord
@ Sonia
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
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
Saturday, May 17th
Califone
@ 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
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
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
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
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 Metric
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, May 31st
Jet
Band of Skulls
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, June 1st
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
@ Roadrunner
Wednesday, June 4th
Young Widows
Rid of Me
Kal Marks
@ Crystal Ballroom
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
Lily Seabird
Hemlock
@ the Lilypad
Saturday, June 7th
Toby Tantrum
Sun Urchins
Yoni Gordon
Audrey Ryan & friends
@ the Loft, Somerville
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
Wednesday, June 11th
Turnover
"Peripheral Vision" tour
with Balance & Composure
& Citizen
@ the House of Blues
Tuesday & Wednesday
June 10th & 11th
Queens of the Stone Age
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, June 15th
Simple Minds
Soft Cell
Modern English
@ Xfinity Center
Sunday, June 15th
Karate
@ The Sinclair
Thursday, June 19th
Blondshell
Daffo
@ the Sinclair
Thursday, June 19th
This Will Destroy You
Jesse Beaman
@ Sonia
Thursday, June 26th
Counting Crows
The Gaslight Anthem
@MGM Music Hall
Friday, June 27th
Khruangbin
John Carroll Kirby
@ Suffolk Downs
Saturday, June 28th
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Alan Sparhawk
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, June 28th
Tree
@ Brighton Music Hall
Sunday, June 29th
Preoccupations
@ the Middle East
Monday, July 7th
OMD
@ House of Blues
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
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)
and a set of classics (19th)
with Kurt Vile & the Violators
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, July 19th &
Friday, September 5th
Men I Trust
@ Roadrunner
Monday, July 21st
Ghost
@ TD Garden
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
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
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
Saturday, August 2nd
Pantera
Amon Amarth
@ Great Woods
Wednesday, August 13th
Clipping.
@ The Sinclair
Friday, August 15th
The Doobie Brothers
The Coral Reefer Band
@ Xfinity Center
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
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
Thursday, September 11th
Bruce Dickinson
(Iron Maiden)
@ the House of Blues
Friday, September 12th
The Brian's Jonestown Massacre
@ the Sinclair
Friday, September 12th
Supergrass
@ MGM Music Hall
Friday, September 12th
Saturday, September 13th
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Ricky Eat Acid
@ the Sinclair
Sunday, Sept 14th
Alabama Shakes
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, September 17th
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Willie Watson
@ the Pavilion
Tuesday, September 23rd
Viagra Boys
@ Roadrunner
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
Wednesday, October 8th
The Murder Capital
@ Sonia
Friday, October 10th
Destroyer
@ the Paradise
Saturday, October 11th
Kneecap
@ the House of Blues
Monday, October 13th
My Morning Jacket
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, October 21st
Everclear
Local H
Sponge
@ Big Night Live
Thursday, October 23rd
Belly
"King" 30th Anniversary Tour!
@ the Paradise
Saturday, October 25th
Minus The Bear
@ the House of Blues
Monday, October 27th
Autechre
Mark Broom
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, October 29th
The Beta Band
@ the Royale
Friday & Saturday
November 7th & 8th
Steve Martin & Martin Short
three shows @ the Wang
Thursday, November 13th
Janeane Garofalo
@ the Somerville Armory
Monday, November 24th
Patti Smith
Horses 50th Anniversary Tour
@ the Orpheum
