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
Friday, November 22nd
The Smithereens
featuring vocalist Robin Wilson
@ City Winery
Friday, November 22nd
Dawes
Winnetka Bowling League
@ Roadrunner
Friday, November 22nd
Amy Helm
(full band show)
@ the Cut
Saturday, November 23rd
Zion Rodman
Hey I'm Outside
Sunburned Sharks
@ the Burren
Friday, November 22nd
Yoke Lore
Runnner
@ the Royale
Monday, November 25th
Tyler + the Names
Lupo Citta
The Spatulas
@ the Silhouette
Tuesday & Wednesday
November 26th & 27th
The English Beat
@ City Winery
Friday, November 29th
Caspian
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Saturday, November 30th
Honoring Steve Morse
All ages @ the Middle East
Sunday, December 1st
Interpol
Cave In
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, December 1st
Gillian Welch &
David Rawlings
@ the Wilbur
Tuesday, December 3rd
The Collect Pond
Astral Bitch
Sly Fang
@ Notch, Brighton
Wednesday, December 4th
The Ladybug Transistor
Lightheaded
Mark Robinson (Unrest/Air Miami)
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, December 5th
Shawn Colvin
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Thursday, December 5th
The 8th Annual Allman-Betts
Family Revival featuring...
Devon Allman, Duane Betts,
Sierra Hull, Luther Dickinson,
Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall,
Anders Osborne, Larry McCray,
Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, G. Love,
Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison,
Robert Randolph, & Sierra Green
@ the Orpheum
Friday, December 6th
Jason Narducy
@ an Allston living room
Friday, December 6th
BASIC
(Chris Forsyth, Douglas McCombs,
& Mikel Patrick Avery)
Chris Brokaw Rock Band
@ the Middle East Upstairs
Friday, December 6th
Mike Viola
The Figgs
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday, December 6th
Past Life Crisis
The Zip-Ups
Lonely Leesa & the Lost Cowboys
Looking For Rocks
@ the Jungle
Friday, December 6th
BEAT plays the music
of 80s King Crimson
featuring Adrian Belew, Steve Vai,
Tony Levin, & Danny Carey
@ the Lynn Auditorium
Saturday, December 7th
Ted Leo & Aimee Mann's
The Christmas Show!
with Paul F. Tompkins,
Nellie McKay, Josh Gondelman,
& "other fun stuff"
@ the Cabot, Beverly, MA
Sunday, December 8th
Footballhead
New Age Thief
@ Warehouse XI
Monday, December 9th
Joyce Manor celebrating
10 years of 'Never Hungover Again'
with Algnernon Cadwallader
& the Ergs
@ the Royale
Tuesday, November 10th
EARFULL
Writers reading. Songwriters singing.
with authors
Phuc Tran &
Michael Patrick MacDonald
and performers
Carissa Johnson & Joe Gittleman
with Amy Griffin & Richie Parson
@ the Burren Back Room
Thursday, December 12th
Squirrel Nut Zipper
@ the Cabot, Beverly, MA
Thursday, December 12th
Wednesday (solo)
Cryogeyser (solo)
@ the Somerville Armory
Thursday, December 12th
The Jesus Lizard
Pile
@ Roadrunner
Friday, December 13th
Suki Waterhouse
Bully
@ Roadrunner
Saturday & Sunday
December 14th & 15th
They Might Be Giants
@ the Orpheum
Sunday, December 15th
Tiny Moving Parts
Action/Adventure
Greywind
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Friday, December 20th
Arto Vaun (record release show!)
MK Naomi
Sun Urchins
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, December 21st
The Del Fuegos
Holiday Shows!
2 shows @ City Winery
Friday, December 27th
Will Dailey
full album performance
@ the Burren
Tuesday, December 31st
Aerosmith (farewell tour)
with the Black Crowes
@ TD Garden
Saturday, January 4th
The Sheila Divine
Baabes
Teardrops
@ the Sinclair
Friday, January 17th
Speedy Ortiz
Grass Is Green
& a surprise guest
@ the Somerville Armory
Saturday, January 18th
Tugboat Annie
Arto Vaun
Drew O'Doherty
@ Faces Brewing
Sunday, January 19th
Cracker
@ the Middle East
Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday
January 19th, 20th, & 21st
Robert Glasper
two shows each day
@ City Winery
Tuesday, January 21st
This Is Lorelei
Youbet
@ the Rockwell
Saturday, January 25th
Stereo MC's
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, January 29th
Matt Pond PA
Anya Marina
Bathtub Cig
@ the Rockwell
Friday, January 31st
Half Waif
See You At The Maypole
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday, January 31st
Jamie XX
@ Roadrunner
Friday, January 31st
Frank Black & his band
play "Teenager of the Year"
@ the House of Blues
Saturday, February 1st
Stuart Murdoch
(Belle & Sebastian)
"Nobody's Empire" book tour
@ the Rockwell
Saturday & Sunday
February 1st & 2nd
The Bowery Presents &
Run For Cover Records
present "Something In The Way"
with
Slowdive, Balance & Composure,
Soccer Mommy, American Football,
Fiddlehead, Mannequin Pussy,
Militarie Gun, Sweet Pill, Anxious,
One Step Closer, Ovlov, Glare,
Enumclaw, Sadurn, Gouge Away,
Mini Trees, Great Grandpa, Dazy,
Wishy, My Fictions, Women in Peril,
& more TBA
@ Roadrunner
Tuesday, February 4th
Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
Filter
@ the House of Blues
Friday, February 7th
Rubblebucket
Hannah Mohan
@ Big Night Live
Monday, February 10th
Tim Heidecker
DJ Douggpound
@ the Royale
Tuesday, February 11th
Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches)
@ the Royale
Wednesday, February 12th
Tobin Sprout & Bevel Web
with the Moles/Richard Davies
@ the Somerville Armory
Thursday, February 13th
Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Thursday, February 13th
J Mascis
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, February 15th
Travis
@ the Royale
Monday & Tuesday
February 17th & 18th
Jack White
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, February 22nd
Father John Misty
Destroyer
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, February 23rd
Jenny Owens Young
@ Club Passim
Thursday, February 27th
Pom Pom Squad
Caroline Kingsbury
@ the Sinclair
Friday, February 28th
The Bevis Frond
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, March 1st
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
@ the Cabot, Beverly
Friday, March 7th
Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy,
& friends mark the 40th anniversary of
R.E.M.'s "Fables of the Reconstruction"
(and more) with opener Dave Hill
@ the Royale
Monday, March 10th
Kim Deal
@ the Wilbur
Friday, March 14th
Dropkick Murphys
Menzingers
Kilograms
Saturday, March 15th
Hovvdy
Video Age
@ the Middle East Downstairs
Saturday, March 15th
Dream Theater
40th Anniversary Tour
@ the Wang
Saturday, March 15th
Dropkick Murphys
Menzingers
Teenage Bottlerocket
@ MGM Music Hall
Sunday, March 16th
Dropkick Murphys
Bouncing Souls
Hot Water Music
Rebuilder
@ MGM Music Hall
Monday, March 17th
Dropkick Murphys
Bouncing Souls
Hot Water Music
Cody Nilson
@ House of Blues
Wednesday, March 19th
Quicksand
@ the Paradise
Thursday, March 20th
Neil Degrasse Tyson
@ the Wilbur
Sunday, March 23rd
Ida & Tsunami!
the Coin-Flip tour!
@ Crystal Ballroom
Thursday, March 27th
Horsegirl
Free Range
@ the Somerville Armory
Thursday, March 27th
José González
@ the Cabot in Beverly
Friday, March 28th
The Weather Station
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, March 29th
Maya Hawke
Katy Kirby
@ Roadrunner
Sunday, March 30th
The Hard Quartet
Sharp Pins
@ the Paradise
Saturday, April 5th
Snow Patrol
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, April 5th
Franz Ferdinand
@ the Orpheum
Tuesday, April 8th
Deftones
The Mars Volta
Fleshwater
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, April 9th
Kylie Minogue
@ the Garden
Thursday, April 10th
FACS
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, April 11th
Mogwai
@ the Paradise
Saturday, April 12th
Franz Ferdinand
@ the Orpheum
Sunday, April 13th
EXTC
(Terry Chambers & friends)
@ City Winery
Sunday, April 13th
Heart
@ Agganis Arena
Tuesday, April 15th
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
St. Vincent
@ Agganis Arena
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
Sunday, April 20th
Gang of Four
"The Long Goodbye" farewell tour
playing "Entertainment!" & more
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Wednesday, April 23rd
Dweezil Zappa
@ the Cabot, Beverly, MA
Wednesday, April 23rd
The Linda Lindas
Pinkshift
@ the Paradise
Friday & Saturday
April 25th & 26th
The Town and the City Festival!
@ various venues in Lowell
Thursday, May 8th
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
@ the Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, May 17th
Amyl & the Sniffers
Sheer Mag
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, May 24th
The Wedding Present
"Bizarro" 35th Anniversary Tour
with The Tubs
@ the Sinclair
Friday, May 30th
Teddy Swims
@ Suffolk Downs
Friday, June 6th
The Ocean Blue
playing their self-titled LP
and their "Cerulean" LP
@ the Somerville Armory
Tuesday & Wednesday
June 10th & 11th
Queens of the Stone Age
@ MGM Music Hall
Monday, July 7th
OMD
@ House of Blues
Tuesday, July 15th
Weird Al Yankovic
@ the Wang
Wednesday, July 16th
Mekons
Johnny Dowd
@ City Winery
Friday, July 18th
Samantha Crain
@ Warehouse XI
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
Monday, July 21st
Ghost
@ TD Garden
Saturday, July 26th
Rod Stewart
Cheap Trick
@ the Xfinity Center
Tuesday, July 29th
Goo Goo Dolls
Dashboard Confessional
@ the Pavilion
Sunday, September 7th
My Chemical Romance
Idles
@ Fenway Park
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