[Boston-Area Action 10/14/2026] Show-Going Plans & New Show Announcements
Posted on October 14, 2026 at 11:29 am | No Comments
I feel like I spend a lot of these weekly “upcoming Boston-area shows & announcements” posts writing about date conflicts and tough choices. Well, this one’s going to be no different. Maybe even moreso. There’s a lot going on, and there’s a lot going on at the same time as the things going on. Buckle up.
If it’s your first time seeing this: Once a week I write a bit about shows happening around here (being Boston) within the next seven days, and new show announcements that hit my radar since last week, then share lists of those shows. Not a complete run-down at all, just ones that I’m into, or friends might be into. Or maybe their kids.
Tonight, being Wednesday Oct. 14th, already poses a major mid-week conundrum: The Earfull event in Harvard Square is a personal must-see, but it’s up against Wishy & youbet at Brighton Music Hall, Fantastic Cat at the Sinclair, and Roger Clark Miller’s LP release show with Chris Brokaw & Beth Kaplan at Deep Cuts. Ouch. In the multiverse, I’ll be at all those shows.
Tomorrow has Neko Case & Dan “Destroyer” Bejar in Lexington up against Hey I’m Outside & Dogwood Tales at Deep Cuts, while Olivia Rodrigo plays the first of her two shows at the Garden with Wolf Alice. Friday night has a couple of release shows: Dave Herlihy (of O Positive) celebrates his new LP at the Burren while Lonely Leesa presents her new single during a set at the Jungle. Also that night: The Tubs with Mopar Stars at Deep Cuts & the Damned with Flamin’ Groovies at the Royale.
Saturday, another release show, as Cameron Keiber (The Beatings/Eldridge Rodriguez) offers up his new solo LP at O’Brien’s with Black Helicopter, Obliterati, & Tony Skalicky. While that’s going on, Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur will be presenting her new book at the ICA Boston in conversation with Naomi Yang (Galaxie 500/Damon & Naomi). Good thing those are afternoon events, as Sugar & J. Robbins are at Roadrunner that night, and Hallelujah the Hills play Deep Cuts with Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus opening up. And there’s even more happening that evening: Gilla Band at BMH, Beck at MGM, and Sidewalk Driver releasing their new record at the Middle East Down. A bounty of solid choices.
Sunday brings the big Screeching Weasel/Queers team-up to the MidEast Down, Monday has Joe Pug & Willie Watson at City Winery, and Tuesday is Greg Freeman at the Sinclair with Hello Shark while Sungaze is at Deep Cuts with Lavisher & Slow Quit.
Alright, on to the recent announcements. How about a free show at Lou’s in Harvard Square with Major Stars & Tyler and the Names in a couple weeks? That’s on Wednesday, October 28th. Really Great are back in town for a show at Deep Cuts on Nov. 7th, and Gollylagging will be there later in the month with Bus Crush & more. While I don’t normally spotlight shows down in Providence, I’m compelled to mention that Identical Cousins will bring their fantastic Twin Peaks night down to Myrtle on November 8th with Julee Cruise Director, BLK LDG, Celia Smokinbutts, & more. Travel-worthy.
On Saturday, November 21st, there’s a special one at Underbones (beneath Redbones) in Davis Square: John Davis (Folk Implosion) with Peter Peter Hughes (ex-Mountain Goats). I’d grab a ticket for that one, as the space ain’t huge. On the following day, Ted Leo comes to town with a show at Deep Cuts. A week later, K.C.U.F. has a release show there with Today Junior & more. And it’s probably pointless to mention that Jon Langford (Mekons/Waco Bros/etc) will be playing a house show in Dorchester in December, since it’s already sold out. So I won’t.
Looking into next year, the Dropkick Murphys have announced all their St. Patrick’s Day-centric shows, including when, where, and the many opening bands. And most importantly, the Providence Popfest has announced when they’ll be holding their second edition: Thursday to Sunday, June 10th to 13th. Mark that long weekend down with a sharpie. Can’t wait until that lineup reveal.
Enough rambling, here are the lists. Drop a comment with corrections or additions… if there’s anything coming up or just announced that I omitted (either here are on the master list in the right column) that you’re psyched about, please say so. If something’s missing, it doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t care, maybe just that I haven’t heard. As compelled as I am to keep myself well-informed, I can’t keep track of it all.
Until next time. See you out there. I may look tired, but I swear I’m rockin’ out on the inside.
First, imminent Boston-area shows of (my/your?) interest…
Wednesday, October 14th
The EARFULL series
writers reading,
songwriters performing.
with authors
David Ryan & Nick Flynn
and bands
Arto Vaun & Fuzzy
(reunited with original
drummer/author David Ryan!)
@ the Regattabar
Wednesday, October 14th
Wishy
youbet
@ Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, October 14th
Fantastic Cat
Radiator King
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, October 14th
Roger Clark Miller (LP release!)
Beth Kaplan & Chris Brokaw
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, October 14th
Dogwood Tales
Hey I’m Outside
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, October 15th
Jamie Webster
@ the Rockwell
Thursday, October 15th
Neko Case
Destroyer (solo)
@ Cary Hall, Lexington
Thursday, October 15th
& Saturday, October 17th
Olivia Rodrigo
Wolf Alice
@ TD Garden
Friday, October 16th
Dave Herlihy
‘now’ album release show!
with Scott Damgaard
& the Bubbs Band
@ the Burren Backroom
Friday, October 16th
Harsh Foxing
Traders
Astral Bitch
DJ Sit N Spin
@ Rock Mansion
(dm for addy)
Friday, October 16th
The Tubs
Mopar Stars
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, October 16th
Lonely Leesa &
the Lost Cowboys
“New American Dream”
single release party!
with
Mel G. Lederman, Big Limo,
& A Pleasure To Have You In Class
@ the Jungle
Friday, October 16th
Don Was
& the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
@ the Sinclair
Friday, October 16th
The Damned
Flamin’ Groovies
The Courettes
@ the Royale
Friday, October 16th
JPEGMAFIA
Redveil
Matt Proxy
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, October 17th
Cameron Keiber
“The Tide” LP release party
with Black Helicopter,
Obliterati, & Tony Skalicky
@ O’Brien’s
Saturday, October 17th
Book Talk: Author/Bassist
Melissa Auf der Maur
(Hole/Smashing Pumpkins)
with Naomi Yang (Galaxie 500)
@ the ICA Boston
Saturday, October 17th
Sugar
J. Robbins
@ Roadrunner
Saturday, October 17th
Sylvan Esso
@ House of Blues
Saturday, October 17th
Hallelujah the Hills
Patrick Stickles
(of Titus Andronicus)
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, October 17th
Gilla Band
@ Brighton Music Hall
Saturday, October 17th
Beck
@ MGM Music Hall
Saturday, October 17th
Sidewalk Driver (record release!)
Louder Joy
Lipsmear
Blindspot
@ the Middle East Down
Sunday, October 18th
Screeching Weasel
The Queers
@ the Middle East Downstairs
Sunday, October 18th
Laura Cortese
@ the Rockwell
Sunday, October 18th
Art For All benefit
pick-your-price art sale
fundraiser for the association
of Haitian Women in Boston
@ LexArt, Lexington
Sunday, October 18th
Allison Russell
Autumn Nicholas
@ the Royale
Monday, October 19th
Joe Pug & Willie Watson
@ City Winery
Tuesday, October 20th
Sungaze
Lavisher
Slow Quit
@ Deep Cuts
Tuesday, October 20th
Greg Freeman
Hello Shark
@ the Sinclair
Tuesday, October 20th
Cradle of Filth
Moonspell
Worm
Black Satellite
@ Big Night Live
Tuesday, October 20th
author/artist Karl Stevens
“Pepper” book launch!
with Joel Christian Gill
@ Papercuts Bookshop
And now, recently announced Boston-area shows…
Wednesday, October 28th
Tyler and the Names
Major Stars
free! @ Lou’s
Saturday, November 7th
Really Great
Miss Bones
Bird Bath
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, November 19th
Identical Cousins presents:
A Twin Peaks Tribute
with Julee Cruise Director,
BLK LDG, Celia Smokinbutts,
& much more
@ Myrtle, Providence
Sunday, November 8th
Gollylagging
Jonny Tex
Bus Crush
King’s Evil
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, November 14th
18th Annual RiverFeast Benefit
for the Greater Boston Food Bank
with Shawn Colvin
& Liam St. John
@ Blue Ocean Music Hall
in Salisbury, MA
Saturday, November 21st
John Davis (Folk Implosion, etc)
Peter Peter Hughes
@ Underbones/Redbones
Sunday, November 22nd
Ted Leo
@ Deep Cuts
Saturday, November 28th
K.C.U.F. (release show!)
Unseemlier
Today Junior
Grub Lordnew
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, December 11th
Jon Langford
(Mekons/Waco Bros)
@ the Parlor, Dorchester
(ask an old punk)
Friday, December 18th
Trace Mountains
Mallory Hawk
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, March 12th
Dropkick Murphys
Fiddlehead
Wisdom in Chains
@ MGM Music Hall
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
Wednesday, March 17th
Dropkick Murphys
The Amazing Royal Crowns
Red Rockers
Liberty and Justice
Restraining Order
@ the House of Blues
Thursday to Sunday
June 10th to 13th
Providence Popfest!
mark it down.
Saturday, July 10th
Matchbox 20
David Gray
@ the Xfinity Center
Saturday, July 24th
Leon Bridges
Kororoko
@ MGM Music Hall
[Boston-Area Action 10/8/2026] Show-Going Plans & New Show Announcements
Posted on October 8, 2026 at 2:40 pm | No Comments
Dangerously close to punting this week’s edition of the ol’ Weekly Boston-area Shows Post thing, as I’m feeling very much out-of-sorts and a bit overwhelmed with work and the weight of a jammed personal calendar. Starting tonight, I think I’ve got something planned for every one of the next 10 days. I’m already pre-tired. I do it to myself, so I’m not complaining, just statin’ some facts. But writing this thing will help me sort through my own must-go list, so might as well get to it: Boston-area events happening within the next seven days that you/I/we might want to check out, and ones that have been announced since the last time I did this, including my own highlights and longer lists below.
If I had gotten this done yesterday as planned, I’d have mentioned last night’s Modest Mouse show at Roadrunner, and probably the second Phoebe Bridgers stop at the Garden. Lots of friends attended and wrote rapturously, though I think she’s far outgrown my willingness to brave such large spaces. I shall hold on to the fond memories of shows past. Tonight, being Thursday, Piebald’s Travis Shettel is at the Somerville Armory opening for Movielife, and Todd Thibaud will be at the Burren with openers Tinkertown.
Tomorrow brings the final free Friday Hilken & Melissa residency at Notch Brewing in Brighton with guests Highway Hosiery. Those early evening hangs have become a regular end-of-the-work-week ritual for me, and I’ll miss ’em. After Notch, there are too many options, including a do-not-miss screening of URGH! A MUSIC WAR over at MassArt with a post-film discussion featuring hosts “the Professors of URGH!” Chaki & Chris Slusarenko along with special guest (Go4 drummer) Hugo Burnham. You could also cruise up to Beverly to catch Ted Leo solo at Off Cabot, or hit the Basic show at Deep Cuts. And Kyle “Coop” MacLachlan is at the WBUR Cityspace. Oh, the choices. Superdrag plays the first of two nights at the Paradise, too (with the Gravel Pit), though I’ll be catching the second show on Saturday (with the Hilken & Melissa band) given all those Friday conflicts. Bobcat Goldthwaite is at the Comedy Studio on both nights, too. Jeez.
Saturday gives us an appealing afternoon down at the Bellforge Arts Center in Medfield titled “Rock Bottom: A Funny Kind of Recovery”, featuring a wealth of guests (see details below), and the evening brings Kingsley Flood to the Burren, along with a sure-to-be-fun show at State Park with Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, the Chip Rockers, & DJ Kathy Snax on the turntables. Sunday has Laura Viers & Karl Blau at Passim, Monday is the big Sunn O))) gig with opener David Grubbs (!) at the Paradise, and Tuesday is the very-sold-out Dave Davies show at City Winery. And you’ve already got your tickets for Wednesday’s EARFULL show with Fuzzy (in their original form!), Arto Vaun, & authors Nick Flynn and David Ryan, right?
As far as announcements go, I’m most excited that we finally get a Boston-area stop from Manchester band Westside Cowboy, who I’ve been hoping to see since hearing their debut full-length. The fact that it’s an opening slot for Fontaines D.C. at MGM Music Hall in April made ticket acquisition a bit of a struggle, but persistence paid off. In the more immediate future, Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur will spotlight her book in conversation with Naomi Yang at the ICA on October 17th, Future Teens have been added as openers for all three of the Julien Baker dates at the Middle East later this month, and Ward Hayden & Greg Hall will play together at the Acoustic Den in Dorchester on the 24th (message me for info). November 5th has a killer bill at O’Brien’s with Arto Vaun, Shadow Monster, Dyr Faser, & Unmade Bed, and the 13th brings the OBGMs to Warehouse XI in Somerville, where Star Moles will also play in January. And looking even further into next year, the last-ever edition of DARK SPRING BOSTON has announced a date: Saturday, April 10th at the Middle East. I will patiently await the lineup reveal for that one.
Alright, on to the lists. The regular disclaimer: These aren’t even close to complete Boston-area events run-downs… there are other places for that who do it much better. These are just shows that jump out at me and might be of interest to my circle of show-going friends & venue-centric acquaintances. If there are errors to be found, or shows you’re psyched about that I omitted, feel free to leave a comment. Getting your recommendations is part of the reason I keep doin’ this.
For shows beyond this week, check out the column over there on the right side. See you out there. I’ll probably be up near the front.
First, imminent Boston-area shows of (my/your?) interest…
Thursday, October 8th
The Movielife
Travis Shettel (Piebald)
True Crime
@ the Somerville Armory
Thursday, October 8th
White Denim
Arc Iris
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, October 8th
Todd Thibaud
Tinkertown
@ the Burren Back Room
Friday, October 9th
The Hilken Mancini &
Melissa Gibbs Residency
Week 10 with guests
Highway Hosiery
free @ Notch Brewing Brighton
Friday, October 9th
Kyle MacLachlan
presents his new book
@ WBUR Cityspace
Friday, October 9th
Revolutions Per Movie
and Culture Saves presents
URGH! A MUSIC WAR
with Chaki, Chris Slusarenko,
and guest Hugo Burnham
@ Tower Auditorium, MassArt
Friday, October 9th
Big Special
@ the Rockwell
Friday, October 9th
Ted Leo
@ Off Cabot, Beverly
Friday, October 9th
Basic
Ohm Foam
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, October 9th
Teddy Swims
@ TD Garden
Friday, October 9th
Ingrid Andress
@ the Sinclair
Friday, October 9th
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
voice + piano
@ the Somerville Armory
Friday & Saturday
October 9th & 10th
Bobcat Goldthwaite
@ The Comedy Studio
Friday & Saturday
October 9th & 10th
Superdrag
The Gravel Pit (Friday)
Hilken & Melissa Band (Sat)
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
October 9th, 10th, & 11th
the HONK Festival
in Somerville & Cambridge
Saturday, October 10th
Studio 52 Powerhouse Matinee
free show with
Execution Style, Mantooth,
Das Muerte, & Blatch
@ O’Brien’s
Saturday, October 10th
“Rock Bottom:
A Funny Kind of Recovery”
featuring
Simon Kirke (Bad Company),
Chris Redd (SNL), Lenny Clarke,
Tony V, Steve Sweeney,
Woody Giessmann (Del Fuegos),
Jim Mayer (Jimmy Buffett),
Dave Herlihy (O Positive),
and more
2pm @ Bellforge Arts Center
Saturday, October 10th
Kingsley Flood
@ the Burren
Saturday, October 10th
Outlander in Concert
Music by Bear McCreary
@ the Shubert Theatre
Sunday, October 11th
Snax on Wax presents…
Beware the Dangers
of a Ghost Scorpion
& the Chip Rockers
with DJ Kathy Snax
@ State Park
Sunday, October 11th
Laura Viers
Karl Blau
@ Club Passim
Sunday, October 11th
gymclassheroes
Lupe Fiasco
B.o.B.
@ House of Blues
Monday, October 12th
Tricky
@ the Sinclair
Monday, October 12th
Sunn O)))
David Grubbs
@ the Paradise
Monday & Tuesday
October 12th & 13th
Fred Armisen
@ the Wilbur
Tuesday, October 13th
Johnny Blue Skies
(Sturgill Simpson)
& the Dark Clouds
@ TD Garden
Tuesday, October 13th
Steve Lacy
@ MGM Music Hall
Tuesday, October 13th
Dave Davies
(of the Kinks!)
@ City Winery Boston
And now, recently announced Boston-area shows…
Saturday, October 17th
Book Talk:
Melissa Auf der Maur
with Naomi Yang
@ the ICA Boston
Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
October 21st, 22nd, & 23rd
Future Teens added as opener
for Julien Baker & her band’s
three night residency
@ the Middle East Downstairs
Saturday, October 24th
Ward Hayden
& Greg Hall
@ the Acoustic Den
in Dorchester
(dm me for info)
Saturday, October 31st
Halloween Cover Show with
My Chemical Chungus (as MCR)
Tiffy (as Charli XCX)
Makeout Palace (as Cake)
@ Deep Cuts
Thursday, November 5th
Arto Vaun
Shadow Monster
Dyr Faser
Unmade Bed
@ O’Brien’s
Friday, November 13th
The OBGMs
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, December 11th
John Cafferty
& the Beaver Brown Band
@ the Cut, Gloucester
Tuesday & Wednesday
December 30th & 31st
Deer Tick
with Al Olender (30th)
& James Felice (31st)
@ City Winery Boston
Wednesday, December 31st
Cabot Rockin’ New Year’s Eve
with Jon Butcher,
Barrence Whitfield,
and Quinn Sullivan
@ the Cabot
Friday, January 13th
Jess Williamson
@ the Sinclair
Wednesday, January 27th
Star Moles
@ Warehouse XI
Friday, February 13th
Chelsea Cutler
Lamb
@ Roadrunner
Friday, March 5th
Greta Van Fleet
The Kooks
@ TD Garden
Wednesday, March 17th
Def Leppard
Goo Goo Dolls
The Struts
@ TD Garden
Friday & Saturday
April 2nd & 3rd
Gary Gulman
@ the Wilbur
Saturday, April 10th
DARK SPRING BOSTON
The Final Festival
one last gathering!
@ the Middle East
Tuesday, April 13th
Lola Young
Sofia & the Antoinettes
@ Roadrunner
Friday, April 23rd
Fontaines D.C.
Westside Cowboy
@ MGM Music Hall
Wednesday, May 19th
Carly Rae Jepsen
@ MGM Music Hall