From the front row of a sweaty club to the far-away lawn at a gigantic amphitheater, summer in Boston brings almost limitless opportunities to see great acts at cool venues all across the city. With many bands hitting the road as part of the summer festival circuit or heading out on tours of their own, the next few months are shaping up to be memorable ones for anyone willing to brave the heat to show up and sing along.
We’ve outlined a few of our most anticipated shows of the summer—both from a local and national perspective. If this list doesn’t strike your fancy, don’t worry, there are hundreds of other acts that will be making stops across the city–just don’t forget the water and the sunscreen.
Who: Spoon
Where: House of Blues
When: June 18th
After a short but satisfying set at Boston Calling last fall, Spoon return for a proper headlining show at House of Blues along with Viva Viva. Recent setlists have leaned just as heavily towards favorites from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Gimme Fiction as they do towards last year’s well-received They Want My Soul. Tickets are still available, but be sure not to sleep on this one.
What: Smash It Dead Fest
Where: The Democracy Center & Cambridge YMCA
When: June 19-21
Smash It Dead fest returns for it’s fifth consecutive year to offer a weekend full of shows, workshops and readings to raise funds for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Organizers describe the festival as a weekend of “radical queer feminist and P.O.C. centric workshops and music.” The lineup features Aye Nako, Birth Defects, Dominadora, and a whole lot more. Check out their facebook page for the full lineup and a complete schedule.
Who: Broken Water
Where: Aurora, Providence, and Out of the Blue, Cambridge
When: June 29th (RI) and 30th (MA)
Considering the Olympia, WA punk trio rarely hit the Northeast and have only a handful of dates scheduled this summer, it might just be worth seeing them twice. The band will be touring in support of their ambitious and politically-charged third album, Wrought, and they’ll be joined by local act Mother Tongue in Providence and JOSS, IAN, and YRRAPYRRAP in Cambridge. The latter date will serve as a homecoming show for IAN as they return from their tour with fellow local favorites Kal Marks.
Who: Pile, Creaturos, Vundabar, Stove
Where: Middle East Downstairs
When: July 17th
As far as local lineups go, it really doesn’t get much better than this. Pile steps up to play one of their biggest headlining gigs to date, and they’ll be joined by psych-rock heroes Creaturos and Vundabar—who’ll be putting out a new record just a few days later. The most interesting name on the lineup, however, is Stove, which is the solo project of Steve Hartlett, former lead singer/songwriter for Ovlov (RIP). Hartlett has gone on record as saying the short series of shows he has scheduled this summer will be his last, so diehard Ovlov/Stove fans would be smart to grab a ticket to this one now. Tickets
Who: Elvis Depressedly and Mitski
Where: Cuisine En Locale
When: July 16th
North Carolina lo-fi duo Elvis Depressedly returns to Boston (or Sommerville, in this case) to promote their new record, New Alhambra, which was released in May on local label Run For Cover Records. They’ll be joined by Mitski, who is fresh off a nationwide tour supporting Speedy Ortiz. Tickets
What: TT The Bears Farewell Blowout
Where: TT The Bears
When: July 17th-25th
After 43 year’s of being one of the city’s top spots for up-and-coming and established acts, TT’s is set to close its door at the end of July. While the space may be home to another music venue in the future, it is without a doubt the end of an era. The club plans to go out on a high note with a week long series of farewell shows. While lineups haven’t been announced yet, we have high hopes to see some big names.
Who: Neil Young
Where: Xfinity Center, Mansfield
When: July 22nd
Neil Young is hitting the road in support of his 36th(!) studio album, The Monsanto Years, which is out on June 30th. The record is reportedly a concept album that criticizes Monsanto, a $14 billion agrochemical company based in Missouri. Expect to hear a few of these new tracks, a long with a whole lot of older favorites. Tickets
Who: Modest Mouse
Where: Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
When: July 23rd
Maybe you loved Strangers To Ourselves, maybe you hated it, but one thing that’s not really up for debate is that Modest Mouse is incredible live. As a band that has a history of pulling out deep cuts and spreading out the set list, you’re guaranteed to walk away having heard at least a few of your favorite songs, no matter which album you think is their best. Tickets
Who: Mr Twin Sister, Moon King
Where: Middle East Upstairs
When: July 23rd
Not into Modest Mouse, or getting stuck in a seat? Mr Twin Sister are bringing what very well could be one of the biggest parties of the summer to a very small venue on the same night. The Long Island indie pop crew is sure to play a bunch of songs off last year’s cathartic yet self-aware self-titled full album, and maybe even some new tracks like the recently unveiled cut, “The Erotic Book.” Make sure to get there early, as Toronto-based shoegaze duo Moon King’s opening set is sure to get the night off to a strong start. Tickets
Who: Basement, Adventures, LVL UP, Palehound
Where: Royale
When: August 16th
Allston Pudding favorites LVL Up and Palehound get called up to the big leagues (again), this time opening on a series of dates for Basement, a band that has generated a lot of buzz lately, as acts that are tabbed by Brand New to open Lallapozza after-shows often do. If you haven’t seen LVL UP lately, this is a good chance to check out the new material they’ve been previewing at recent Boston gigs, and it’s also a great chance to check out Palehound as they return to Boston after a busy summer of touring. Tickets