A Fantasy Evening at Roadrunner with M83

Posted on 04/28/2023 by Harry Gustafson

Photos & Words by Greg Wong

On Sunday April 23, M83 came to Roadrunner in support of their new album Fantasy, delivering a sensational performance that wowed the crowd.

Jeremiah Chiu started things off for the evening, walking on stage to work with a suitcase-sized setup. He delivered an unflamboyant performance built upon looping beats and modular synthesizer to prime the audience for the headlining set.

M83 began their show with the first three tracks of Fantasy in order, and conjured an ethereal wall of sound that rose in intensity before leading into the rest of the set. The evening’s set heavily featured the new album, with a near complete performance of the LP, but fan favorites such as “Wait” and “Midnight City” from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming made prominent appearances. Longtime M83 fans were also treated to a few songs from far back in the band’s discography, such as “Teen Angst,” and “*” that haven’t been seen on an M83 setlist in years. The soundscape created by M83 throughout the evening was at times chill and down-tempo, with an almost ambient vibe, while at other times funky and rollicking. The crowd followed along for the ride, and swayed, head-bobbed, and jumped accordingly. By the time the last notes of the appropriately-placed encore song “Outro” finished ringing throughout Roadrunner, M83 was taking a well-deserved bow to fans screaming their approval.

Check out our photos from the show below.

Haasan Barclay Debuts Full Band at the Rockwell

Posted on 04/27/2023 by Harry Gustafson

By Harry Gustafson

We’ve covered Haasan Barclay’s work pretty extensively over the years, but one thing we’ve been keenly waiting on is for the genre-journeyman to perform with the backing of a full band. Wait and ye shall receive, innit? Last week, Haasan performed at the Rockwell with support from Maeko and Layzi. We’ve seen him play his songs with the help of prerecorded loops supporting his live guitar and vocals, but what was so special about this show was the unveiling of Haasan’s band.

If you’ve ever seen Haasan perform, it’s extremely evident that he has a high energy performance style. In past performances, though, it occasionally felt like he was giving himself too much to do. With the backing of this band – comprised of Izzy Sealy on guitar, Matt Rohr on bass, and Ian Niblak on drums – Haasan could really let loose in a way that was previously restricted. At no point was this more clear than when he stepped down from the Rockwell’s stage to open up a mosh pit – perhaps the first time a pit has been opened up in that space (historians are having heated debates over this as I write this). Haasan’s set was peppered with tracks that span his releases: the psychedelic R&B of “Live For You” eventually evolving into tracks from Dual Shock, his 2022 release that veered more into the territory of house and electronic. The DS tracks were especially cool to hear adapted for a full band.

Openers Maeko and Layzi also deserve big shout outs for their sets, filling out the bill by adding unique vibes to the night. Maeko’s style treads the line between pop, singer-songwriter, and hip-hop. There’s a indefatigable optimism to his stage presence and the way he sings with a big smile and wide-eyed gratitude. Salem’s Layzi provided a very chill, fuzzy, laid back indie rock sound to the night (lest we forget, this show happened on 4/20, so we needed some phasey guitars whirling around our heads).

Check out our photos of the show below.

The Celebratory Return of Nickel Creek at MGM Music Hall

Posted on 04/27/2023 by Harry Gustafson

Photos & Words by Greg Wong

Last Saturday evening at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, the bluegrass trio Nickel Creek made their return to Boston after a nearly decade-long wait. Touring in support of Celebrants, their first studio album in 9 years, Chris Thile and siblings Sara and Sean Watkins were in top form with accompaniment from Jeff Picker on bass.

The evening began with a solo performance from the prolific singer/songwriter/producer Gaby Moreno. She performed songs referencing her Guatemalan roots, had the crowd singing along in Spanish, and even performed a song of hers from the Puss in Boots movie.

Following Gaby Moreno’s opening set, Nickel Creek took to the stage amid cheers of excitement and launched into Celebrants’ eponymous track. The first lyrics sung by Chris Thile were fittingly “My god, it’s good to see you right here in the flesh,” and the audience reciprocated that feeling all evening. The show featured a healthy mix of songs from the new album, as well as classics from the band’s deep catalog dating back over 20 years. The experienced group delighted the crowd with virtuosic mastery of their instruments, and the passionate yet often playful lyrics of the songs. The wait for Nickel Creek’s return may have spanned across 3 different presidential administrations, but they remain at the peak of their game.

Check out our photos from the show below.

The Town And The City Returns To Lowell

Posted on 04/27/2023 by Dillon Riley

By Dillon Riley

Photo courtesy of The Town and The City Festival

The Jack Kerouac-indebted The Town and The City Festival takes over Downtown Lowell’s main drag on April 28th and 29th for another weekend of great music. With venues (like the Zorba Music Hall and The Worthen Cafe Attic) and shops (like Brew’d Awakening and Warp & Weft) dotting Market Street set to host 60 artists, The Town and The City is on track for its biggest and best year yet. Just like last year, The Town and The City will run like a miniature SXSW-style showcase, with curated multi-band lineups scattered across the strip and a dedicated festival app to help keep track of everything and everyone you would wanna see. With added attractions that step outside their usual music programming, festival founder Chris Porter has put together a killer lineup to go along with its expanded size, pulling in legends, contemporaries, improvisers, and storytellers alike.

Flyer courtesy of The Town and The City Festival

Porter had this to say about this year’s edition:

“The Town and The City Festival’s first three years were met with great enthusiasm from music fans, performers, the venues and the community. As the festival has grown, we’ve had the opportunity to expand programming to include more free events such as the Record Show, and enabled us to collaborate with more members of the Lowell community to present events like The Points of Light Lantern Celebration.”

With all that said here’s the official Allston Pudding Guide to The Town And The City 2023:

FRIDAY Rhett Miller at The Overlook at Mill No. 5 (8:15pm)

The Old 97s frontman is also an accomplished solo artist in his own right, with many fine records on labels major and indie. His headlining set at The Overlook will likely dip into both catalogues. Sure to be an early highlight of the fest as well as a great kickstart to the night for those willing to get after it.

FRIDAY Buffalo Tom at Zorba Music Hall (10:00pm)

Long standing Boston indie rockers Buffalo Tom headline the Grecian banquet hall stylings of Zorba Music Hall for one of the marquee sets at this year’s festival. BT shows are usually raucous affairs at more cavernous locales, so getting to see the band in an intimate space like this would be a real treat.

FRIDAY Rusty Mullet at The Old Court (11:30pm)

This Boston trio can slide from furious, noise-stricken post-hardcore to delicate and airy folk rock very quickly. Their 2022 debut LP Dorks In Orbit showed off both of those sides and more, winding up as one of the more explosive releases in what was an enormous year for local indie rock. Catch them finish off night one at what will surely be a packed and sweaty Old Court.

SATURDAY Ted Leo at The Overlook at Mill No. 5 (7pm)

Whether solo or backed by his long-running band The Pharmacists, Ted Leo has had an undeniable effect on the indie rock landscape. This intimate set at the Mill will be a treat for fans and a nice kickoff to your second day at The Town and The City. Maybe he’ll even dust off a few Chisel songs before they get on the road for the first time in several decades.

SATURDAY Downtown Boys at Taffeta (8:30pm)

These Providence punks have been noticeably quiet of late, but this coming out (of sorts) gig at Taffeta alongside Future Teens and Pile will definitely be one of the more wild sets of the weekend. Combining leftist politicing with seething sax-and-guitar churn, catch one of the best live bands around re-assume their throne.

SATURDAY Vapors of Morphine at Warp & Weft (10:30pm)

While Vapors of Morphine features members of beloved and sadly defunct (on account of frontman Mark Sandman’s tragic early passing) Cambridge blues-y rockers Morphine, they are far from a tribute act. With releases all their own and a unique style of playing the old band’s catalogue that treads all new terrain, Vapors are a must-see act anytime they touch down in Massachusetts.

Lowell’s just a 45 minute drive (or commuter rail ride) away from Boston, and it’s quickly becoming an extremely welcoming place for artists, creators, and fans alike. More information about The Town and The City’s venues, set times, and the artists can be found here, while festival passes and/or individual show tickets can be found here.

Deep Cuts Opens Up Shop in Medford

Posted on 04/26/2023 by Dillon Riley

By Dillon Riley

The Deep Cuts team. Photo by Brittany Rose Queen

Medford Square is about to get a whole lot louder. Deep Cuts, the beloved, musician-friendly brewery and deli on Medford’s rising Main Street is finally set to realize its secondary mission by hosting shows. Deep Cuts General Manager Ian McGregor has been an active participant in the Boston scene for a long while, having booked shows all over town under Eye Design before starting the deli as a series of popups. McGregor and co-founder Jeff Wetzel ensured Deep Cuts had ties to the scene from the jump by having dedicated local merch sales and curated in-store soundtracks that favored burgeoning local talent. However, the dream was always to add a stage to the proceedings, and the final addition to their puzzle could not have come at a better time.

Photo By Brittany Rose Queen

Outfitted with a brand new stage and sound system, Deep Cuts will host local and touring acts every night of the week starting in late May with a stacked local bill that features Zip Tie Handcuffs, Black Beach, and Today Junior. With a capacity of 240 people, Deep Cuts will host a wide variety of genres while crucially bridging the gap between the smaller bars and breweries and the larger venues, clubs, and theaters across the city. The live room’s booking will be helmed by Alex Pickert and Jordan Prange of local promoting collective Get To The Gig Boston, who add yet another venue to their expansive lineup. Along with the sandwiches (which will still be served during gigs), freshly brewed beer, and pinball (courtesy of Our Lady of Pinball), Deep Cuts will also be all ages every night, which is a huge boon for the community as the dearth of spaces for underage music fans has unfortunately kept access to live music at a premium.

Photo by Brittany Rose Queen

The Deep Cuts team had this to say about their grand unveiling:

“Deep Cuts has a shared focus on music, food, and beer. We started this location with the idea of always having live music so our buildout was geared toward that. We hope to be a home for creative types to come by during the day for a sandwich and or a beer and network. Then at night for people to come see upcoming local and touring acts.” – Ian McGregor, Owner

“I am so excited to be a part of opening Deep Cuts in Medford Center! The Boston area has had a ~200~cap hole in it since Great Scott closed and I am so excited to work with the Deep Cuts crew to bring all types of shows to the area! I am honored that Ian has trusted Jordan Prange and I, as Get To The Gig Boston to book the space and I can’t wait for everyone to get to a gig here!” – Alex Pickert, Talent Buyer

Check out the rest of the initial lineup below and be sure to grab tickets right here.

Flyer courtesy of Get To The Gig Boston

The Puddcast Ep. 35: Through the Fire & Flames with Matt Shearer

Posted on 04/25/2023 by Harry Gustafson

By Harry Gustafson

Artwork by Cat Elia

We are so back, it’s insane. We are facing unprecedented levels of backness. No time to front, because of just how back we are.

Yes, folks, the big day you’ve all been waiting for has arrived: our beloved Puddcast has returned for a third season!

To kick things off, we brought in WBZ News reporter Matt Shearer, who you may be familiar with via TikTok and Instagram. Matt’s found viral success through his reporting on local towns. He’s got an uncanny knack for being able to find interesting stories in the most seemingly mundane of places (i.e. any town in Massachusetts). He’s super funny, so we’re honored he chose to join us and help kick off yet another season of our show.

Stream Allston Pudding Presents The Puddcast on the podcast streaming platform of your preference (or literally scroll down and listen below). Like, share, subscribe… you know the drill! Also check out our companion playlist, featuring some of the artists we mention throughout the episode, including Dragonforce, Limp Bizkit, and Van Buren Records.

<a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/allstonpudding/922668/">Episode 35: Through the Fire & Flames with Matt Shearer | RSS.com</a>

JPEGMAFIA Hits Fête Music Hall

Posted on 04/24/2023 by Harry Gustafson

Words & Photos by Emily Gardner

Fete Music Hall was packed on Saturday night due to JPEGMAFIA stopping by to promote his new album with Danny Brown, Scaring the Hoes. Produced by JPEGMAFIA himself, the album has been heavily hyped up, even before it released (thanks to TikTok). JPEG acted as his own DJ for the set, playing tracks randomly from his laptop. He spun around the stage, performing songs like “Lean Beef Patty”, “BALD!”, and “Burfict!”. There were a couple times that JPEG forgot the words to a couple songs, but to be fair, he did warn the crowd at the beginning of the set that he “got tipsy” for them. It’s expected to see high energy from JPEG and he delivered by speeding back and forth on the stage, spinning and falling to the floor. Here’s to hoping that Danny Brown can tag along on the next tour so fans can see the new album in action.

Check out our photos from the show below.

Chlöe, Pop’s Heir Apparent

Posted on 04/24/2023 by Harry Gustafson

By Harry Gustafson

I think I get stanning now. More specifically, I think I stan Chloe Bailey (who stylizes her name “Chlöe” as a solo artist). As one half of the duo Chloe x Halle, she and her younger sister have been on the rise as pop R&B performers, protégés of the queen herself, Beyoncé, who has brought the duo on tour and signed them to her management company, Parkwood Entertainment. Not a bad cosign to have on your CV. If Bey seems like an easy comparison, tell me what other artists are able to maintain such precise and dynamic vocal control while also performing highly physical choreography.

Keeping that in mind, I was a little surprised when I heard Chlöe would be performing at House of Blues during the Boston stop on her tour. I was even more surprised when I arrived at the show to discover that – though there were plenty of fans in attendance – it was definitely not a packed house. I was expecting it to be obnoxiously crowded. Don’t get me wrong, I love my personal space. But knowing how amazing this young woman’s voice is, I was confused. Is Chlöe not as big as I assumed?

It was a question that stayed on my mind the entire show. In fact, as the show went on, it was only further cemented in my brain. I knew that she was an excellent singer, but sometimes great studio singers are not great live singers. Chlöe is very clearly both, so that couldn’t have been the reason. I started to wonder in maybe it’s because I was seeing Chlöe – instead of Chloe x Halle as a duo – that might be the main contributing factor as to why there are still plenty of tickets up for grabs for the remaining shows on the In Pieces Tour.

When I’ve seen press and performances it’s always been Chloe and Halle. If one of the sisters has gained notoriety independent of the duo, it’s Halle, who is playing Ariel in the upcoming live action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Without a high profile starring role, is the older sister still trying to cement her status independent of the family duo? While she’s had a few on screen roles, her acting forays have been limited.

She has mainly stuck to music: writing, producing, recording, performing. She’s got those four tenants of musicianship down. Currently, it seems, she’s trying to stand on that foundation while build an independent identity for herself. While Beyoncé is certainly an easy benchmark to keep in mind, after seeing Chloe perform through the songs on her debut solo album In Pieces, I left noticing more parallels to where Janet Jackson was at the dawn of the 90s: a publicly-perceived “good girl” who seeks to shake the wholesome family image she has had to live up to stepping into her own power. For Ms. Jackson (‘cause I’m nasty), this period in her career led to her self-titled album, which is still considered one of her best LPs and received critical acclaim especially for the way the singer took agency of the image of her sexuality. Chlöe appears to be on a similar trajectory. That’s exciting.

Check out our photos of the show below.

Ambré Ticket Giveaway

Posted on 04/18/2023 by Harry Gustafson

By Harry Gustafson

Fill out the Google form below for a chance to win two tickets for you and a friend to see R&B artist Ambré swing through the Sinclair on Wednesday 4/19 with opener Wild Magnolia. After gaining popularity from a collaboration with fellow singer Kehlani, Ambré is ready to continue to establish her name as one of the brightest up-and-comers in pop R&B. Definitely not a show to miss, especially if you can get in for freeeeeeee.

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Community College Take A Ride On Their New Album

Posted on 04/12/2023 by Dillon Riley

By Dillon Riley

Community College standing in a dark hallway

Community College photo by Bradford Krieger

Community College‘s John Margaris is a musician that understands the beauty in small gestures. Nothing particularly drastic or sonically explosive happens within his band’s short, but never slight, and often ramshackle indie rock songs, but the cumulative effect of listening to several definitely leaves bruises. Roughly slowcore in nature, it seems easy to consider them as an earthier and slightly more grounded foil to the cosmic and sparser tunes he kicks up on bass with Horse Jumper Of Love (Community College also mirrors Horse Jumper in that Dimitri Giannopoulos plays bass), but Comco (as they’re lovingly shortened to) has an inspired instrumental alchemy all their own free from any association. Often jaggedly bashing on the downbeat, the band, which also features John’s brother Dan on drums, moves at a pace that feels distinctly unique. What sounds almost wobbly and knobby-kneed at first brush reveals its strengths and assuredness over repeated listens, like an older car that takes a little bit of highway driving to kick into gear. Margaris’ lyrics however need no sort of primer. Both wickedly funny and self-incisive in equal measure, he has a way of drawing tension and heartfelt drama out of plainspoken retellings of the monotony in life. Alcohol fuels both the good times and the despair throughout Shmomco, his second LP under the Community College banner in such a way that it becomes a sort of character in a sort of play about his life. Community college are at their best here when they stretch out and try new things. The jaunty pianos of early single “Walking Man” recall Elliot Smith in his LA period as Margaris’ frets over the possibility of his friends drunk driving while he rides the T after hitting the bar, while the fuzz-heavy “Nevin” goes heavier than ever before with burly riffs and alcoholism anxities to match. Ending on a more esoteric note, the seasonal “Christmas” repurposes holiday cheer via an old xmas melody while Margaris wonders aloud about working conditions on the North Pole.

Shmomco feels like an enormous step forward for Community College and we here at Allston Pudding are excited to have it streaming a few days early, so hit the stream below.

community college · schmomco

Schmomco is out everywhere via Julia’s War Recordings on Friday, April 14th, you can preorder a cassette right here.