15 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this August
From Pearl Jam to Piebald.
Want fun things to do in Boston, delivered to your inbox every Thursday? Sign up for the BosTen newsletter, our weekly roundup of 10 not-lame events in the city. You can also out our events calendar at boston.com/events.From the soulful anthems of an American R&B legend (Aretha!) to the southern stomp of some of today’s biggest country superstars (Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney!), here’s some of the best live music in the city this month.
Locals getting the band back together
Piebald
Piebald originally broke up in 2008. Now the environmentally friendly North Shore rockers are reuniting for two shows at Royale, where they’ll weave through selections from their 13-year catalog. (Sunday, August 7 and Monday, August 8 at 7 p.m.; Royale; $25; 18+)
Belly
Nineties Boston alt-rockers Belly are getting the band back together for two shows at Royale. Fronted by songwriter Tanya Donnelly, who also played in Throwing Muses and The Breeders, Belly achieved chart success with 1993’s “Feed The Tree” and gathered a loyal following in their hometown and beyond. These will be their first Boston shows since 1995. (Tuesday, August 9 and Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m.; Royale; $32; 18+; tickets available here)
This Car Up
It’s been more than eight years since Allston’s This Car Up has released any new music. While its members have moved on to several other successful projects, such as Slowdim, Stereo Telescope, and The Hush Now, fans have long awaited the return of the original lineup. (Saturday, August 13 at 9 p.m.; Great Scott; $10; 21+; with Sinnet, Pale Hands; tickets available here)
Dresden Dolls
Amanda Palmer-fronted cabaret rock troupe Dresden Dolls has made noise out of Boston off and on for 15 years now. They will play their first two shows since 2010 this month, one of which is taking place in their hometown of Boston. (Friday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion; $25-$49.50; all ages; with PWR BTTM; tickets available here)
Oddball rockers
Ween
Philly weirdos Ween recently decided to reunite, and Boston is next on their list of places to visit. One of the most beloved cult-favorites of the ‘90s, the duo of Gene and Dean Ween channel everyone from Prince to Motorhead for a live experience that is unfocused in the best way possible. (Tuesday, August 23 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues; $60; all ages; tickets available here)
The Lennon Claypool Delirium
Sean Lennon, son of John and Yoko, has joined forces with Primus bassist Les Claypool for a strange new psych-rock experience. The two released an album in June called Monolith of Phobos, and will stop by House of Blues, joined by Jjuujjuu. (Friday, August 26 at 8 p.m.; House of Blues; $25-$35; all ages; with Jjuujjuu; tickets available here)
Living Legends
Aretha Franklin
About 50 years ago, Aretha Franklin released “Respect” and became one of the defining voices of American soul. She has performed for presidents, won 18 Grammys, and was a shoo-in for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You can see her perform by the water in Boston before the summer is over. (Friday, August 19 at 8 p.m.; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion; $39.50-$125; all ages; tickets available here)Bonnie Raitt
Blues singer Bonnie Raitt is a slide guitar legend and never a bad pick for a summertime soundtrack. Catch her laying down riffs at the Pavilion along with Richard Thompson.(Saturday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion; $59.50-$69.50; all ages; with Richard Thompson Electric Trio; tickets available here)
Peter Wolf & the Midnight Travelers
J. Geils Band lead man Peter Wolf released his latest solo album, A Cure For Loneliness, in April. Later this month, he’ll take to the grassy lawns of the Lowell Summer Music Series to perform selections from throughout his prolific career. (Saturday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Boarding House Park; $39-$139; all ages; tickets available here)
Country Superstars
Zac Brown Band
Country superstars Zac Brown Band make another return to Fenway to get the stadium stomping. They’ll play the ballpark for two straight nights, along with Nashville’s Drake White and the Big Fire. (Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.; Fenway Park; $61.50-$76.50; all ages; with Drake White and the Big Fire; tickets available here)Kenny Chesney
Country crooner Kenny Chesney leads up a southern fried bill of some of the genre’s biggest names, including Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion. (Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27 at 5 p.m.; Gillette Stadium; $59.50-$111.50; all ages; with Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion; tickets available here)
Hip-hop newcomers
Lil Yachty
Atlanta hip-hop youngster Lil Yachty has released two mixtapes already in 2016, which have become steady party soundtracks across America. He will perform two sets in one night in Boston. (Friday, August 19 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.; The Sinclair; $19.50; all ages; tickets available here) Le1f
New York rapper and beatmaker Le1f has produced for Das Racist, Spank Rock, and many more, while also dazzling with his 2015 debut album, Riot Boi. He complements his music with elements of dance and his engaging performance style. (Tuesday, August 23 at 8 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $13; 18+; tickets available here)
Rock in all its forms
Pearl Jam
Seattle grunge pioneers Pearl Jam have amassed quite the cult following over the years—enough to pack the home of the Red Sox for two nights. Watch Eddie Vedder and crew tear through more than 25 years’ worth of material in their Fenway Park debut. (Friday, August 5 and Sunday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m.; $65-$85; all ages; tickets available here)
Fuzzstival
The fourth annual Boston Fuzzstival brings more than 30 local garage rock acts to the lower depths of the Middle East for two straight days of scratchy rock ‘n’ roll. (Friday, August 19 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 20 at 2 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $15-$30; 18+; with Quilt, Mr. Airplane Man, Doug Tuttle, Nice Guys, more; tickets available here)
Downtown Boys
Providence dance punks Downtown Boys headline a massive Thursday night bill at the Middle East with London trio Shopping, Washington rockers Gauche, and noisemakers Ursula, formerly of Allston. (Thursday, August 4 at 8 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $12; all ages; with Shopping, Gauche, Ursula; tickets available here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T23wfhddpYY
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