15 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this September
From Kanye to Willie Nelson.
From one of entertainment’s most polarizing characters to a comedian-fronted Prince cover band, here are some of the best live acts in the city this month.
Listen locally
Fat Creeps
Boston trio Fat Creeps called it quits two years ago, shortly after the release of their debut full-length album, Must Be Nice. They’ll make their grand return to the stage this fall, playing the modest quarters of Lilypad along with the Alaina Stamatis Comedy Ritual. (Friday, September 2 at 10 p.m.; Lilypad; $10; all ages; tickets available at the door)
IAN SWEET
Boston trio IAN SWEET (formerly just IAN) has a new name and a new album to go with it. Help them celebrate the release of Shapeshifter along with local friends Horse Jumper of Love, Kal Marks, Lina Tullgren, and Seattle’s iji. (Tuesday, September 6 at 7 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $12; all ages; with Horse Jumper of Love, Kal Marks, Lina Tullgren, iji; tickets available here)
Starlabfest VII
Somerville recording studio Starlab is bringing its annual punk rock block party back to Union Square, featuring performances from New Jersey’s Screaming Females, Brooklyn’s So So Glos, and Boston’s Mini Dresses, as well as comedy, free food, and a pop-up video arcade. (Saturday, September 3 at 12 p.m.; 10 Poplar St. in Somerville; $15; all ages; with Animal Flag, GYMSHORTS, STL GLD, more; tickets available here)
Allston’s Awesome Christmas
Allston’s annual Awesome Day Fest is combining forces with POP Allston for a multi-venue rock festival just in time for the students to come back to town.This fall’s lineup features Blake Babies, The Sheila Divine, Dutch Rebelle, Eldridge Rodriguez, and E, a side project featuring Thalia Zedek. Aweseome Christmas will also team up with Anderson Comedy to bring some local laughs to the event. (Friday September 9 at 8 p.m. to Sunday, September 11 at 12 a.m.; Great Scott, O’Brien’s, and POP Allston; prices vary; all ages; with The Sheila Divine, E, Minibeast, more; tickets available here)
Hip-hop heavy hitters
Kanye West
Yeezy is returning to Boston for the first time since the release of this year’s Life of Pablo. The artist, producer, and fashion mogul brought out a Yeti, a mountain, and Jesus during his last local show, so expect some crazy things during the Saint Pablo tour. (Saturday, September 3 at 8 p.m.; TD Garden; $25-$160.50; all ages; tickets available here)Wiki
Wiki, one third of New York-based hip-hop trio RatKing, is coming to the Middle East in support of last fall’s mixtape Lil Me. He’ll be joined by Western Massachusetts lyricist and Dark World cofounder DJ Lucas. (Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $16; all ages; with DJ Lucas; tickets available here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRIbNNDXV0E
Bad Boy Family Reunion
Puff Daddy is reuniting his famous hip-hop label for a gig featuring the likes of Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Mase, 112, and French Montana. Relive the ‘90s and party to some of your favorite jams of yesteryear. (Saturday, September 24 at 8 p.m.; TD Garden; $35-$145.50; all ages; tickets available here)
Chance the Rapper
Chicago mixtape sensation Chance the Rapper is coming to Boston in support of his recent album, Coloring Book. At just 23 years old, the lyricist has put out three successful mixtapes, performed on Saturday Night Live, and even lectured at Harvard. Don’t miss him while he’s still playing modest-sized venues. (Thursday, September 29 at 8 p.m.; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion; $39.50-$59.50; all ages; tickets available here)
Something soulful
Adele
British vocalist Adele brought the waterworks with another album full of ballads, 25, in 2015. Now she’s heading to Boston for the first time since the record’s release for two nights at TD Garden. (Wednesday, September 14 and Thursday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m.; TD Garden; $35-$145; all ages; tickets available here) Lucius
Soul-pop five-piece Lucius got their start more than a decade ago in Boston at Berklee College of Music. Three albums later, they’re headlining House of Blues, their largest local venue to date. (Tuesday, September 20 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues; $25-$45; all ages; tickets available here)
Princess
Saturday Night Live veteran (and daughter of late soul singer Minnie Riperton) Maya Rudolph teamed up with LA-based singer Gretchen Lieberum to put their mutual adoration for Prince into motion. They’re touring the country covering Prince’s music and will stop at the Paradise for a night. (Wednesday, September 21 at 7 p.m.; Paradise Rock Club; $25; 18+; tickets available here)
Indie rock heroes
Car Seat Headrest
The Seattle-based lo-fi project of Will Toledo has gained traction following the release of last fall’s Teens of Style and this spring’s Teens of Denial. Virginia rocker Lucy Dacus will join him at The Sinclair. (Saturday, September 17 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair; $15; 18+; with Lucy Dacus; tickets available here)
Luna
Luna was one of the defining New York indie acts of the ‘90s and early ‘00s, having formed out of the split of Boston’s own Galaxie 500. The group disbanded in 2005 after eight albums, but reformed in 2015 to tour Europe and are now hitting the American circuit. (Friday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m.; Royale; $25; 18+; tickets available here)
Living legends
Willie Nelson
Country classic Willie Nelson is a man of the road, even at 83 years young. He will play the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, bringing more than 50 years worth of songwriting, including selections from his latest tribute record to George and Ira Gershwin. (Monday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion; $30-$80; all ages; with Aaron Lewis; tickets available here)
Buddy Guy
Blues great Buddy Guy is both a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and a pioneering guitarist. He just celebrated his 80th birthday and will be rocking as hard as ever when he visits The Wilbur. (Wednesday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m.; The Wilbur; $45-$85; all ages; with Tom Hambridge; tickets available here)
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