10 Boston concerts that are close to selling out
Act fast if you want to scoop up hot tickets to D.R.A.M., Jonathan Richman, or any of these other shows.
Do you ever assume you can wait to get tickets at the door to your favorite shows, only to find that they already sold out? We consulted promoters from different venues around town—Alex Pickert of Coach & Sons Olde Time Family Booking, Jared Dobson of Bowery Boston, Jason Trefts of Illegally Blind, and Ryan Agate of RTT Presents—to warn you about which Boston concerts are running low on tickets. If you snooze this time, don’t say we never told you so.
Pile
Allston legends Pile continuously pack small venues all over the country. When they play their home venue of Great Scott, expect things to get even more rowdy. With a lineup rounded out by buzzy New Yorkers Palm and beloved lo-fi local Dust From 1000 Years, this is one not to miss. (Thursday, November 17 at 9:30 p.m.; Great Scott; $10; 18+; with Palm, Dust From 1000 Years; tickets available here)
H20
New York hardcore heroes H20 are celebrating their 20th anniversary with two shows in one night at Middle East Upstairs. The early show is already sold out, so don’t miss your chance to snag tickets to the late-night performance. (Friday, November 18 at 10 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $20; all ages; with Wisdom In Chains, VISION; tickets available here)
Born Without Bones
Milford-based alt-rockers Born Without Bones are touring with New Jersey’s Save Face, and they’re wrapping it up with a show at Allston dive O’Brien’s. Expect big crowds for a celebratory homecoming. (Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m.; O’Brien’s Pub; $10; 21+; with Save Face, The Furs, Depressors; tickets available here)
Jonathan Richman
Massachusetts legend and punk pioneer Jonathan Richman could play big venues in town whenever he wants, but instead, when he decides to play, he picks several nights at the modestly sized Middle East Upstairs. The Friday and Saturday shows are sold out, and with such limited space, you’d be a fool to snooze on the first two. (Wednesday, November 23 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, November 24 at 7 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $20; 18+; tickets available here)
Dune Rats and DZ Deathrays
Australian stoner punks Dune Rats and country-mates DZ Deathrays are making the long trip to the States for a rare show at O’Brien’s. It’s not often that these bands tour the U.S.—especially together—so why not get a double-dose of Aussie rock? (Wednesday, November 23 at 8 p.m.; O’Brien’s Pub; $12; 21+; with BRUVS; tickets available here)
Roy Wood$
Canadian rapper Roy Wood$ is one of the most recent signees to Drake’s record label OVO Sound. That alone is reason to check him out at the small Middle East stage while you still can. The icing on the cake is that his debut album, Waking at Dawn, cracked the Billboard charts and produced singles like “Gwan Big Up Urself.” (Sunday, November 27 at 7 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $12; all ages; tickets available here)
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
The band may have a goofy name, but North Carolina indie pop quintet Rainbow Kitten Surprise has done some serious damage in just three years together. The group’s 2015 hit “Devil Like Me” reached No. 6 on the Billboard charts, and the buzz around RKS only continues to grow. (Monday, December 5 at 7 p.m.; The Sinclair; $15; 18+; with Amasa Hines; tickets available here)
Blackbear
Justin Bieber collaborator Blackbear co-wrote the pop prince’s 2012 hit “Boyfriend,” and has lit up Soundcloud and the live stage with his own multi-genre music. In 2016, he put out two EPs on top of collaborations with Relient K, Ro James, and GNASH, too. Catch him while he’s hot. (Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $16; all ages; tickets available here)
Chris Cohen
Psych-pop vet Chris Cohen recently moved from Vermont to Los Angeles, and he doesn’t tour often. That’s part of the reason his upcoming visit to the Northeast is being met with great excitement. (The other part, notably, is the recent release of his excellent sophomore album, As If Apart.) Tickets aren’t available in advance, but promoter Jason Trefts believes this one will sell out. (Sunday, December 11 at 10 p.m.; Lilypad; $12; all ages; with Beach Toys, Lina Tullgren; tickets available at the door)
D.R.A.M.
If there were any inescapable hit on the hip-hop scene this summer, it was the infectious “Broccoli” by Virginia-based rapper D.R.A.M. We’re still more than two months away from his debut Boston show, but tickets are moving quickly and D.R.A.M is destined for bigger venues in his future. (Sunday, January 22 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair; $20; 18+; tickets available here)
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