12 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this December
From Ariana Grande to Norah Jones.
From buzzy bands playing small stages to one of pop’s biggest annual shows, here are some of the best live acts in the city this month.
Rock of the ‘90s
Third Eye Blind
Popular Bay Area rock band Third Eye Blind is accustomed to playing venues like the Hatch Shell when it rolls through Boston, but thanks to a contest from ALT 92.9, you can win the chance to see the group perform a “Songs and Stories” set at the intimate Brighton Music Hall. (Friday, December 9 at 12 a.m.; Brighton Music Hall; free; 21+; enter contest here) Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Boston ska collective Mighty Mighty Bosstones continues a holiday tradition with a multi-night run in its city of origin. This year, the band will take to House of Blues for three straight shows to celebrate the 19th annual Hometown Throwdown. (Wednesday, December 28 at 7 p.m. through Friday, December 30 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues; $25-$40; all ages; with The Skatalites and Planet Smashers (12/28), The Porkers and Peelander-Z (12/29), The Skints and Los Kung-Fu Monkeys (12/30); tickets available here)
Something Soulful
Norah Jones
Golden-voiced pianist Norah Jones captured America’s heart with her jazzy debut in 2002. In October, she released Day Breaks on the venerable Blue Note Records. She’ll bring new material and old to the Orpheum Stage. (Saturday, December 10 at 7:30; The Orpheum Theatre; $35-$70; all ages; tickets available here)
Holiday Festivals
Kiss108 Jingle Ball
Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, Diplo, Ellie Goulding, and many more of today’s top pop performers will take the stage at TD Garden to celebrate Kiss 108’s annual Jingle Ball. (Sunday, December 11 at 6 p.m.; TD Garden; $21-$251; all ages; with Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, Diplo, Ellie Goulding, DNCE, Tove Lo, Alessia Cara, Daya, Niall Horan; tickets available here) Harry and the Potters
It wouldn’t be the holiday season in Boston without the return of wizard-rock pioneers Harry and the Potters. The Hogwarts-influenced band will host its 12th annual Yule Ball with other likeminded acts. (Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $20; all ages; with Potter Puppet Pals, Draco and the Malfoys, Blue Milk Run, The Whomping Willows, Jason Anderson, Lauren Fairweather; tickets available here)
Local Rockers
Downtown Boys
Providence-based punk crew Downtown Boys always puts on a dance-y and energetic show in Boston. Mix in Boston’s own experimental rock group Dent and local hardcore punk quintet Funeral Cone, and this is a show not to be missed. (Thursday, December 8 at 8 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $12; all ages; with Dent, Funeral Cone; tickets available here) Sad13
Sadie Dupuis, the songwriting brawn behind western Mass. powerhouse Speedy Ortiz, has a new solo pop project called Sad13. Touring behind the release of her debut album, Slugger, Dupuis is hitting the Middle East along with three like-minded solo acts. (Wednesday, December 14 at 8 p.m.; Middle East Upstairs; $10; 18+; with Vagabon, Emily Reo, Told Slant; tickets available here) Tall Heights
Local folk duo Tall Heights has come a long way in just six years. Having started out busking on the streets of Boston, the pair recently found its way as a musical guest on Conan. Now, after releasing new album Neptune in August, the band is looking forward to a packed room at The Sinclair. (Friday, December 16 at 9 p.m.; The Sinclair; $16; 18+; with The Western Den; tickets available here)Adam Ezra Group
Boston-based roots rocker Adam Ezra is on tour so much that a hometown show has become a rarer occurrence over the years. The guitar-playing troubadour is such a man of the road that he even inspired a character in recent festival-favorite film Folk Hero and Funny Guy. Don’t miss his return to the Cambridge stage. (Saturday, December 17 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair; $18; 18+; with Melodime; tickets available here)
Hip-Hop Classics
The Roots
The legendary Roots crew has established itself in recent years as the fun-loving and multitalented house band for Jimmy Fallon, but the group still manages to tour and perform its own material when time permits. Shake off that holiday hangover with a show at House of Blues. (Monday, December 26 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues; $62-$79.50; all ages; tickets available here) Slaine
Rapper and actor Slaine has been spitting verses out of Boston for more than a decade now. He will pack Middle East Downstairs to perform his latest album, Slaine Is Dead, in its entirety. (Thursday, December 15 at 8 p.m.; Middle East Downstairs; $16; 18+; tickets available here)
Correction 12/8/2016 12:45 p.m.: This story previously stated that the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are playing their ninth Hometown Throwdown. It is, in fact, their 19th. We regret the error.
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