15 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this May
From Boston Calling to Frank Turner, Lizzo to Juice Josh Ritter.
A Wu-Tang genius and Boston’s major multi-day music and comedy affair are just two of this city’s May music events.
Super songwriters
Josh Ritter
Idaho-born guitar picker and one-time Somerville resident Josh Ritter has been releasing a steady output of alt-country tinged folk since the late ’90s. Fueled by the release of his 10th album, April’s “Fever Breaks,” the songwriter will play back-to-back nights at The Wilbur with his Royal City Band. (Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 at 8 p.m.; The Wilbur Theatre, Boston; $32-$151; all ages; with Penny & Sparrow; tickets available here)
Jessica Pratt
Los Angeles songwriter Jessica Pratt has released three albums since emerging in 2012, all while maintaining a cautious balance between nostalgic folk of the ’60s and ’70s and a vocal intrigue that sounds continuously fresh. Her latest, February’s “Quiet Signs,” was once again met with critical praise, and will bring her to Boston to headline Great Scott. (Wednesday, May 15 at 9 p.m.; Great Scott, Boston; $15; 18+; with Joseph Shabason; tickets available here)
Frank Turner
If British folk punker Frank Turner had a music home away from home, it would probably be Boston. Multi-night runs here with opening sets from locals have become an annual affair for the energetic songwriter, including his four-night “Lost Evenings” residency this month at House of Blues. (Thursday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $49.50-$69.50; all ages; with Loudon Wainwright III, Jenny Owens Young, Hayley Thompson-King (5/16), The Hold Steady, Cory Branan, The Architects (5/17), John K. Samson, AJJ, War On Women (5/18), Against Me!, Skinny Lister, Trapper Schoepp (5/19); tickets available here)
Guitar heroes
Guided By Voices
Known for their marathon set lists and bacchanalian nature, Ohio lo-fi legends Guided By Voices have been churning out beautifully unpolished post-punk for more than 35 years. And powered by the release of February’s “Zeppelin Over China,” the first of two albums slated for 2019, the quintet will return to The Paradise. (Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m.; Paradise Rock Club, Boston; $30; 18+; secondary market)
Slayer
California thrash metal gods Slayer will kick off the season at Xfinity Center, continuing their lengthy farewell tour and heading up a bill that also includes Virginia-based shredders Lamb of God, heavy Swedish band Amon Amarth, and New York metal vets Cannibal Corpse. (Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m.; Xfinity Center, Mansfield; $25-$139; all ages; with Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse; tickets available here)
Something soulful
Lee Fields and the Expressions
New Jersey soul survivor Lee Fields spent decades as an R&B everything man, working with everyone from B.B. King to Kool and the Gang to Bobby Womack. Since reassembling his own group in 2009, The Expressions have put out five records, including this year’s “It Rains Love,” which will bring them to Brighton Music Hall. (Sunday, May 12 at 7 p.m.; Brighton Music Hall, Boston; $15; 18+; with The Jay Vons; tickets available here)
Eli “Paperboy” Reed
Velvet-voiced Brookline native Eli “Paperboy” Reed has had quite the journey since emerging on the local scene in the mid-’00s, from studying the Chicago gospel scene while in college to signing with Capitol Records to cutting his latest record, “99 Cent Dreams,” in Memphis with local singing group The Masqueraders. He’ll return home to celebrate its release with a show at The Sinclair. (Thursday, May 30 at 9 p.m.; The Sinclair, Cambridge; $15-$18; 18+; with GA-20; tickets available here)
Dance fuel
Santigold
Philly songwriter and producer Santigold is celebrating the anniversary of her self-titled debut record, making a stop at House of Blues as a part of her 10 Years Golder Tour. The show will include a performance of every track off of the album, as well as others from her catalog in the years since. (Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $40; all ages; tickets available here)
Lizzo
Mixing together elements of hip-hop, soul, and pop, Minneapolis-based songwriter, flautist, and performer Lizzo released her third full-length record, “Cuz I Love You,” in April, featuring collaborations with Missy Elliott, Gucci Mane, X Ambassadors, and more. Noted for her high-energy live shows, including her group of backup dancers, the Big Grrrls, and her engaging meld of styles, Lizzo will bring her tour to House of Blues, along with Dallas songwriter Tayla Parx. (Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $134-$378; all ages; with Tayla Parx; tickets available here)
Boston Calling
The 10th installment of Boston Calling will return to the Harvard Athletic Complex for three nights of music, comedy, food, and more. This year’s lineup boasts sets from Ohio alt-pop duo Twenty One Pilots, Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala, “Astroworld” rap sensation Travis Scott, and New York indie songwriter Mitski. (Friday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m. through Sunday, May 26 at 12 p.m.; Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston; $289-$1,149; all ages; with Odesza, Logic, Brandi Carlile, more; tickets available here)
Listen local
The Beatings
Twenty years after forming, these Boston-based DIY rockers are calling it quits with one final show at neighborhood hang Great Scott. Since 1999, the quintet has put out six releases and embarked on a number of national tours. They’ll be joined by fellow Boston indie rockers Hands and Knees. (Saturday, May 18 at 9:15 p.m.; Great Scott, Boston; $12; 21+; with Hands and Knees; tickets available here)
Halfsour
Local power pop trio Halfsour recently celebrated their sixth year as a band, taking to local clubs and basements while steadily putting out some of the area’s catchiest indie rock. The group will keep the party going by sending their sophomore album, “Sticky,” out into the world with a show at Great Scott, along with fellow Bostonians Mini Dresses and New York duo Anna Altman. (Wednesday, May 22 at 9:15 p.m.; Great Scott, Boston; $10; 18+; with Mini Dresses, Anna Altman; tickets available here)
Hip-hop heavy hitters
GZA
Wu-Tang genius GZA has dropped verses on some of the collective’s biggest tracks, acted in a Jim Jarmusch film, launched STEM education initiatives in New York, and even guest lectured at Harvard and MIT. But perhaps the crown jewel of his career was his 1995 sophomore solo album, “Liquid Swords,” which he’ll perform in full for two straight nights at Sonia and Middle East Downstairs. (Sunday, May 5 at 7 p.m. and Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m.; Sonia, Cambridge (5/5) and Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge (5/6); $95; 18+; with Blak Madeen, Relentless (5/5), Paranom, Weapon E.S.P. (5/6); tickets available here)
Gary Grice, aka GZA, of Wu-Tang Clan performs at the second weekend of the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 21, 2013 in Indio, Calif.
Juice WRLD
Chicago-bred youngster Juice WRLD hit it big last year with the release of his viral hit “Lucid Dreams.” He kept the buzz alive by swiftly following that up with his second record, “Death Race for Love,” in March, and now the prolific rapper is headed straight to the big stage, headlining Agganis Arena with the help of Southern trap artist Skimask the Slump God. (Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m.; Agganis Arena, Boston; $34-$46; all ages; with Skimask the Slump God; tickets available here)
Slum Village
Motor City hip-hop crew Slum Village has a lasting legacy with hip-hop, having released some of the genre’s most well-respected records since the mid-’90s. Touring with its sole surviving member, T3, the now-duo will make a stop in Somerville to play ONCE Ballroom with locals STL GLD and Joseph James. (Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m.; ONCE Ballroom, Somerville; $20-$25; 18+; with STL GLD, Joseph James; tickets available here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2BW0bX9Puo&list=PL2vTz844_jfEHv-4EGpF5t8VBqt7dDyTD&index=49&t=0s
