15 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this September
From Billy Joel to Kacey Musgraves, Mary J. Blige to The Who.
Head to Fenway to close out this summer’s concert series or check out one of country and pop’s most promising crossovers to make the most of live music here in Boston this September.
Classic rockers
The Who
One of the most influential bands to sprout from the British invasion of the ‘60s, The Who’s legacy has only continued to grow over the years. The band will be joined by an orchestra for a new spin on some of their most classic material as their Moving On! tour rolls through Boston’s beloved ballpark. (Friday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Fenway Park, Boston; $75-$195; all ages; with Peter Wolf; tickets available here)
Billy Joel
He may be in a New York state of mind, but the Piano Man has played Fenway Park more than any other artist to date. Returning for his sixth consecutive year, Billy Joel will bring decades worth of hits and ballads to the home of the Sox. (Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Fenway Park, Boston; $75-$195; all ages; tickets available here)
Nick Cave
Australian songwriter, Bad Seeds frontman, and gothic hero Nick Cave is returning to Cambridge for an intimate night of music and conversation. The singer will perform a solo piano set interspersed with unmoderated Q&A with the audience for a rare opportunity at Sanders Theatre. (Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.; Sanders Theatre, Cambridge; $29.50-$79.50; all ages; tickets available here)
Hip-hop heavy hitters
Mary J. Blige and Nas
Two of New York’s most celebrated artists of the past few decades join teams for a summer tour of iconic hip-hop and R&B. Mary J. Blige, responsible for over 80 million records sold, and Nas, who has released eight consecutive platinum records, will appear together at Xfinity Center. (Sunday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.; Xfinity Center, Mansfield; $30-$250; all ages; tickets available here)
Tyler, the Creator
Rapper, producer, and leader of west coast collective Odd Future, Tyler, the Creator is one of the decade’s most illustrious and prolific talents. Releasing six solo albums in the past ten years, along with countless collaborations, launching a successful clothing line, and producing a successful annual music festival called Camp Flog Gnaw. His latest, May’s “Igor,” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and will lead Tyler to headline his biggest Boston show to date at Agganis Arena. (Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.; Agganis Arena, Boston; $29.50-$79.50; all ages; with Jaden Smith, Goldlink; tickets available here)
Eric B. & Rakim
Pioneering Long Island hip-hop duo Eric B. and Rakim have influenced countless rappers since their debut in the mid-’80s. The DJ/MC combo recently started touring again after more than two decades apart and will make an appearance at The Wilbur to perform their classics. (Thursday, Sept.19 at 8 p.m.; The Wilbur, Boston; $35-$45; all ages; tickets available here)
Listen local
Guerilla Toss
Born out of the Allston basement scene in 2012, Guerilla Toss has grown in a number of ways, releasing four albums and spreading from their early noise punk roots to more funk and electronic-based frontiers. The band will play a hometown show at Brighton Music Hall along with New York rocker Sloppy Jane and Western Massachusetts psych collective Carinae. (Friday, Sept.20 at 7 p.m.; Brighton Music Hall, Boston; $15; 18+; with Sloppy Jane, Carinae; tickets available here)
Sidney Gish
After self-recording and self-releasing two albums from her Northeastern dorm, local songwriter and guitarist Sidney Gish has created an enormous wave across the indie world. From scooping up Album of the Year at last year’s Boston Music Awards to receiving tremendous acclaim from places like Pitchfork and NPR to touring with the likes of Mitski and Petal, Gish has enjoyed a monstrous past few years. She’ll welcome Boston back to school with a show at The Sinclair. (Sunday, Sept.29 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair, Cambridge; $15-$18; all ages; tickets available here)
Something soulful
Kacey Musgraves
It has been an enormous year for Texas country star Kacey Musgraves. Last year’s “Golden Hour” led the songwriter to four Grammys including Album of the Year, top-billed appearances at festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo, and accolades from the country music community and beyond. Musgraves will return to Boston, this time graduating to the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion. (Thursday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.; Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion, Boston; $64-$142; all ages; with Weyes Blood; tickets available here)
Black Pumas
Texas soul duo Black Pumas is equal parts throwback, harkening back to the golden sounds of the ‘70s, and equal parts progressive, mixing in production techniques of modern R&B and electronic music. The band self-titled debut album has received a rapid positive response and will bring the band to Brighton Music Hall for their first Boston headlining show. (Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.; Brighton Music Hall, Boston; $18; 18+; tickets available here)
Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard is branching out after two successful records with her main band, Alabama Shakes. “Jaime” is the debut solo album from Howard out this month, and will lead her on a North American and European tour including a date at House of Blues. (Wednesday, Sept.25 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $47.50-$57.50; all ages; tickets available here)
Indie rockers
The Raconteurs
Self-described as a “new band made up of old friends” upon formation in 2005, The Raconteurs drew members from various pockets of the indie music scene at the time, including frontman Jack White. After taking a break for the better part of the past decade, the band will return for its first headlining shows in Boston, playing two nights at House of Blues. (Monday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. to Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $59.50-$79.50; with Olivia Jean; tickets available here)
The Hold Steady
Dubbed America’s greatest bar band, Brooklyn’s The Hold Steady mixes punchy post-punk energy with narrative-based lyricism for a unique take on indie rock. Accumulating quite the Boston fanbase over the course of fifteen years, the six-piece will play four consecutive nights at The Sinclair in support of their new album, “Thrashing Thru the Passion”. (Thursday, Sept.12 at 8 p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair, Cambridge; $40-$45; all ages; tickets available here)
Shakey Graves and Dr. Dog
Two of folk rock’s biggest road warriors are joining forces for a co-headlining tour. Texas-based Americana songwriter Shakey Graves and Philly-bred psych rockers Dr. Dog are hitting the road together and will play Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion with the help of Nashville power trio Liz Cooper & The Stampede. (Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion, Boston; $20-$75; all ages; with Liz Cooper & The Stampede; tickets available here)
Mac DeMarco
Canadian slacker rock stalwart Mac DeMarco has progressed into more acoustic territories in recent years, highlighted in his most recent record, May’s “Here Comes the Cowboy”. Headlining his biggest Boston venue to date, the songwriter will play the Orpheum Theatre in support of the album. (Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, Boston; $59-$250; with Dustin Wong; tickets available here)
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