15 can’t-miss concerts in Boston this November
From Tool to Erykah Badu, Clairo to John Hiatt.
Catch the opening of Boston’s newest big venue or check out some of hip-hop’s biggest names to make the most of live music here in Boston this November.
Hip-hip heavy hitters
JPEGMafia
Baltimore-based mixtape king JPEGMafia has risen quickly within the world of hip-hop, most recently with his third album, September’s “All My Heroes Are Cornballs”. His experimental style has garnered the attention of contemporaries like Danny Brown, Denzel Curry, and Flume, all of whom have featured the artist on tracks. Headlining his biggest Boston stage to date, JPEGMafia will appear at The Sinclair with fellow Charm City lyricist Butch Dawson. (Monday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.; The Sinclair, Cambridge, Boston; $25-$28; 18+; with Butch Dawson; tickets available here)
Danny Brown
One of the unique figures in today’s hip-hop world, Detroit’s Danny Brown’s eccentric delivery shines on his newest record, October’s “U Know What I’m Sayin?” The rapper will find his way to Big Night Live with support from British rhymer Ashnikko and fellow Motor City lyricist Zelooperz. (Friday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.; Big Night Live, Boston; $30.50; 18+; with Ashnikko, ZelooperZ; tickets available here)
Rick Ross
Florida hip-hop icon and Maybach Music Group founder Rick Ross has been involved with countless projects since emerging in the early 2000’s, from releasing ten hit albums to being featured in films to collaborating with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Dr. Dre. The rapper’s tour will make a stop at Big Night Live. (Friday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m.; Big Night Live, Boston; $40-$75; 21+; tickets available here)
Cousin Stizz
One of Boston’s finest and most successful musical exports of recent years is Dorchester rapper Cousin Stizz. Working his way up from his self-released debut mixtape, “Suffolk County” in 2015, the lyricist was later signed by RCA, got early shoutouts from Drake, and has features from folks like Offset and G-Eazy. Touring behind August’s “Trying To Find My Next Thrill,” Stizz will headline a hometown show at House of Blues. (Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $25-$45; all ages; tickets available here)
Yasiin Bey + Talib Kweli Are Black Star
In 1998, two of Brooklyn’s finest MC’s, Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey (known then as Mos Def), released its sole album under the name Black Star, which would go on to become one of hip-hop’s most celebrated collaborations. Now, 21 years later, the duo is teaming up again and will appear for an evening at Big Night Live. (Friday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.; Big Night Live, Boston; $45-$75; 21+; with DJ Frank White, DJ 4eign, DJ Maverick; tickets available here)
Indie Rockers
Chastity Belt
Pacific Northwest rockers Chastity Belt returned from a brief hiatus this year to put out their eponymous fourth full-length album. Delivering their most polished jangly sound yet, the album will bring them to Boston to play Brighton Music Hall with Portland lo-fi rockers Strange Ranger. (Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.; Brighton Music Hall, Boston; $15; 18+; with Strange Ranger, DJ Carbo; tickets available here)
(Sandy) Alex G
Pennsylvania bedroom rocker (Sandy) Alex G has been one of the more prolific artists of the decade, releasing eight albums since 2010. His latest, September’s “House of Sugar” contains some of his most experimental songwriting and has gathered widespread acclaim. It will bring him to Royale along with Louisville songwriter Tomberlin and Asheville indie popper Indigo De Souza. (Sunday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.; Royale, Boston; $20-$24; all ages; with Tomberlin, Indigo De Souza; tickets available here)
Angel Olsen
Twangy St. Louis rocker Angel Olsen is one of indie music’s defining voices of the decade, having released four albums since her 2012 debut, most recently October’s “All Mirrors.” Embarking on a North American tour behind the record, Olsen will play Royale along with Cameroonian-American songwriter Vagabon. (Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.; Royale, Boston; $35; 18+; with Vagabon; tickets available here)
Storied songwriters
Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter
With eight Grammys between the two of them, Illinois-bred Shawn Colvin and New Jersey’s Mary Chapin Carpenter are two of the defining voices of contemporary folk and Americana. While they haven’t collaborated on a full album, the duo are playing select shows together, swapping songs from their respective catalogs and sharing stories with the audience at The Wilbur. (Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.; Wilbur Theatre, Boston; $60-$175; all ages; tickets available here)
John Hiatt
Heartland blues-rock great John Hiatt is one of the most respected songwriters in the business, having penned popular tunes for Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, and many more. Having put out 23 albums of his own, including last year’s “The Eclipse Sessions,” Hiatt will bring his vast catalog to Boston for an intimate evening at City Winery. (Friday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.; City Winery Boston, Boston; $75-$90; all ages; with Colin Elmore; tickets available here)
Pop and R&B
Erykah Badu
Known widely as the Queen of Neo-Soul, Dallas songwriter Erykah Badu has had an extraordinary career — one that continues to yield new tours and releases. With plans for a sixth album in the works, the multi-Grammy winner will play Big Night Live. (Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.; Big Night Live, Boston; $80-$175; 21+; tickets available here)
FKA Twigs
British singer FKA Twigs made a splash in the pop world with her 2014 debut album. Using the years since to direct a film and collaborate with artists like A$AP Rocky and Future, the songwriter is releasing her long-awaited sophomore album, “Magdalene,” this month and will tour through House of Blues in support. (Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $39.50-$59.50; all ages; with Magdalene; tickets available here)
Clairo (2 nights)
Carlisle native Clairo has had an enormous 2019, moving from self-releasing singles and playing modest DIY gigs to releasing her first full-length album and playing stages like Boston Calling and TD Garden opening for Khalid. Headlining her biggest local stage to date, Clairo will play back-to-back hometown shows at The Paradise. (Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. to Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.; Paradise Rock Club, Boston; $25; all ages; with beabadoobee, Hello Yello; tickets available here)
Something different
Big Freedia
The Queen of Bounce Music, New Orleans’ Big Freedia, always brings a party to her live shows complete with backup dancers. Having collaborated with the likes of Kesha, Lizzo, Diplo, and many more, Big Freedia brings a unique energy to electronic music and will play Royale with the help of Philly rockers Low Cut Connie. (Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:15 p.m.; Royale, Boston; $25-$28; 18+; with Low Cut Connie; tickets available here)
Tool
Few albums this year were met with as much anticipation as L.A. prog-metal quartet Tool’s long-awaited fifth album, “Fear Inoculum.” The band’s first release in thirteen years, it will bring them to Boston for the first time since headlining Boston Calling in 2017 to play TD Garden. (Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; TD Garden, Boston; $153-$723; all ages; with Killing Joke; tickets available here)
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