Events

15 must-see concerts at Boston’s top venues for fall 2025

Here’s a partial list of what you can choose from in Boston and Cambridge between September and November.

Among the artists hitting Boston this fall are (clockwise from top left) David Byrne, Patti Smith, John Legend, Neko Case, and Alabama Shakes. David Lee/HBO; Noam Galai/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Ebru Yildiz; Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File

By Ed Symkus

12 minutes to read

Peak leaf-viewing doesn’t hit the area until mid-October, but by that time, the fall music-listening season will be in full swing. Check out some suggestions of the best in what’s coming in the genres of pop, rock, folk, singer-songwriter, jazz, and R&B, along with one that’s just uncategorizable.

(Sites include Berklee Performance Center, Club Passim, House of Blues, MGM Music Hall, The Orpheum, Regattabar, Roadrunner, Scullers, Shubert Theatre, TD Garden, Wang Theatre, The Wilbur. See our suburban listings here, and check back soon for our Greater Boston small venue picks.)

Best pop concerts

David Byrne at the Boch Center Wang Theatre

It’s been almost seven years since the release of David Byrne’s excellent studio album, “American Utopia.” And his newest, the upcoming “Who Is the Sky?,” is right up there in every aspect, from catchy songs to superb production to singalongability. It’s anchored by the poppy, celebratory, life-affirming “Everybody Laughs,” and just takes off from there. Byrne is promoting the release with a worldwide string of live performances, featuring an always movin’ and groovin’ cast of 13 musicians, singers, and dancers and, of course, Byrne at the center of it, sharing his art and having a ball. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 2-4, 9 p.m., Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. $99-$499.

Also of note:

Best rock and blues concerts

Sparks at Berklee Performance Center

It’s been 50-something years since the co-band-fronting Mael brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell (vocals) decided to name their art-rock outfit Sparks (after going by Halfnelson and, before that, Urban Renewal Project). They’ve put out too many albums to list here: The brand new one — their 26th — is titled “Mad!” This is a band that’s all about pop and rock and cool, idiosyncratic songs and showmanship. That part includes the fact that Russell can’t stay still onstage, and Ron … well, Ron just kinda likes to play his keyboard and look mischievous. There’s a ton of music for them to craft a playlist from, but I’m always happiest when they reach back and do my favorite of their songs: “Amateur Hour.” Thursday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m., Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave., Boston. $48-$93.

Alabama Shakes at MGM Music Hall

Alabama Shakes is a band that exists somewhere between the happy musical median of laidback rock and heartfelt R&B. It was originally formed in 2009, with one-of-a-kind frontwoman Brittany Howard on vocals and guitar, giving it her all, with a voice that was sweet, powerful, and passionate, and brimming with deep-rooted soul. Nothing about that has changed, except she’s gotten better and the band — with an often-changing lineup — has gotten tighter. Another plus about seeing this band live is that Howard is great at tossing out some wonderful banter between songs. Though they went on hiatus in 2018, resulting in Howard releasing a couple of solo albums, a one-off show late last year that brought them back together has them now back on the road with soon-to-be-released new music. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 14 and 15, 8 p.m., MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. $55-$229.

Robert Plant’s Saving Grace at the Shubert Theatre

It’s been — yikes! — 45 years since Robert Plant last fronted Led Zeppelin, the band that introduced rock fans to his other-worldly voice and leather lungs. But, although he’s gone through some major stylistic changes, Plant has never stopped singing. His most notable post-Zep work took shape back in 2007, when he started dueting with country star Alison Krauss, to whom he gives credit for teaching him all about harmony singing. In 2019, Plant began vocalizing with the then-new rootsy, bluesy, folkie rock band Saving Grace, sometimes singing the leads, sometimes sharing them with Suzi Dian, sometimes turning the spotlight over to her. The band was set to make an album and tour the U.S. in 2020. The bad news: The pandemic got in the way, and all was cancelled. The good news: The album is due shortly, and the tour is on. Saturday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston. $79-$941.

Patti Smith at the Orpheum

To anyone out there who’s still got a punk attitude roiling around inside, it’s time to dust off your tattered vinyl copy of Patti Smith’s record debut “Horses.” It’s about to turn 50! And Smith is on the road celebrating by performing the John Cale-produced album in its entirety, along with bandmembers Lenny Kaye (guitar) and Jay Dee Daughtery (drums), who both played on it, Tony Shanahan (bass/keyboards), and Smith’s son Jackson (guitar). Referred to by critics and fans as the first “art-punk” album, it still stands tall as a blend of spoken word, improvisation, and minimal arrangements of straight-out three-chord rock, all of it pushed along by Smith’s often rasping voice. A true renaissance woman, Smith is also a poet, painter, photographer, and author. Over the past couple of decades, she was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and won the National Book Award for Non-Fiction for her memoir “Just Kids.” And “Horses” was added to the National Registry at the Library of Congress. Monday, Nov. 24, 8 p.m. The Orpheum, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston. $207-$712.

The Lemonheads at The Wilbur

You’d have to be a music trivia master to be able to name the players who have passed in and out of alt-rocker outfit The Lemonheads since they first formed in 1986. One certainty is that singer-guitarist Evan Dando has always been the frontman — well, except when he’s sometimes headed out as a solo artist. Although Dando has written scads of music, the band is still best known in some circles for their pop-rock cover of “Mrs. Robinson.” And the band has a history of breaking up, then reuniting. Promotional material isn’t quite clear about who’s behind Dando on their current tour, but my money is on Farley Glavin (bass) and John Kent (drums). Another certainty is that they have a new album — “Love Chant” (their first of original material since 2006) — coming out in October. And there’s talk that a big chunk of their current show will feature music from their early-’90s albums “It’s a Shame About Ray” and “Come on Feel the Lemonheads.” Wednesday, Nov. 26, 8 p.m., The Wilbur, 270 Tremont St., Boston. $37-$49.50.

Also of note:

Best singer-songwriter concerts

Alex G at Roadrunner

Singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer Alex G has been churning out songs for as long as he can remember, was recording and posting them on MySpace at age 12, has self-released music over the years, and, now 32, is signed to his first major label — RCA — with the new album “Headlights.” His chosen genre has been called lo-fi experimental pop, but he’s an artist who likes to change things up, so it’s safe to say his music has ranged from acoustic folk-rock to some dabbling in electric noise. The melodic “Headlights” is no exception. There’s an acoustic warmth to most of the songs, with a focus on his far-ranging pleasant voice. But there are also electric guitars and subtle sound effects on “Spinning” that move it into rock territory, the woefully brief, mostly instrumental “Bounce Boy,” and, astonishingly, an accordion solo on the opener, “June Guitar.” He even manages to make his voice sound different on different tracks, as in the string-drenched “Far and Wide.” Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 10 and 11, 8 p.m. Roadrunner, 89 Guest St., Boston. $63.76

Neko Case at The Wilbur

It’s pronounced Neeko, not Nekko; her singing voice is equally rich and resonant; and when she steps away from the microphone to strap on an electric guitar, it’s most often her very cool 4-string Gibson SG. A perfect match for an out-of-the-ordinary singer-songwriter. With eight albums under her belt — her first, “The Virginian,” came out in 1997; her ninth, “Neon Grey Midnight Green,” releases at the end of September — she’s made a name as a purveyor of everything from pure rock and punk rock to country-noir, as well as songs that would feel comfortable in a Broadway show. Before going out as a solo artist (with a backing band), Case was a drummer in a number of groups. Over the decades, she’s been a regular member of the Canadian power pop outfit The New Pornographers. Floating in and out of different sorts of music seems to come naturally to her. On “Neon Grey,” she manages to move from delicate balladry to driving rock … and that’s just in one song: “Winchester Mansion of Sound.” Thursday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m., The Wilbur, 270 Tremont St., Boston. $55-$75.

John Legend at MGM Music Hall

Singer-pianist John Legend had already quietly been making his name on the music scene when, slightly over 20 years ago — to be precise, on his 26th birthday, December 28, 2004, a Tuesday — his debut studio album “Get Lifted” was released. It would propel him to stardom and win Grammys for Best R&B Album, Best New Artist, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the song “Ordinary People.” The album would do well on various Billboard charts and earn gold and platinum records for Legend’s walls. He’ll be performing it in its entirety on his current tour, and sweeten the show up with plenty of other pop, R&B, and hip-hop hits from his follow-up albums, which also climbed the charts and achieved gold and platinum status. Legend will most certainly be sitting at the piano for a couple of unaccompanied songs this time around, but he’ll mostly be fronting his full band. Never fond of being idle, Legend has been busy writing and co-writing songs, making more albums, acting on Broadway, working in television and playing a guitarist in the film “La La Land.” All of which results in him being a member of the EGOT club — winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Friday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m., MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. $80-$448.

Also of note:

Best folk and country concerts

Eric Andersen at Club Passim

Eric Andersen is a treasure. Full stop. Well, maybe just a bit of elucidation for those unfamiliar with the legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist. He was born in 1943, and grew up in Buffalo where, as a lad, he got to see Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers in concert. It’s been said that those experiences led him to learn to play guitar and piano. In due time, he saw The Miles Davis Quintet. Before he knew what hit him, he, too was performing on a stage. His musical journey had begun. There was a folk group, a folk duet, early attempts at writing songs, a contract with Vanguard Records, the 1965 release of his debut “Today Is the Highway,” experiments in country, pop, and rock, a contract with Columbia Records, album release after album release, a spot on Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue, a move to Norway, constant performing. And now, at 82, a new double album — “Dance of Love and Death.” Always busy, always inspired, great singer, great songwriter. A treasure. Saturday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. $40.

Buskin & Batteau at Club Passim

Their harmonies have never wavered. Their instrumental skills — mostly on piano and violin — remain top-notch. Their songs, many of which they co-write, have always been known for their topicality and their humor (sometimes separately, sometimes together). The story David Buskin and Robin Batteau tell is that they met in the 1970s as fans at a Mary Travers concert. A short time later, they began working together when both were members of the rock band Pierce Arrow. But they eventually opted for duo folk work and found a couple of venues to call home: Club Passim in Cambridge and The Bottom Line in New York. The gigs were many back then, and are definitely fewer now, but they’re still at it, still pleasing fans with songs such as “Guinivere,” “The Boy with the Violin,” and “When I Need You Most of All.” Because they can easily dip into goofy mode, you never know if they might launch into something from their jingle-writing days at a show, like maybe the instantly recognizable Chevrolet ad, “Heartbeat of America.” Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. $45.

Also of note:

Best jazz concerts

Arturo Sandoval at Scullers

By the time trumpeter Arturo Sandoval fled his native Cuba to live in the United States, he was a well-respected driving force as a jazz man, having been a founding member of the Afro-Cuban fusion group Irakere in 1973, and forming his own jazz band in 1981. Receiving his first horn in 1961, when he was 12, he studied classical music, discovered, fell under the spell of, and switched to jazz, and grew up to become a fast and fiery player, stunning listeners with his ability to reach the highest of notes. Right time-right place circumstances led him to friendship with and being mentored by Dizzy Gillespie, and his musical accomplishments now include playing flugelhorn and piano, and composing. His newest album, last year’s “My Foolish Heart,” is a step in a new direction for him. Instead of original songs, the tracks are all covers of standards, including “Smile,” “Stella by Starlight,” and “Bye, Bye Blackbird.” And his penchant for capturing excitement in the studio has calmed down considerably. This album is one beautifully mellow affair. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 and 6, 7 and 9 p.m. Scullers, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. $59-$182.

Revolutionary Snake Ensemble at the Regattabar

Formed in Boston in 1990 by Ken Field (alto saxophone, flute), Revolutionary Snake Ensemble has never been one of those bands that’s easy to describe. There are six members, they play instrumentals on horns, woodwinds, and drums, they wear outlandish stage outfits (with feathers!), and most of their music will make you feel like you’re down on Bourbon Street. I interviewed Ken Field 15 years ago, and asked him to explain what the band does. He said, “I have three kind of triangular points of reference for the group. One is New Orleans contemporary brass band music. The second is funk, which comes out of my experience with the psychedelic funk band Skin and other things I’ve done, and the third is modern free improv and modern composition, which comes, to a large degree, from my experience with Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. So, we’re kind of putting all those together and meeting in the middle.” So, now you know. Their new album, “Serpentine,” comes out at the end of September. Saturday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. Regattabar, 1 Bennet St., Cambridge. $30.

Also of note:

Best soul/R&B/rap concerts

Durand Jones & the Indications at House of Blues

Listening to any recordings by Durand Jones & the Indications — the new one, “Flowers,” is one of their best — is the aural equivalent of stepping into a musical time machine and setting the date to the early- or maybe mid-’70s, and the location to Philadelphia. The nickname for what was going on in studios and coming out of radio speakers back then was Philly Soul — a kind of smooth, multi-layered, harmony-filled mix of R&B and pop. Durand Jones & the Indications don’t sound exactly like anyone else, but their melodies and performance style bring to mind such artists as the Delfonics, the Stylistics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. The trio of Durand Jones (vocals), Aaron Frazer (vocals/drums), and Blake Rhein (guitar) bring a freshness to the music, but they make sure the sounds and emotions of that special time in the ’70s stay front and center. Friday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m. House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. $39-$117.

Also of note:

Best miscellaneous concert

Tommy Emmanuel at The Wilbur

Fleet-fingered Australian fingerstyle guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is one of those guys who, after any other guitarist — be they amateur or professional — hears him play, is responsible for making them rush home to practice. But that’s just the technique side of things, the prowess he displays onstage. He’s also a dazzling entertainer, who’s quick with a good story or two between songs. Then there are those instrumental versions of the songs on the set lists, be they originals or covers. No doubt, some longtime fans are there more for the covers, such as his take on “Classical Gas” or what he calls his “Beatles medley.” But maybe the best thing about catching this former electric guitarist who played in bands, then went acoustic in his 30s and shifted to solo performances, is the joy he exudes. To see Tommy Emmanuel play his guitar is to see a very happy man. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m. The Wilbur, 270 Tremont St., Boston. $63-$69.

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