Fill your nights with these hot shows
The blizzards are over (we hope). It's time to rock (we're sure).
As spring blooms, rock clubs celebrate the last busy season before summer and the outdoor venues kick off their calendars. From tiny Toad to the ever-expanding Boston Calling, we have suggestions for fans of rock and rap, Latin jazz and modern R&B.
Latin America Vive Music Festival, Tuesday, Berklee Performance
Center: Now in its fifth year, Vive features a range of genres from salsa to Latin jazz, Bolero to Chacarera.
The Furniture, The Dazies, Courters and Dany Laj & The Looks,
April 14, Great Scott, Allston: How about four bands for $10? What could be better than a simple night out with friends, beers and brilliant homegrown (mostly, Laj is from Canada) rock 'n' roll?
Ryan Montbleau, April 15, the Sinclair, Cambridge: The Massachusetts born and bred songwriter has a new album, “I Was Just Leaving,” full of old school soul and funky folk ballads. He also has a pair of shows April 15 (early bird and late night).
PJ Harvey, April 17, House of Blues: Springsteen is great, U2 is too, but PJ Harvey needs to get her due. The English icon seems to be hitting her stride at 47 with live shows nobody can top.
Goapele, April 19, Brighton Music Hall: You love Sade but you wish the sweet soul came with a side of Portishead? Do I have the artist for you. Ex-Berklee student Goapele is a smooth operator who knows both modern R&B and trip hop.
Michael Christmas, April 21, the Sinclair, Cambridge: Boston hip-hop talent Christmas took the city by storm with 2014 debut mix tape “Is This Art?” at 19, and has become a Boston Music Awards staple. He anchors a lineup at the Sinclair featuring Boogie, Kaiydo and Kemba,
Steve Winwood, April 27, the Orpheum: Now that Winwood has dropped the pop and decided to just jam, he's back in his element. In recent years, he has joined megatours as an opener. It will be nice to hear him stretch out on a night when he gets top billing.
Steve Mayone, May 2, Toad, Cambridge: We've been missing Mayone since he moved to New York to become a big shot. Happily, he comes home with a new album in tow. The disc, “Sideways Rain,” has the sounds you'd expect: as much Paul Simon as Bob Dylan, “Rubber Soul” but “American Beauty,” too. Kris Kristofferson, May 3, Wilbur Theatre: We still have Willie, Dolly, Loretta and Kris Kristofferson. But we won't forever. With a rare trip to Boston, Kristofferson brings his legendary country catalog. Spirit of ’77, May 9, Lizard Lounge, Cambridge: This tribute to punk rock's greatest year (“The Clash,” “Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols” and two Ramones albums were released) features a kicking house band (Tony Savarino!) and such guest vocalists as Chris Cote and Andrea Gillis. Ryan Adams and Jenny Lewis, May 10, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion: Now here's a glorious double bill. I love both of their sweet and sad original songs, but part of me just wants to hear them sing Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris duets all night. Boston Calling, May 26-28, Harvard Athletic Complex, Allston: Chance the Rapper! That should be enough to sell you on the fest. No? Fine, how about Tool, The XX, Solange, Tegan & Sara and two dozen more acts in a new location that will double the size and number of artists when compared to past Boston Callings at City Hall Plaza.