Boston rocks to hot shows from Jay-Z, Human Sexual Response, the BSO and more this fall
Shows will go on this fall
This fall might be too much of a good thing. Don’t believe me? Jay-Z and Jake Clemons, Dresden Dolls and Julie Rhodes, a Human Sexual Response reunion and the return of the Honk! Festival are just a few of the concerts in the coming season. The TD Garden will have its busiest stretch ever, and festivals of every kind (rock, jazz, Balkan soul) fit between the opening City Winery and literally hundreds of club shows. Here are just a few to put on your calendar:
• Jake Clemons, Tuesday, Middle East, Cambridge You know the name even if you don’t know the music. Jake took over for his uncle, the late Clarence Clemons, in the E Street Band. But the younger Clemons is more than an awesome sax player. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist writes smart, cool indie rock and soulful pop. See him and become a believer.
• The Stash Band, Thursday, Lizard Lounge, Cambridge
Everyone’s favorite bluegrass/metal guitarist, Stash Wyslouch returns with an 18-song album, “The Faucet of Love.” From thrash to Americana to Frank Zappa-like compositions, the Stash Band is a sonic kaleidoscopic of weirdness and wonder.
• Your Friends Fest, Sept. 16, Once, Somerville
Everybody’s favorite rock, art and wrestling (Boston League of Women’s Wrestling will open the night) fest returns. Local artists will be selling their work; local bands including Baluchitherium, Lazertuth and Horse Mode will be providing the soundtrack. Head back to Once the following week for the Balkan Soul Fest with Somerville Symphony Orkestar and on Oct. 8 for Petty Morals’ EP release show and rockin’ flea market.
• Festival at the Farm, Sept. 16-17, Prowse Farm, Canton
A fest that celebrates locals along with internationally known artists (and locals who are internationally known!), this Prowse Farm party features Lettuce, the Ballroom Thieves, Julie Rhodes, Matthew Stubbs, Dwight and Nicole, Ryan Montbleau, Session Americana and more. Reasonably priced tickets ($45, or both days for $75), amazing talent and no overlapping sets.
Sept. 2021, Paradise
Didn't get tickets for the Dresden Dolls sold-out Paradise run in November? May I suggest another gypsy punk band? Gogol Bordello may be better than the Dolls live because Gogol might be better than anyone live. This unhinged sonic circus mixes punk rock with Eastern European folk and South American styles.
• Boston Symphony Orchestra’s “All-Bernstein Program,” Sept. 22, Symphony Hall
BSO conductor Andris Nelsons leads his first-ever all-Bernstein program. The evening begins a yearlong Leonard Bernstein tribute celebrating the centennial of his birth.
• Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, Sept. 30, the South End
Our city's biggest block party remains this free annual concert highlighting jazz, Latin, blues, funk and soul music. This year's bash includes Emily Estefan, Kina Zore, the Blue Man Group Drum-Off and Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Trio.
• HONK!, Oct. 6-8, various locations
Founded in 2006 in Davis Square by members of the Somerville-based Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band, HONK! has become an institution attracting a wide and wild range of bands from around the globe. About two dozen brass bands will make the trip here in October for free concerts and parades in neighborhoods throughout Somerville, Cambridge and Boston.
• Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, Oct. 16, City Winery
We dig Max, but that's not why this show gets the thumbs-up. The E Street drummer gets to open Boston's newest venue: a City Winery franchise. The venue has been bumping shows to other rooms but says it will be ready for Weinberg and the acts that follow him — look out for fall performances from Rickie Lee Jones, Quinn Sullivan, and Kristin Hersh & Tanya Donelly.
• Human Sexual Response, Nov. 3, House of Blues
The Boston new wave legends return with one of their rare reunion shows. This show is good for bucket lists, claims of “you shoulda seen this band!” and grooving to the strange sounds of “Land of the Glass Pinecones.”
• Jay-Z, Nov. 25, TD Garden
The Garden finishes one of its busiest concert calendar ever with Hova. Not into Jay's hard-knock life? Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars, Barry Manilow, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Guns N' Roses and more play the Garden this fall.