Upcoming Spring Concerts in Boston
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April
Rocket from the Crypt & Ex-Hex, April 1 at Brighton Music Hall
Go for the reunion of RFTC, the '90s answer to the E Street Band. And go early for Ex-Hex, a new band featuring ex-Bostonian Mary Timony, the guitar-hero heartbreaker behind Helium and Wild Flag. ticketmaster.comEx-Hex photo by Jonah Takagi provided
Miley Cyrus, Icona Pop, & Sky Ferreira, April 2 at TD BankNorth Garden
During Miley's ascent from tween mascot to filthy pop provocateur, the one constant in her life has been her Boston-bred live band, helmed by former Letters to Cleo drummer Stacey Jones. tdgarden.comIcona Pop photo provided
Bevis Frond, April 2 at T.T. the Bear's Place
Championed by Boston's Mary Lou Lord in the '90s, Englishman Nick Saloman has been leading a one-man psych-rock revival since the early 90s. He's here to help celebrate the 50th birthday of legendary WMBR DJ Jon Berenhardt. ttthebears.comPhoto provided
The Julie Ruin, April 3 at the Sinclair
Feminist hit-maker Kathleen Hannah, late of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, returns with hard-won wisdom and a new group at her side. sinclaircambridge.comPhoto by Aliya Naumoff provided
Skaters, April 5 at Brighton Music Hall
If you're wondering why New York's biggest little indie band titled their breakout hit 'Miss Teen Massachusetts,' consider that the core of the group hails from Newton. eventbrite.comPhoto by Shane-McCauley provided
Boston Rock 'N' Roll Rumble, April 6-25 at T.T. the Bear's Place
Forget March Madness: the real money each spring is on which of this year's contestants will be crowned Boston's best new band. Past losers include Mission of Burma, and champs include Amanda Palmer's Dresden Dolls. ttthebears.comPhoto provided
Lake Street Dive, April 6 at Royale
Davids Letterman and Remnick may love them to death, but America's newest roots-pop sensations are still Bostonians at heart. boweryboston.com [Read more.]Photo by Jarrod McCabe
Dillinger Escape Plan & Trash Talk, April 6 at Brighton Music Hall
Metal technicians DEP are on tour with Trash Talk, one of the most entertainingly anarchic hardcore bands around. Expect a riot. ticketmaster.comTrash Talk photo by Brick Stowell provided
Eisley, April 7 at Brighton Music Hall
They've matured from the world's most melancholy and adorbz emo family band to, simply, one of the most gorgeous and underrated indie-pop groups in America. ticketmaster.comPhoto by Chris Phelps provided
Cloud Nothings, April 8 at Brighton Music Hall
You'd have to go back to the first Foo Fighters album to find a record as raucous, raw-boned, and tune-smart as the records being made by Ohio boy wonder Dylan Baldi, who is about to release another, Here and Nowhere Else. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Cher, April 9 at TD Banknorth Garden
It's gay Christmas. Throw your hands in the air. tdgarden.comPhoto provided
Avicii, April 10 at TD Banknorth Garden
Before producing the next Madonna album, the world's biggest DJ hits the Garden—bringing with him the collection of EDM breaks that has transformed Top 40 radio into a machine that sounds like the world's most frantic video arcade. tdgarden.comAvicii at Summerburst via Avicii Official on Flickr
The Used & Taking Back Sunday, April 12 at House of Blues
An emo revival is in full swing, and Gen Y is about to learn two things that Motley Crue and Poison fans have known for decades: You can always go home, and your teenage crush bands don't always suck the second time around. houseofblues.comTaking Back Sunday photo by Natalie Escobedo provided
Emmylou Harris, April 13 at House of Blues
It's been 20 years since Emmylou released Wrecking Ball, her landmark gothic-country masterpiece. Daniel Lanois, who produced it, will be along for this tour celebrating the anniversary. houseofblues.comEmmylou Harris Photo by Paul McKinnon / Shutterstock.com
BB King, April 13 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Add this to your bucket list, before it's too late—BB may not make many more trips this way, and Lucille is still a lady you need to experience in the flesh. songkick.comB.B. King by Tom Beets on Flickr
John Darnielle (of the Mountain Goats), April 16 at Somerville Theater
Sarcastic, highly literate death metal fans are typically a bit of a rare breed, but so many of them reside in Cambridge that whenever Darnielle shows up, it's practically a homecoming. songkick.comPhoto provided
The Hold Steady & Deer Tick, April 17 at House of Blues
Hold Steady leader—and BC alum—Craig Finn is back to rant and rave on a bill with Rhode Island's Deer Tick, who have quietly become one the country's most reliable roots-rock pleasures. houseofblues.comPhoto provided
KRS-One, April 17 at Middle East
The hip-hop godfather and lifelong activist returns. songkick.comKRS-One by Wade Grayson on Flickr
Betty Who, April 17 at Brighton Music Hall
This Aussie's been claimed by the Hub because she did time at Berklee before blowing up on YouTube. Just signed to RCA, she'll bring songs from her new EP, Slow Dancing. ticketmaster.comPhoto by Laura Desberg provided
Kid Ink, April 19 at House of Blues
The celebrated LA rap star may prompt double-takes by '90s rave moms from the Avalon days: His Top 40 breakthrough 'Show Me' borrows its melody from Robin S.'s house smash 'Show Me Love.' houseofblues.comPhoto courtesy Estevan Oriol/RCA Records
Boy George, April 19 at Royale
The man who once sang 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?' is back with a new album, This Is What I Do, that includes a song proclaiming himself a man of faith. songkick.comPhoto provided
Pizza Underground, April 19 at Church
Yes, Macaulay Culkin has a Velvet Underground tribute band in which all the lyrics are about pizza. Yes, it's now 'I'm Waiting for Delivery Man.' Yes, they reach for 'Take A Bite of the Wild Slice.' No, we're not kidding. ticketfly.comPhoto provided
Black Lips, April 19 at Paradise Rock Club
Thanks to a T-Mobile commercial, these Atlanta frat-punks have a hit, just Google 'Break Up With Your Carrier Song.' Their new Underneath the Rainbow, produced by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, sounds like the Monkees on a bender. songkick.comPhoto by Mick Rock provided
Christina Perri & Birdy, April 20 at House of Blues
Perri was toiling in LA when So You Think You Can Dance turned her into an overnight success. Birdy, a teenage British sensation, broke onto YouTube with a solo-piano rendition of Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love.' houseofblues.comChristina Perri photo by Yu Tsai provided
Horse Feathers, April 21 at the Sinclair
Less famous than Iron & Wine or Bon Iver, Justin Ringle writes wistful indie-folk with a knack for cavernous harmonies. For the group's 10th anniversary, Kill Rock Stars is reissuing their catalogue on—wait for it—cassette. songkick.comPhoto provided
Riff Raff, April 22 at Paradise Rock Club
The inspiration for James Franco's corn-rowed rapper in Spring Breakers. He's been readying an album called Neon Icon that reportedly includes cameos by Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, and 2 Chainz. ongkick.comPhoto provided
Caked Up, April 23 at Naga
The hottest remix DJs in the trap game descend on Cambridge. songkick.comPhoto provided
Iggy Azalea, April 24 at House of Blues
An Australian model with an uncanny knack for Atlanta's rap slang, Azalea's long-delayed studio debut, The New Classic, arrives co-signed by T.I., Diplo, and Charlie XCX. houseofblues.comIggy Azalea Photo by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Mean Creek, April 25 at Middle East
The latest album by this feisty four-piece is the best recording to date of the undeniable energy the group brings to its raved-about live sets—imagine Springsteen headlining a basement show. [Read more.]Photo provided
The Both, April 25 at Paradise Rock Club
The Both is crisp and wry, full of well-appointed pop songs in which Mann's sullen, muscular alto provides a grounding counterpoint to Leo's rich tenor. [Read more.]Photo provided
Barry & the Remains, April 26 at Johnny D's
The only Boston band ever to open for the Beatles, the Remains set the template for generations to follow: kick a ton of ass, never quite make it big, toil in obscurity, inspire legions of fans to sing your praises after the fact. wegoplaces.comPhoto via Wikipedia
The Uncluded, April 27 at the Sinclair
In an era of strange duos, this might be the strangest: avant-folkie Kimya Dawson—who used to jump around in a bunny suit with her group Moldy Peaches—teams up with the serious-minded avant-hip-hop fiend Aesop Rock. sinclaircambridge.comPhoto provided
The Knife, April 28 at House of Blues
This Swedish bro-sis electronic duo are responsible for some of the most ambitious Europop of the 21st century. Hipsters revere their 2003 hit 'Heartbeats,' which foreshadowed a sizeable chunk of the past decade's musical output. houseofblues.comPhoto by Ian Pierce provided
Band of Skulls, April 29 at House of Blues
This English trio have been at it for just a decade, but their classic-rock-inspired power and ease suggest a group that's been together since, well, the stone age. They're back with a mountain-heavy new album, Himalayan. houseofblues.comPhoto by Debbie Scanlon provided
Slint, April 29 at the Paradise
In 1990, barely out of their teens, this Kentucky trio recorded a patient, (mostly) quiet album called Spiderland that invented indie-rock as we know it—and spawned a rabid cult following of fans. Photo provided
Suzanne Vega, April 30 at Sinclair
More than a quarter century after she introduced the MTV generation to Luka, Vega is a study in redefinition. Her latest album sounds like it could be a prequel to Game of Thrones, but one of its songs samples 50 Cent's 'Candy Shop.' sinclaircambridge.comPhoto provided
Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks, April 22 at Brighton Music Hall
Despite the gory name, this new psych-rock project from Dave Portner, a/k/a Animal Collective's Avey Tare, is among his most accessible albums to date. boweryballroom.comPhoto provided
May
Nickel Creek, May 1 at House of Blues
The Grammy-winning roots-rock trio celebrates its 25th birthday with a new album, A Dotted Line. houseofblues.comPhoto provided
Slick Rick, May 1 at Middle East
If you need yet another barometer of how thoroughly his first-wave hip-hop hits have permeated the fabric of pop music, think about this: Miley Cyrus tossed a reference to 'La Di Da Di' into 'We Can't Stop.' eatgeek.comSlick Rick & Doug E. Fresh by Brett Hammond on Flickr
James Blunt, May 3 at House of Blues
The middle-aged English former serviceman is still trying to eclipse 'You're Beautiful' on his setlist—though not for lack of trying. On his latest album, he teamed up with hitmaker Ryan Tedder for 'Bonfire Heart.' houseofblues.comPhoto by Scarlet Page provided
Melissa Ferrick, May 4 at the Sinclair
Envy the Berklee students who have Ferrick as their teacher. She's the quintessential New England singer-songwriter—during her glory days, she had an LA label deal and opened for Morrissey. songkick.comPhoto by Joel Benjamin provided
The Standells & the Lyres, May 5 at Brighton Music Hall
As everyone knows by now, the Standells, who wrote 'Dirty Water,' were from Los Angeles—Boston wasn't their home. The Lyres, however, are native—they put Boston's garage-rock scene on the map back in the '80s. seatgeek.comPhoto provided
Lana Del Ray, May 6 at House of Blues
LDR's gorgeous, genre-defying album Born To Die is a self-contained fantasy about the twisted beauty of the American dream—how it warps, tortures, and ultimately destroys the people who believe in it most. houseofblues.comPhoto by Nicole Nodland provided
Foster the People, May 9 at House of Blues
'Pumped Up Kicks' was still peaking on radio when the Newtown school shootings led many stations to pull it off the air. The group's latest single—a throwback to '80s new-wave called 'Coming of Age'—seems engineered not to offend anyone. houseofblues.comPhoto by Darren Ankenman provided
Angel Olsen, May 9 at the Sinclair
Olsen is a former backup singer to Will Oldham, and her gorgeous debut album Burn Your Fire For No Witness is a beguiling mix of indie-folk and blistering rock. sinclaircambridge.comPhoto by Zia Anger
EMA, May 10 at Great Scott
On her new album, The Future's Void, the California singer and composer Erika Anderson disrupts her electronic anthems with forcefields of noise and distortion, to exhilarating effect. boweryboston.comPhoto by Alessandro Simonetti provided
The 1975, May 10 at Royale
The 1975 look like dashing punk-rock pinups and sound like an emo band who've raided their parents' collection of '80s British post-punk. Your teen is already intrigued. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Television, May 12 at Paradise Rock Club
As long as Tom Verlaine is still involved (he is) and they play something off Marquee Moon (one hopes), few will complain about calling this assemblage of ringers a Television reunion. Still, it may be time to change the channel. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
HAIM, May 13 at House of Blues
An LA act featuring three sisters and production gimmicks nicked from your favorite early-'90s MTV hits? Perhaps the Wilson-Phillips jokes were predictable. Signing to Jay-Z's management company and landing an SNL appearance? Not so much. houseofblues.comPhoto by Bella Howard provided
Chet Faker, May 14 at Brighton Music Hall
A logger-bearded Australian with smoky '70s soul pipes, Nicholas Murphy has become an under-the-radar darling by lacing his smoove analog grooves with crunchy, boutique-EDM flourishes. songkick.comPhoto by Lisa Frieling provided
Barry Gibb, May 15 at TD Banknorth Garden
Ideally he'd recruit Fallon and Timberlake to replace his fallen brothers. But instead, the last living Bee Gee has chosen to go it alone. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, April 15 at Wilbur Theater
Mos Def, who delineated an esoteric brand of independent hip-hop in the 1990s, returns with a new moniker. Presented by Together Fest—Boston's homegrown electronic-music fest—and Emerson's student radio station, WERS. songkick.comPhoto by Tuomas Vitikainen via Wikipedia
'ICA Party on the Harbor' featuring Questlove, May 16 at Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Roots' drummer returns for a DJ gig. Party mavens beware: this is a benefit, and the ticket price is steep. buy.icaboston.orgPhoto by Alex Lau
Mastodon, May 16 at Palladium, Worcester
Once a savage thrash band, they've settled into a surprising mid-period—warm-blooded experimental, melodic, shockingly accessible. Like Queens of the Stone Age before them, they've reclaimed rock from the fringes inward. songkick.comPhoto by Cindy Frey provided
Afghan Whigs, May 16 at Paradise Rock Club
The pop-cultural momentum behind the Whigs reunion stalled during SXSW 2013 when Greg Dulli popped up to croak a woeful duet with Usher, but as long as he sticks to the hits—1993's Gentlemen and 1996's Black Love—all will be forgiven. songkick.comPhoto provided
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, May 17-18 at Mohegan Sun
The Boss's only announced New England gigs of 2014. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Anvil, May 18 at Brighton Music Hall
This wildly influential heavy-metal act was almost entirely unknown outside of collector circles until well after many of the groups they'd influenced were over the hill. Their discovery came via a homonymous documentary. ticketmaster.comPhoto by Tomdog on Wikipedia
Boyz II Men, May 18 at Wilbur Theater
The latter-day Motown superstars have logged quite a few miles, but their a-cappella rendition of 'It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday' has lately gotten a second wind as a useful internet meme. songkick.comBoyz II Men photo by Momento Mori on Flickr
Reigning Sound, May 23 at Middle East
In '07, Greg Cartwright oversaw the solo album of a bona-fide girl-group great: Mary Weiss of the Shangri Las. But he tends to save his best girl-group songs for the Reigning Sound. songkick.comPhoto provided
Boston Calling, May 23-25 at Government Center
The third installment of Boston’s big downtown festival is a little bigger: It now runs Friday to Sunday. [Read more.] http://bostoncalling.com/Photo by Mike Diskin
Eels & Chelsea Wolfe, May 29 at Berklee Performance Center
When backed by a full band, Wolfe sounds like an unholy combination of Souxsie Sioux and Sonic Youth. Solo—as she'll be here—she plucks demon chords from an acoustic guitar and howls chilling minor-key ballads. songkick.comPhoto provided
The Feelies, May 30 at the Sinclair
In their first incarnation, the Feelies jangled and jittered with Cold War anxiety, just in time to influence REM and Sonic Youth. Cultural conditions are ripe for a revival, and the reunited group sounds as good as ever. sinclaircambridge.comPhoto provided
Ray Lamontagne, May 30 at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
The Portland (Maine)-native singer-songwriter's latest album, Supernova, was given a much-needed kick by producer Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who coaxes Lamontagne's vintage-soul licks to the fore. songkick.comPhoto by Samantha Casolari provided
A-Trak, May 30 at Paradise Rock Club
Kanye West's former tour DJ is perhaps best known for founding the tastemaking hip-hop and electronic-music label Fool's Gold. Tonight he kicks off the 'Gold Gone Wild' tour here in Boston, with several labelmates in tow. crossroadspresents.comPhoto provided
June
Cheap Trick, June 5 at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, NH
Scott Brown is practically an honorary member of Cheap Trick, having performed 'Surrender' with them on at least two occasions. Now that Brown is running for senator in NH, he may want to consider, 'I Want You To Want Me.' songkick.comPhoto by Jeff Daly provided
Tyler the Creator, June 6 at House of Blues & Wolf Gang, June 6 at Brighton Music Hall
This could get confusing. While Odd Future's leader is scheduled for HOB, Wolf Gang—no relation to Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All—will play professionally-crafted, benevolent Britpop. Golf Wang T-shirts for everyone. songkick.comWolf Gang photo provided
Morrissey, June 7 at Boston Opera House
You knew Boston loved the Smiths frontman to tears. Turns out the feeling's mutual. 'All of my time in Boston has been terrific,' Moz told the Phoenix in 2012. songkick.comPhoto provided
Die Antwoord, June 7 at House of Blues
The South African hip-hop duo recently wrapped shooting a sci-fi movie with the guy who directed District 9. They play themselves, of course. houseofblues.comPhoto provided
Luscious Jackson, June 7 at Paradise Rock Club
After an 11-year hiatus, Luscious Jackson reunited in 2012 with a crowd-funding drive that reached 100 percent in 48 hours. This month they play Boston for the first time since reuniting. songkick.comPhoto provided
Dave Matthews Band, June 7 at Xfinity Center, Mansfield
Hard to believe this group's been rocking out for more than 20 years. DMB's 2014 tour is promises fans of all ages two sets—acoustic and electric. ticketmaster.comPhoto by Jeff Kravitz provided
First Aid Kit, June 8 at Paradise Rock Club
This Swedish duo's new album Stay Gold comes up June 10, but first, sisters Johanna & Klara Söderberg stop at the Paradise Rock Club for a night of folk and acoustic crooning. songkick.comPhoto provided
Sharon Van Etten, June 11 at the Sinclair
She opened for The National in 2011, but this year Van Etten will release her fourth album, Are We There, in May and kick off her own U.S. tour in Boston at the Sinclair. sinclaircambridge.comPhoto by Dusdin Condren provided
Daryl Hall & John Oates, June 12 at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
The legendary duo will (finally) be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014—a feat Hall told Rolling Stone he didn't think would happen 'as long as the people who were in power stayed in power.' ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Journey & Steve Miller Band, June 13 at Xfinity Center
There's so much more to Journey than Glee covers, but if the Fox show had to pick a mantra, 'Don't Stop Believin'' is about as good as it gets. stubhub.comPhoto by Alex Solca provided
Tune Yards, June 16 at Royale
tUnE-yArDs's forthcoming album, Nikki Nack, reflects Merrill Garbus's 'unlearning' of her previous work because, as she told Pitchfork, she 'got kind of sick of herself.' boweryboston.comTune Yards Photo by Ludovic Etienne on Flickr
Diana Ross, June 17 at Hanover Theater, Worcester
Ultimate diva Diana Ross, even at 70, shows no signs of stopping. Beyonce, Mariah, and countless others look to her sparkle as inspiration. You can see her shine on stage this month at the Hanover. songkick.comDiana Ross Photo by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Rufus Wainwright, June 18 at Somerville Theatre
Elton John called Wainwright 'the greatest songwriter on the planet.' So, you know, no big deal. songkick.comPhoto by Paul Kalirai provided
Courtney Barnett, June 18 at the Sinclair
Barnett caught the eyes of both Rolling Stone and the New York Times with her performances at the CMJ Music Marathon last year. Her single 'Avant Gardener' was also Pitchfork's 'Best New Track' of 2013. sinclaircambridge.comCourtney Barnett photo by Aurelien Guichard on Flickr
Eagulls, June 18 at Great Scott
This group out of Leeds, England, impressed with their performance this year on the Late Show with David Letterman. But let's never forget their NSFW open letter to 'beach bands' posted in January 2013. boweryboston.comPhoto provided
Foreigner & Styx, June 19 at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Foreigner, Styx, and Don Felder from the Eagles bring the 'Soundtrack of Summer' to Boston this month. It's a dream team 30 years in the making. songkick.comBest of Foreigner by Nicogi on Flickr
Backstreet Boys & Avril Lavigne, June 20 at Xfinity Center, Mansfield
Remember in March when rumors suggested there'd be a BSB/Spice Girls tour? Well, tough cookies, that wasn't true at all. They are, however, going to be in the area on their 'A World Like This Tour' with Avril. ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Fall Out Boy and Paramore, June 22 at Xfinity Center
Sugar, we're going down with this alt rock pairing, as Fall Out Boy and Paramore join forces on tour this summer. Dare we resurrect the term 'emo'? ticketmaster.comPhoto provided
Lionel Richie, June 24 at Xfinity Center
Hello? Is it me you're looking for? Or is it Lionel Richie, whose show in June will keep you swaying back and forth all night long? stubhub.comPhoto provided
One Republic, June 24-25 at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Ryan Tedder and company have been providing B-list TV shows with catchy soundtracks for years (See: 'Apologize,' 'Secrets'). songkick.comPhoto provided
Billy Joel, June 26 at Fenway Park
Fenway is sacred territory, and Billy Joel is one of few legends deemed worthy of playing it. General seating sold out in minutes, but VIP tix are still available to see the piano man. boston.redsox.mlb.comBilly Joel Photo by Anthony Correia / Shutterstock.com
The English Beat, June 26 at Johnny D's
The 2-tone ska revival band has existed in various forms since its inception in 1978. Thirty-five years later, 'Dave Wakeling remains a hell of a nice guy.' songkick.comPhoto by J. Butler provided
Lady Gaga, June 30 at TD Banknorth Garden
Just when you thought she'd run out of ideas, Gaga releases her latest music video 'G.U.Y.,' with a fresh set of head-scratching scenes. Well, Little Monsters, she's ba-ack. stubhub.comPhoto provided
—Reporting by Carly Carioli and Yiqing Shao
