Category: Boston-area news Page 2 of 6

The NINES Festival: 1 Day of Peace & Music (plus stand-up comics, recycled art and people who like to play with hot flames)

On August 29, 2013

In Boston-area news, Indie Music, Reviews

If you’re a wannabe hippie like me who didn’t go to Woodstock because you were too young — or if you were at Woodstock and have been wondering where all the East Coast hippies went, most of them were at the glorious NINES Festival in Devens, Massachusetts earlier this month. Although an embarrassing three weeks have elapsed, warm and strong remembrances of a pleasant and peaceful day in the sun with a truly stellar musical line-up, beautifully organized event and super-cool vibe is still putting a big smile on my face. This was the first year for this newly-minted festival that was presented by 3Rivers Arts and Great Northeast Productions, Inc., and I hope it’s just the first of a many-year tradition. If these fine folks can be accused of anything, it’s being overly ambitious for their first time out — but those lucky enough to be in attendance benefited from being at the best-kept secret in Massachusetts that weekend.

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The Boston Calling Festival: Bat for Lashes & The Airborne Toxic Event; Solange & Wolfgang Gartner

By julie

On August 28, 2013

In Boston-area news, Indie Music, Show Previews

I’m back from Los Angeles with all sorts of amazing stories to tell. But before that happens, a bit of “Boston housekeeping.” Amazingly, tickets are still available for The Boston Calling Music Festival on September 7 & 8 at City Hall Plaza. It’s a great lineup, with Saturday as an indie rock love-fest and Sunday being more of a dance party. So if funds are tight, pick your favorite day and get on it.

In this installment, we have a look at two more bands from Saturday (Bat For Lashes and The Airborne Toxic Event) and two more from Sunday (Solange and Wolfgang Gartner).

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The NINES Festival, part II ~ Saturday, August 10

By julie

On August 3, 2013

In Boston-area news, Indie Music, Show Previews

Before I continue with the rest of the wonderful bands at next Saturday’s NINES Music + Art + Discovery Festival, here’s a little info about the other happenings there, as it’s more than just great music. It goes without saying that with all the interactive art, comedy and music (plus quality crafts, great food and beverages – both for kids and adults), this is going to be a great time for the whole family. The “Stich” comedy tent is curated by Harvard Square’s The Comedy Studio, hosted by impresario Rick Jenkins. Two of the featured performers are Erin Judge (Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham”) and pop culture maven Ken Reid.

There will be art installations, exhibits, and interactive art projects curated by art director and RISD alum Christopher Cyr and “art with a re-purpose” visual design visionaries Fireseed Arts.

Parking lots open @ 11:00am, gates at noon, music from 1-11pm. BUY TICKETS

If you like to “go in style,” they have very special Patron of the Arts” VIP tickets, which include many cool perks. This is going to be a beautiful event, in bucolic surroundings. So then, on with the music!

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Don’t miss The NINES ~ music + art + discovery festival ~ Devens, MA – Saturday, August 10

By julie

On August 2, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Indie Music, Show Previews

The NINES Music + Art + Discovery Festival
featuring: Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, Air Traffic Controller, Shuggie Otis, Matt Pond, Walk Off The Earth, K. Flay, Delta Spirit, Kid Koala, Dr. Dog and Explosions in the Sky
Saturday, August 10 at Willard Field, Devens MA
1:00 PM – 11:00 PM (parking lots open at 11; gates at noon)
::: BUY TICKETS :::

COOL EVENT ALERT! The sleepy little village of Devens, Massachusetts is going to be the home of a dazzling cornucopia of musicians, multimedia artists and comedians on Saturday, August 10th. Because that’s the day that The NINES Music + Art + Discovery Festival rolls into town. In all the flurry of concerts and bigger-name summer festivals, one might inadvertently skip over this brand new music and arts gathering, but that would be a mistake, as it features an impressive line-up of both internationally-known and up-and-coming artists.

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The Boston Calling Festival: Okkervil River & Deer Tick; Flume & Flosstradamus

By julie

On July 27, 2013

In Boston-area news, Indie Music, Show Previews

Okkervil River ~ photo by Ben Sklar Photography

Flume ~ photo by Patrick @ HOBOGESTAPO

Deer Tick ~ photo by Anna Webber

Flosstradamus

Here are four more bands that will be performing at Boston Calling, Boston’s own music festival, coming up September 7 & 8. On Saturday, following after Lucius will be Okkervil River and New England favorites, Deer Tick. On Sunday, to keep everyone dancing after Big Black Delta, is a beat-maker from Sydney, Flume and Chicago-based DJs J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci), who go by the name of Flosstradamus. The line-up for this second Boston Calling festival is such that you have a stellar indie rock line-up on Saturday and the best of electronic, hip-hop, house and dance music on Sunday, for those who have a specific preference and can only make it for one day. Have a look/listen below at these four, and stay tuned for more of these “mini profiles” leading up to Boston’s big weekend.

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Outside The Box, part 4: The Grand Boston Finale

By julie

On July 19, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Show Previews

Saturday at the Outside The Box Boston music festival is like the grand finale of the fireworks. It begins in the early afternoon with Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, Americana from Providence, followed up with the highly celebrated (and deservedly so) Boston 60s-flavored powerhouse Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents. The music winds elegantly along with the string-infused chamber folk-pop of Northampton-based Darlingside, and what is bound to be an absolutely delicious cabaret-classical adventure with Mary Bichner and Triple Strung Trio, with special guest UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb (very special indeed).

After this, you might have a tough time deciding between rootsy world-class acts who you likely will never again see performing on the same bill at City Hall Plaza (Coyote Kolb, Blind Boys of Alabama, Taj Mahal Trio) — and a homegrown hoedown on the Boston Common featuring Buffalo Tom, The Lemonheads and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Whew, what a party!

Saturday, July 20 ~ Boston Common & City Hall Plaza

Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons (Providence RI)
Boston Common: Park Street Stage ~ 12-12:30 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48965872″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents (Boston MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 1-2 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/8551411″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Darlingside (Northampton MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 3-3:45 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/63589108″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Mary Bichner and Triple Strung Trio (Somerville MA)
Boston Common: Spiegeltent at Tremont ~ 3:45-4:45 pm

Coyote Kolb (Boston MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 5-5:40 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/93758098″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Buffalo Tom (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 5-6 pm

Buffalo Tom – Tail Lights Fade by jesus_lizard

Blind Boys of Alabama (Alabama, obviously)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 6:30-7:30

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/42979922″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Lemonheads (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 6:30-7:30 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/5712822″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Taj Mahal Trio (based in Berkeley CA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 8-9:15pm

(thank you Randy Kohlenberger)

Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 8-9:30pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/27493787″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Outside The Box, part 3: A weekend blowout (and some fine Boston bands)

By julie

On July 18, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Show Previews

Those of you willing to pry yourself away from the AC and head to Boston Common are in store for a real treat this weekend. Outside The Box, Boston’s FREE festival, has been going on all week. They’ll finish things in grand style with a stunning lineup. Quintessential Boston singer songwriter Will Dailey & The Rivals perform their rootsy rock in the afternoon on Friday. On Friday night, all the interesting creatures will definitely be out on the town for the dramatic and theatrical tour de force that is Jaggery and Walter Sickert and The Army Of Broken Toys — *performing together*!!

They’re calling it The Looking Glass Revival, as if the thought of these two amazing bands on the same bill isn’t terrifying enough. Definitely make it to this one, if you know what’s good for you. Things get even crazier on Saturday with a “Boston Homecoming” so you’ll want to get there early. See the ::: MAP OF EVENTS ::: for stage locations.

Friday, July 19

Will Dailey & The Rivals
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 12:30-1:30pm
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/35978254″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Jaggery, Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys
Boston Common: Spiegeltent at Tremont ~ 8:30-10:30pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/65743914″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85315231″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

To be continued…

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Outside The Box, part 2 ~ Wed. & Thurs. bands of note

By julie

On July 16, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Show Previews

While I’m busy preparing the first of a several-part “Eastside L.A. Midyear Roundup,” here are some more local highlights. Performing at the FREE Outside The Box festival on Boston Common and around town are Boys Like Girls (Wed, 6:30-8pm at the Beacon stage) — and at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage on Thurs, Bearstronaut (Thurs, 3-3:45pm), David Wax Museum (6:30-7:20pm) and Gentlemen Hall (8-9pm). All Boston-area bands. So there.

Boys Like Girls

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/70369147″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bearstronaut

<a href="http://bearstronaut.bandcamp.com/album/paradice">Paradice by Bearstronaut</a>

David Wax Museum

Gentlemen Hall

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/users/1608611″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”250″ iframe=”true” /]

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Outside The Box in Boston! (starts Saturday 6/13 – 9 days of FREE performances)

By julie

On July 10, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Indie Music, Puppets, Show Previews

I wanted to commemorate a beautiful event that’s happening here in Boston starting on Saturday. Called Outside The Box, it’s a 9-day performing arts festival that will feature over 200 events throughout Boston Common and City Hall Plaza (and other places). Designed to bring together various neighborhoods, residents and artistic communities from the Boston area, this amazing festival is completely FREE. With theater, dance, performance art, puppets and music performances of all shapes and colors, there will be absolutely something for everybody. Here’s a few of the notable musical happenings that caught my eye. We’ll start with the first 3 days, and stay tuned for more.
::: MAP OF EVENTS :::

Saturday July 13

Alejandro Escovedo ~ 1-1:45pm ~ Boston Common: The Beacon
His new album Big Station (Fantasy/Concord) is out now.

web | facebook | twitter

Tallahassee ~ 7-8pm ~ Boston Common: The Commonwealth Stage
Their newest album is Old Ways
web | facebook | twitter

Sunday July 14

Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band ~ 4:30-6pm ~ Boston Common: The Commonwealth Stage
Boston’s favorite HONK!ers.
web | facebook | twitter

Monday July 15

Air Traffic Controller ~ 2-3pm ~ Boston Common: The Beacon
web | facebook | twitter

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/56285016″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Outside The Box: web | facebook | twitter

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The Boston Calling Festival: Lucius and Big Black Delta

By julie

On July 5, 2013

In Boston-area news, Indie Music, Show Previews

Lucius, photo by Peter Larson

Big Black Delta

Continuing my plan to cover at least all the “non-headliners” for The Boston Calling Music Festival coming up September 7 & 8, here’s a little taste of Lucius (performing Saturday) and Big Black Delta (who are playing Sunday). I heard great things about the first Boston Calling festival, so this second one is definitely not to be missed. Especially not one that features bands like Boston’s You Won’t and Bearstronaut, Okkervil River, Deer Tick, Bat for Lashes, Major Lazer, Passion Pit, Local Natives… oh yeah, and The Airborne Toxic Event.

Lucius — is a fairly new Brooklyn-based quintet (just started last year), recently signed to Mom & Pop Music. It features the dual vocals of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, and the dual guitars of Peter Lalish and Andrew Burri.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/92029636″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Big Black Delta is the solo project of vocalist and bassist Jonathan Bates (Mellowdrone). He’s collaborated with several artists including Morgan Kibby, War Widow and Alessandro Cortini.

Get your tickets now for Boston Calling, as it’s liable to sell out just like the last one did.

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