Five Alternative Concerts Happening This Weekend
Photo via Man Man/Facebook
This weekend, make like the hipsters do and scope out the alternative concert venues in Boston. If you happen to consider yourself a stereotypical mainstream-culture-rejecting, indie-rock-adoring hipster currently clad in thrift store attire, it’s likely you already know about these venues. But hipster or non-hipster, you can pop in to these bands’ shows last minute, and for a much lesser price than concerts happening at TD Garden.
The Toasters at T.T. the Bear’s Place
Tomorrow night, T.T. the Bear’s Place will welcome The Toasters, a popular band within the realm of American third-wave ska that has released nine albums since first coming together in 1981. Fun fact for ’90s kids: Their song “Two-Tone Army” was the theme of Nickelodeon’s KaBlam! The Toasters will be preceded by the Twitter-proclaimed “musician, magician, mathematician” John DeCarlo (and Friends), as well as the reggae group The All Good Feel Good Collective, and with more ska beats, Mrs. Skannoto.
$12, 18+, Friday, March 1, 10 Brookline St., Central Square, Cambridge, MA, ttthebears.com
Murder by Death at Paradise Rock Club
Originating from Indiana, the five-person indie band Murder by Death will take the stage at the Paradise tonight. Beginning in 2000, the band has taken on an alternative country, indie rock, and folk type vibe. Man Man, an experimental Philadelphia-based group formed in 2003, will also perform. Since its creation, Man Man has uncannily incorporated instruments like the sousaphone, euphonium, baritone guitar, marimba, pots and pans, spoons, plates, fireworks, and Chinese funeral horns into their songs.
$19.50, 18+, Friday, March 1, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, thedise.com
The Blackboard Nails at Middle East
According to The Blackboard Nails’ Twitter account, “If you melted the sound of Jesus and Mary Chain into a Bowie or Stones song, then you’re at the beginning of The Blackboard Nails.” This Saturday, check out The Blackboard Nails at Middle East, the alternative pop and indie rock band Elcodrive, rock duo When Particles Collide, and the Boston-based All Echoes Return.
$10, 18+, Saturday, March 2, 472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, mideastclub.com
Mouse on Mars at Great Scott
For some funky, original electronic beats, catch Mouse on Mars at Great Scott this Saturday. Also on the line-up are sets by Boston-based Scottish producer, DJ, and label owner Radio Scotvoid, and DJ and producer Ali Berger who, according to his website, covers “glitch hop/synthfunk tunes” and “old-school electrofunk, acid, Miami bass, and juke.”
$15, 21+, Saturday, March 2, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, greatscottboston.com
The Ruby Suns at Brighton Music Hall
Check out this weekend’s performances from The Ruby Suns, an indie pop group from New Zealand who have previously toured with The Shins and who recently released their fourth album in January. Also performing are the Painted Palms, on tour with The Ruby Suns, consisting of cousins Reese Donohue and Chris Prudhomme, who have been said to be of the brand “headphone pop”—with good headphones, a listener can discover the “intricately-layered tune,” as indicated on Consequence of Sound.
$17.50, 18+, Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, brightonmusichall.com
