Winter Arts Guide: Concerts and Comedy Events
By Summer Lin, with additional contributions by Shaula Clark
NOVEMBER
Boston Comedy Festival 2015 / Courtesy photos
Boston Comedy Festival
Now in its 16th year, the Boston Comedy Festival—which invades venues all over Boston for a full week—brings with it Flight of the Conchords’ Todd Barry, Simpsons writer Dana Gould, Bob’s Burgers regular Andy Kindler, and many more.
November 6-14, multiple venues, bostoncomedyfest.com.
Beirut
World indie rock band Beirut is setting out on a fall tour fresh off an album release, No No No.
November 7, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com.
Django Django
British rock band Django Django is making the trek across the pond following its newest album release Born Under Saturn.
November 8, 8 p.m., Middle East Downstairs, 472-480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 617-864-3278, boweryboston.com. Buy tickets.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Self-described as “pop music in a time machine,” Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox runs modern chart-toppers through a classic-jazz filter—think doo-wop covers of Miley Cyrus or a ragtime “Tainted Love.”
November 9-10, 8 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
Carly Rae Jepsen
The “Call Me Maybe” songstress will be heading to Paradise Rock Club on her Gimmie Love tour in the wake of her third pop album, Emotion.
November 10, 6 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-562-8800, crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club. Buy tickets.
Rainn Wilson
Best known as everyone’s favorite Office nemesis and beet farmer Dwight Schrute, actor Rainn Wilson comes to the Wilbur Theatre to promote new book The Bassoon King.
November 11, 7:30 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
Shakey Graves by Jeremy Pawlowski on Flickr
Shakey Graves
Self-proclaimed Texas gentleman and multi-talented kick-drummer/harmonica player/guitarist/singer/songwriter Shakey Graves is playing not one but two nights at the Royale this fall. Talk about a multitasker.
November 12, 7 p.m., Royale Boston, 279 Tremont St., Boston, 617-338-7699, boweryboston.com. Buy tickets.
Puscifer
The 51-year-old Tool frontman (and Arizona vintner) Maynard James Keenan may find Tool fans to be “insufferable people.” Let’s hope the good Reverand takes more kindly to Puscifer fans.
November 12, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, 617-482-0106, boston-theater.com. Buy tickets.
Meg Myers and Ruby Rose Fox
Sultry-voiced Boston Music Awards notable Ruby Rose Fox joins Meg Myers, whose “Lemon Eyes” is one of the greatest unsung earworms of 2015.
November 12, 7 p.m., Middle East Downstairs, 472-480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 617-864-3278, mideastoffers.com. Buy tickets.
Craig Robinson & the Nasty Delicious
The Office‘s Craig Robinson and his seven-man band will be laying down his usual mix of lyrical comedy and jazz and funk music.
November 13, 10 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
King Khan & BBQ Show
Forget the torrid history of break-ups and make-ups for this Canadian garage rock duo. King Khan & BBQ Show have patched things up in time for a tour and a new album, Bad News Boys.
November 13, 6:30 p.m., Middle East Downstairs, 472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278, boweryboston.com. Buy tickets.
Odesza
2014 was a big year for the Seattle-based electronica duo, but 2015’s been no slouch, either, as they put out a new and improved version of their In Return album. See why CatacombKid and BeachesBeaches have headlined over 20 major music festivals in their few short years as a band.
November 14, 6 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Art Garfunkel
Hello, Garfunkel, our old friend. You’ve come to play for us again. No sounds of silence here: The ’60s folk legend brings his 90-minute stage show—a mixture of music and reading from his autobiography—to the Wilbur.
November 15, 8 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
!!! (Chk Chk Chk)
The Sacremento dance-punk band with the excitable name presents their sixth full-length album, As If. Openers include Boston indie dance rock band Animal Talk.
November 16, 8 p.m., Middle East Downstairs, 480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 617-864-3278, mideastoffers.com. Buy tickets.
Shamir by Trans Musicales on Flickr
Shamir
Shamir has taken his crown off the mantel for a bit while he brings his new album, Ratchet, on tour. Just remember not to try and touch it or there’ll be scandal.
November 18, 8 p.m., The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge, 617-547-5200, sinclaircambridge.com. Buy tickets.
Bo Burnham
Get ready laugh your heart out. In his first tour since, “What,” comedian Bo Burnham will be returning to the stage at the Shubert Theater for his “Make Happy” tour.
November 18, 8 p.m., Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-9393, boston-theater.com. Buy tickets.
Eugene Mirman
Lexington native Eugene Mirman of Bob’s Burgers fame will be taking the stage at the Paradise Rock Club for his “I’m Sorry (You’re Welcome)” tour. A warning to Boston parking attendants: Do not cross this man, or prepare for an absurdist public taunting.
November 19, 8 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-562-8800, crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club. Buy tickets.
Newport Folk Presents: The Ballroom Thieves
The homegrown Americana-tinged indie-folk trio spent this past year gigging at SXSW, Boston Calling, and yes, the Newport Folk Festival. Can they top themselves in 2016? Only time will tell—but get a sense of where things are headed.
November 19, 7:30 p.m., Royale, 279 Tremont St, Boston, 617-338-7699, boweryboston.com. Buy tickets.
My Morning Jacket
Speaking of Boston Calling and Newport Folk Festival: If you missed My Morning Jacket at those two major regional gigs, you get another shot at seeing them this year, as the Louisville rockers return to Boston in support of their latest, The Waterfall.
November 20, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston, 617-482-0106, crossroadspresents.com/orpheum-theatre. Buy tickets.
Grimes photo by Serguei on Flickr
Grimes
Have no fear on this dark night: Canadian songbird Grimes will be delivering her usual dose of electronica-infused synthpop beats at the Paradise Rock Club.
November 20, 7 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-562-8800, boston-theater.com. Buy tickets.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis and his orchestra keep the artistry, the passion, and the innovation of jazz alive and well. Marsalis surrounds himself with the best and brightest jazz talent, with a repertoire vast enough to intrigue even the nerdiest of jazzbos.
November 22, 5 p.m., Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, 617-266-1492, celebrityseries.org. Buy tickets.
The Wombats
The Wombats may think your body is a weapon, but they’re pretty devastating themselves, if their international trail of sold-out shows is any indication. That said, maybe their missile-guidance technology could use a little improvement, considering they originally scheduled this show for September and had to postpone. But we’ll forgive them.
November 23, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
The Sheila Divine (Record Release)
After nearly a decade of off-again-on-again status, legendary local band Sheila Divine seems to be back for good (we hope), releasing new record The Morbs this past October.
November 25, 8 p.m., Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge, 617-547-5200, sinclaircambridge.com. Buy tickets.
Ed Kowalczyk Performs Throwing Copper Unplugged
Want to see the most ’90s thing ever? Get to YouTube and search for Live’s “Lightning Crashes.” Go ahead, we’ll wait. It’s been 20 years since Throwing Copper‘s shaved-head-with-braided-rat-tail and placenta-splattered lyrical mysticism dominated the airwaves (yes, we communicated via waves back then). Relive the magic at Brighton Music Hall.
November 28, 8 p.m., Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-779-0140, crossroadspresents.com/brighton-music-hall. Buy tickets.
DECEMBER
The 1975
This Manchester four-piece will be returning to the states on December 3 to promote its upcoming synth-laden pop album, Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It.
December 3, 8 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Miley Cyrus photo by Melissa Rose on Flickr
Miley Cyrus
The twerkmaster herself will be taking over the stage at the House of Blues in support of psychedelic-pop album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.
December 6, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Joanna Newsom
While many reviewers seem a bit too eager to compare Joanna Newsom to a woodland creature, we can’t deny her rather bewitching presence—just watching her tune her instrument is compelling, never mind her masterful harpistry.
December 6, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, 617-482-0106. Buy tickets.
Vanessa Carlton
Fans won’t have to walk a thousand miles to see Carlton show off her impressive pipes—she’s coming to the Brighton Music Hall this December.
December 7, 7 p.m., Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston, 617-779-0140, crossroadspresents.com/brighton-music-hall. Buy tickets.
Trailer Park Boys
Our favorite trailer park bad boys are back with Trailer Park Boys’ “Dear Santa Claus, Go F#ck Yourself” tour.
December 10, 8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, 617-482-0106. Buy tickets.
The Weeknd photo by Kayla Johnson on Flickr
Kiss 108 Jingle Ball
Kiss 108’s annual Jingle Ball returns to the TD Garden this December with the Weeknd and Nick Jonas.
December 10, 7 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com. Buy tickets.
Jim Gaffigan
Comedian Jim Gaffigan brings his dad jokes and Hot Pocket shade-throwing to the Wilbur Theatre.
December 11, 7:15 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
Mac Miller
This December, Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller hits the road to promote his newest album, GO:OD AM.
December 17, 6 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Hometown Throwdown photo by mgstanton on Flickr
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Hometown Throwdown
As local Boston holiday traditions go, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Christmas party more raucous than the one Dicky Barrett and pals put together. It’s the only time of year when it’s good fashion sense to pair brothel creepers with Santa hats.
December 26, 6 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K., master of all things Party, throws the New Year’s bash to rule them all, playing I Get Wet in its entirety.
December 31, 9 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-562-8800, crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club. Buy tickets.
JANUARY
The Roots
The House of Blues gets an infusion of rhythm, courtesy of the Roots this January.
January 2, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Metz
Things we were disappointed by in 2015: The Mets. Things that we’re excited about for 2016: Metz. After dropping a “ballistic new single” in October, the Toronto noise-punks announced they’d be paying us a visit in January.
January 9, 8 p.m., Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge, 617-547-5200, sinclaircambridge.com. Buy tickets.
Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam
Shaquille O’Neal’s All Star Comedy Jam brings top-tier talent—including Last Comic Standing’s LaVar Walker, Bill Bellamy, Tony Roberts, and Black-ish’s Deon Cole—to the Wilbur Theatre this January.
January 9, 9:45 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
Matt Braunger
For one of the last shows at the soon-to-be-closing Johnny D’s, see one of the last comics to be a cast member of MADtv.
January 7, 7:30 p.m., Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Somerville, 617-776-2004, johnnyds.com. Buy tickets.
O-Town
Anyone who misses the year 2000, take note: Boy band O-Town is coming to Allston in 2016.
January 13, 8 p.m., Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston, 617-779-0140, crossroadspresents.com/brighton-music-hall. Buy tickets.
“Del McCoury and Woody Guthrie”
Woody Guthrie isn’t with us anymore—but the music of Dust Bowl Troubadour who wrote “This Land Is Your Land” lives on. And tonight, 76-year-old bluegrass legend Del McCoury performs never-heard-before Guthrie lyrics, thanks to exclusive access to Guthrie’s archives granted by the family.
January 23, 8 p.m., Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge, 617-496-2222. Buy tickets.
Buena Vista Social Club photo by Pieter Morlion on Flickr
Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club
After 16 years of bringing Cuban music to international ears, the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club bids fans “Adios.” This January, see the Grammy winners on their farewell world tour.
January 23, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston, 617-482-0106. Buy tickets.
Muse
The British are coming! English rock band Muse will be bringing their bass-heavy rock sound to TD Garden on January 25.
January 25, 7:30 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com. Buy tickets.
Wilco
Lately, the Chicago-based alternative rock band has been making a big splash in our fair state every summer with their Solid Sound Fest at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. But just because June is a long ways away doesn’t mean you have to wait till the thaw to get a dose of Jeff Tweedy and company.
January 29, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, 617-482-0106. Buy tickets.
FEBRUARY
Bryan Adams
The “Summer of ’69” comes to the winter of 2016, as Canadian adult-contemporary superstar Bryan Adams takes the stage at the Orpheum, in support of Get Up!, his first album of entirely new material in seven years.
February 13, 8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston, 617-482-0106. Buy tickets.
Killing Joke
Your antidote to Valentine’s Day comes in the form of Killing Joke, the UK post-punk band responsible for such goth-club floor fillers as “Love Like Blood,” and whose doom-and-gloom stylings had a profound impact on the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden.
February 19, 8 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-562-8800, crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club. Buy tickets.
Tracy Morgan
30 Rock alum Tracy Morgan returns to the Wilbur with his “Picking Up the Pieces” tour this February.
February 20, 7 and 9:45 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com. Buy tickets.
Coheed and Cambria photo by Colin Gordon on Flickr
Coheed and Cambria
This past year marked the 20th anniversary of Coheed and Cambria, the emo-prog band with its own fictional sci-fi universe: Heaven’s Fence, “a collection of 78 planets held in place by interconnecting beams of energy.” This February, they’re summoning all Children of the Fence to the House of Blues, where they’ll play cuts off their latest album, The Color Before the Sun.
February 22, 6 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com. Buy tickets.
Carrie Underwood
Country pop princess Carrie Underwood brings her “Storyteller” tour to Boston.
February 23, 7 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com. Buy tickets.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson and her incredible pipes should be well-rested, after postponing her “Janet Jackson Unbreakable” tour show from October to February.
February 26, 8 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com. Buy tickets.
Looking for more winter arts coverage? Check out:
