Following the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon earlier this month, local musicians banded together to organize a benefit concert at TT the Bear’s, despite the venue having announced itself closed earlier that day. As Ruby Rose Fox, pictured above at the concert, put it, “The only thing that makes sense to me right now is to sing.” MEGAN REISZ/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFFGuitarist Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo at Paradise Rock Club in February. After a 20-year career, the band still captivates with its “penetrating emotion.” MICHELA SMITH/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFFVocalist Nathan Willet of Cold War Kids at the Paradise Rock Club earlier this month. Despite the disappointment of their most recent album, the band’s sold out show “was a redemption of sorts.” LUCIEN FLORES/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFFSara Quin of duo Tegan and Sara at Brighton Music Hall in January – an intimate setting now increasingly rare for the sometimes indie, sometimes pop sisters. SYDNEY MOYER/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFFFolk rocker and visceral performer Lady Lamb the Beekeeper — i.e., Maine native Aly Spaltro — on her sold-out TT the Bear’s show in February: “I can confidently say that this is the most special show, uh, ever, for me.” SYDNEY MOYER/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFFLead singer and guitarist Joe Newman of Alt-J at Paradise Rock Club. The alt-rock band of Brits brought their “atypical composition” and brooding sound to Boston in March, and they’ll be back in September. LUCIEN FLORES/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
