Patrick Stickles, center, is the main singer and songwriter of Titus
Andronicus.
Music Editor Lucien Flores’ highlights the shows worth waiting in line for this spring semester.
The Darkness @ Paradise Rock Club
Saturday, January 19
Sad you missed out on the era of larger-than-life hair metal bands? If so, The Darkness is your fix.
Christopher Owens @ Paradise Rock Club
Friday, January 25
The ex-Girls front man is taking his solo act to intimate Paradise Rock Club. Don’t expect to hear any of his former band’s most popular songs — such as “Vomit” and “Lust For Life” — as Owens is touring his solo debut, Lysandre. Built around the 40-second “Lysandre Theme,” the album promises to be a personal account of his touring days with Girls and past loves. The encore covers of Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Donovan shows where Owens takes inspiration.
Titus Andronicus @ The Sinclair
Sunday, January 27
Titus Andronicus is a welcomed act in a musical landscape of irreverence. Chief songwriter Patrick Stickles pens deeply personal punk songs with a workman attitude that counters the wealth of artists that are too hip to show any semblance of emotion. Last year, they played an hour-and-a-half set at BU Central that has ranked among the best concerts at the University’s premiere venue.
The Lumineers @ House of Blues
Monday, February 4
These folk rockers have gotten a lot of good press since their eponymous debut album dropped earlier last year. They are riding the wave of acoustic Americana that will take them to the House of Blues in early February.
Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra Plays Hendrix @ Berklee Performance Center
Tuesday, February 5
The potential of seeing “Spanish Castle Magic,” “Fire,” or “Manic Depression” arranged by an orchestra should make any Hendrix fan curious. Can violins pack the same punch?
Mumford & Sons @ TD Garden.
Tuesday, February 5
Mumford and Sons has exploded with their earnest brand of folk-pop. Not as good as the pop crowd would make it seem, but not as bad as the indie kids would have you believe. Either way, good luck getting a ticket.
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic @ House of Blues
Friday, February 8
The father of P-Funk (and personal friend of the Muppets) wants Boston to get funked up. Here’s hoping for an earth-shattering version of the ten-minute-long “Maggot Brain.”
Passion Pit @ Agganis Arena
Saturday, February 9
What started as a gift for lead singer Michael Angelakos’ girlfriend has transformed into a nationwide touring act that is coming to the home of Terriers hockey.
WHY? @ Brighton Music Hall
Tuesday, February 12
Similar to The Darkness, this will be a show to attend purely for the eccentricity of the experience. WHY? merges indie rock, folk, atypical vocals, and quirky lyrics (“Even though I haven’t seen you in years, yours is a funeral I would fly to from anywhere,”) to create their unique brand of hip-hop. Listen to “The Vowels Pt. 2” to understand.
Yo La Tengo @ Paradise Rock Club
Wednesday, February 13
Watching them open for The National, Yo La Tengo instantly became one of the best opening acts I have ever seen. Even though they have a sizeable music catalogue that I am largely unfamiliar with, I will still get a ticket to see their brand of distorted, off-kilter pleasure.
Alt-J (∆) @ Paradise Rock Club
Saturday, March 2
Named for the button combination to create the “∆” on a Mac keyboard, the fresh-faced English band will attract an arts-school crowd with an experimental blend of Joe Newman’s unusual vocals and peculiar song arrangements with hints of The xx. To those unfamiliar with the band, a listen of “Fitzpleasure” or “Breezeblocks” will either instantly intrigue or challenge.
Tame Impala @ House of Blues
Tuesday, March 12
Psychedelic acid rock of the 21st century for those with an affinity for Phil Spector’s wall of sound.
Django Django @ Paradise Rock Club
Monday, March 11
Another experimental English band, although one with a penchant for the sounds of the American West in songs like “WOR” and “Storm.” Even though they are more accessible than Alt-J, they can still challenge listeners with songs such as the dub-influenced “Waveforms” and the Egyptian influenced “Skies Over Cairo.”
Local Natives @ House of Blues
Saturday, March 30
With their second album out later this month, Local Natives is hitting the road to tour. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, had a few decent tracks. However, the band’s new song — “Breakers” — is the best thing they have ever done.
Guitar Night: Rock and Pop 2013 @ Berklee Performance Center
Monday, April 1
Berklee’s best rock and pop guitarists strut their stuff. Why not stop by to see the future generation of musicians?
You can follow all of these Upcoming Concerts in Boston via The Daily Free Press Foursquare account.
This is an account occasionally used by the Daily Free Press editors to post archived posts from previous iterations of the site or otherwise for special circumstance publications. See authorship info on the byline at the top of the page.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say wonderful blog!