This season’s concerts run the gamut from bright new things (King Princess, Jacquees, Omar Xavier) and DJs young and old(er) to mid-career nostalgists (see: “Luna Plays Penthouse”) and perhaps most interestingly, old masters giving it one more time around the block: Leo Kottke, Seu Jorge and Mulatu Astatke.
There’s something here, though, for every style — from utterly drunken dance parties to “tell that lady to shush” “Evenings With…” presentations.
Grab your tickets now, because you might not get a second chance.
Because a little bit of Braziliana sounds just right right now
Seu Jorge and Rogê at the UC Theatre, January 19
Because what you really want is “Taylor Swift but cool”
King Princess at the Fox, January 21
Because “Cold Little Heart” is a God-given masterpiece
Michael Kiwanuka at The Fox, January 25
Because ambition is good
Jacquees (the Hannah Horvath-style “king of R&B … of my generation”) at the Masonic, January 24
Because Americana is in excellent hands
Shakey Graves at The Independent, January 27
Because you need to go listen to “Speculate” right now
Omar Xavier at The Regency, January 31
Because nobody sings American plaintiveness like Neko Case
The New Pornographers at The Fillmore, February 1
Because he’s your favorite DJ with a law degree
Armin van Buuren at the Bill Graham Civic Auditiorium, February 8
Because part of your heart is still stuck in this album
“Luna Plays Penthouse” at the Independent, February 8
Because it’s good to catch big talent before they go galactic
Sango with Savon at the UC Theatre, February 8
Because “Brown-Eyed Girl” somehow still holds up
Van Morrison at Yoshi’s, February 10
Because you were born between 1970 and 1978+-
Violent Femmes at The Fillmore, February 14
Because mid-February sounds like the right time for a party
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at The Catalyst, February 19
Because she’s even better solo
Eleanor Friedberger (with Destroyer) at August Hall, February 22
Because she has more to talk about than tub-puking
Tove Lo at the Masonic, February 24
Because this is your best chance to see an icon of “Ethio-jazz”
Mulatu Astatke at the UC Theatre, February 29
Because you gotta grab a chance to see him live
“An Evening With Leo Kottke” at Rio Theatre, February 29
Because she’s still got more to say
Patti Smith at The Fillmore, March 8
Because he’ll always be your Aaron Burr (sir) — and his “Without You” cover is killer
Leslie Odom Jr. at August Hall, March 12
Because gauzy English surf pop makes a weird sort of sense
The Orielles at Rickshaw Stop, March 25
Because it’s nice to check in with the masters
Wilco at the Fox, March 2
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