Jonesing to hear some great music? Whether you’ve got a taste for Rock, Americana, Electro, Jazz or anything in between, Boston has got you covered. A host of live venues are just steps from BU’s campus, ranging from $5 indie shows to big name headliners. Venture over the river to Cambridge, and you’ll find even more places to catch some live tunes.
The House of Blues, Fenway – http://www.houseofblues.com/boston/
This chain of rock venues first opened its doors just across the water in Cambridge in the early ‘90s. Since then, they’ve moved to Lansdowne Street just across from Fenway park, but they still put on rocking shows almost every night of the week. Tickets are usually from $20-$40, but the floor is general admission standing room only, so get there early to make sure you can get close to the stage. But beware – if you end up in the pit, things can get a bit rowdy!
The Great Scott, Allston – http://www.greatscottboston.com/
This bar may be small, but it has a huge sound as it fills the place with garage punk guitar riffs and driving rhythms. Though it is a bar, it has many 18+ shows and is just a ten-minute walk from West Campus. You won’t see many big names here, but the intimate size makes for an awesome experience, and you might discover a band you wouldn’t have found otherwise. Best of all, tickets are usually $10 or less.
Paradise Rock Club, Allston – http://crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club/
Probably the most varied of these venues in their booking strategies, the Paradise has been known to bring in everything from hip hop star Joey Bada$$, to rock group OK GO, to EDM groups and Led Zeppelin 2, a Led Zeppelin cover band. This club is literally steps from West Campus, and has bookings multiple nights a week.
Club Passim, Harvard Square – http://www.clubpassim.org/
If you’re itching for some rousing Americana, Club Passim has you covered. This basement-level folk venue over in the Square began life in 1958 as Club 47. During the ‘60s, it was home to performances by folk legends Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Today they still maintain that level of musical quality, and while their shows aren’t as rowdy as some other venues (patrons sit at tables in traditional music-café style), the connection between audience and performer is perhaps all the stronger for it.
These are just a sampling of the live music venues in Boston, so explore! You’ll find Jazz lounges, dive bars and all kinds of other venues around the city.
