Although fans rarely consider the venue when buying tickets to a concert, where an artist plays has a huge influence on how enjoyable the show is. For attendees who prefer smaller crowds, venues like Royale or House of Blues might be preferable. Outdoor locales like Copley Square or the Common are ideal if audience members want to have the freedom to move around. Here is The Rebellion’s guide to six venues around the area.

By Emily Luong, Natalie Luongo and Rebecca Boyajian

Royale (Boston):

Royale’s small size makes it easy to get close to the stage, and the venue’s intimacy and more mature audiences, due to its nightclub status, appeal to teenagers sick of the preteens that traditionally populate all-age concerts.

Upcoming concerts: Oh Wonder (6/17); PVRIS (6/9 and 6/10)

The Palladium (Worcester):

The Palladium houses mostly heavy rock shows, and its size makes it one of the larger venues for such artists. The loud music and flashing lights make the shows engaging and energizing for both the performers and audience members.

Upcoming concerts: Say Anything with mewithoutyou (5/15), Everlast (9/9)

House of Blues (Boston):

This simplistic venue caters to smaller acts and is stripped of distractions: there is simply the audience and the stage. A concert in the House of Blues is an intimate experience in contrast to large venues where such personal connections between an act and the audience get lost.

Upcoming Concerts: CHVRCHES (6/3, 6/4)

Tsongas Center (Lowell):

UMass Lowell’s multipurpose arena is home to its hockey teams as well as a cycle of well-known musicians. Its setup, with seating completely surrounding the floor area, allows the audience to be closer to the stage than in most venues, and the high ceiling lets artists use confetti or other props for high-energy, interactive shows.

Upcoming concerts: The 1975 (5/18), Shawn Mendes (8/17)

Xfinity Center (Mansfield):

The Xfinity Center is New England’s resident outdoor amphitheater and is home to classic summertime events such as the Vans Warped Tour and popular artists’ headliners. Its open layout—arena seats centered around a huge stage, an extensive lawn and parking lot for pre-concert tailgate parties—makes the amphitheater the perfect venue for people of all ages to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.

Upcoming concerts: Weezer and Panic! At The Disco (7/1), Vans Warped Tour (7/13)

TD Garden (Boston):

The Garden hosts several different types of festivities. From sporting events to concerts, this larger-than-life venue holds over 19,000 people. Concerts are guaranteed to be thrilling performances no matter where the seat is located in this spacious, open venue.

Upcoming Concerts: Selena Gomez (5/28), Ellie Goulding (6/15)

Outdoor Venues:

Outdoor venues allow the sound to echo off surrounding buildings, producing an unforgettable acoustic and giving fans the freedom to move around. The venues’ unique, open atmospheres located in the very center of the city create concert experiences like no other.

Upcoming concerts: Outside the Box Festival (7/12-7/17), Radio 92.9 Summer Concert Series (TBA)

The Boston Common (Boston):

The Common is home to free festival Outside the Box; last year, the Gin Blossoms, Kacey Musgraves and Atlas Genius performed.

Copley Square (Boston):

Though Copley does not regularly host concerts, it has become a popular venue for special summer events like Radio 92.9’s Summer Concert Series, where Panic! At the Disco has played several times.