If you have been craving live music or need some new music to listen to, Boston is full of opportunity for concertgoers. If you look hard enough, there’s always something to see. With the right planning, concerts can be stress-free and an easy way to support artists while also expanding your taste. There are many artists that are gaining traction fast and coming to Boston soon.
- Royel Otis
Royel Otis is an Australian band made up of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. Their third album “hickey” just came out on Aug. 22.
Two covers from their live sessions – “Linger” by The Cranberries and “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor – went viral on TikTok last year and skyrocketed them into worldwide fame. “Murder on the Dancefloor” is still on their setlist. If you’re a fan of the direction Sabrina Carpenter has taken recently, you’ll love “hickey.” Royel Otis has been an indie pop rock band, but “hickey” dives into a slightly more subdued, yet still catchy side of them. Royel Otis is an easy listen for any ear, so the show is worth going to even if you’re unfamiliar with their music.
Royel Otis takes the stage at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 10.
- Big Thief
Big Thief is now a three-person band composed of Buck Meek, James Krivchenia and Adrianne Lenker. They recently released their sixth album, “Double Infinity,” on Sept. 5.
Lenker has proven herself as one of the top songwriters of the decade ever since the release of her 2020 album, “songs,” which is on countless year-end lists and deep in the hearts of many. It is highly likely you have heard Lenker’s song, “anything”, or the band’s 2016 song, “Velvet Ring.” Big Thief is a staple indie folk band that has withstood the test of time since their inception in 2016. No matter how much the genre has evolved, most indie folk projects from the 2020s have taken influence from Big Thief in some way. They did acoustic drums, two part harmonies, and simple chords before it became the starter pack. “Double Infinity” is a simple portrait of joy. It takes all the staples of Big Thief’s sound and presents it as a contemporary masterpiece. It is also their first album released as a trio instead of a quartet. The band has a lot of love to give and the show will definitely be proof of that.
Big Thief plays at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 21.
- Dijon
Dijon Duenas just dropped his second album, “Baby,” on Aug. 15, which defies genres by characterizing a diversity unique to Dijon’s music.
Dijon is a friend and longtime collaborator of another singer-producer on the rise, Mk.gee. They have credits for writing and producing parts of Justin Bieber’s “SWAG” albums. Dijon is on backing vocals in Leith Ross’s new song “Stay.” Dijon is pioneering an alternative R&B wave right now and it is carving a new mainstream. “Baby” is also about being a family man, something new to him.
Dijon will play at House of Blues on Nov. 29.
- Magdalena Bay
Magdalena Bay is a duo consisting of Matt Levin and Mica Tenenbaum. Their sophomore synth pop album, “Imaginal Disk,” dropped on Aug. 23, 2024.
Magdalena Bay is on what can only be described as a victory lap. The “Imaginal Mystery Tour” already came to Boston in April at House of Blues, but it’s coming back bigger and better. Magdalena Bay is a smart, talented synth pop band. Imaginal Disk is a concept album that they perform with plenty of theatrics. It follows True, a character played by Tenenbaum who has to relearn how to be a human after going through a process called Imaginal Disk, in which The Doctor inserts a disk into her forehead that resets her memories and emotions. Tenebaum’s stage presence is like no other. She writes melodies that will rewire your brain and Levin’s production makes the music soar, and their interpretation of pop music is phenomenal..
Magdalena Bay is booked at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 24.
- Geese
Geese is an American rock band from New York. They’re now a quartet made of Emily Green, Dominic DiGesu, Max Bassin and Cameron Winter. They have three albums out – “Projector” which was released in 2021, “3D Country” which came out in 2023, and their third, “Getting Killed,” came out on Sept. 26.
The “Getting Killed Tour” is almost sold out. The three singles are the top three songs across all the band’s streaming platforms. The band is also theatrical in their own way; they are well aware of their skill and seem to flaunt it in a way that makes you proud to watch. Their frontman, Winter, is truly one of a kind. His voice is a weapon, a mountain, a whole town. He also never seems to perform any song the same way. He strays rhythmically and vocally every night. It’s enchanting and also thrilling because it gets to be yours.
Geese is playing Paradise Rock Club on Nov. 14.
- Water From Your Eyes
Water From Your Eyes is a band made of two people: Nate Amos and Rachel Brown. Water From Your Eyes is to Amos as Wednesday is to MJ Lenderman. Both bands are becoming more popular after their members’ successful 2024 albums. Water From Your Eyes’ latest album, “It’s A Beautiful Place,” is their first with Matador Records and came out on Aug. 22.
“It’s A Beautiful Place” has been met with great praise from both critics and casual listeners. Many consider it Water From Your Eyes’ breakout album. Brown somehow sings in spoken word, which will only make sense if you listen to it. It’s a very experimental album and also very modern. “It’s A Beautiful Place” is much brighter than past works from Water From Your Eyes. It is proof there’s still room for original art rock, happiness and maybe alien life?
Water From Your Eyes has a show in Amherst at The Drake on Oct. 7 and a show in Cambridge at The Sinclair on Oct. 8.
- The Cactus Blossoms
Two brothers, Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, formed The Cactus Blossoms over a decade ago. Their last album is called “Every Time I Think About You,” and it came out on Aug. 30, 2024.
They went on tour for it along the west coast and now it’s time for an east coast run. The Cactus Blossoms’ main weapon is their two-part harmony. They make country music with a modern folk rock twist but it sounds timeless. Their merch is cute and affordable, just like the tickets to go see them. They are also the band on the stage at the end of Twin Peaks: The Return Part 3, performing “Mississippi.”
The Cactus Blossoms play The Red Room at Café 939 on October 4.
- Operelly
Olivia Austin’s stage name is Operelly. She recently signed with Dead Air and put out her debut EP, “Handwriting Practice No. 1,” which features her song, “If someone’s gonna love you,” which was followed by a great music video.
Operelly’s Boston set is not for a headlining show, but rather an opening slot for the artist Quinnie. Her songs are few, but all of them are important and nothing short of amazing. It is quiet pop, and Operelly is a careful songwriter. She writes gorgeous piano parts to bring out the chords she plays on acoustic guitar. She really knows how to write for and use her voice. There’s air around the drums.
Operelly will open for Quinnie at Sonia on Oct. 7.
