The State of the Boston Music Scene: An Update
It goes without saying that this past year has been devastating for the live music industry all over the world. Most small venues in the Boston area shut down without knowing if they’d ever be able to open up again. Back in September of 2020, we took stock of the status of many of the bars and clubs that local bands frequently performed at. As we finally emerge from the other end of the pandemic, let’s take a moment to see which venues remain and get stoked on the return of live music!
The Local Joints
The Cantab Lounge - Central Square, Cambridge
Last summer, news circulated that the Cantab Lounge, which has been a staple in the local scene for over 50 years, was permanently closed and up for sale. The Cantab Lounge and its downstairs venue, Club Bohemia, were open to any and all types of music. Depending on the night, you could see bands performing punk, blues, folk, metal, or any other style you could imagine. However, it’s been reported that a sale has gone through and the new owners fully intend to reopen the venue. Before live music and poetry readings resume, the new owners are going to make some upgrades to the space, including replacing the floors, bathrooms, and making the building ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act). If all goes well, the Central Square landmark will continue being a hotbed of inclusiveness and creativity for decades to come.
O’Brien’s Pub - Allston Village, Boston
Another favorite among the locals, the future of O’Brien’s in Allston is still a bit uncertain. O’Brien’s is a popular spot for independently touring artists and primarily hosts heavier music, particularly punk and metal. But they’re open to having all types of music on the stage. The property and business are still up for sale, but booking has resumed with shows already scheduled throughout the summer. As mentioned in our last writeup, the immediate area surrounding O’Brien’s is slated for significant redevelopment over the next several years. As new construction goes up, so does the price of occupying the area. Although the property is for sale, the pub could remain operational at its present location for another 2 to 3 years. Even after it’s sold, management intends to operate a music venue wherever they end up moving to. Hope remains!
Inside of O’Brien’s: Photo by Duncan Wilder Johnson
Great Scott - Allston Village, Boston
Previously just up the street from O’Brien’s and owned by the same person, the fate of the legendary Great Scott is also still in limbo. Last we heard, the venue was in the process of securing the building that previously housed Regina’s Pizzeria (caddy-corner from O’Brien’s). No official updates have been made public since last fall, but the plan is allegedly still in the works according to word of mouth. Once rated as the 8th best venue in the country, Great Scott was a popular destination for nationally touring acts of all styles. If Great Scott successfully relocates, they’ll have a slightly increased capacity (up from 240), a large parking lot, and very few residential neighbors. It almost seems too good to be true! It’s former location was on the first floor of a building that contained apartments immediately above, resulting in some tension between the venue operators and some residents in the area. The iconic green awning that stood over the front entrance has been removed, marking the end of an era for the Allston scene. As one chapter closes, another begins (hopefully)!
The inside of what used to be Regina’s Pizzeria. It will surely transform when Great Scott moves in!
The Middle East - Central Square, Cambridge
Located a few blocks up the street from the Cantab Lounge in Central Square, the Middle East and its associated venues were put up for sale at the beginning of 2020. The several venues operating on the premises, including The Corner, Middle East Upstairs, Middle East Downstairs, and Sonia (pictured right), host local and touring acts of all styles. Patrons could see hiphop, rock, metal, jazz, experimental, or folk music all under the same roof. Although there hasn’t been news of a sale, the restaurant and performance spaces will gradually reopen throughout the summer. While the Middle East has been an integral part of the local scene for over 40 years, some area musicians and bands are still reluctant to perform at and attend shows there due to sexual assault allegations against Joseph Sater, one of the owners, in 2018. Despite stepping down from his management role, performers and show-goers question the venues’ ability to provide a safe environment for the local music scene.
Honorable Mentions
Thankfully, a number of beloved small venues were able to weather the storm of the past 15 months and plan to reopen, if they haven’t done so already. Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, a room that hosts and wide variety of styles, is booking bands again and already has a solid roster of shows lined up for the rest of the summer. The Jungle, a newer venue located in Somerville’s Union Square, has started doing some outdoor live music and has reopened their indoor space in a limited capacity for now. They plan to return to full capacity throughout July.
ONCE Ballroom in Somerville has partnered with Boynton Yards to create an outdoor music venue that will host over 20 events throughout the summer and into the early fall. Looney Tunes, a record store in Allston (right across the street from O’Brien’s), recently started hosting live music in the courtyard just outside the building. The Somerville Theatre, located in Davis Square, is in the process of constructing its new 500-capacity venue, known as the Crystal Ballroom (pictured right). The performance space replaces two movie theaters, which were originally one big ballroom when the building was constructed in 1914.
Although the immediate area has been hemorrhaging small venues regardless of the pandemic, there are many signs of life in the Boston music scene!
Practice Spaces
Rehearsal spots in and around the city are still slim pickings, especially if you’re looking for a monthly lockout.
Studio 52
The facility we call home, Studio 52, has officially relocated to its new spot in Allston Village at 138 Harvard Avenue (pictured right). Unfortunately, the new facility has slightly fewer rooms than the previous location and lacks a public performance venue. But it still provides a sorely needed space for hundreds of area musicians and artists, and includes a room that can be rented by the hour. Its proximity to Mr. Music makes it a convenient location for musicians especially. You never know when you’ll need quickly snag a new pair of sticks or a drum head!
The Record Company
Over the past few years, The Record Company has been constructing a new recording and rehearsal facility on Massachusetts Avenue. Completed and opened toward the end of 2020, the new facility includes 4 recording studios, 15 rehearsal rooms (one of which is pictured below), and a community meeting space that’s in the works. Operating as a non-profit organization, The Record Company continues to drive the Boston music scene through community outreach and providing an affordable space for anyone and everyone to create high-quality art.
Upcoming Shows of Note
As live music gradually returns, here are a few shows you might catch us attending over the next few months.
The Roots at House of Blues Boston: Sunday August 29th
The Roots got their start in Philadelphia in the late 1980s and have worked their way up to being the house band on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Backed by the one and only Questlove on drums, they know how to put on an immaculate show that you won’t want to miss!
Ghost-Note and Sungazer at the Sinclair: Tuesday, September 7th
Ghost-Note contains one of the gnarliest rhythm sections around with Robert “Sput” Searight (most known from Snarky Puppy) on drums, Dwayne “MonoNeon” Thomas on bass, and Nate Werth (also of Snarky Puppy) on percussion. Sungazer is a duo consisting of Adam Neely, of YouTube music education fame, on bass, and Shawn Crowder on drums.
Dance Gavin Dance, Animals As Leaders, and Veil of Maya at House of Blues Boston: Thursday, September 30th (SOLD OUT)
If you’re in the mood for some super heavy and technical music, then you need to be at this show. Matt Garstka’s drumming in Animals As Leaders is especially mind-bending, yet still tasteful.
Thundercat at House of Blues Boston: Sunday November 7th and Tuesday November 9th
Thundercat’s music blends soul, hip hop, and jazz into a smooth, groovy concoction. Justin Brown on drums and Dennis Hamm on keys round out the ensemble. Thundercat also boasts an extensive list of production credits. Chances are, you’ve heard his music before, even if you didn’t realize it.
Bent Knee at Brighton Music Hall: Thursday November 11th
Local heroes (and friends of ours!) Bent Knee will be touring the US with The World is a Beautiful Place & I am no Longer Afraid to Die (longest band name ever) throughout the fall.
Looking to get started playing the drums, but don’t know where exactly to begin? Check out our free 7-day course to learn the basics!