Brave the cold and head out for some great shows this season:
One Night Band, Jan. 11, the Sinclair, Cambridge — 40 musicians will be randomly shuffled into a new band in the morning, write three original songs and prepare a cover during the day, and perform it all in front of a packed house later that night. Music education nonprofit Zumix gets the cash; you get watch local champs figure out how to merge hip-hop, metal, punk, jazz and more into a new sound.
The Motels, Bow Wow Wow, When In Rome II, Jan. 19, Paradise — Go for the nostalgia trip, the perfect pop singles or both.
Party Bois & Sidewalk Driver (as one band!), Jan. 31, the Sinclair, Cambridge — Two local bands who adore it all — pop! heavy metal! glam punk! disco! — and adore each other share the stage. And their songs. And their band members. All at the same time. Oh, and Cliff Notez and Lifestyle round out the bill.
Grace Potter, Jan. 31, House of Blues — Potter once exclaimed that music execs wanted her to be Norah Jones, when she wanted to be Robert Plant. Potter actually likes Norah Jones, and can sound a bit like her at times, but you get the point. The woman rocks hard (but also isn’t afraid of a Top 40 hit or sweet ballad).
of
EarthGang, Feb. 8, Royale — Atlanta’s next great hip-hop revolutionaries, EarthGang made its debut, “Mirrorland,” with “The Wiz” in mind. Yes, that “Wiz,” the all-black 1978 adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Start with “Proud of U” and join the revolution.
Juliana Hatfield performs The Police, Feb. 12, Once, Somerville — Superfan Juliana Hatfield loves the hits but has a deep reverence for the ’80s pop icons’ ’70s punk and protest roots. Here she sings favs from her covers album from 2019 — checkout “Murder by Numbers” as furious rocker.
Galactic with Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Feb. 13, Paradise — One of New Orleans’ top funk/soul/jazz bands fronted by a singer with absurd pipes? Yes, please.
Kamasi Washington, Feb. 24, Big Night Live — Washington has accomplished the amazing. He’s made modern jazz cool to hipsters, hip-hop kids and a demographic raised thinking Bruno Mars is deep funk. I guess playing saxophone with Kendrick Lamar and St. Vincent goes pretty far toward doing the impossible.
PowerSlut at WhistleStop Rock Fest, Feb. 29, Once, Somerville — Linnea Herzog’s quartet does a charismatic mix of punk, hardcore, indie rock, grunge and disco (see “Hot Top Wingman”). At this mini fest, the band releases new album “Fun With Junk” and plays with the Chelsea Curve, Cold Expectations, Field Day, Heather Rose In Clover, Justine and The Unclean, Lockette, Kid Gulliver, The Knock Ups, The Shang-Hi-Los, and Tiger Bomb!
Aventura, March 1 & 2, TD Garden — English-speaking Americans love Spanish-language jams (see “La Bamba,” “Macarena,” “Despacito”). Now the legendary Bronx bachata band will fill arenas during their first tour in 10 years with their modern take on the rootsy Dominican folk genre.
Squirrel Flower, March 7, Great Scott, Allston — As Squirrel Flower, Ella O’Connor Williams crashed the scene with guitar squall “Red Shoulder.” But she can also play it cool, introspective and gentle. Debut LP out Jan. 31; show probably sells out Feb. 1.
Kat Dahlia, April 2, Once, Somerville — Dahlia broke through with massive single (and piece of pop magic) “I Think I’m in Love.” After a few years off, she’s back with a series of bilingual songs (check out “Mojada” and “Dime Si Te Llego”) mixing pop, hip-hop and Latin beats.
of
Snoh Aalegra, April 13, Big Night Live — Looking for the next Sade? Looking for the new Corrine Bailey Rae? Need another Andra Day but with contemporary production? I found all three for you in Snoh Aalegra.