Even if you aren't lucky enough to catch Billy Joel and Elton John's five-date residency at the Fleet Center, there'll be no need to fret. Big names and big talent are making for one of the hottest Boston area winter concert seasons in recent years.
Joel and John take the stage both tonight and Thursday night. The duo will also perform next Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The concerts have been sold out since early December, though tickets are still popping up on eBay.
But if scalped tickets are out of your collegiate budget, or if you're looking for something a little closer to home, check out piano chanteuse Sarah Slean at the Kendall Caf?© Thursday night.
On Friday night, country legend Willie Nelson plays the Orpheum. Rap pioneer Busta Rhymes, citing discontent with the big-name hip-hop tours of the moment, has embarked on a solo tour that makes a stop at Worcester's Palladium. And Bruce Willis will appear at Avalon to front his soul act, The Accelerators.
Saturday night Boston will be graced with performances by two exuberant female artists. Alicia Keys, the classically trained hip hop/soul artist and darling of the entertainment press, will headline the Orpheum. Lesser-know Chelmsford-bred pop-folk songstress Meghan Toohey will play a set with her full band at Club Passim in Harvard Square.Sunday, Limp Bizkit fans from all of New England will storm the Guitar Center in Natick. The Bizkit recently lost its innovative guitarist, Wes Borland, due to "creative differences." Now the band is struggling to replace him by holding semi-open auditions at Guitar Center outlets across the country. Pre-auditions for the Put Your Guitar Where Your Mouth Is tour start at noon. The band will perform with potential recruits in the evening.
Next Monday, Boston falls to a British invasion of sorts, with both The Charlatans UK and Starsailor double-billing at the ever-so-intimate Paradise Rock Club.
Lucky for music fans that the onslaught of intriguing concerts doesn't let up anytime soon -much less next week. Banjo virtuouso B?©la Fleck and classical bassist Edgar Meyer perform together at Harvard's Sanders Theatre Jan. 31. And on Feb. 2, Victor Wooten, a member of Fleck's own band (the Flecktones) and one of the world's most accomplished electric bassists, will play the Middle East.
On the same night, Down From the Mountain: Music From O Brother, Where Art Thou? hits the Wang Center. Born of the O Brother motion picture soundtrack, this is among the most unforeseen concert tours ever: Bluegrass and country gone urban, performed in only the most upscale venues. Among the performers will be Alison Krauss, Chris Thomas King, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, and the Nashville Bluegrass Band. Be forewarned, though: the Boston performance is already sold out.
On Feb. 3, look for a celebration of male folk artists at Club Passim. While concrete details are still hard to come by, performers slated to appear include local favorites Mark Erelli and Nate Borofsky.
Late February and March are still in the process of being booked, but the shows that have been announced are a smattering of national up-and-comers, jazz acts, and popular favorites.
The Boston music scene will demonstrate its traditional friendliness to up-and-comers when indie pianist Rufus Wainwright plays at Avalon Feb. 8, the same day Fall Fest alums Deep Banana Blackout play the Paradise. On Feb. 21, Applejam alums Piebald will appear at the Middle East. Exactly one week later, on Feb. 28, singer/songwriter/guitarist John Mayer headlines the Avalon.
On the jazz front, Branford Marsalis will do three shows at Cambridge's Regattabar, on Feb. 21, 22, and 23. John Scofield, who played in Cohen Auditorium last year, will be at the Paradise Feb. 22 and 23. Looking all the way ahead to March 10, legendary pianist Dave Brubeck will perform at the Sanders Theatre.
Finally, there are some big-name acts that shouldn't be missed. On Feb. 16, the Sno Core tour - a showcase of new and usually commercial rock - hits the Palladium with Alien Ant Farm and Fenix TX on the bill. The Breeders, pioneers of the early-'90s alternative movement, will appear at the Middle East Feb. 21, a likely sellout. And Nelly Furtado, whether you consider her a goddess or an annoyance, will be at Avalon March 1.
With all these acts already announced, plus the virtually constant live entertainment available at the Middle East and the House of Blues, there is always something to do here. Look to the Daily in the coming months for more previews, artist interviews, and more.
