Get your groove on: Summer season brings acts to Boston

Summer is finally here and that means it's time to pull out the flip flops and head outside to enjoy the sunshine - and live music. The next few months will see hundreds of acts coming through Boston, and with so many names taking the stage, it's best to keep an eye on some of Beantown's most happening venues. The Tufts Daily has compiled a list of Boston area venues and some of their summer highlights.

Tweeter Center

The Boston Tweeter Center's outdoor amphitheater is located in Mansfield, Mass., and accommodates nearly 20,000 concert-goers. The Tweeter Center's capacity and budget give it access to some of the season's biggest acts.

Among others, this year's headliners include The Who, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, The Dave Matthews Band, KISS, Aerosmith, John Mayer and Norah Jones.

Lollapolooza 2004 will feature String Cheese Incident and Modest Mouse, along with several other bands.

Ozzfest 2004, WBCN River Rave, WKLB Country Saturday, Kiss Concert 2004, and SummerJam 2004 will also take place, featuring a variety of artists from The Offspring and Maroon5 to Jessica Simpson and Tim McGraw.

The FleetBoston Pavilion

The FleetBoston Pavilion is another open air amphitheater situated on the Boston waterfront. This summer's lineup spans various genres and will feature a variety of performers, including the Indigo Girls, The Village People, KC & the Sunshine Band, Ben Folds, Guster, Etta James, Lyle Lovett, and Jack Johnson.

Landsdowne Street

Landsdowne Street is home to some of Boston's best clubs and small scale music venues. Among the area's most popular locations, both Axis and Avalon Ballroom will host several big and small-name bands this summer. Acts will include Hanson, Saves the Day, Smile Empty Soul and Rooney, among several others.

The FNX & The Phoenix Best Music Polls 2004 festival, sponsored by The Boston Phoenix and Budweiser Beer, will be a good addition to the area's regular night spots on June 3. [see sidebox at right for ticketing information]

The BMP 2004 will feature 17 bands that were selected from a consumer poll run through the Phoenix, and will include The Violent Femmes, The Presidents of the United States of America, Juliana Hatfield, The Rapture, The Von Bondies, The Stills, Stellastarr*, Elefant, Laguardia, Midtown, The Fire Theft, Just Jack, The Lot Six, Streetdogs, The Unseen, The Explosion, and Runner and the Thermodynamics.

Davis Square

For those looking for a more intimate and manageable sound, there's no reason to venture beyond our own backyard. Davis Square, dubbed one the fifteen hippest places to live by the Utne Reader, holds its own when it comes to entertainment and nightlife.

Johnny D's is known for its Sunday jazz brunch, The Burren for its regular Irish music, and the Somerville Theater has hosted musical artists ranging from Tufts student bands like The Residence to big names like Bruce Springstein. The Joshua Tree, Underbones, the Abbey Lounge, and Tir na nog are also Somerville favorites.

So whether you're looking for big name bands or laid back local acts, Boston's summer venues have something to offer every musical taste. Sitting in an open air bar in Davis Square or wrapped in a blanket on the lawn of one of the city's large amphitheaters is the perfect way to enjoy Boston's warm summer nights. With no papers to write, no responsibilities to fulfill, and no classes to attend ... you might as well go to a concert.<$>

Tickets for FNX and The Phoenix's BMP 2004 are $20 and can be purchased at http://www.nextticketing.com/bmp2004.html. This show is for ages 18 and up only.

Tweeter Center:

http://tweetercenter.com/boston

(508) 339-2333

FleetBoston Pavillion:

http://www.fleetbostonpavilion.com

(617) 728-1600

Axis:

(617) 262 2424

Avalon:

http://www.avalonboston.com

(617) 262-242

Somerville night spots: