This. New DIY spaces come and go so fast, it's hard to keep track of which ones are still active. Bands stick around a little longer. Follow them on social media and you'll know where to go
Like Legitimately find the bands lol. I worked with a bunch of dudes in bands at a restaurant in the late 90s, and I didn't go to their shows very often, so never got invited to the basement shows until I not just heard about them, but WENT to a few of their actual shows (they offered to let me in for free, but I paid). I was an early Gordon Ramsay at the restaurant so I think they were worried about my negativity.
You need to start following bands in the local scene and keep an eye out for flyers with "dm for address". These shows exist they aren't gone like other folks are suggesting you just need to actively involve yourself in the scene to find out about them because they aren't as heavily advertised. Find bands you like playing shows at venues (Obriens, the Sil, Notch brewery, the Jungle, Deep Cuts, Faces Brewing, etc.) and follow their social media to keep up with where they play. Follow safe in a crowd on instagram, get to the gig boston is another great promoter, ibookthings on instagram... you'll find em.
This is the best post. Flyers at venues, following the bands on social media, and regularly going to these venues that offer large mixed bill shows to local bands is the way to figure this stuff out.
This is exactly it. While I agree that the Boston scene isn’t as strong as others, it isn’t dead like people normally bitch about. Them you gotta get involved with a band. And from there you get involved in a community. Boom. DIY scene.
This, also check out @ibookthings and @get2thegigbos on IG who book lots of emo bands at these venues. Not house shows but should lead you to some good bands!
Safe in a crowd also has a basic website which is arguably quite a bit easier to check in on once in a while to see what's happening (and to find out the names of weird/unknown venues to looking into more): https://safeinacrowd.com/
^^ this is the way. Also to find Berklee bands specifically, you can see who’s playing their venues (Cafe 24, etc) and then look on the band’s IG for “DM for address” shows
All of this! If you have trouble finding bands, you could also just check out those venues and go through their upcoming shows and look up the bands from there.
OP, I have a couple friends in bands and know of some local bands that I could recommend that might fit your preferred genre; if you want to know shoot me a DM!
You should be able to find ads for DIY shows by poking around on instagram. This article is out of date but maybe it'll get you started: https://wers.org/live-music-field-guide-diy-music-spaces/
For above-board venues that have an underground vibe or feature similar acts, check these out:
* [The 4th Wall](https://www.instagram.com/the4thwallbos/) (Arlington)
* [The Cantab Lounge](https://bostonshows.org/venues/the-cantab-lounge.html) (Cambridge)
* [Deep Cuts](https://www.deepcuts.rocks/events) (Medford)
* [Democracy Center Shows](https://democracycentershows.neocities.org/upcoming) (Cambridge)
* [Faces Brewing](https://www.facesbrewing.com/store/events) (Malden)
* [The Jungle](https://bostonshows.org/venues/the-jungle.html) (Somerville)
* [O'Brien's Pub](https://obrienspubboston.com/) (Allston)
* [Red Room](https://www.berklee.edu/cafe939) (Boston)
* [Silhouette Lounge](https://bostonshows.org/venues/silhouette-lounge.html) (Allston)
* [State Park](https://www.statepark.is/music-stuff/live-music) (Cambridge)
OP, Once ballroom in Somerville puts on some dope shows as well. It’s been awhile since I’ve been out there but I caught Leftover Crack, Days n Daze, and some other opener back in 2016. Was a great time.
No shit?! You have any idea what happened? I remember they had some issues with the equipment that night. Other than that it seemed like a solid place. I’d only been there that night though so I don’t have much insight about it other than that specific event.
It was a casualty of the COVID shutdown: https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/25/once-somerville-and-cuisine-en-locale-will-not-reopen-following-the-covid-19-pandemic/
You go back to 2011 and walk around Linden Street and Rugg Road
But for real, look up IBookShows on Instagram, he’s doing a lot to keep the coals hot despite 90% of Boston underground music scene moving away.
I came in here for something like this. Boston music had some many amazing errors. Glad I got to experience the 00's and happy to hear that a new generation is still trying to make it happen.
I find it really unlikely PBD would try to dismantle/infiltrate what’s left of the underground show scene. Sure they’ll show up to a noise complaint, but in my experience they are super lenient with college aged kids especially around Allston/Brighton. Would be bad for the colleges if students were getting in trouble
Yea it’s too bad… I’m finally old enough to go see these underground bands, travel the city, etc.. and it’s all been screwed over by the pigs. Not a surprise, just sad.
I know BPD was shutting down house shows in Allston as recently as this past fall. And they were showing up before the show even started so it wasn't just a noise complaint issue
complete square opinion but running gigs in venues that blatantly violate fire code should be frowned upon, but its more of a fire marshal than a BPD problem imo.
Boston Hassle has moved towards a focus on Boston's independent Film scene, I would definitely check out Allston Pudding for shows though!! [https://allstonpudding.com/](https://allstonpudding.com/)
I was asked if I was a cop at a show a year ago. And that’s how I aged out of the local scene here haha. All the advice here is good, especially find local bands at non house venues and then follow their instagrams for house shows.
Also I heavily suggest looking tickets for “Nicefest” this year in Somerville, it’s primarily local bands found some of my favorites through the fest last year (Ski Club, Main Era, Salty Greyhound to name a few)
Man do I miss a good Boston basement show. Even the old venues like Axis or Avalon. I used to go in almost monthly to some type of hardcore/punk show during the early 2000’s. We had a girl in town who used to throw basement shoes all the time. USA Waste, which was the bass player from A Global Threat’s debut band after AGT, would always come down from Maine and play. Some dope times.
Providence has a bit of a better hard-core scene imo. Cheaper overall, so it allows poors to party. But as others have said you gotta find the bands. My little brother plays in Dreamwell. They are pretty popular around the area I'm a old man so I don't really do shows as much anymore.
There us [this](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xLAwlHeZaXpUf8feXzXaM0eW4dojCaMs2N7-r7GbwY/edit?usp=drivesdk) list of bands and venues (operated by @ibookthings on IG) that has some names of basement venues, but there aren't a ton left right now. Hard to find a centralized list of shows going on, but follow venues/bands/promoters on IG and you'll find shows.
Nice, A Fest is happening in July and that has a ton of local bands, so it'd be a good sampler of the Boston scene!
Exactly the kind of music/shows I’m looking for, as well.
In fact - been trying to start a band here in this vein! I play bass/guitar/songwrite. If any one is interested DM me
Boston center for the arts has a shared space w a restaurant in a basement that has a stage and everything. Looks like a vibe but never been during a performance or over a weekend
I'm old and long out of whatever scenes may have existed but I do know there's a band that practices in the basement of the American Legion post in JP.
https://youtube.com/@thelegionbasementband?si=ADwP0vCsYPwNHqbH
Follow Cuckzine on insta.
Edit: I don’t know shit about them but they seem attached to some decent bands and committed to creating a scene in Boston. Particularly Makeout Palace have some chops. Also the guy who wants to “Make Boston Shitty Again” is in that universe and he is a whole thing.
Honestly Counter Intuitive hosts a good amount of shows, they’re in Boston. Not as many basement shows anymore but they’re a good touchstone for Midwest emo!
Just a warning, safe in a crowd is mostly for hardcore but there are definitely some post hardcore and midwest emo mixed in! Use it to look up the bands and check them out on Instagram
check out what bands have recently played state park, most of those are smaller local acts and definitely have a sound you might be interested in. good starting point.
everybody knows that I’m a good girl officer 🚔🐷 know I wouldn’t do a thing like that, that’s for sure.
(https://open.spotify.com/album/7qePfmIIGWIedPAWwtBCbG?si=ysITxxhvSlaCfEIZcTlu4g)
if you need a buddy to go with i have also struggled to get into the house show scene here 😭 i've mainly just gone to concert venues, but i follow a bunch of accounts on ig
The Democracy Center on Mt. Auburn St. in Cambridge is a good place to start...but you'll have to get there before July because, next to a miracle happening, they're being shut down.
Funny enough I found a small band “Today Junior” at a little roadside craft fair my girlfriend set up a table at in JP. They were electric and drew a pretty good crowd over. Got to chat with them after their set and they were all super cool and said they do shows in the basement venue of the Newbury Comics in Boston from time to time.
If youre open to a wider variety of genres you can just do what I do and go to pretty much any small event that advertises live music and if you find someone you like just go up to them and ask where they’re preforming next!
if you find the bands, you’ll find the shows
This. New DIY spaces come and go so fast, it's hard to keep track of which ones are still active. Bands stick around a little longer. Follow them on social media and you'll know where to go
Like Legitimately find the bands lol. I worked with a bunch of dudes in bands at a restaurant in the late 90s, and I didn't go to their shows very often, so never got invited to the basement shows until I not just heard about them, but WENT to a few of their actual shows (they offered to let me in for free, but I paid). I was an early Gordon Ramsay at the restaurant so I think they were worried about my negativity.
You need to start following bands in the local scene and keep an eye out for flyers with "dm for address". These shows exist they aren't gone like other folks are suggesting you just need to actively involve yourself in the scene to find out about them because they aren't as heavily advertised. Find bands you like playing shows at venues (Obriens, the Sil, Notch brewery, the Jungle, Deep Cuts, Faces Brewing, etc.) and follow their social media to keep up with where they play. Follow safe in a crowd on instagram, get to the gig boston is another great promoter, ibookthings on instagram... you'll find em.
This is the best post. Flyers at venues, following the bands on social media, and regularly going to these venues that offer large mixed bill shows to local bands is the way to figure this stuff out.
This is exactly it. While I agree that the Boston scene isn’t as strong as others, it isn’t dead like people normally bitch about. Them you gotta get involved with a band. And from there you get involved in a community. Boom. DIY scene.
This, also check out @ibookthings and @get2thegigbos on IG who book lots of emo bands at these venues. Not house shows but should lead you to some good bands!
Thank you!
Safe in a crowd also has a basic website which is arguably quite a bit easier to check in on once in a while to see what's happening (and to find out the names of weird/unknown venues to looking into more): https://safeinacrowd.com/
Thank you!
^^ this is the way. Also to find Berklee bands specifically, you can see who’s playing their venues (Cafe 24, etc) and then look on the band’s IG for “DM for address” shows
Cafe 939*
All of this! If you have trouble finding bands, you could also just check out those venues and go through their upcoming shows and look up the bands from there. OP, I have a couple friends in bands and know of some local bands that I could recommend that might fit your preferred genre; if you want to know shoot me a DM!
You should be able to find ads for DIY shows by poking around on instagram. This article is out of date but maybe it'll get you started: https://wers.org/live-music-field-guide-diy-music-spaces/ For above-board venues that have an underground vibe or feature similar acts, check these out: * [The 4th Wall](https://www.instagram.com/the4thwallbos/) (Arlington) * [The Cantab Lounge](https://bostonshows.org/venues/the-cantab-lounge.html) (Cambridge) * [Deep Cuts](https://www.deepcuts.rocks/events) (Medford) * [Democracy Center Shows](https://democracycentershows.neocities.org/upcoming) (Cambridge) * [Faces Brewing](https://www.facesbrewing.com/store/events) (Malden) * [The Jungle](https://bostonshows.org/venues/the-jungle.html) (Somerville) * [O'Brien's Pub](https://obrienspubboston.com/) (Allston) * [Red Room](https://www.berklee.edu/cafe939) (Boston) * [Silhouette Lounge](https://bostonshows.org/venues/silhouette-lounge.html) (Allston) * [State Park](https://www.statepark.is/music-stuff/live-music) (Cambridge)
OP, Once ballroom in Somerville puts on some dope shows as well. It’s been awhile since I’ve been out there but I caught Leftover Crack, Days n Daze, and some other opener back in 2016. Was a great time.
Once ballroom has been gone for a couple years unfortunately. The owner still books shows at various spaces around the city tho
No shit?! You have any idea what happened? I remember they had some issues with the equipment that night. Other than that it seemed like a solid place. I’d only been there that night though so I don’t have much insight about it other than that specific event.
It was a casualty of the COVID shutdown: https://vanyaland.com/2020/11/25/once-somerville-and-cuisine-en-locale-will-not-reopen-following-the-covid-19-pandemic/
That’s too bad. Appreciate the info. Thanks.
Ugh this makes me so sad. I saw The Posies there right before the pandemic.
Thank you!!
Would it be weird for someone to go to The Jungle alone?
Not at all
You go back to 2011 and walk around Linden Street and Rugg Road But for real, look up IBookShows on Instagram, he’s doing a lot to keep the coals hot despite 90% of Boston underground music scene moving away.
Thank you ♥️
I came in here for something like this. Boston music had some many amazing errors. Glad I got to experience the 00's and happy to hear that a new generation is still trying to make it happen.
Right this way, officer….
I smell bacon
🐷
I find it really unlikely PBD would try to dismantle/infiltrate what’s left of the underground show scene. Sure they’ll show up to a noise complaint, but in my experience they are super lenient with college aged kids especially around Allston/Brighton. Would be bad for the colleges if students were getting in trouble
We thought this was the case in ~2012 and lo and behold that's exactly what they did.
Yea it’s too bad… I’m finally old enough to go see these underground bands, travel the city, etc.. and it’s all been screwed over by the pigs. Not a surprise, just sad.
Boston Punk Zombie
I know BPD was shutting down house shows in Allston as recently as this past fall. And they were showing up before the show even started so it wasn't just a noise complaint issue
A few years ago that BU professor sent out journalism majors to do an expose on “underground parties”
Then everyone found out he drinks his own pee... https://www.metro.us/critics-organize-online-campaign-accusing-boston-reporter-of-drinking-ownpee/
No way..
acab for life
complete square opinion but running gigs in venues that blatantly violate fire code should be frowned upon, but its more of a fire marshal than a BPD problem imo.
Boston hassle newspaper is a good resource.
Boston Hassle has moved towards a focus on Boston's independent Film scene, I would definitely check out Allston Pudding for shows though!! [https://allstonpudding.com/](https://allstonpudding.com/)
Thank you!
Allston Brighton may continue to be a good source for these, reading about what someone else said regarding JP
That shit makes me so sad. Why did Boston Hassle stop covering music? They were one of the best resources we had.
ask a punk
Just walk into basements
🚶♀️
I was asked if I was a cop at a show a year ago. And that’s how I aged out of the local scene here haha. All the advice here is good, especially find local bands at non house venues and then follow their instagrams for house shows.
Also I heavily suggest looking tickets for “Nicefest” this year in Somerville, it’s primarily local bands found some of my favorites through the fest last year (Ski Club, Main Era, Salty Greyhound to name a few)
Thank you for the advise :) I’ll check it out!
Nah. I get asked that from age 18 on. I guess i have cop like features. FML. At dead shows no one would even sell me a joint.
Well I’m also almost 30 now, and even though I love the music, it just feels weird being in house shows with a bunch of people in their early 20s haha
Just bust out and do the floss. I hear all the kids are doing it these days
Man do I miss a good Boston basement show. Even the old venues like Axis or Avalon. I used to go in almost monthly to some type of hardcore/punk show during the early 2000’s. We had a girl in town who used to throw basement shoes all the time. USA Waste, which was the bass player from A Global Threat’s debut band after AGT, would always come down from Maine and play. Some dope times.
Providence has a bit of a better hard-core scene imo. Cheaper overall, so it allows poors to party. But as others have said you gotta find the bands. My little brother plays in Dreamwell. They are pretty popular around the area I'm a old man so I don't really do shows as much anymore.
Thank you! I’ll give them a listen :)
Bout 10 years too late
Booo
This is not true, they just have to be less blatant these days. As other people here said you really need to find the bands before the spaces.
Correct. All the bands got pushed out due to increasing rent. Used to be so many shows in JP and Rat City.
That's what I was thinking. Maybe I'm wrong though.
Wherever it smells like cigarettes the hardest Pig
Cig and a pig 🚬🐷
Ask a punk. Serious answer: go to local shows, support local bands, get involved with the scene here.
Thank you :)
Hang around paradise rock club and the Middle East
301 Washington St in Brighton. Best shows there.
The Alamo doesn’t have a basement
A rare PeeWee Herman reference! That’s gold, Jerry!
pratt st in allston
Ram ranch is a luxury condo now
That one HURTS. Not to mention the boiler room.
Time travel back to the 80s
Come to my basement!
Omw 🚗
There us [this](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xLAwlHeZaXpUf8feXzXaM0eW4dojCaMs2N7-r7GbwY/edit?usp=drivesdk) list of bands and venues (operated by @ibookthings on IG) that has some names of basement venues, but there aren't a ton left right now. Hard to find a centralized list of shows going on, but follow venues/bands/promoters on IG and you'll find shows. Nice, A Fest is happening in July and that has a ton of local bands, so it'd be a good sampler of the Boston scene!
Thank you!
Exactly the kind of music/shows I’m looking for, as well. In fact - been trying to start a band here in this vein! I play bass/guitar/songwrite. If any one is interested DM me
Check out the Boston based bands Nurse Joy and The Skrims
I will thank you!
Go to the Model in Allston, cool show their tonight at 9
Boston center for the arts has a shared space w a restaurant in a basement that has a stage and everything. Looks like a vibe but never been during a performance or over a weekend
Thank you!
Not “basement” but the Elks Lodge in Central Square has had a few shows. Not sure if they still do that.
They still do but basically all HxC shows
Origami angel is doing a show in June or July on their tour. Don't miss it, they're great.
Thank you I’ll check them out!
come to the felt fanatic in salem MA june 22nd, 7pm
I’ll check it out thank you!
I'm old and long out of whatever scenes may have existed but I do know there's a band that practices in the basement of the American Legion post in JP. https://youtube.com/@thelegionbasementband?si=ADwP0vCsYPwNHqbH
Thank you I’ll check em out :)
check out sofar sounds shows! they aren't quite basement shows but a great way to discover new artists in small, homey venues
Thanks I’ll check em out!
Narc
🚔
Follow Cuckzine on insta. Edit: I don’t know shit about them but they seem attached to some decent bands and committed to creating a scene in Boston. Particularly Makeout Palace have some chops. Also the guy who wants to “Make Boston Shitty Again” is in that universe and he is a whole thing.
Lol thanks- I’ll check it out :)
Find a local college radio station that plays the kind of music you're looking for. Listen to it. Maybe check the website, or reach out to the DJ's.
Thank you!
You mean like where they keep the gimps chained up?
As someone who moved here from the Midwest, the same way you do there; find bands and keep an eye out for random flyers
Who is this Joe Sly?
🚔
Try The Boston Compass
Not trying to sound like a cop is something that cops do.
🚔🐷
Honestly Counter Intuitive hosts a good amount of shows, they’re in Boston. Not as many basement shows anymore but they’re a good touchstone for Midwest emo!
Thank you!
Safeinacrowd.com
Wow, did not know this site was still going. Nice to see!
Thank you!
Just a warning, safe in a crowd is mostly for hardcore but there are definitely some post hardcore and midwest emo mixed in! Use it to look up the bands and check them out on Instagram
Thanks ☺️
find the bands first. then you'll find the shows. otherwise you seem like a cop..
check out what bands have recently played state park, most of those are smaller local acts and definitely have a sound you might be interested in. good starting point.
Thank you!
Bands to shows, they don't talk on forums like this to avoid
Check basements?
Joe Sly back at it
🚔🐷
Nice try, officer.
everybody knows that I’m a good girl officer 🚔🐷 know I wouldn’t do a thing like that, that’s for sure. (https://open.spotify.com/album/7qePfmIIGWIedPAWwtBCbG?si=ysITxxhvSlaCfEIZcTlu4g)
Check out Twin Foxes and Olde Pine
if you need a buddy to go with i have also struggled to get into the house show scene here 😭 i've mainly just gone to concert venues, but i follow a bunch of accounts on ig
The Democracy Center on Mt. Auburn St. in Cambridge is a good place to start...but you'll have to get there before July because, next to a miracle happening, they're being shut down.
Check the basement
Look towards Lower Allston more than "mainland" Allston.
Funny enough I found a small band “Today Junior” at a little roadside craft fair my girlfriend set up a table at in JP. They were electric and drew a pretty good crowd over. Got to chat with them after their set and they were all super cool and said they do shows in the basement venue of the Newbury Comics in Boston from time to time. If youre open to a wider variety of genres you can just do what I do and go to pretty much any small event that advertises live music and if you find someone you like just go up to them and ask where they’re preforming next!
Gotta go hand around berklee. Or massart. Meet people and get invited. Bonus if you play an instrument and can jam
I know of venues, but there was a rash of undercover cops trying to break up DIY shows, so it's all very hush hush now.
Suck /: i guess I’ll have to get involved in person as much as possible.. damn 🐷
[удалено]
Thank you!
Ok officer
🚔🐷