Critic's picksCritic’s picks for pop and rock performances this fall
Daltrey rocking on at full tiltMore than four decades since the Who’s rock opera “Tommy’’ was released, lead singer Roger Daltrey is revisiting that classic. His new solo tour stops at Agganis Arena on Sept. 17. “I can appreciate it much more,’’ Daltrey says of the biggest difference in playing the album 42 years later. “It always felt like there was a battle to be won when we used to play it in the early days. But now I can relax into it, and the music’s better for it in a way.’’
High FiveDebbie Harry is excited to discuss “Panic of Girls,’’ Blondie’s first new album in eight years, and even more jazzed to play songs from it, alongside classics “Heart of Glass’’ and “Rapture,’’ when the legendary New York City band hits the stage at the Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday. We spoke with Harry earlier this week on the phone from Chicago about five things that inspired “Panic.’’
Vince Gill no longer holding backVince Gill decided to challenge himself on his new album, “Guitar Slinger’’ (due out Oct. 25). The result - his first album since his Grammy-winning 2006 four-disc set “These Days’’ - is a stunning record that illuminates his still soaring tenor, nimble guitar work, and emotionally resonant songwriting that is by turns funny and poignant. Gill plays the Wilbur Theatre on Sunday Sept. 11.
George Strait, ‘Here for a Good Time’George Strait is not retiring. But at 59, the country superstar, who justifiably earned the sobriquet King George, thanks to 57 No. 1 singles, uses the last song of his 39th album to prepare his loyal subjects for his inevitable abdication.
'Idol' contestants take their stuff to WorcesterWORCESTER - For avid viewers of the 10th season of “American Idol,’’ last night’s show at the DCU Center probably hit all the right notes.
With new ax, Peppers stay hotThe title of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 10th album feels like an implicit pledge of allegiance.
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Staying country strongWHO Scotty McCreery WHAT With his preternaturally deep voice and courtly Southern charm, 17-year-old country singer Scotty McCreery walked away with season 10 of “American Idol.’’ Since his big win, the North Carolina native has juggled a busy schedule recording his debut album, “Clear as Day,’’ out Oct. 4, in between live TV appearances, playing the CMA Fest, and performing ...
Still following her ‘Dreams’Stevie Nicks will twirl her way to the stage of the Bank of America Pavilion on Monday, and she’s thrilled to be hitting the road in support of her latest solo release, “In Your Dreams,’’ her first in a decade and what she calls one of the best of her career.
High FiveIn short order, piano-playing singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles - the woman behind hits such as “Love Song’’ and “King of Anything’’- will be juggling three facets of her career. On Tuesday she comes to the Bank of America Pavilion on her continuing tour for her sophomore album, “Kaleidoscope Heart.’’ On Sept. 19, fans of NBC’s a cappella singing competition, “The Sing-Off,’’ ...
Chesney showcases the stars who shine behind his tunes“When you hear songs on the radio and wonder where they come from, this,’’ said Kenny Chesney, sweeping an arm toward his left and right, “is where they come from.’’
‘What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman’The legendary diva has already recorded 51 songs with lyrics penned by the Oscar-winning songwriting couple she pays tribute to here, including, of course, “The Way We Were’’ and “Papa, Can You Hear Me?’’ So what may be most impressive about the Bergmans is the prolificacy that allowed Streisand to find 10 more love songs worthy of her time.
You know their songs, now see their facesWhen Kenny Chesney plays two shows this weekend at Gillette Stadium, he’ll entertain nearly 55,000 fans each night with a huge production.
Chesney tour: It takes a dedicated villageThe final installment in a series that looks around, behind, and off the stage. PHILADELPHIA - In the production office for country singer Kenny Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal’’ tour, there is only one figure that is not in motion.
A star is (finally) bornQ. Are you still spinning from Grand Point North? A. Yeah. What a thrill. It was just such an unbelievable experience, such a sense of accomplishment. I’m totally on cloud nine right now.
High fiveJust as Kris Delmhorst was planning her kicky new album of Cars covers - which was released this week and appropriately dubbed “Cars’’ - the legendary Boston band reunited. A longtime fan, the Brooklyn-bred singer-songwriter was thrilled that Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes agreed to play ukulele on “Cars.’’ As part of the singer-songwriter collective Redbird, which also features Peter Mulvey ...
Singer-songwriter role suits BridgesJeff Bridges is not Bad Blake, the alcohol-ravaged country musician he portrayed in the 2009 film “Crazy Heart,’’ a role that won him an Oscar. He is, however, a fine musician whose self-titled debut album shares DNA with Blake’s rootsy, lived-in musings.
Guster sounds like it’s having fun‘We’re so bad at playing rock stars, it’s ridiculous,’’ said Guster frontman Ryan Miller six songs into the band’s set Friday night at the Bank of America Pavilion.
A pattern emerged as Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne began listing the five things that he needs when he goes on tour: escape. The frontman for the pop-rock quartet - which plays the Brighton Music Hall tonight and tomorrow in support of its terrifically tuneful new album, “Sky Full of Holes’’ - likes a little peace on the road.
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Janis, Jimi, Kurt, Jim . . . Amy?With her death at 27, Amy Winehouse joined a list of rock stars who passed away at that young age, including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison of the Doors, and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. (Other musicians on the list include blues legend Robert Johnson and Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones.) Despite brief careers, they left behind music that has ...
Concert memories at a costAt five different shows over the past two weeks, fans approaching the merchandise booths at the Comcast Center and the Bank of America Pavilion could be overheard griping about the same thing: T-shirts, on average, cost $35 and $40. But even among the complainers there were consumers.
How large will her legacy loom?Predictably in the wake of her death on July 23, of still unexplained causes, Amy Winehouse’s music has returned to the Billboard charts.
The rockin’ evolution of concert keepsakesFrom her perch at the merchandise booth at the Bank of America Pavilion, house merchandise manager Donna Marshall has enjoyed a lot of entertainment over the past 11 years. But one of the most amusing events the Rockport resident has witnessed wasn’t about music. It involved women’s undergarments.
High FiveCameron Leahy is not sure roller coasters are actually a good idea. “I often think they might be bad for your brain,’’ says the lead singer of the Virginia-spawned pop-rock band the Downtown Fiction. This thinking will not keep him from trying the brain-jarring options at Six Flags New England when the band plays there on Tuesday. “Just because I ...
Bright times ahead for Jill ScottJill Scott is ready to get down. And that’s just what she plans to do when she brings her Jill Scott’s Summer Block Party tour to the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday. The Philadelphia-spawned soul singer has plenty to celebrate.
Actor’s music debut a long time comingAdd Tim Robbins to the ever-growing list of actors who have decided to try their hand at becoming recording artists.
