Music

Mali Obomsawin album release party is Nov. 10 at Club Passim in Cambridge. (Courtesy Lisa and Jared Lank)

Mali Obomsawin explores the hidden story of Indigenous jazz and writes their own chapter

A collection of three movements, Mali Obomsawin's latest release, “Sweet Tooth,” is a stirring and profoundly original piece of music in which ancient Wabanaki songs intertwine with free jazz.

40 years in, punk rock band Nervous Eaters are as rowdy as ever

Though its members are well into their 60s, the band -- only slightly tamer from their punkish heyday -- is out with a new album, "Monsters + Angels."

South Shore singer Lee Zangari is our local Tiny Desk favorite

The artist won over our panel with a mesmerizing performance of "A Man Is A Man" played on the mountain dulcimer.

Saying farewell to indie jazz band Really From

After almost a decade of serving their one-of-a-kind blend of indie rock, jazz, emo and hip-hop, the band has captured a dedicated fandom in Boston and beyond. The announcement of...

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Albino Mbie's world fusion is a joyful ode to Africa

The Mozambican singer-songwriter is building a bridge between his southeast African roots to the vibrant and historical Boston jazz scene.

Boston’s Judge Milton Wright revisits his funky past

Earlier this month, the retired judge was flown to Bilbao, Spain to perform soul songs he wrote and recorded in the 1960s and '70s.

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: High Tea sings a lonesome cowboy's woes

The Western Massachusetts duo offers a masterclass in musical pacing in the song "Old Cowboy."

A Chilean brass band brings street protest energy to Somerville's HONK! Fest

Banda Rim Bam Bum joined in the massive demonstrations that kicked off three years ago in response to subway fare hikes and, more broadly, wealth inequality in Chile.

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Eddie Saturn melds nerd culture with hip-hop

The Springfield rapper's entry showcases Star Wars figurines, Anime, various comics and collectibles with wonky camera visuals and a hypnotic loop -- a singular combination, says music writer Charley Ruddell.

Arts & Culture

Oct 6, 2022

Mike Block Trio, from left to right: Left to right is: Zachariah Hickman, Mike Block, Joe K. Walsh (Courtesy Mike Block)

Mike Block Trio's adventurous 'What Now?' brings the cello to the backcountry

The Boston-based bluegrass band liberates traditional and classical music from its rigid structures.

Arts & Culture

Oct 3, 2022

The group Club d'Elf - Mike Rivard on bass (or sintir) Andrew Fogliano on tenor sax and flute, and Alex Lee Clark on trumpet, Paul Schultheis on keys, Dean Johnston on drums, Jeff Rourke on turntables, and Lyle Brewer on guitar - play at the Lizard Lounge reopening in Cambridge, MA. (Courtesy of Joshua Touster)

It’s been 30 months since the pandemic shut its doors, but the Lizard Lounge is back

Without a stage, the musicians at the Lizard Lounge play in the center of the room with no way for the crowd to social distance. That intimacy is what makes...

Arts & Culture

Oct 1, 2022

Some of the entrants to this year's NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. (Screenshot/YouTube)

Here are the 21 best local entries to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest

Meet the finalists for WBUR's Favorite Massachusetts Entry to the Tiny Desk Contest, chosen by a panel of Boston musicians and critics.

Arts & Culture

Sep 29, 2022

Newburyport natives TOLEDO soften painful lyrics with 'pillowcore' sound

Dan Álvarez de Toledo and Jordan Dunn-Pilz grew up busking together in the busy, tourist-filled downtown. After two EPs, they're out with their first full-length album, "How it Ends."

Arts & Culture

Sep 29, 2022

Clockwise from top left: Nervous Eaters (Courtesy Carissa Johnson); Ali McGuirk (Courtesy Ben Collins); Crescent Ridge (Courtesy Samuel David Kats); Mike Block Trio (Courtesy Luke Zvara); Son Little (Courtesy Cynthia Perez); Takuya Kuroda (Courtesy Genya); and TSHA (Courtesy Nicole Ngai).

7 albums to listen to this fall

Music writer Charley Ruddell's fall guide includes albums that capture the end-of-summer blues with introspective R&B, cathartic electronic anthems and crunchy grunge-pop.

Arts & Culture

Sep 15, 2022

Anna Rakitina leads the Boston Symphony Orchestra in spring 2022. (Courtesy Hilary Scott/BSO)

A comprehensive guide to Greater Boston's fall classical music concerts

The spectrum of classical music in these parts is extremely wide and varied. Art critic Lloyd Schwartz shares his list -- broken down by category -- of the notable musical...

Arts & Culture

Sep 14, 2022

Ethiopian band QWANQWA will play at BU Global Music Festival. (Courtesy BU Global Music Festival)

How a trip from Boston to Ethiopia birthed the maverick band QWANQWA

Kaethe Hostetter was a busy Boston musician before a trip to Addis Ababa changed her life. Now, she plays with Ethiopian band QWANQWA, which is scheduled to perform at the...

Arts & Culture

Sep 13, 2022

pushflowers co-vocalists Rocío Del Mar and Justine DeFeo. (Courtesy Sam Frederick)

Boston indie pop group pushflowers are bursting with identity on 'Abre'

Connecting with co-singer Rocío Del Mar’s Hispanic roots, the quartet transforms their indie rock sound into a bubbly, Latin pop dance floor anthem.

Arts & Culture

Sep 6, 2022

The new MGM Music Hall at Fenway opened in August. (Courtesy Above Summit)

New MGM Music Hall at Fenway is designed with musicians in mind

America's oldest ballpark has hosted dozens of concerts in the last 20 years. Now, Fenway Sports Group has a 5,000-person capacity space. Musician James Taylor says is has the same...

Arts & Culture

Sep 2, 2022

Musician Eph See (OJ Slaughter for WBUR)

Dorchester musician Eph See channels teen angst into buoyant pop

Their 2021 debut EP, "g*rlhood," captures the romance of adolescence from the perspective of someone (slightly) older and (regretfully) wiser.

Arts & Culture

07:08Aug 25, 2022

A still from Grace Kelly's music video for "We Will Rise." (Courtesy Pasha Riger)

Grace Kelly channels empowerment in new pop anthem 'We Will Rise'

The Brookline native came to early acclaim as a young jazz saxophonist mentored by the late Fred Taylor. Her new song is the first single off the upcoming album “All...

Arts & Culture

Aug 17, 2022

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Mali Obomsawin explores the hidden story of Indigenous jazz and writes their own chapter

40 years in, punk rock band Nervous Eaters are as rowdy as ever

South Shore singer Lee Zangari is our local Tiny Desk favorite

Saying farewell to indie jazz band Really From

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Albino Mbie's world fusion is a joyful ode to Africa

Boston’s Judge Milton Wright revisits his funky past

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: High Tea sings a lonesome cowboy's woes

A Chilean brass band brings street protest energy to Somerville's HONK! Fest

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Eddie Saturn melds nerd culture with hip-hop

Mike Block Trio's adventurous 'What Now?' brings the cello to the backcountry

It’s been 30 months since the pandemic shut its doors, but the Lizard Lounge is back

Here are the 21 best local entries to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest

Newburyport natives TOLEDO soften painful lyrics with 'pillowcore' sound

7 albums to listen to this fall

A comprehensive guide to Greater Boston's fall classical music concerts

How a trip from Boston to Ethiopia birthed the maverick band QWANQWA

Boston indie pop group pushflowers are bursting with identity on 'Abre'

New MGM Music Hall at Fenway is designed with musicians in mind

Dorchester musician Eph See channels teen angst into buoyant pop

Grace Kelly channels empowerment in new pop anthem 'We Will Rise'