Tim Briggs

Selected Sounds: 5 Shows To Catch In August

If you haven’t experienced a Berklee Summer in the City concert yet, now’s the time. Our team highlights one of the upcoming (free) concerts, as well as a handful of other shows around town that we’ve been looking forward to. Mark your calendars, buy your tickets, and see you there!

Saturday, August 10

Khalid at TD Garden – Selected by Jared

Khalid is bringing his R&B chill and dressed-down dorm vibes to TD Garden for his first arena tour on August 10th. When the 17 year old R&B prodigy from El Paso debuted his 2017 album American Teen, he broke a completely new sound, which has been cheekily referred to as “emo-soul.” His songs have been a lyrical rallying cry for his peer group of “young dumb broke high school kids.” More than a billion streams and five Grammy nominations later, Khalid’s second full-length album Free Spirit, grapples with isolation and insecurity through mid-tempo grooves, catchy hooks and low-fi ear candy production. Khalid has brought fire to the industry from day one, selling out every venue on his 2017 Location tour before he broke his debut studio album. He is a very successful musician who is bringing immense swag and a fresh new style to the scene; definitely go check out Khalid live.

Tuesday, August 13

Roy Juno at Atlantic Wharf – Selected by Arielle

Fresh off of Osheaga Music and Arts Festival and a Canadian tour, local synth-laced, pop-rock band Roy Juno will be playing a free, outdoor show at Atlantic Wharf. The show is hosted by Berklee Summer in the City, a concert series featuring Berklee students and alumni at spaces all over Boston. Described by Sora Music as “a lush, energetic soundscape mixed with a raw human element,” be ready to dance, rock, and reflect to Roy Juno’s music. Their pop anthem, Glory, touches on the heavy themes of ego and coming of age, while maintaining a catchy, singable hook. If you’re looking to spend a summer evening in good company, in a beautiful space by the water, filled with honest music… look no further.

Thursday, August 15

Beck and Cage the Elephant at the Xfinity Center – Selected by Alexis

Beck and Cage the Elephant are storming into Massachusetts for a night of chill vibes to close out the summer on their Night Running Tour. The co-headlining tour—which sprung from the electric collaboration “Night Running,” a reggae-inspired track released earlier this year—began in mid-July and spans across 30 cities in the United States. Beck and Cage the Elephant will bring the grooves, funk and the infectious indie rock beats to power up a summer night full of classics and new tracks alike.

Thursday, August 22

Oso Oso at Brighton Music Hall – Selected by Kristen

Playing alongside Future Teens and The Sidekicks is the bracing emo project of Long Beach native, Jade Lilitri, known as Oso Oso. While this project has remained low-key since its debut, Oso Oso gained recognition from the indie rock world after it’s self-released album, The Yunahon Mixtape back in 2017. Known for bizarre album art and emotive verses often paired with instrumentals that fluctuate between soft and strident, there is an unsettling sincerity felt within this project. Oso Oso will put on a show that will attest to its inspiring vulnerability and hit all the right chords.

Thursday, August 29

The Western Den at Great Scott – Selected by Knar

With a Billboard premiere, an Audiotree session, and a couple million Spotify streams under their belts, it’s safe to say indie folk duo The Western Den has made a lot of progress since their early days in Boston. At its core, Chris West and Deni Hlavinka blend soft vocals with guitar, but oftentimes their sound is fortified with trumpet, strings, drums, synths and their own layered harmonies. Get ready for the show and spin their record, A Light Left On and turn back time with our Local Spotlight from five years ago!