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Selected Sounds: 5 Shows in Boston You Shouldn’t Miss

Jenna Buckle

Whether you’re in the mood to catch a show in an arena or in a burger joint, you can do it all in Boston this month. Here are our recommendations for the first half of February:

2/4/14

Pusha T and 2 Chainz at House of Blues – (Selected by Jonah)

In 2013, a lot of rap albums caught my attention, but none played over my speakers more than Pusha T’s record, My Name Is My Name. Co-produced by Kanye West, it features some of the hardest, most ferocious street rap I’ve ever heard. This show won’t be for the faint of heart, but putting Pusha and 2 Chainz on stage together will likely result in one of this year’s hottest rap tours.

 

2/6/14

Arctic Monkeys at Agganis Arena – (Selected by Nitesh)

Arctic Monkeys — arguably the only British alternative band that has consistently released quality music for almost a decade — are finally coming back to our city. Despite their consistency, however, their style has changed with each album; their latest release, AM, is influenced by rap and hip-hop. Expect head banging, amazing lights and lots and lots of confetti.

 

2/7/14

Darkside at Paradise Rock Club – (Selected by Matthew)

Darkside’s Nicolas Jaar is a man who values the aesthetic and visual aspects of his live shows, as demonstrated by his improvised performance at New York’s Museum of Modern Art last year. That show included real-time samples, saxophone, keyboards, a choreographed dancer and a rotating camera projecting haunting images onto a large screen. While Darkside will probably not go to such giddy artistic heights this Friday at the Paradise, their modern take on Pink Floyd squeezed through a dance filter will be as captivating as ever.

 

2/8/14

Speedy Ortiz at Tasty Burger (Harvard) – (Selected by Becca)

Massachusetts band Speedy Ortiz is celebrating the release of their upcoming EP at Tasty Burger in Cambridge. The lineup includes 3 more awesome local bands — The Channels, Sneeze, and Idiot Genes — so it should be one hell of a party. If you’re interested in supporting local musicians, supporting local businesses, or supporting local businesses supporting local artists, be sure to come by Saturday night to grab a burger and listen to some live tunes. Tickets are only $5-$10.

 

2/15/14

Emancipator & Odesza at Paradise Rock Club – (Selected by Jenna)

Calling all Pretty Lights fans… this is a line-up you’ll definitely want to catch. Trip-hop electronic producer Emancipator is for the first time bringing in a 4-piece ensemble to recreate his tracks on stage, and he’ll be joined by Odesza and Real Magic for what promises to be an hypnotic, immersive experience. Keep your eyes peeled for a review of the show here on Sound of Boston.