Whether we like it or not, the warm and fuzzy wind of fall has quickly transformed into the haunting, crisp air of upcoming winter. No matter, we can all keep warm in the heat of close encounters of the concert kind. Luckily, we have a lineup of shows that are happily spread out through all of November.
Wednesday, November 6
YBN Cordae at Agganis Arena – Selected by Jared
YBN Cordae gets it. At just 22 he’s playing a key role in helping hip hop find itself in 2019—an otherwise confusing time for hip hop heads. There is a battle for direction of the genre, waged between the “old heads” who put crisp, soulful beats, and clever rhyming above all else (see J. Cole), and the newer, trap-inspired, Soundcloud generation of rap artists (see Lil Pump) attaining worldwide success with a non-traditional, less serious hip hop style. Cordae isn’t picking sides but instead, thoughtfully mediating them. On his breakout single, “Old N*$&s (J. Cole “1985” Response),” he lays out the generational differences and helps point out what they all still have in common as hip hop artists: “it seems though we’re at a generational gap / I understand both sides, let me break it in half.” He’s now getting features from industry titans like Chance The Rapper and Anderson.Paak and is opening for Def Jam’s pride and joy, Logic, on November 6th at Agganis Arena to bump his debut full-length album, The Lost Boy.
Monday, November 11
Mom Jeans @ House of Blues – Selected by Kristen
On November 11, Mom Jeans will open for headliner Hobo Johnson at Boston’s House of Blues. Fall is amidst us, which means Boston’s punk/emo scene is in full force and a duo like this will surely deliver on twinkly guitars and catchy, confessional verses. With more of a spoken-word type style, Hobo Johnson is known for his animated live performances and witty, diary-like lyrics; paired with the (very) essential emo group, Mom Jeans., this show will achieve a perfect balance of vibrance and grunge. The air outside may be cold, but a show this twinkly will warm you right up.
Tuesday & Wednesday, November 12 & 13
Hozier @ The Wang Theatre – Selected by Alexis
Hozier is back in Boston for two shows on the final leg of his Wasteland, Baby! tour. The Irish native, who played at Boston Calling in May, is returning with Australian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon and a setlist brimming with moody, soulful hits — alongside the occasional covers and a few new tracks. Notorious for the poetic lyricism in his records—as well as his ability to ensnare the audience with his haunting, calming persona and raw, impassioned vocals, Hozier will take the stage and conjure up a show nothing short of mesmerizing.
Friday, November 15
Danny Brown @ Big Night Live – Selected by Tadhg
Fresh off the release of his fifth album, uknowhatimsayin¿, Danny Brown is coming to Boston on November 15, and will bring his new sound to a new venue. With critically-acclaimed releases “Atrocity Exhibition” and “XXX,” Brown has earned himself a spot at the top of the world of weirdo rap. And at almost 40, Brown is keeping his music fresh. On his latest album, we hear him adjust the gory and nasal horror-rap of tracks like “Ain’t it Funny” and “Really Doe” to the more laid-back, classic production of Q-Tip. Opened in October of this year near TD Garden, Big Night Live bills itself as a “luxury music hall” and boasts a lineup heavy on groundbreaking hip-hop, electronic, and R&B. For a new and still-strange night, see Danny Brown at Big Night Live later this month.
Wednesday, November 27
Tiny Moving Parts @ Paradise Rock Club – Selected by Nicole
The name of Minnesota’s current biggest emo band, Tiny Moving Parts, couldn’t be any more of a misnomer. The “family band” trio—two brothers and their cousin—sounds massive, roaring, math-rocky and beautifully reminiscent of The Hotelier and Sorority Noise. Having toured previously with the likes of Japanther and Modern Baseball, Tiny Moving Parts makes explosive, at times atmospheric and twinkly music, steeped in emo tradition, while still offering a fresh, exciting take on the genre. They will be coming to Boston’s Paradise Rock Club later this month, following the release of their seventh studio album, breathe, released in September.