Massachusetts Music Venues

Visit this indie rock club midway between Boston University and Boston College. This spot ranks among America's top intimate rock clubs. With a capacity of under 300, shows are electrifying, and performers often leap to international fame shortly after playing here. It's ideal for rock fans who enjoy being in the know when it comes to new talent.

One of the most exciting rock music venues outside of Boston, Showcase is a 16,000 square foot venue with a plush red velvet interior. Acts to play here have included Scott Wiland, David Allan Cole, and The Misfits. While performances here vary in genre from jazz to hip hop, this place was built on rock 'n' roll.

Locals debate which venue holds the top spot in Boston's rock charts. Arguably, the Paradise deserves the title. Since U2 played the venue in 1980, it has been the locus of Boston's rock scene, with British bands landing here before discovering America. Expect a who's who of contemporary rock stars.

Fans of old school rock 'n' roll should head to the Palladium, which has the unique privilege of having hosted both B.B. King and Slayer. This historic theater has nurtured both local and international talent for over 100 years. Its period architecture is a pleasant contrast to the contemporary acts it hosts, and the acoustics couldn't be better.

Singer-songwriters congregate at Cambridge's Plough and Stars, which is snuggled between Harvard and Central Squares in downtown Boston. Enjoy lyrical greatness without having to part ways with the shibboleths of Boston beer drinking culture.

Listen to musical legends right near Boston Harbour. Views of the Boston skyline are as dazzling as the caliber of performers who have played this ritzy venue. Names include Stevie Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Van Morrison, and LL Cool J.

Massachusetts' most iconic outdoor venue is Fenway Park, home of Boston's beloved baseball team, the Red Sox. The historic ball field opened with performances by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. In the intervening years, it has attracted rock royalty, including the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Bruce Springsteen, not to mention Justin Timberlake and Billy Joel.

Some 30mi. south of the city, the Xfinity Center accommodates crowds of 12,000. As a consequence, the venue has attracted world-class performers such as Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffet, and KISS. The aptly named outdoor venue is sprawling, offering concert memories to last a lifetime.

This unconventional, storied Massachussetts music venue in the Berkshire Hills is an institution that plays home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the summer, and wins hearts with its natural setting. Enjoy symphonic sounds as you gaze out over rolling lawns.

Don't miss out on summer concerts at this dazzling venue. The Rockport Chamber Music Festival augers the arrival of classical greats such as Rochard Stoltzman and Joshua Bell. One of the most vital of New England's summer festivals, performances here are a must for any classical music aficionado.

Home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this concert hall is a must for classical music lovers in town for a visit.