| Where Do I Play?
Boston has a thriving music community with tons of shows and opportunities for artists at a range of levels. But the bookers, press, and fellow musicians need to get to know you. These venues are good places to break in if you're new on the scene.
Folk
All Asia—This restaurant has a singer-songwriter open mic/show on Wednesdays.
Burren—A haunt for Irish traditional musicians, this bar also hosts a Sunday-night songwriter series.
Cantab Lounge—This Cambridge dive offers a folk open mic on Monday and the most popular bluegrass jam/show in town Tuesdays.
Club Passim—A birthplace of the contemporary American folk scene. Open mics on Tuesdays. All-ages.
Boston-Area Coffeehouse Association—The suburbs have countless all-ages coffeehouses whose organizers keep an eye out for new talent. One venue close to home is the Nameless Coffeehouse in Harvard Square.
Jazz
Beehive—This sophisticated downtown club has rapidly become a favored haunt of Berklee musicians.
Jamaicaway Music and Books—Jam session on Sunday afternoons.
Lily Pad—Very small and open to experimentation.
Matt Murphy's—The level of musicianship is high at Thursday's jam sessions with the Wild Sextet.
Slade's Bar—Weekend afternoon jam sessions.
Solstice Café—Jam session on Thursdays.
Wally's Jazz Cafe—The storied Sunday-afternoon jam sessions are intense. Expect to be tested.
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The Beehive is popular with faculty as well as students.
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| Photo by Phil Farnsworth |
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Rock
Abbey Lounge—Solo performers on the pub stage, bands on the main... though the whole place is smaller than an apartment. Particularly popular with the garage rock set.
All Asia—It looks like a restaurant, but people go for the music, not the food.
Middle East Corner—A starter option at the area's largest independent venue. You may also be able to get gigs at the Upstairs stage.
O'Brien's Pub—Bands that play this venue have a shot at moving up to its larger sister club Great Scott down the street.
PA's Lounge—Geographically and musically a little off the beaten track—noise, psych-folk, twee....
Toad—This cozy, no-cover venue has live music every night... which means a lot of slots to fill. Heavy on roots-rock.
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