Some big names are in town this week: Paul McCartney, Marilyn Manson, Van Morrison, and of course Taylor Hanson. Plus, there are a plethora of throwback acts that have us thinking of our high school days. It's not a matter of having a show to go to, it's a matter of picking which one—and how nostalgic you want to get!
Monday, August 3
Tinted Windows
with The Everyday Visuals, Free Energy
Iha + Hanson = <3! Right? We don't know. This is some kind of supergroup composed of Hanson, Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne, and Cheap Trick members. It's very confusing and we're not sure how to feel about it. We may find out tonight at the Paradise. 7pm doors, 18+ show, $20.
Cursive
with The Love Language, Where The Land Meets The Sea
As intricate and varied as the writing that inspired the band's name, Cursive produces gentle, detailed rock with sultry ups and downs. New album Mama, I'm Swollen sounds repulsive in concept, but is attractive in execution. Middle East downstairs, 9pm, $15.
Billy Bragg at Berklee
Cranky English folkster Bragg brings his countrified but cutting tunes to town. You need a Berklee ID to get in, so either sign up for classes real quick or hang around outside in hopes that a Berkster might sneak you in. 8pm, Berklee Performance Center, $Berklee ID.
Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles
with Jesca Hoop, Drew O'Doherty
"Her music is like going swimming in a lake at night," said Tom Waits of Jesca Hoop. Well, that's a pretty nice endorsement. Langhorne Slim may be more like climbing a mountain on a hot summer day, but enjoying the burn. TT the Bear's, 9pm, $12.
Tuesday, August 4
Sugar Ray with Fastball
Whoa, is it 1997 or something? We just wanna "Fly" all "The Way" to the Paradise for this show! Relive your tweens, teens, college years, or years before you were born, depending on how old you were when all this happened. We can say that Fastball is actually a good band, or was at one point before fame exploded all over them. Paradise, doors at 7, 18+, $27.50.
Marilyn Manson
If you were more of a goth during those mid/late-90s teen/tween years, and didn't have a Sugar Ray poster on your wall, Marilyn's show may be for you. Sure to feature many "Beautiful People," if by beautiful you mean pale and wearing black. This is part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem festival, also featuring Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and other scary bands. Comcast Center, Mansfield, 2pm, $25+.
Van Morrison
Taking us back to the 1960s and 1970s now (and, arguably, to better music), Van himself visits Boston to clean the windows of his soul, and bring us warm love, or something like that. Wang Center, 8pm, $60+.
Wednesday, August 5
Arctic Monkeys
with Modey Lemon
The Arctic Monkeys were the Next Big Thing a few years ago. Did the band's time pass or will it rise again? The fact that the show Wednesday night is sold out might be a clue that the Monkeys are still strong. Accompanied by heavy, psychedelic, and oddly-named Modey Lemon. Doors at 7 PM, 18+ show, sold out.
Paul McCartney
The infamous Beatles and Wings man graces Fenway with his presence Wednesday and Thursday this week. With electro-rockers MGMT to bridge the generation gap. 7pm, $90+.
Friday, August 7
Harvey Danger
We thought Harvey Danger bade us farewell by having only one successful single ever ("Flagpole Sitta"), but apparently the band wasn't ready to say goodbye until now. We've heard through the grapevine that this is actually a pretty decent group of musicians, so we might give them a chance tonight during the band's farewell tour. Harper's Ferry, 8pm, 18+, $12.
Saturday, August 8
Drug Rug and Mean Creek
CD Release
with The New Black Magic Rainbow Quartet, The Needy Visions
You can start the night in your poncho, but the lo-fi rock of Mean Creek and Drug Rug heat up the Middle East enough that you'll have to take it off. This is definitely the hipster-grunge event of the weekend. Middle East down, 9pm, $12.
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