FNX has been on a roll lately, hosting two of the biggest indie bands on the scene right now, Band of Horses and Vampire Weekend. Both bands have a reputation for appealing to a hipster crowd, and while tight jeans, ironic T-shirts, and beards (oh-so many beards) were indeed prevalent at both shows, the main focus has been on the unique sound of both acts. Band of Horses was one of the recently affected......

The House of Blues has bought the Lansdowne Street clubs, including Avalon and Axis. How is this going to affect the renovations of Avalon and Axis, which has had a negative impact on performers and fans since the venues shut down? The Globe reports: "The only thing that has changed is in place of a sign that says Lansdowne Music Hall, it will say House of Blues," Lyons said yesterday. He will continue to own......

Having trouble getting concert tickets lately? The changes on Lansdowne Street might be to blame, as suggested by Michael Marotta at the Herald. Renovations on Avalon and Axis hasn't started, and bands who would have been perfect for that spot in a bind. Either they play shows in venues that are too big, which makes the band look lame, or their shows sell out in small venues. Take what's happened to Editors and Justice for......

You know those TGIFriday's commercials, where they portray the hard workers of today sitting at a round table and laughing, drinking, and eating inexpensive but tasty comfort foods to celebrate the end of another work week? Not this time. This Friday, it's time for a fast, light meal and one or all of the variety of events going on in this city. It seems there's been a lot more nightlife lately, with parties happening left......

Armin Van Buuren will be at the Avalon tonight, September 16, starting at 9:00 pm. Ahh … trance. That word may mean different things to different people, but at the closing party* for Avalon Boston tonight, it means that world-renowned DJ Armin Van Buuren will be supplying the last dose of euphoria for the devoted weekend crowd at the city's most renowned dance hub. Home for years to house, trance, techno and all forms of......

Swedish indie act Peter Bjorn and John's song "Young Folks" sure is catchy, light, and charming. Since the song includes Victoria Bergsman, formerly of the equally catchy The Concretes, the tune is sure to stick in one's head. In fact, when a DJ played "Young Folks" at River Gods the other night, the eyes of everyone in the bar lit up. People swayed. People smiled. The song set a perfect tone for the end of......

Paris is in jail, the Red Sox are on their way to California, Mitt is still running for president, but we're bringing it back to the clubs. Well, the clubs and urban outfitters. Some folks that seem like they've been around forever (dinosaur jr.) and those who legitimately have been around forever (Lee "scratch" Perry) come and visit the nontraditional and traditional venues, respectively, as part of this weeks music picks. Tuesday 6/5 The......

For a brief moment at Avalon Monday night, Bostonist felt like we'd been transported to 1964. Flanked on both sides by an eight piece, horn-fueled band, a young woman and her towering bee hive took the mic in front of a simple back drop strung with twinkling lights. Two male back-up singers, elegantly suited-up, began moving in unison. But this ain't no lame Motown review featuring tired, retro-dance moves. This is Amy "believe the hype"......

The April rain is seemingly behind us, the flowers are springing, but we're not yet upon summer festival season. Soon enough we won't be able to go a weekend without a sleepless night with ringing in our ears as we spent too many hours in the heat a little too close to a bank of speakers broadcasting to the masses. Well, that or a sweet show at Harbor Lights The Pavilion. Tuesday, 5/8 Grant-Lee......

Yeah, it was inevitable. The backlash, that is. When the turbo-hype visited upon soul sensation Amy Winehouse in the UK started to pick-up steam stateside, it was only a matter of time before the chorus of praise would be matched by a groundswell of derision -- or what's the BFD questioning (at least one gawker simply can't understand what all the fuss is about). But when you set aside the tabloid tales of excess drinking......

This Sunday Project Bread's Walk for Hunger takes over the streets of Boston, Newton, Watertown…oh, you get the picture. The walk starts in the morning and thousands of people will be walking to raise money to support food banks, soup kitchens, and other initiatives across the Commonwealth. There are lots of good shows going on this week – and it's capped off with a weekend extravaganza that includes both Arts First and Harvard Square's......

Perhaps with all the recent hype surrounding UK soul sensation Amy Winehouse, you plum forgot about Alice Smith, who made a bit of a splash her own damn self last Fall. Smith's debut album For Lovers, Dreamers & Me on ultra hip UK underground hip hop label BBE (J Dilla, Pete Rock, DJ Vadim, "Return Of The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff," etc.) is just as impressive as Amy's heralded sophomore effort Back to Black. And......

This week JazzBoston pulls together Jazz Week. More than 150 events, including concerts and lectures are held across the city. Jazz Week shines a light on the diverse and vibrant local jazz scene. It all wraps up with concerts on Sunday. A full line-up as available from the event website. Wednesday, 4/25 Wooden Wand & the Vanishing Voice Churning out strange, occasionally nostalgic, and frequently psychedelic Americana, James Toth distinguishes himself in the increasingly......

A weekend stand of winning baseball at home when the Sox take it to the Angels followed by the all day boozy spectator sport that is the Boston Marathon it's going to be a long week. Lucky for music fans there's a lot to look forward to and keep you up all night with that lovely ringing in your ears that only comes from live music. Tuesday, 4/17 Sammy Miami's Southern Alternative Acoustic Jamboree......

In our roundup of shows coming up this week we told you about next Monday's appearance of The Kaiser Chiefs and the Annuals at Avalon. We don't know how the Kaiser Chiefs manages to make "Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby / Do ya do ya do ya do ya" sound compelling, but the British new wave ensemble pulls it off. With fist-pumping choruses (and fabulous enunciation skills, might we add), the Kaiser Chiefs will likely......

As the saying goes April showers bring May flowers. We're willing to subscribe with that theory. April looks to be a bit soggy for us in the beginning, especially considering the current seven day forecast. That means that frolicking in the outdoors will be limited and heading into the haven of the local rock haunts will be plentiful. Lucky this week provides a host of great shows around the Boston area. Included this week......

April Fool's Day is on the Horizon, but we ain't foolin this week. A solid line up of shows – starting with the Tourfilter DJ Night at River Gods – is ahead. It's mid-week heavy this time around so kick it like a rock star and be thankful you can sleep in on Saturday. Monday, 3/26 TourFilter Mixtape Tourfilter founder Chris Marstall will be at River Gods in Cambridge equipped with an evening full......

Since daylight savings time kicked it's been hard to get a good nights sleep. Up too late, and up again the next day too early. This week promises to keep us in that very same groove with a list of great music coming to Boston. Who needs sleep anyway? Don't forget to give your support to Exploit Boston Radio, they've got their fingers crossed that Congress and their favor of big label music will......

This week the music world turns its gaze to the party they call SXSW. A number of local bands are hitting the scene in hopes that it will propel them to some worldwide tour – or at least help them get out of that "garden level" apartment in Medford. While some eyes turn south to Texas where an immigration debate runs wild the US immigration policy has taken a toll on the local concert......

After the total lunar eclipse spiced up the night sky this past weekend we've got enough of the visuals. This week we're committed not to go see live music but to go hear live music. This week we're welcoming a few new contributors to the list, have a listen, will ya? Monday 3/5 Badly Drawn Boy It's okay to admit to liking British singer-songwriter Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy. He may write lyrics......

Berklee and Essence have teamed up again this year to bring the best young talent out to compete in the Hip Hop Songwriting Contest. If you are, or know, an eligible teen (unsigned and between 15 and 18) the time is nigh. Deadline for submission is March 9. It's all for a good cause, helping to balance the message in hip hop music and giving young songwriters a stage and training, not to mention......

Bostonist was dismayed last Thursday night to see first-hand the effects of the temporary underage concert attendance ban limitations implemented by the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing (MOCAL). A couple of WERS staff members were barred from tabling (read: handing out pens and stickers) the Chad Perrone/Mieka Pauley concert at Harper’s Ferry – a show that the station had been promoting – because those staffers were underage. Bostonist understands that the Harper’s crew’s......

Kaiju Big Battel with Peelander-Z will go down at the Avalon Ballroom tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 21, at 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Kaiju website. Kaiju Big Battel is having a serious rumble tomorrow night at the Avalon Ballroom. If you show up, it will be your chance to be part of the Kaiju TV pilot, which will be shot for gaming channel G4tv. David Borden, Chief Kaiju Officer, explains that "if all......

BPD News: "Sometimes, It Pays to Be Quiet." Hear that, silly lawbreakers? An underage drinker got busted because he and his friends were making noise. Maybe the headline should have read, "Sometimes, It Pays to Drink Quietly." Also in the maybe-you-should've-been-more-subtle department, residents helped the police break a male prostitution ring in Roxbury. If it's loud enough for the neighbors to hear you, then you're gonna get caught. However, the roommate of the guy running......

If you ventured out after Thursday's holiday to participate in the great American tradition – shopping – you likely were subjected to all sorts of Christmas music. From Clay's Merry Christmas with Love to Nat King Cole's classics it's upon us. More and more radio stations are picking up the radio formatting. It may not be "too early" but it's certainly not what you'll find if you check out this weeks shows. And remember......

Coming into a Monday after a long weekend feels so wrong. Friday's off are usually arranged through vacation time or, cough, a sick day. Last week the veterans made us do it. But it's back to work and it's raining buckets with no sun in sight for the first part of the week. Luckily we've got some great music to keep us going this week. From enduring jazz superstars to indie rockers you might......

Enough music to rock because you're happy or rock because you're sad. No matter if the candidate you were supporting won or lost you can find solace in the upbeat or comfort in the emo. Tuesday 11/7 Method Man The mighty Method Man (Wu-Tang) brings a glorious night of hardcore hip hop to Avalon featuring Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and Hall of Justus. Avalon, all ages, $25, 7pm doors Method Man: website | myspace......

IPO might still elicit thoughts of Initial Public Offering for many around Boston. This week it stands for International Pop Overthrow. About a thousand bands each take stage for a short set at the Paradise Lounge before the next act gets up. Ok, so it's not a thousand, but there are at least 40. The festival kicks off on Wednesday with Bostonist favs Anuska Pop and play all week. Each show is $10 and......