[Boston-Area Action 5/21/26] Show-Going Plans & New Show Announcements
Posted on May 21, 2026 at 12:52 pm | No Comments
Not really feeling in the ‘weekly Boston-area events post’ mood, but I’m gonna push through. This thing is already a day late, and if I don’t do it right now, I won’t at all. Honestly, hearing that people actually read and value this thing is what keeps it coming, so that feedback is always appreciated.
Below: A list of about-to-happen Boston-area shows that are on my radar, and maybe should be on yours. Following that, a list of shows that have been announced since I did this last week.
Of primary focus: TOMORROW NIGHT. I’m helping to present a show at Deep Cuts in Allston, with sets from three faves: Unmade Bed, Thalia Zedek, and NYC-based headliners The Whimbrels. A ridiculously strong lineup, and I cannot wait. I kinda need this show. Join us if you can, I’ll even treat you to a beverage if you mention you read this. I’m not above straight up bribery, if it’s for a good reason.
Other imminent highlights: Vivid Bloom tonight with Mint Field at Deep Cuts. Saturday brings The Big Gig: Spring Music Festival & Market to Notch Brewing at The Charles River Speedway in Brighton. Hot dang. Robber Robber rules and plays Deep Cuts on Saturday night. For the olds: You can either see David Lee Roth or Bruce Springsteen on Sunday night. Choose your own adventure.
As far as personally appealing announcements go: Luna returns in September. Pre-sale tickets for that show at The Wilbur are already on sale. And after just playing at a very-sold-out O’Brien’s, Twisted Teens are back in July at The Sinclair. That’ll sell out, too.
The rest of the upcoming & announced shows that strike me are below, with a longer list in the right column over there –> . Make your own additions/corrections in the comments, if you please. I dig that. Off we go…
First, imminent Boston-area shows of (my/your?) interest…
Thursday, May 21st
Billy Eichner
@ the Wilbur
Thursday, May 21st
Mint Field
Vivid Bloom
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, May 22nd
Bradley’s Almanac (hey, that’s me!)
presents…
The Whimbrels
Thalia Zedek
Unmade Bed
@ Deep Cuts
Friday, May 22nd
The Sheila Divine
LP release show
@ Brighton Music Hall
Friday, May 22nd
The Wallflowers
@ The Cabot
Friday, May 22nd
Lucinda Williams
@ the Chevalier Theatre
Friday, May 22nd
King Tuff
Mod Lang
@ the Middle East Up
Friday, May 22nd
Memorials
@ O’Brien’s
Friday, May 22nd
The Black Angels
L.A. Witch
@ the Royale
Saturday & Sunday
May 23rd & 24th
THE BIG GIG
Spring Music Fest & Market
with 10 bands & 100+ vendors
presented by Allston Pudding
& the Brighton Bizarre
@ Notch Brighton @ Speedway
Saturday, May 23th
Robber Robber
Empath
Clifford
@ Deep Cuts
Sunday, May 24th
David Lee Roth
@ the House of Blues
Sunday, May 24th
Bruce Springsteen
& the E Street Band
@ TD Garden
Tuesday, May 26th
SNAX on WAX
Kathy Snax spinning 45s all night
@ Deep Cuts
And now, recently announced Boston-area shows…
Friday, May 29th
Jeffrey Gaines
@ the Fallout Shelter
Thursday, June 11th
Night Court with
Judge John Hodgman &
Bailiff Jesse Thorn
@ Coolidge Corner Theatre
Wednesday, July 15th
Stabbing Westward
@ Brighton Music Hall
Thursday, July 23rd
Twisted Teens
@ The Sinclair
Tuesday, September 22nd
Luna
@ the Wilbur
Friday, October 2nd
The Smashing Pumpkins
@ TD Garden
Friday, October 2nd
Muna
Hemlocke Springs
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, October 29th
Dent May
@ the Rockwell
Friday, November 6th
A Place To Bury Strangers
Adult.
Lane
@ the Sinclair
Saturday, November 7th
Blondshell
Prewn
@ House of Blues
Thursday, November 19th
Angine de Poitrine
@ Roadrunner
Thursday, December 10th
Shakey Graves
Jobi Riccio
@ Roadrunner
Alright, maybe I’ll see you out there. Hopefully as soon as tomorrow night at Deep Cuts.
[Boston-Area Rock Show Alert!] This Friday: The Whimbrels, Thalia Zedek, & Unmade Bed hit Deep Cuts
Posted on May 19, 2026 at 10:49 am | No Comments
Once or twice a year, when circumstances allow and motivation strikes, I help ‘present’ a Boston-area show that I’m particularly excited about, and that time has come again. This Friday, May 22nd, the Whimbrels come to town to play at Deep Cuts in Medford with openers Thalia Zedek and Unmade Bed.
The Whimbrels, you ask? If you’re not already clued in, they’re a relatively new-ish guitar-centric quintet of experienced NYC-based players with an impeccable collective pedigree: The members’ current & former bands/collaborators include the Glenn Branca Ensemble, Swans, New Radiant Storm King, & Savak, to name just a few. Their killer first full-length arrived last June on Dromedary Records, and they made their Boston debut that month at O’Brien’s, mesmerizing us all with a powerful opening salvo. As much as I dug their record, I was blown away by their live set, and we’re very lucky to have them back around to headline on a Friday night.
I probably don’t need to explain to anyone reading this who Thalia Zedek is. She of Live Skull, Uzi, Dangerous Birds, Come, and her own eponymous TZ Band. A low-key legend who lives in our midst. I just witnessed her blow minds & ears with her Come bandmates a week ago, but she’ll be taking the volume down a notch with a solo set before the Whimbrels hit the stage. I’m betting we’ll get a couple stripped down versions of songs from last year’s full-band record (my favorite of which is shared below), and if we’re lucky, some new stuff she’s been working on since then. Always waiting to hear my next TZ favorite…
When thinking about bands to kick off the night, my very first idea was Medford’s own Unmade Bed, so I’m very psyched they accepted the invitation. It was an mostly-selfish move, as I wasn’t able to catch their last show, and this was an easy way to fix that. The now-trio has been kicking around for a few years, working on songs, solidifying their lineup, and playing relatively rarely. They shared their first demo last fall, streamable below, and I’m looking forward to grilling them about when they’ll be sharing more.
I know Friday nights can be tough this time of year, choice-wise… there are a lot of good options out there asking for your eyeballs & earholes, but give a listen to the songs above and snag a ticket to hang with us at Deep Cuts if you’re so inclined. And maybe come out a little early for some food & bevvies. Me? I’m hankering hardcore for their One Armed Caesar Wrap with Banzo Balls. With a Pop’s Pinball appetizer. Perfection.
keep looking »