CONCERT LISTINGS December Concerts
There are only a few weeks left to catch shows before the semester ends, so take note of these top picks. Special interest performances are noted with stars. Send future listing suggestions to arts@tech.mit.edu.
Friday, Dec. 7
Cake’s Unlimited Sunshine Festival
Orpheum Theatre, All Ages, $35, 7:30 p.m.
This annual traveling festival of musicians headed up by Cake comes to Boston with Brazilian Girls, Oakley Hall, Detroit Cobras, King City, and Agent Ribbons. Pricey ticket; fun show.
Saturday, Dec. 8
MIT Cross Products Fall Concert
10-250, Free, 5 p.m.
Ah, it’s a cappella season again. This is MIT’s co-ed Christian a cappella group’s annual fall performance.
MIT Chorallaries Fall Concert
10-250, Free, 8 p.m.
If the Cross Products aren’t your thing, or you just don’t feel like leaving after their concert, check out the MIT Chorallaries a cappella group.
RAMBAX
Lobdell, Free, 8 p.m.
Check out this Sengalese percussion performance.
Sunday, Dec. 9
KlezMITron
Museum of Fine Arts West Wing, Free (with museum admission), 2:30–4 p.m.
MIT and Berklee klezmer musicians perform in conjunction with MFA’s holiday programming.
Third Annual Yule Ball (feat. Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, Uncle Monsterface, Math the Band, Remus and the Lupins)
The Middle East (Downstairs), All Ages, $12dos, 5 p.m.
This is not the sort of thing that appeals to me, but I understand it’s quite a craze, so have at it, MIT Muggles. I’ll come out once they get The Weird Sisters on the bill.
MIT Techiya Fall Concert
10-250, Free, 9 p.m.
If you haven’t gotten your fix of vocal performance this December, come check out MIT’s only Jewish, Hebrew, and Israeli a cappella group perform.
MIT Gospel Choir Fall Concert
10-250, Free, 5 p.m.
This concert features guest gospel ensembles and refreshments following the performance.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s (with Le Loup, The Motion Sick) *
The Middle East (Upstairs), 18+, $9
A fantastic little band that is elegant on record and emotionally unrestrained in concert. They take their name from Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and I like to think their musical sensibilities are influenced by the film as well.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Spaces Faces and The Johnson/Fleder Sub-Trio
Little Kresge Auditorium, Free, 7 p.m.
Presented lovingly by WMBR, Spaces Faces will do some of their own compositions as well as contemporary classical pieces, while the Sub-Trio is doing some originals and Coltrane reinterpretations.
Saturday, Dec. 15
Friends of John: A Benefit Concert for the John Ryan Pike Memorial Foundation (feat. Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend) *
The Middle East (Downstairs), 18+, $15dos, 7 p.m.
Friends of former Ra Ra Riot drummer John Pike will play a show to fully benefit his memorial foundation, which hopes to raise money for those pursuing some musical education. Indie pop for a good cause.
Friday, Dec. 28
Francine *
T.T. the Bear’s Place, 18+, $15, 11:20 p.m.
Frontman Clayton Scoble (ex-Poundcake) has been “on the Boston scene for, like, forever” according to my boyfriend, who turned me on to these guys about a year ago. This is the kind of music you can share with your friends, your S.O. and your mom; it’s restrained but forward-thinking, delicate but jarring, eloquent and full of humor, all topped off with Scroble’s fantastically smooth and emotive voice.
Sunday, Dec. 30
Soulive
Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $22.50dos, 8 p.m.
Though they’ll also play on New Year’s Eve in the same location, it’s $20 cheaper on the thirtieth, so I’ll bet you can guess my recommendation. Now that they’ve returned to trio status and renounced huge venues and tour busses, you can bet they’ll be right in their element at Paradise.
Monday, Dec. 31
Badfish — A Tribute to Sublime
The Middle East (Downstairs), 21+, $40
Oh, come on, you know you’re going to be drunk for the new year, anyway. Why not do it while listening to nearly impeccable live covers of Sublime songs? Save up some cash, bring some friends, and celebrate the end of ’07 like it’s the end of ’96.
—Sarah Dupuis