Symphony Hall opens Friday afternoon with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony, and by evening The Damned are at Royale, so the weekend swings from precise orchestral sound to 1970s British punk within a few hours. Olivia Rodrigo takes TD Garden on Saturday, while Beck plays MGM Music Hall at Fenway the same night.
Tip: code GTIX20 takes 20% off ticket prices on every event below — no minimum and no expiry.
- Boston Symphony Orchestra with Andris Nelsons
- The Damned at Royale
- Beck at MGM Music Hall at Fenway
- Olivia Rodrigo at TD Garden
- Wicked at Citizens Bank Opera House
- Robert Kelly at Laugh Boston
- Sin Bandera at the Wang Theatre
- PureSoul: Aretha and the Soul of the 60s
- Allison Russell at Royale
- Improv With My Friends From Work at the Wilbur
Boston Symphony Orchestra with Andris Nelsons
Fri, Oct 16, 1:30 PM · Boston Symphony Hall · from $79
Nelsons leads one of the country’s best-known orchestras in a Friday afternoon concert at Symphony Hall, a room built for exactly this kind of listening. It is a good choice for a daytime outing with a long, unhurried programme.
The Damned at Royale
Fri, Oct 16, 6:30 PM · Royale Boston · from $81
One of the original British punk bands, The Damned bring their fast, theatrical brand of garage-rooted punk to a smaller club room. Expect a loud, sweaty night that rewards fans who know the early records.
Beck at MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sat, Oct 17, 8:00 PM · MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park · from $87
Beck moves easily between folk, funk and experimental pop, and his shows tend to shift shape from song to song. The Fenway room is intimate enough that the mood should feel close.
Olivia Rodrigo at TD Garden
Sat, Oct 17, 7:00 PM · TD Garden · from $462
Rodrigo is one of the biggest pop-rock names of the moment, and TD Garden is where her arena-scale show lands in Boston. Her songs are built for a crowd singing every word back.
Wicked at Citizens Bank Opera House
Fri, Oct 16, 8:00 PM · Citizens Bank Opera House · from $64
Wicked remains one of Broadway’s most-loved musicals, with its sweeping score and Oz-set story of two unlikely friends. The Opera House is a grand setting for a Friday night out.
Robert Kelly at Laugh Boston
Fri, Oct 16, 7:00 PM · Laugh Boston · from $51
Kelly is a stand-up comic known for sharp, conversational sets that lean on observation and storytelling. Laugh Boston gives the night a relaxed, club-level feel.
Sin Bandera at the Wang Theatre
Sat, Oct 17, 8:00 PM · Wang Theater At The Boch Center · from $90
Sin Bandera is a long-running Latin pop group with a wide following, and the Wang is a classic Boston hall for big performances. It is a good Saturday pick for a Latin-pop crowd.
PureSoul: Aretha and the Soul of the 60s
Sat, Oct 17, 12:00 PM · City Winery – Boston · from $59
This tribute show revisits the soul sound of the 1960s, with Aretha Franklin’s catalogue at its centre. City Winery’s room suits a Sunday afternoon of classic soul.
Allison Russell at Royale
Sun, Oct 18, 7:00 PM · Royale Boston · from $869
Russell is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose work blends roots, soul and folk. Her Royale date on Sunday offers a quieter, more song-focused end to the weekend.
Improv With My Friends From Work at the Wilbur
Sun, Oct 18, 7:00 PM · Wilbur Theatre – MA · from $55
An improvised comedy show built around a loose format and a cast that works off the audience. It is a light-hearted Sunday evening option at the Wilbur.
Check dates and times on the listings before you go, and book early for Olivia Rodrigo and Wicked, which tend to sell fastest.
