Gig Watch: July 2025
Shows not to miss in and around Boston for the month of July.
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Summer is upon us, which means hot gigs aplenty. Picks for July below.
7/8 – Lifeguard @ Deep Cuts
Chicago trio Lifeguard – who signed to Matador for the release of last month’s great Ripped and Torn – bring their noisy brand of art-punk to Medford.
7/10 – Wavves @ The Sinclair
Stoner-punk prince of the late aughts Nathan Williams has kept the Wavves engine running all these years later, bringing a perfect compliment to the dead-of-summer heat to The Sinclair this month behind his new record Spun.
7/11 – Cap’n Jazz @ Royale
Nineties emo legends Cap’n Jazz finally bring their reunion tour around to Boston, for what may well be their first-ever show here in Mass. (Correct me if I’m wrong, but setlist.fm rarely deceives).
7/11 – Neptune @ Deep Cuts
And speaking of rare appearances, experimental rockers Neptune make their way to Deep Cuts on one of their infrequent treks with unpredictability and homemade instruments in tow.
7/11 – Wu-Tang Clan @ TD Garden
I don’t typically rep three shows on the same night, but you’ve gotta throw what’s allegedly the final area performance for hip-hop heroes the Wu-Tang Clan into the mix for your Friday night consideration. With a quorum of members present, they still put on a great show.
7/17 – Ducks Ltd. @ Museum of Fine Arts
The caffeinated jangle-pop of Montreal’s Ducks Ltd. is the definition of infectious, and you can catch them in a unique setting this month as Boston’s MFA brings their Concerts in the Courtyard series back to life.
7/18 – Dinosaur Jr. / Snail Mail @ Roadrunner
A team-up of indie rock stalwarts in Dino Jr. and modern favs Snail Mail promises a satisfyingly guitar-centric evening at Roadrunner.
7/20 – MSPAINT / Lip Critic @ Middle East Upstairs
Two of the great oddball, synth-damaged punk bands of the moment bring their combined forces to the Mid East Up this month for a wild Sunday night.
7/21 – Pelican @ The Sinclair
Heavy instrumentalists Pelican deliver post-metal majesty to Cambridge, on tour supporting May’s excellent Flickering Resonance.
7/26-7/27 – Grub Sweat and Beers @ O’Brien’s Pub
OB’s annual celebration of killer riffs and cold ones brings together a huge bill of local heaviness including Dwelley, Worshipper, Gozu, Mollusk, Strawberry Coffin and many more.
7/30 – TV on the Radio @ Roadrunner
Art-rockers TV on the Radio made a triumphant return from a lengthy hiatus late last year, and their summer tour hits Boston for their first headlining appearance here in 11 years at month’s end.