Gig Watch: January 2026

Shows not to miss in and around Boston for the month of January.

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January’s the worst, huh? Holidays over, everything frozen, confronting resolutions…even if the list is shorter than usual, let some gigs be your outlet.

1/10 – Sweetie / Never Better Baby @ O’Brien’s Pub

The emo side projects of two of your favorite Boston bands (Actor Observer and Future Teens, respectively) team up for an afternoon matinee at OB’s.

1/15 – Cate Le Bon @ The Sinclair

Welsh singer/songwriter Cate Le Bon brings her always adventurous art-pop to Harvard Square

1/16 – Bus Crush @ The Lilypad

Local indie favs Bus Crush throw a record-release bash at the Lilypad with pals Doss and Megan From Work.

1/18 – 12 Rods @ O’Brien’s Pub

Here’s one: Ryan Olcott of ’90s/’00s indie rockers 12 Rods (notable recipients of the ultra-rare Pitchfork 10.0 back in the site’s early days) brings his solo iteration of the project to Allston.

1/19 – Shame @ Brighton Music Hall

U.K. post-punks Shame – one of the most fiery and entertaining live bands of their scene – support last September’s Cutthroat with a stop in Allston.

1/19 – Ohio State Fair / Angel Bite / Warmachine / (T-T)b @ Silhouette Lounge

Alternately for your Monday night, just steps away, a stacked local bill spanning shoegaze to chiptune awaits in the friendly confines of the Sil dart room.

1/22 – Sharp Pins @ Arts at the Armory

After a postponement and multiple venue upgrades, Lifeguard’s Kai Slater finally brings his ’60s-psych-tinged power-pop project Sharp Pins to the Armory behind November’s excellent Balloon Balloon Balloon.

1/30 – Greg Freeman @ Cafe 939

Vermont alt-country singer/songwriter Greg Freeman, a fast-rising cult fav both regionally and beyond, heads to the tiny Cafe 939 for an unsurprisingly sold-out Friday night.

1/31-2/1 – Something in the Way @ Roadrunner

Closing out the month, Bowery’s emo-leaning two-day fest returns for its sophomore year, with headliners Sunny Day Real Estate and Explosions in the Sky joined by the likes of The Hotelier, Angel Du$t, Pelican, Tigers Jaw and more.