Gig Watch: July 2026
Shows not to miss in and around Boston for the month of July.
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We’re running a little behind this month with the holiday and all, but still plenty to cover for July – picks below.
7/7 – Jesus the Dinosaur / Rain House / Their Treasure @ Zone 3
Allston Pudding closes out their free summer gig series on Western Ave with more local favs and complimentary pizza.
7/8 – Buck Meek @ The Sinclair
Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek – who’s an accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right – headlines The Sinclair in support of his fourth solo LP The Mirror.
7/8 – Big|Brave / The Body / Glacier @ Middle East Upstairs
A mere T stop away, a co-headlining tour of enduringly boundary-pushing heavy bands Big|Brave and The Body hits the Mid East, joined by local post-metal crushers Glacier.
7/8 – American Football @ Royale
Look I know three’s a stretch, but it’s a stacked Wednesday: emo vets American Football, who just released their intense fourth LP, head back to Royale with well-matched support from Ian Sweet.
7/9 – Jejune @ The Sinclair
Having initially formed across the river at Berklee in the mid-’90s, once-local emo outfit Jejune are the latest cult-favorite act to be coaxed back into action by a thorough Numero Group reissue campaign. They’ll play their Boston date in nearly 30 years this month.
7/11 – Carnivorous Bells @ O’Brien’s Pub
Headed by (former?) Merchandise guitarist David Vassalotti, Carnivorous Bells bring their mutant post-punk to Allston for a Saturday night rager.
7/16 – Bob Dylan @ Leader Bank Pavilion
Lots of people will tell you Dylan is no longer worth seeing live this deep into his career, but those people are wrong. Bob’s still full of surprises (including who’s sitting in on guitar, at the moment), and well worth making the trip to the waterfront for.
7/19 – Wu Lyf @ The Sinclair
Following a visa delay earlier this year that spoiled plans for the band’s first U.S. tour since their unceremonious 2012 breakup, widescreen indie rockers Wu Lyf go for a makeup date in Cambridge this month.
7/21 – Cola @ The Sinclair
Ought offshoot Cola continue to carry that beloved band’s post-punk torch, bringing a tour in support of their excellent third LP Cost of Living Adjustment to Harvard Square (joined by Parking, who were an impressive force opening for Lifeguard at Deep Cuts last year).
7/22 – A Monolithic Dome / Slow Quit / Gloomlurker / Teeth2 @ Silhouette Lounge
Webookthings brings you an insanely heavy bill of out-there local metal/shoegaze/etc. at the Sil dart room.
7/23 – Twisted Teens @ The Sinclair
Having handily sold out O’Brien’s just a few months back, New Orleans country-punk upstarts Twisted Teens are back with a sizable venue upgrade.
7/24-7/26 – Nice, A Fest @ Crystal Ballroom & The Rockwell
Following a gap year, local showcase Nice, A Fest returns with a vengeance and a massive bill including Downtown Boys, Landowner, Gymshorts, Bus Crush, Twen and the return of Krill (!) across three days in Somerville’s Davis Square.
7/27 – Broken Social Scene / Metric / Stars @ MGM Music Hall
It’s Canadian heritage night at MGM as three of our northern neighbors’ most notable indie rock institutions team up (presumably offering an opportunity for Metric leader Emily Haines to link up with her old BSS bandmates for a few songs).
7/30 – Tomahawk @ House of Blues
And to close the month, weirdo-metal supergroup Tomahawk – featuring Faith No More’s Mike Patton and his Mr. Bungle bandmate Trevor Dunn, The Jesus Lizard’s Duane Dennison and Helmet/Battles drummer John Stanier – reactivate for a tour that rolls through the House of Blues.