The Best Folk Music in the Boston Area
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Check out our top picks for the best folk music in the Boston area. From local talent to well-known artists, there’s something for everyone.
The Best Folk Music Venues in the Boston Area
The Boston area is home to some of the best folk music venues in the country. From intimate coffeehouses to sprawling concert halls, there’s a venue for every taste. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk music venues in the Boston area.
The Burren
The Burren is one of the best folk music venues in the Boston area. This Irish pub is located in Davis Square and features live music every night. The Burren has a great atmosphere, and the staff is very friendly. The venue also has a great selection of beer and food.
Club Passim
Nestled in the heart of Harvard Square, Club Passim has been a staple of the Boston folk scene since 1957. This tiny club is intimate and cozy, with a capacity of only around 100 people. Don’t let its size fool you – Club Passim has hosted some of the biggest names in folk music, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Ani DiFranco. If you’re looking for a truly authentic folk music experience, this is the place to be.
The Lizard Lounge
The Lizard Lounge is a music venue in the Boston area that specializes in folk music. They have a wide variety of acts including local and national performers. They also have a wide variety of events including workshops, open mics, and dance parties.
The Best Folk Music Festivals in the Boston Area
Folk music has been around for centuries, and the Boston area has some of the best folk music festivals in the country. From the Newport Folk Festival to the Cambridge Folk Festival, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this type of music. Let’s take a look at some of the best folk music festivals in the Boston area.
The Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in July 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. Though both carry the name “Newport”, the music genres are quite different for each festival.
The majority of performers play acoustic folk or bluegrass music, though some alternative rock bands have appeared in recent years. The more contemporary acts appearing at Newport Folk Festival have included Arcade Fire, Neil Young, Beck, Mumford & Sons, Father John Misty and Lana Del Rey.
The Boston Folk Festival
The Boston Folk Festival is one of the most highly anticipated folk music festivals in the country. The three-day event takes place in early September and features some of the best folk musicians from around the world. Past performers have included Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, and John Prine. If you’re a fan of folk music, this is one festival you won’t want to miss.
The Cambridge Folk Festival
The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the best folk music festivals in the Boston area. The festival takes place every year in late July or early August, and features a wide range of folk musicians from all over the world. If you’re a fan of folk music, this is definitely a festival you won’t want to miss.
The Best Folk Music Artists in the Boston Area
If you’re looking for the best folk music in the Boston area, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best folk music artists in the Boston area. We’ll be discussing their music, their careers, and what makes them stand out from the rest.
The Youngbloods
The Youngbloods were a 1960s rock band based in New York City, best known for their hit “Get Together”. The band was inducted into the Boston Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2014.
The band was formed in 1965 by brothers Jesse Colin Young (vocals, bass) and Jerry Corbitt (guitar), along with keyboardist/vocalist Coke Escovedo and drummer Joe Bauer. Bauer was replaced by Lowell Levinger (“Banana”) in 1966, and the quintet became known as The Youngbloods.
The Youngbloods released four albums on Elektra Records between 1967 and 1970. Their first album, titled The Youngbloods, was recorded in 1966 and released in 1967. It failed to chart but contains the group’s hit single “Get Together”, written by Chet Powers (under the name Dino Valenti). “Get Together” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1968 and has become a peace anthem; it was later covered by several artists, including Judy Collins, Cass Elliot, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, and Jefferson Airplane.
Joan Baez
Joan Baez is a folk singer, songwriter, musician, and activist who has been influential in shaping the sound and politics of contemporary folk music. Originally from New York City, Baez moved to Boston in the early 1960s to be at the center of the emerging folk music scene. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1960, and she quickly became known for her virtuosic guitar playing and soulful renditions of traditional folk songs. In addition to her musical contributions, Baez has been an ardent activist for social causes throughout her career, most notably supporting the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s. She continues to tour and record regularly, and her latest album, Whistle Down the Wind, was released in 2018.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is one of the most influential and celebrated musicians of our time. His influence on popular music is undeniable, and his unique voice and style have inspired countless artists. Dylan was born in Minnesota in 1941 and got his start in the music industry in the early 1960s. He rose to prominence with his debut album, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” which featured some of his most famous songs, including “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Dylan’s career has spanned more than five decades, and he continues to be an active and relevant performer today. If you’re a fan of folk music, or just good music in general, you owe it to yourself to check out Bob Dylan’s work.
