Check Out These Live Blues Music Venues in Boston
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Looking for the best places to enjoy live blues music in Boston? Check out our list of top venues, featuring everything from intimate clubs to historic theaters.
The Blues Brought to Boston
The blues is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities of the southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has been described as “the bedrock of American music”. The blues is a musical style rooted in call-and-response and carrying a strong African cultural influence. The blues began to develop in the early 20th century from several different sources, including work songs, field hollers, chants, spirituals, and popular songs such as those by W.C. Handy.
One of the earliest documented uses of the term “blues” in reference to music was in 1908, when Hart Wand, a musician from Mississippi, published “Dallas Blues”, one of the first written compositions in the genre. In 1912 significance was placed on the blues when W.C. Handy’s “Saint Louis Blues” became a huge commercial success; it was organizationally simple but musically powerful, demonstrating three chord changes with intensity and an irresistible lyrical hook. From this point on, blues has been an integral part of American music and culture
Famous Faces Who Have Played the Blues in Boston
The blues has always been a part of Boston’s musical history. Famous faces who have played the blues in Boston include B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Otis Redding.
Today, the blues is alive and well in Boston. If you’re looking for a live music venue where you can hear some great blues, check out one of these spots:
-The Beehive
-The House of Blues
-The Red Room @ Cafe 939
-Lizard Lounge
The Best Places to Hear Live Blues Music in Boston
Boston is home to some of the best blues music venues in the country. If you’re a fan of the blues, you’ll definitely want to check out some of these places. From famous clubs to hidden gems, there’s a blues music venue for everyone in Boston.
The Beehive
The Beehive is a cozy little blues bar located in Boston’s South End. This intimate venue is the perfect place to catch up-and-coming local and regional talent. The acoustics are great, and the beer is cold. Make sure to check out the schedule before you go — The Beehive has live music seven nights a week!
The House of Blues
The House of Blues is one of the most popular live music venues in Boston. The club features a diverse range of blues artists and has a great atmosphere. The House of Blues is located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston and is convenient to public transportation.
The Lizard Lounge
If you’re looking for a great place to hear live blues music in Boston, look no further than The Lizard Lounge. This intimate club features some of the best local and regional talent seven nights a week, and there’s no cover charge. The Lizard Lounge is also known for its excellent sound system, so you can be sure you’ll be able to hear the music clearly.
Boston’s Own Blues Musicians
The blues is a type of music that evolved from African-American spirituals, work songs, and field hollers. This African-American musical tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and it remains an important part of African-American culture today. The blues can be seen as a reflection of the African-American experience, and it is often used to express the hardships and struggles of black people in America.
In Boston, there are many live music venues that feature blues musicians. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some live blues music, check out these venues:
The Beehive is a restaurant and bar that features live music seven nights a week. The Beehive has a wide variety of music genres on offer, but they often have blues musicians performing.
The Blue Note Grill is a jazz club that also features blues musicians. The Blue Note Grill has been hosting live music since 1995, and they offer a variety of food and drink options.
The Bull Run Restaurant is another venue that offers live music seven nights a week. The Bull Run Restaurant has been hosting blues musicians since 1991, and they offer a wide variety of food and drink options.
The House of Blues is a chain of live music venues that was founded in 1992. The House of Blues in Boston features Blues performers on Thursdays as part of their ” Throttle Thursdays” series.
How the Blues Have Influenced Boston’s Music Scene
The Blues have been a large influence in the music scene of Boston. The city has a long history of the genre, dating back to the early 1900s when W.C. Handy composed the now-famous “St. Louis Blues.” In the 1930s and 1940s, the Royal Rooters, a fan club for the Boston Red Sox, would often sing “Tessie” by the Dropkick Murphys at Fenway Park. The song became so associated with the team that it is now considered their unofficial anthem.
The Blues can also be heard in the work of many popular musicians from Boston including Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and J. Geils Band. Aerosmith’s 1974 album, “Get Your Wings,” features the song “Big Ten Inch Record,” which is a cover of an earlier Blues tune by Bull Moose Jackson. Bonnie Raitt is a well-known Blues singer and guitarist who got her start in Boston in the 1970s. She has won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. J. Geils Band is a classic Rock band that was formed in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1967. Their 1981 album, “Freeze Frame,” contains the song “Centerfold,” which became one of their biggest hits.
If you’re interested in experiencing some live Blues music, there are several great places to check out in Boston. Brickside Food & Drink is a cozy spot located in Harvard Square that features live music on Thursdays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The Asgard Irish Pub & Restaurant is another excellent choice with live music every Wednesday and Thursday night starting at 9:00pm. Lastly, Beantown Pub offers live Blues performances on Sundays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
