15 must-see concerts at Boston’s top venues for summer 2026

The Christmas songwriters got it all wrong. Summer is actually the most wonderful time of the year. And plenty of music will be played all over town in the summer months, both at indoor and outdoor settings. Here are some suggestions of concerts by the best folks who are heading out on tour.

(Sites include Agganis Arena, Passim, House of Blues, Leader Bank Pavilion, MGM Music Hall, Regattabar, Roadrunner, Scullers, Symphony Hall, TD Garden, Wang Theatre, Xfinity Center. See our Fenway Park concert preview here. Previews for small and suburban venues are coming soon.)

Best rock concerts

Bob Dylan at Leader Bank Pavilion

Bob Dylan is 85 years old. He moves a little slower, his voice is — believe it or not — even gruffer, he doesn’t bother playing guitar at his shows anymore, opting to sit behind a small keyboard. But, c’mon! He’s Bob Dylan! While his current tour is still formatted around a half-dozen or so songs from his most recent album, 2020’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” the showman’s blood running through him knows that fans also want to hear some of what made him who he is. So, recent sets have featured “All Along the Watchtower,” “To Be Alone with You,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” and others. You might not immediately recognize the new versions, but, again … it’s Bob Dylan! Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m., Leader Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston. $67-$234.

Jack White at MGM Music Hall

Singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer-frontman-record company owner-baseball bat company co-owner-bad boy rocker Jack White (real name John Anthony Gillis) sure likes to keep things fluid. He’s even known to have switched things up within his music performance activities. Before he played guitar in The White Stripes and the Raconteurs, he was the drummer in Goober & the Peas and, much later, in The Dead Weather. These days, entrenched in a solo career (with band), he usually sticks with guitar, but past recording sessions have featured him on piano and marimba. When he’s not on a stage or in a studio, White spends time as a board member of the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Foundation. The recent release of two singles — “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs” and “Derecho Demonico” — is a strong hint that a new album is likely on the way. Friday, July 17, 8 p.m., MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. $92-$439.

Kaleo at Roadrunner

When the quartet Kaleo formed in the Iceland town Mosfellsbær (just outside of Reykjavik) in 2012, they won over audiences as a combination blues-folk-country-rock band. As their music moved more toward the rock side of things, they moved to the U.S., making Austin their base. In ensuing years, they’ve been spending lots of time in Nashville. Driven by the vocals of Jökull Júlíusson, their sound (Kaleo is a Hawaiian word for “sound”) has become not just rockier, but also bluesier and grittier. And opening for the Rolling Stones a few times over the years has given them invaluable recognition. Their most recent album is 2025’s “Mixed Emotions.” Tuesday, Aug. 4, 8 pm., Roadrunner, 89 Huest St., Boston. $65-$99.

Dogstar at House of Blues

Los Angeles-based Dogstar had a pretty good run when they got together as a trio in the early-1990s, with the drummer Robert Mailhouse, a singer-guitarist called Gregg Miller, and a bassist who had a few acting gigs on his résumé named Keanu Reeves. Playing melodic pop with an edge of grunge, they played a lot of gigs in and around LA and released two albums — “Our Little Visionary” and “Happy Ending” — before Miller split and was replaced by Bret Domrose. But by 2002, the group had called it quits, except for occasional jams. To the surprise of many, there was a reunion gig in 2023, followed by a new album, “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees,” accompanied by more touring and now, a brand new release, “All in Now.” Sunday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. $64-$218.

Also of note: 

• Claypool Gold, Leader Bank Pavilion, June 10
• The Avett Brothers, Wang Theatre, June 10
• Echo & the Bunnymen, Roadrunner, June 11
• Jimmy Eat World, MGM Music Hall, June 20
• The Strokes, TD Garden, June 23
• Sammy Hagar, Xfinity Center, June 24
• Tame Impala, TD Garden, June 28 & 29
• Goose, Leader Bank Pavilion, June 30 & July 1
• Darius Rucker, Leader Bank Pavilion, July 18
• John Mellencamp, Xfinity Center, July 24
• Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, Xfinity Center, Aug. 27

Best pop concerts

St. Vincent with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall

The chameleonic St. Vincent (real name Annie Erin Clark) is a practitioner of variety — in her physical look (blonde wigs can do wonders) as well as in the styles and genres of her music (art rock to straight-up pop to whatever is in between). She creates and performs her own songs, and has become a master interpreter of others’ work. Check out her takes on The Beatles’ “Dig a Pony” and Jackson Browne’s “These Days.” A stage-commanding artist — and hell of a guitarist — she attended Berklee College of Music, was a member of the Polyphonic Spree, was in the backing band of Sufjan Stevens, won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album (“St. Vincent”), and was given the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for Performing Arts. She hasn’t generally been associated with orchestras, but last year in England, she was accompanied by the Jules Buckley Orchestra at her Royal Albert Hall concert. Now she’s bringing that concept on the road in the States, with her first stop set for Symphony Hall with none other than the estimable Boston Pops. (Just one night after the Pops welcomes another very special guest, Ben Folds, on June 3.) Thursday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston. $91-$159.

They Might Be Giants at House of Blues

No one — not a critic, not a fan, not a music label executive — has yet been able to succinctly describe the type of music They Might Be Giants has been recording and playing in concert over the past four decades. The Johns — John Flansburgh and John Linnell — became friends when both attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, discovered each other’s artistic talents, formed a duo that was backed by recorded tapes, added a backing band, and have, so far, released 24 studio albums. But, what kind of music do they make? Well, the word “quirky” has been overused, as has “eclectic.” How about alternative pop-rock, spiced up with an oddball sense of humor? Their newest album is “The World Is to Dig,” much of which they’re currently performing on tour, along with selections from one different earlier album each night, in a two-set show featuring an eight-piece band. Friday & Saturday, June 5 & 6, 7 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. $55-$191.

Kesha at Xfinity Center

Some recording artists go about tending to their careers in a very different manner than others. Take, for example, Kesha Rose Sebert, who sticks with just Kesha for her stage name. Unlike singers who write their own songs, make home recordings of them, and go the self-distribution route, then hopefully get signed to a label, Keisha — 16 years ago — got signed by Kemosabe Records — an imprint of RCA — put out five albums of poppy rock for them — two of which went to No. 1 — and became a major success both onstage and on albums. Then last year, she got out of her contract, started her own independent label, Kesha Records, and recorded and released “.” (Period). It may not be her biggest seller, but it’s still a bona fide hit, proving to be a blend of pop, house, and disco sounds. Friday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m., Xfinity Center, 885 S. Main St., Mansfield. $35-$235.

Best R&B/rap concerts

A$AP Rocky at TD Garden

As a member of the former Harlem-based hip-hop collective A$AP Mob, the rapper-rocker Rakim Athelaston Mayers took on the name A$AP Rocky. He’s found bigtime success over the past decade and a half as a recording artist — two of his albums have hit No. 1, a third made it to the Top 10, and his newest — “Don’t Be Dumb” — debuted at No. 1 in January. He’s currently touring for “Don’t Be Dumb,” but he’s remaining very active with other areas of an extremely busy career. He’s a record producer (going under the name Lord Flacko), a fashion model, and he had scene-stealing parts in the films “Highest 2 Lowest” and “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” Tuesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston. $70-$294.

Shakira at TD Garden

Hailing from Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira started writing songs — in Spanish — when she was 8, got and started entering talent contests a couple of years later, and soon after, picked up her first guitar. Her debut album “Magia” — via Sony — was released in 1991, when she was 14. Hit album after hit album of Spanish-language Latin pop followed, and a decade later, commercial demand led her to write and record “Laundry Service,” with nine of the 13 tracks in English. It was another hit, and it led to an intriguing decision. In 2005, after writing a slew of new material, she released two different albums, one with songs in Spanish, the other with songs in English. Her most recent — all Spanish — album, 2024’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album. Friday, July 10, 7:30 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston. $124-$637.

Also of note:

Best folk/singer-songwriter concerts

Jason Mraz at the Wang Theatre

Although Jason Mraz has sold tons of upbeat, folky, poppy albums and filled arenas including Madison Square Garden and London’s O2 with adoring fans, he’s never stopped being restless, never settled for being involved in just one area of entertainment. Among his accomplishments are: a 10-week run as Dr. Pomatter in the Broadway musical “Waitress,” a White House performance for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, entry into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, winning two Grammys, and a competitive appearance on Season 32 of “Dancing with the Stars” (alas, he and his dance partner Daniella Karagach finished in second place). But it’s always back to those albums. His most recent studio record, “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride” (the one with shades of disco on it), came out in 2023. “Grandma’s Gospel Favorites,” recorded in 2007, was released last month. Saturday, June 6, 7:30 p.m., Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. $53-$205.

Tash Sultana at MGM Music Hall

Melbourne, Australia, native Tash Sultana has fans around the world who can’t decide which of her attributes they’d choose as their favorite: her funky work with an array of different musical instruments or her ethereal voice. But they don’t have to: Both are always on display on record and in concert. Sultana picked up a guitar when she was 3, and in ensuing years, learned to play various members of the woodwind, brass, and percussion families. She started writing music, got into producing and engineering, then became involved in the art of looping sounds and playing over them — often in her living room. EPs and albums appeared, fans picked up on what she was doing, touring around the world became a big part of her life, and in 2023, she was honored with the Rolling Stone Global Artist Award. Fans also dug that she fearlessly moved between instrumental soundscapes and R&B to reggae and hard rock. Her 2025 EP “Return to the Roots” packs in a bit of everything. Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m., MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. $53-$126.

Adam Ezra Group at House of Blues

At first — twenty-something years ago — it was just Adam Ezra and his guitar performing his own folkie tunes at open mike nights. Then he started putting together a band, then new members were brought in when other musicians left. But Ezra never stopped writing, and the songs, while remaining in the realm of folk, also took on flavors of pop and rock. The current lineup has Ezra on guitar and vocals, Corinna Smith on fiddle, Poche Ponce on bass, and drummer Alex Martin, and like every iteration of the group before this one, they’re regularly out on the road, and the fan base continues to grow. One of the main attractions is the fact that it’s pretty much a different show every time they play. Forget a set list. Songs at these shows are performed based on crowd reactions, to the “temperature” of the room. With a slew of albums under their belts, the group’s newest release — “Revelate” — has a mid-June release date. Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. $50.

Also of note:

Best country concerts

Ryan Bingham at Roadrunner

It’s been said that it doesn’t matter where or how you get your lucky break, even if it’s one that comes from out of left field. The young Texas rancher and rodeo bull rider Ryan Bingham was on the fast track to a career as a country singer-songwriter, when good fortune came his way. He co-wrote the song “The Weary Kind” with producer T-Bone Burnett for the film “Crazy Heart,” and ended up with an Oscar and a Golden Globe (and later, a Grammy) for it, along with a suddenly wide-open road to superstardom. As a string of album releases grew, so did the sounds of his music, which progressed from straight-up country to a mélange of country, folk, and blues, with a side order of rock. An unexpected door opened with an offer of what became a recurring role as a ranch hand on the TV show “Yellowstone.” And recently, after a seven-year break between records, he’s back with the album “They Call Us the Lucky Ones.” Wednesday, June 3, 8 p.m. Roadrunner, 89 Guest St., Boston. $56.

Also of note:

Best jazz concerts

Sarah Hanahan Quartet at Scullers

Hailing from Marlborough, Massachusetts, but now a New York City transplant, alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan has been a reed player since she was 7, initially under the guidance of her drummer father. A voracious player who gigged locally as often as possible through high school, she went on to study at the Hartt School of Music’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz (the hard bop altoist was an early hero of Hanahan’s, although she names Charlie Parker as her main influence), then continued her education at The Juilliard School. 2024 was a big year for her. As a member of Ulysses Owens Jr & Generation Y, she appeared  on their debut album, “A New Beat,” and later that year, fronting her own quartet, she released “Among Giants,” featuring music by Hoagy Carmichael, Ferde Grofé and others, along with her own composition “We Bop!” Friday, June 12, 7 p.m., Scullers, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston. $42-$60.

Stanley Sagov & the Remembering the Future Jazz Workshop at the Regattabar

Hailing from Capetown, South Africa, Stanley Sagov had pretty big thoughts about his future by the time he was 6. That was when he started thinking about being a doctor when he grew up, and when he began playing violin. Then came ukulele, guitar, recorder, oboe, and piano, and transitions from studying classical to joining a rock band, then discovering jazz. He also went to medical school, resulting in the twin careers of becoming Dr. Stanley Sagov and leading his own jazz groups. He stuck with both after moving to the States and settling in the Boston suburbs, spending day hours as a physician, and evenings as a pianist at various jazz clubs or making recordings in his home studio. And he’s found time to maintain a favorite hobby: cooking. His specialty is curry. Saturday, June 13, 7 p.m., The Regattabar, 1 Bennet St., Cambridge. $30-$42.

Also of note: