Five of Boston’s Best Music Venues

An Avid Concertgoer’s Top Concert Spots

By Ava Wiseley

Photograph by Julien Pedro

Boston has a vibrant music scene with a multitude of venues that host everything from small local bands to national touring acts. As an indie music lover and avid concertgoer, I’ve been to many of these venues multiple times. Here are the five that stand out to me.

House of Blues

Located on Lansdowne Street next to Fenway Park, the House of Blues is one of the city’s most quintessential venues. With a capacity of 2,200, it’s large enough for well-known acts while still feeling intimate. There’s a standing area on the floor, two balconies with more standing room, and seating on the second balcony. My favorite House of Blues memory is seeing Lucy Dacus—my favorite artist—there in 2021. Since then, I’ve seen other indie acts there, including Soccer Mommy, Samia, and most recently King Princess.

MGM Music Hall at Fenway

One of Boston’s newer music venues is also located on Lansdowne Street. Opened in 2022 with a capacity of 5,007, MGM Music Hall is clean, modern, and offers great views throughout the entire space. The venue is wider than it is tall, making it easier for fans on the floor to move closer to the stage. Both balconies also offer solid views—even the nosebleeds are some of the best seats you can get. I’ve had both experiences and they were great—Lucy Dacus on the floor and Japanese Breakfast further back in seats.

The Sinclair

While technically not in Boston, The Sinclair in Cambridge is one of the best smaller venues in the area. With a capacity of 525 people, it’s a great place for an intimate show. One wall features a tiled design with the venue’s name that resembles a T stop. Speaking of public transportation—the venue’s location in Harvard Square makes it easily accessible by the Red Line. It also allows for a great night out thanks to the abundance of food nearby. My favorite artists I’ve seen at the Sinclair are the rock band Horsegirl and indie folk musician Christian Lee Hutson.

Big Night Live

Standing beside TD Garden is the 2,000-capacity venue that stands out for its layout. Big Night Live has a pit that is actually a pit—it dips all the way down into the floor. Surrounding it is the main floor, which sits level with the stage. I’ve seen the art-pop band Rubblebucket here twice, and both times I chose to stand on the raised floor area—about 12 feet from the stage—and had an amazing view. At the back of the venue is a lounge with seating and tables.

Sonia

Nestled in Cambridge’s Central Square, this 320-capacity venue is an underrated gem that deserves to be highlighted. Sonia is right next to the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub complex and shares the same owners. It’s all standing room with a small raised section in the back. There’s also a photo booth where fans can capture a memento from their night. I’ve seen two up-and-coming indie artists at this cozy venue: Kevin Atwater and Jake Minch.

These are only five of Boston’s many venues. Go explore some more of them! Support live music! While I love going to a venue I know well, it’s a lot of fun to see a show somewhere new and discover more of what the city has to offer.