Monday Music Marginalia: Episode 4.

We have little teasers of spring everywhere right now, even if we did wake up to snow and slush at our doorsteps. Look a little beyond and you’ll see that you left your mittens and scarf in the bin and feel just that much lighter this morning. Look up and you’ll see buds presenting themselves on branches. Look below and pointy little crocuses ears are popping through the soil. It is time to shake off the cold, and let some sunshine in (even if it is hidden behind a skrim of grey clouds at the moment). So let’s take a look at some upcoming concerts on my radar in and around Boston by venue.

The Sinclair

Boys Go To Jupiter
Exit 18, Aedan MacDougall on Thursday, March 26, 2026

I first saw Boys Go To Jupiter at Sonia last year. The show was a capital S*H*O*W kind of show. Lead singer, Jess, makes you feel like you’ve got your eyes and heart at a Braodway show and your ears and head are taking in the songs at an indie rock concert. I am not missing this one!

Addison Groove Project
Jennifer Hartswick on Saturday, March 28th, 2026

Local ice cream shop, former tour manager, and knowledgeable mix ins and music man Aaron Cohen mentioned these guys and of course I had a listen. If their name didn’t have groove in it, it would be a bit like mint chocolate chip being called green and chocolate chip or something. The groove is infused deeply in their sound and I think I may need to try to snag a last minute ticket because I have a feeling a night with them will do my body and mind so much good. We could all use some groove to shake off winter.

Sweet Pill
Spaced on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026

I first heard Sweet Pill at the inaugural Something in the Way Festival presented by Run For Cover Records and became a fan then and there.

Middle East

Fantastic Cat,
Jillette Johnson on Tuesday, April 14th 2026 at
Sonia at The Middle East is downstairs with the door on Brookline Street.

I caught Fantastic Cat‘s folk Americana music live at the In Between Days Festival several years ago. They’ve got an indie interpretation of folk-Americana sounds. The band has a way of sucking the crowd in from the moment they start to play. I also love the way the band members bounce energy off from one another and are constantly in (musical) dialogue throughout the show.

Oceanic and Borderline
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
Middle East Upstairs is upstairs through the Middle East Bar with the door on Massachusetts Ave

Emo, moody music takes a back seat to more pop-sounding songs for me come spring. A good pop song you can sing along to with the windows down in the car is peak spring celebration. Breeze coming through the curtains as you dance around your room in the early morning just doesn’t happen in the chill of winter or heat of summer. New Zealand’s Borderline feels like a bit of a throwback pop band for me, which will just be new and fun for all their younger (much younger) peers. I hope to check them out at the Middle East Upstairs before they blow up. Oceanic is a Charlotte, NC Band that plays a little more emo, chill, indie pop kind of mood. All in all, it should be a good night of pop and the intimacy of The Middle East-Upstairs is always special.

Caroline Kingsbury
Tuesday, April 28th 2026
Downstairs at The Middle East is -wait for it–
downstairs with the door on Brookline Street.

Keeping on with a pop theme, Caroline Kingsbury will bring her verve and energy which also has a bit of a retro sound to Downstairs at the Middle East. She is an Los Angeles-based queer pop singer who likes to have fun with everything from her own looks to audience interactions. I’ll be headed to NYC for another concert that day so I will just have to live vicariously through you all – so get your tickets and go!

Red Room Cafe

Jamie Fine
Ava Valianti Saturday, April 4th 2026

Jamie Fine is an Ottowa-born singer-songwriter and her music definitely has some undertones of pop moments. Her lyrics tap into human emotions that we can all relate to. Her sound is punctuated by a breathiness a sound that accentuates the emotions she’s singing about. (Sold Out)

Renee Christine
Farayi Malek Saturday, April 11th 2026

I am a sucker for strings. I grew up playing violin so as far as I’m concerned the more strings the better. Renee Christine brings her cello and singer-songwriting prowess to the Red Room Café, which will fill to the bring with stories of misfortune, resilience, Aspalachian lore and catchy melodies.

Takuya Kuroda
Saturday, April 25, 2026

Switching from strings to brass and Americana to jazz, you’ll want to catch trumpeter Takuya Kurado. The album Everyday, has you switching up moods every other song. This is a sound you can get lost in, but won’t disappear into, you’ll be awake and bopping along to each topic the song presents.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby
SKORTS Friday, May 15th 2026

I mentioned Brigitte Calls Me Baby a few weeks ago on Ep. 3 and have been looking forward to their show at Red Room Café for a little while now.

More venues spotlights coming up in the following weeks:
MGM Music Hall Fenway, Warehouse XI, House of Blues, Roadrunner, The Paradise Rock Club, Boston Symphony Hall, and a few venues outside Boston