Concert Watch: October 4th-5th

Concert-goers, this is not a drill. The incredible fall season of live music coming through Boston continues this week with a series of big-name acts and those naggling bands you’ve been meaning to listen to this week. What better way to ring in October than pumpkin iced coffee and bragging rights for all the great shows you’re seeing? The defense rests. Here’s what’s coming up:

Thursday, October 4
Over the Rhine at Narrows Center for the Arts - Husband-wife Americana powerhouse Over the Rhine returns to Boston this week to promote 2011’s The Long Surrender and give longtime fans a taste of their prolific body of work that spans over two decades and as many former members.

Friday, October 5
Alabama Shakes at House of Blues - No self-respecting songs of 2012 list has omitted Alabama Shakes’ “Hold On”, the folk crossover hit that ended up being one of the highlight of this year’s Newport Folk Festival, and the group is returning to Boston to prove that they’re no one-hit shot in the dark. Hey, if they can fill the House of Blues and bring it home on most recent single “I Ain’t The Same”, who’s arguing?

Ben Harper at the Boston Opera House - From internet sensation to mainstream success, Ben Harper is no slouch when it comes to innovating within his genre. A constant challenger of the fine lines that exist between rock and soul, Harper is currently between albums (2011’s Give Till It’s Gone and 2013’s Get Up!), and diehard fans have their fingers crossed to hear a sneak peak of what’s up next in the musical auteur’s career.

Polica at Paradise Rock Club - If you’re looking for a taste of something new this weekend, this is your group. Indie addicts all over are rejoicings as recent Minnesota breakout Polica come to Boston in support of their most recent album Give You the Ghost to bring their signature electronic R&B to the Paradise stage. With a seal of approval from Bon Iver, Jimmy Fallon, and any music blog a Google search could provide, Polica is bound and determined to win the community over with their first national tour.

By Jamie Loftus

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