Cambridge is a city right outside of Boston. But what does that mean for the music scene?

During my last couple of years at Harvard, I have learned that music events are happening almost all the time. Concerts are almost a weekly occurrence. For someone like me from South Carolina, I’d have to drive hours to attend a concert, but here at Harvard, it can be a quick train/bus ride away. Additionally, almost every artist comes here! The chances of seeing your favorite artist while at your dream school are very high. Let me tell you about a few of my favorites.

My very first concert was Becky G. I was a first-year living in Straus (shoutout!) and my junior friends invited me to attend with them. Thanks to them, I realized just how efficient the buses are in Cambridge/Boston. After a long day or week on campus it’s nice to know that you can escape student mode. While at the Becky G concert, she had a smaller stage with few background dancers. However, it was great to hear some oldies that I remember jamming out to in middle school! So while her performance wasn’t all grandiose, sometimes a smaller venue helps you enjoy the concert more because you know everyone there is a true fan.

During first-year, I was also able to go see Olivia Rodrigo and Bad Bunny. They each brought different vibes to the concert. While Olivia Rodrigo reminisces on growing up, Bad Bunny took us back to his trap era. Two very different feelings, two very different crowds. Talking about crowds, another perk about Boston is that you’ll never be alone on the way to the concert. You’ll be able to tell who else is planning to attend their evening at said concert and maybe make friends on the way.

My sophomore year I had the chance to see Stephen Sanchez, Conan Gray, Mon Laferte,  and The Marias. As you can see the type of musicians Boston attracts range in genre and language. Each concert also brings a different vibe, sometimes more sad, sometimes more pop! The point is you’ll always find some way to be entertained.

My favorite concert that year was The Marias. Before attending, I only knew one or two of their songs, but afterwards, I became a fan. It was a beautiful and heartfelt performance, and shortly after attending, the Marias blew up on Tik Tok and their concert prices surged. I got extremely lucky with my ticket being valued at $30 but friends from home were paying over $200. So, by attending these smaller venues in Boston, you just might see an artist before they’re impossible to buy tickets for.

In my junior year, I attended a few concerts that I had been longing to go to since before attending Harvard. They were Coldplay, Marina, and Gigi Perez. I watched history being made at Coldplay thanks to that couple who hid from the camera… and then also blew up on tik tok. But focusing on the musicality, I heard all the great Coldplay songs with a vibrant crowd. There were fireworks and an amazing laser show!

This concert was actually one of my first times attending Gillette Stadium. In case you’re wondering how to get there, Boston also provides transportation via commuter rail. Just make sure you get tickets right when they drop. My friends and I joke that it’s easier to get tickets to the concert, then get tickets for the commuter rail to Gillette.  

So, regardless of where in Boston you attend a concert, you can count on having a great evening study break.  Whether it be at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Leader Bank Pavilion, Citizens House of Blues Boston, Roadrunner Boston, or even trekking to Gillette Stadium, you are bound to have a great time. So don’t be afraid to step out of the Harvard bubble during your time here. Ensure you make the most of the music scene and hear your favorite artists live or discover new ones.