Boston has a vibrant arts and music scene, which makes going to college here especially special. From different art exhibitions and arts festivals to concerts, there are so many things to do and see! 

One of the things I appreciate most about Harvard is that the campus is only a short ride on the MBTA from downtown Boston. Even after a long day of classes, I can easily spend the evening at a concert or exploring one of Boston’s many arts events. During my time at Harvard, I have attended many concerts at various venues. Live music was one of my favorite ways to take a break from classes, spend time with friends, and experience a different side of Boston beyond Harvard’s campus. Some shows were just a short walk from campus, such as at The Sinclair, while others took place in larger arenas across Boston.

I was able to go to Rex Orange County my sophomore year. It was at the beautiful Boch Center Wang Theatre, and this was one of my favorite concerts I have ever been to. Since it was assigned seating in a theater rather than an arena, it felt more intimate, and there were no floor-standing tickets. My favorite moment of the night was when he sang ‘Best Friend’; it was the song I always listened to in middle and high school, so it was a full-circle moment. 

Many of the concerts I attended were at TD Garden, which is New England’s iconic premier sports and entertainment arena. It is home to the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, and it also hosts concerts by artists from around the world. I have been to Conan Gray, Demi Lovato, and Tame Impala. Every concert is truly a surreal experience. It is always so interesting to see how the different artists design their stage sets for their tours, and every one of them has a different vibe.

My personal favorite was Conan Gray’s Wishbone World Tour. The stage design was a large rectangular main stage and two thin arms branching out in a wishbone shape. I thought the design was incredibly creative, as it perfectly reflected the aesthetic of the tour. The surprise song he played was 'Astronomy,' and my friend and I were so excited when we heard the first bars of the song, as it was one of my favorite songs back in 2022!

Tame Impala was unlike any concert I had attended before, as it was a 360-degree stage placed in the middle of the arena floor, which allowed Kevin (Tame Impala) to interact with all sides of the crowd. It was a very special night as the concert featured many of my favorite artists, not only Tame Impala, but the opener was Djo, and Jennie from BLACKPINK made a guest appearance in the remix of the song 'Dracula'! 

The artistic visuals from this concert made the performance truly immersive, as there were projections and lasers, with confetti bursting from the machines at different times; it was so much fun! Even without it being a concert, I believe many would come just for the laser and confetti show. 

One of the best parts of attending Harvard is its proximity to downtown Boston, and looking back, these concerts have become some of my favorite memories outside the classroom. Harvard students have easy access to one of the country’s best live music scenes. Whether it was an beautiful venue like the Boch Center Wang Theatre, an intimate space like The Sinclair just off campus, or a sold-out show at TD Garden, every concert offered a unique experience and created long-lasting memories.