It’s no secret that live music in Boston has long been legendary, birthing some of the biggest names in the biz. Aerosmith, Donna Summer, The Cars, Mission of Burma, New Kids on the Block, Aimee Mann, Dropkick Murphys and the eponymous band Boston all once called The Hub home. And thanks to Berklee College of Music, we have an ever-changing pool of upcoming talent gracing the stages of Boston’s music venues. While there are the obvious routes to go (TD Garden, Fenway Park, we’re looking at you), don’t discount the smaller places for big music celebration. Whether you’re into rock and roll or classical, jazz or folk, the local clubs, bars and halls throughout the city aim to please, night after night. We’ve gathered some of the best places for live music in Boston, as well as the best nightclubs in Boston to the best record stores in Boston. Because music is, indeed, what we do.

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