This Saturday, One Day Only Fest returns to Boston’s Dewey Square Park with a showcase of regional performers, including firecracker emcee kei and Haitian-American singer ZAMA. It’s a short day — just 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. — making the free, family-friendly affair a laser-focused snapshot of Boston talent.
Also this weekend, Wormtown Music Festival will keep Camp Kee-wanee in Greenfield busy with sets from 60–plus performers spread between Friday and Sunday. A small sampling of the lineup includes Hartford jam band Max Creek, Vermont singer-songwriter (and Twiddle cofounder) Mihali, Central Mass. glam rock outfit Bella’s Bartok, and funk flown in from Denver via The Motet. Wooded tent camping, located within walking distance of the main stage, is included with every ticket, so pack accordingly if you plan to brave the elements throughout the weekend.
Even farther west, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art hosts FreshGrass Festival between Sept. 19 and 21. The North Adams museum welcomes an impressive slate of roots artists for this year’s event, ranging from Americana and bluegrass staples like Old Crow Medicine Show and Sierra Hull, to artists with more of a soulful slant, like Afro-Cuban performer Cimafunk and bona fide legend Lee Fields.
Worcester cranks out a clash of punk and hardcore at the end of the month for Punk in the Park, a traveling festival that pulls up to the Palladium’s outdoor stage on Sept. 27. Bad Religion and Pennywise lead the lineup; Dropkick Murphys performed at the Denver date of the series, but later announced they “will not be playing any more Punk in the Park shows” upon learning that the festival’s producer had donated to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
If you, too, are now seeking raucous riffs elsewhere, the annual Boston Fuzztival will fill Somerville’s Center for the Arts at the Armory with rising rock acts on Sept. 19 and 20. It’s an indoor affair, but one worth forgoing any plans to view New England foliage. Featuring performances from acts like dreamy shoegazers Paper Lady and chaotic psych-rock newcomers PINKLIDS, think of the fest as an above-ground gateway to the glory of basement shows.
GIG GUIDE
Friday presents a potent dose of 1990s nostalgia: North Carolina alt-rock group Superchunk head to Crystal Ballroom, while Britpop act Supergrass visit the House of Blues on a tour honoring the 30th anniversary of their album “I Should Coco” (home to the forever-spry hit “Alright”). On a similar note, Pulp — who over the summer released “More,” their first studio album in 24 years — continue the flow of Britpop at the Stage at Suffolk Downs on Saturday.
Saturday also poses a tough call for R&B fans, who have to choose between two top-tier showcases. Ashanti’s “Girls Night Out” tour bundles performances from Trey Songz and Mario at Agganis Arena, while Charlie Wilson — originally of the Gap Band fame — stops by Leader Bank Pavilion for his “R&B Cookout” tour with Babyface.
The following night, Kali Uchis flaunts her enticing blend of pop and Latin R&B at TD Garden, with support from Thee Sacred Souls (whom Boston Calling fans will recall as a standout from this year’s festival). Eric Clapton reaches back to classic Cream and Derek and the Dominos tunes — plus some blues covers — at the arena on Tuesday.
After gothic folk singer Ethel Cain mesmerizes Roadrunner on Friday, the venue welcomes a slew of rock acts: the Isle of Wight’s wonderfully wry Wet Leg (Sunday), PUP tag-teaming with Jeff Rosenstock (Monday), jangly pop-rocker Sam Fender (Wednesday), and alt-rock icons Garbage (Thursday), accompanied by superbly scuzzy opener Starcrawler.
Prolific country star and multihyphenate Dwight Yoakam performs at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Saturday, touting his 2024 album “Brighter Days.” After an eight-year hiatus, Alabama Shakes have regrouped and bring their rafter-rattling blues and roots rock to the venue on Sunday and Monday.
NOW SPINNING
Margaret Glaspy, “The Golden Heart Protector.” Margaret Glaspy covering Wilco with Norah Jones? Or tackling a Nico tune with James Bay? The songs on Glaspy’s new covers project sound a bit like a random duet generator at times, but “The Golden Heart Protector” beats with tender appreciation for both her inspirations — from The Magnetic Fields to Lucinda Williams — and roster of collaborators.
Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith, “Friday I’m In Love / Just Like Heaven.” A full “Live from Glastonbury” album from Rodrigo is on the way, but the uniquely British highlight of the pop star’s headlining festival set is her double duet with Robert Smith. Rodrigo’s often-scathing vocals simmer down to match the romanticism of the Cure’s hits; Smith, meanwhile, sounds about as mildly excited as you’d expect about the whole ordeal.
Elliott Skinner, “RECALLING.” To soundtrack the gentle shift between summer and autumn, I suggest this new single from Elliott Skinner. The tune from the Texas-raised, Denmark-based artist tiptoes between folk and soul, and eventually breaks into a freewheeling gallop via swooning harmonies and an undercurrent of guitar. “It’s about the pursuit of a better reality,” Skinner says — a musical statement about greener pastures that’s simultaneously bold and humble.
BONUS TRACK
Aerosmith is back … sort of. In January, the band’s bassist Tom Hamilton told the Globe he found it “hard to believe” that they would never perform together again, despite retiring from the road late last year. Apparently, an Ozzy Osbourne tribute at MTV’s Video Music Awards was enough reason for head peacock Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry to regroup. During Sunday night’s award ceremony, “the bad boys of Boston” took on a new meaning, as Tyler and Perry played alongside Nuno Bettencourt, guitarist of another Boston rock staple, Extreme. (British actor and singer YUNGBLUD participated in the tribute as well, for better or for worse).
Victoria Wasylak can be reached at vmwasylak@gmail.com. Follow her on Bluesky @VickiWasylak.bsky.social.
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