Cambridge/Somerville, MA

If you venture away from the Ivy-elitism of Harvard and into the maze of squares and side streets that make Cambridge and its lesser-known neighbor Somerville so complex for all those bird-flipping drivers, you will find a pulsing music scene just below the surface.

Book a Gig: Venues

Club Passim

47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 492-7679

www.clubpassim.org

Club Passim is a small, welcoming folk-oriented venue in Harvard Sq. The club is very popular and booking is selective, but the club features an “open stage” every Tuesday.

T.T. the Bears Place

10 Brookline St., Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 492-0082

www.ttthebears.com

T.T.’s is legendary, and because of this it gets to be choosy in terms of

booking. To be eligible you must have played at other small local venues

first. The club does not book metal, hip-hop or hardcore.

The Lily Pad

1353 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 388-1168

www.thelily-pad.net

Inman Square’s go to space for quirky, unusual performance and art.

For booking inquires and other questions go to their website. To submit

electronic requests, email: booking@thelily-pad.net.

PA’s Lounge

345 Somerville Ave., Somerville, MA. 02143

(617) 776-1557

www.paslounge.com.

Half-bar, half-club, PA’s is known for its willingness to book new bands.

A great place to begin or continue a serious musical career.

The Middle East

472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 492-9181

www.mideastclub.com

Few clubs are as well known or extensive as The Middle East.

The Downstairs space houses the largest stage and caters primarily to

larger bands, but the Upstairs and Corner sections book smaller bands and

local acts of all kinds. Each space has it’s own booking requirements.

The Abbey Lounge

3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143

(617) 441-9631

www.theabbeylounge.com

Divey, rough, loud and cheap, Somerville’s Abbey Lounge is the

quintessential rock club. The Abbey keeps up a rigorous schedule of

drinking and music, featuring bands 7 nights a week.

Toad

1912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

(617) 497-4950

www.toadcambridge.com

This tiny Porter Sq. venue features live music seven nights a week.

Although Toad’s capacity is limited to 62 people, this often works to

its advantage. The shows are intimate and never carry a cover and this, when coupled

with the small space, makes for consistently large crowds.

Book a Gig: Media

The Weekly Dig

www.Dig.com

Snarky, kitshy, free and frequently accurate, Dig’s colorful pages and

magazine-like format make it an appealing choice. Like most free

papers, it has a large music section that provides selected listings as

well as venue advertisements that feature weekly or monthly line-ups

for each specific club. For more information on getting listed in Dig go

to their website.

The Boston Phoenix

www.thephoenix.com

The Phoenix features a gigantic music section in print as well as online,

and has never shyed away from including local bands. For information

on getting listed in the Phoenix see their website, or ask the venue

where you’re playing if they advertise in the paper.