2019 has been a whirlwind year for music, and we had the pleasure of bringing in some of this year's best as they toured through the area. From stripped-down versions of new music to intimate and new styles of popular songs, check out these one-of-a-kind live studio performances by Of Monsters and Men, Billy Bragg, and many more.
Guster
The beloved band from Boston play a session that includes new songs from their eighth studio album, Look Alive, and do an interview with Boston Public Radio’s Jim and Margery.
Wet
Massachusetts natives Kelly Zutrau and Joe Valle—now based in Brooklyn, NY—came by on a quiet and snowy Monday morning to perform a very stripped-down acoustic set.
Faye Webster
The Georgia-native—who began writing and performing songs when she was a teenager—performs stripped-down versions of songs from Atlanta Millionaires Club.
Ruston Kelly
The Nashville-based musician came in with his father, Tim "TK" Kelly, to perform a beautiful acoustic set that includes an unrecorded song and selects from his album Dying Star.
The Wild Reeds
The Los Angeles-based Sharon Silva, Kinsey Lee and Mackenzie Howe—known for their rich three-part harmonies—perform four new songs from Cheers.
Ziggy Alberts
The Australian independent singer-songwriter performs a live acoustic set of music that was recorded and distributed by his own label Commonfolk Records.
Black Pumas
Lead guitarist Adrian Quesada was unable to join, but vocalist/guitarist Eric Burton took the lead, and with backup vocals and keys, he performs incredible stripped-down versions of songs from their debut album.
Lawrence
The New York City-based soul-pop group, founded by siblings Clyde Lawrence and Gracie Lawrence, stopped by during a Boston tour date.
Tessa Violet
The singer-songwriter—who began writing songs after a friend left his guitar in her car when she was 23—performs a live acoustic set of songs from Bad Ideas.
KT Tunstall
The Scottish singer-songwriter stopped by to perform some new music and new versions of her Billboard hits.
Of Monsters and Men
Nanna, Ragnar, and Arnar stopped by to perform stripped-down versions of three new songs from Fever Dream, including “Alligator.”
Calexico and Iron & Wine
Sam Beam and Joey Burns play stripped-down versions of songs from Years to Burn, and “He Lays In The Reins” from their first collaboration In the Reins.
Billy Bragg
The English singer-songwriter and activist—who has spent decades making music that blends elements folk and punk with lyrics focused on inspiring social and political change—performs a live acoustic set.
