Hatch Shell Concert Schedule

For more than 15 years, a local radio station has sponsored free concerts at Boston’s Hatch Shell. The official name of the program is the To Be Announced. The series is a true public service, allowing hundreds of thousands of Boston residents to attend free performances of some of the greatest bands of all time.

The radio station broadcasts a wide variety of music from the 1960s through early 80s. Listeners may hear songs from the British Invasion to Motown, or a smash-hit rock ballad from the 70s. A Carpenters pop melody, or a one-hit wonder from the era, may be on the air at this very moment. One can also listen to this oldies/classic station from the world wide web, and then view a playlist in real-time.

Many great artists have performed at the Free Summer Concert Series. In recent years, artists such as Johnny Rivers, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Stylistics, The Guess Who, and The Rascals have performed at the Hatch Shell. This author’s favorite bands were The O’Jays and more recently Three Dog Night. Thousands of people sang along to Love Train and Joy To The World; it was amazing.

For new visitors or tourists, the Hatch Shell is an open-air stadium located at Boston’s Esplanade park. The lawn in front of the shell fills up on a first-come, first-serve basis. Lawn chairs and blankets are extremely popular. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, and violators are subject to arrest.

The concerts usually start at 7:00 pm with a warm-up artist. As the sun recedes, excitement builds for the main act. By nightfall, the Esplanade paths and knolls surrounding the shell are full of happy concert-goers. The acoustics are great at this fun family-friendly event.

Also of course, the oldest tradition at the Hatch Shell is the annual July 4th concert with the Boston Pops. In recent years, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra has performed here, bringing classical music and opera to the Esplanade; another great public service.

 

May, 2013

Saturday May 18, 11:30 am - 4:45 pm (main concert)
Radio 929 EarthFest 2013
Camper Van Beethoven
Gentlemen Hall
Fastball
Cracker
Vertical Horizon

June, 2013

Saturday June TBA, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Concert Sponsor TBA
Performer TBA

July, 2013

Wednesday July 3, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Concert
Wrist Bands Available at 4:00 pm
1812 Overture Played at 9:30 pm

Thursday July 4, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Concert
Special Guest Performers: TBA
Wrist Bands Available at 9:00 am
Fireworks at 10:30 pm

Wednesday July 17, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
Rhapsody in Green
At the River by Anthony De Ritis (premiere)
The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams
Tales from the Vienna Woods by Johann Strauss, Jr.
Symphony No. 6, Pastorale by Beethoven

Saturday July TBA, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Concert Sponsor TBA
Performer TBA

Wednesday July 24, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
A Family Guide to the Orchestra
Perpetuum Mobile by Johann Strauss, Jr.
Lord of the Rings Symphonic Suite (excerpt) by Shore
Double Concerto by Michael Gandolfi (premiere)
Symphony No. 1 by Brahms

Wednesday July 31, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
Fiesta Sinfónica
A Night in the Tropics by Gottschalk
The Little Train of the Brazilian Countryman by Villa-Lobos
Huapango by Moncayo
Viaje by Gonzalo Grau

August 2013

Saturday August TBA, 7:00 - 9:30 pm
Concert Sponsor TBA
Performer TBA

Wednesday August 7, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
in Concert with Boston Lyric Opera
Works TBA

Wednesday August 14, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Festival
Guest Orchestra: Longwood Symphony Orchestra
Works TBA

Wednesday August 21, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter

Wednesday August 28, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Landmarks Orchestra
I Have A Dream
50th Anniversary Concert
Boston Landmarks One-City Choir
New England Spiritual Ensemble
New World Chorale
Four Spirituals From A Child Of Our Time by Tippett
Cry, The Beloved Country by Weill
Battle Hymn Of The Republic by Steffe, Arranged by Wilhousky
"Martin Luther King" From Three Black Kings by Ellington
I Have A Dream by Hoiby
A Lincoln Portrait by Copland

Contact Information & Address:

Hatch Shell (Mass Department of Conservation & Recreation)
Storrow Drive & Mugar Way, Boston, MA
617.626.4970 Hatch Hotline
mass.gov/dcr