Hatch Shell Concert Schedule
For more than 25 years, local radio stations have sponsored free concerts at Boston’s Hatch Shell. The official names of the programs are 100.7 WZLX FREE Summer Concerts and MIXFEST sponsored by Mix104.1. The series are 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 classic radio station broadcasts a wide variety of music from the 1970s through early 80s. Listeners may hear songs from the British Invasion to a smash-hit rock ballad from the 70s. A Rush or Supertramp tune, or a one-hit wonder from the era, may be on the air at this very moment. One can also listen to this classic station from the world wide web, and then view a playlist in real-time.
Over the years, many great artists have performed at the Free Summer Concert Series at the Hatch Shell. Artists such as Johnny Rivers, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Stylistics, The Guess Who, and The Rascals have performed here. 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.
July, 2018
Tuesday July 3, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Soston Pops Orchestra Warm-Up Concert
Wristbands at Oval Usually Available at 9:00 am
Wristband Oval Checkpoint Gate Opens at 5:00 pm
Concerts starts at 8:30 pm
1812 Overture Played at about 9:45 pm - NO FIREWORKS
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday July 4, 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Boston Pops Orchestra July 4 Concert
Special Guest Performers: Rachel Platten, Rhiannon Giddens, Indigo Girls
Wristbands at Oval Usually Available at 9:00 am
Wristband Oval Checkpoint Gate Opens at 5:00 pm
Concert Starts at 8:30 pm
1812 Overture Played at about 10:15 pm
Fireworks at 10:30 pm
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday July 11, 6:00 pm
(Rain Date: Canceled if Rain)
Season Tune-Up/ Family Musical Night
Program:
Musical Playground – Try out a Musical Instrument
Maestro Zone – Practice your Conducting Skills
Face Painting
Boston Children's Museum Exhibits
New England Aquarium Exhibits
Wednesday July 18, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Thursday, July 19)
The Planets (Opening Night)
Artists:
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, Conductor
ZUMIX
St.
Paul’s Girls’ School Choir
Program:
Edward Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance No. 1
Claude Debussy – Claire de lune
Gonzalo Grau – Pegasus Promenade (world premiere)
Gustav Holst – The Planets
Wednesday July 25, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Canceled if Rain)
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Artists:
Young Artists Orchestra, Paul Haas, Conductor
Young Artists Wind Ensemble, H.
Robert Reynolds, Conductor
Program:
Leonard Bernstein – Candide Overture
Bernstein – Suite from Mass
Bernstein – Symphonic Dances from West Side Story for wind ensemble
Igor Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring
August, 2018
Wednesday August 1, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Thursday August 2)
Verdi Requiem
Artists:
Pre-concert prelude (at approximately 6:20 pm) by North End Music & Performing
Arts Center Children’s Choir
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins,
Conductor
One City Choir
Back Bay Chorale, Scott Allen Jarrett, Music
Director
Meredith Hansen, soprano
Ann McMahon Quintero, mezzo-soprano
Yeghishe Manucharyan, tenor
Nathan Stark, bass-baritoner
Program:
Giuseppe Verdi – Messa da Requiem
Wednesday August 8, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Canceled if Rain)
Longwood Symphony Orchestra
Artists:
Longwood Symphony Orchestra, Ronald Feldman, Conductor
Program:
To Be Announced
Wednesday August 15, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Thursday August 16)
Sounds of the Sea
Artists/Contributors:
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, Conductor
New England
Aquarium
Boston String Academy
Program:
Maurice Ravel – Une Barque sur l’océan
Bernard Herrmann – Moby Dick excerpts
Stella Sung – Oceana (world premiere)
Claude Debussy – La Mer
Wednesday August 22, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Thursday August 23)
Symphonic Dances
Artists/Contributors:
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, Conductor
Peter
DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion
The Dance Complex
Boston Ballet II
Conservatory Lab Charter School
Camp Harbor View
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
New England Aquarium
Boston String Academy
Program:
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Scenes from Swan Lake
Amy Beach – Bal masqué
A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein
Wednesday August 29, 7:00 pm
(Rain Date: Canceled if Rain)
Mercury Orchestra
Artists:
Mercury Orchestra, Channing Yu, Conductor
Program:
Works of Dmitri Shostakovich
Alexander Borodin
Tchaikovsky
Contact Information & Address:
Hatch Shell (Mass Department of Conservation & Recreation)
Storrow Drive & Mugar Way, Boston, MA
617.626.4970 Hatch Hotline
mass.gov/dcr
