This weekend, Boston’s soulful ska band Westbound Train will serenade audiences not once, but twice as they host back-to-back shows at the Middle East Upstairs. The last time they graced the stage was this past April as part of the two-night Title Town event. It seems multi-night affairs are becoming a new trend: Big D has done it for Halloween, Bosstones for Christmas, Less Than Jake in November; the list goes on. It’s a special opportunity for dedicated fans. Each night offers a very different selection for openers. It’s also worth noting that Friday night is 18+ and Saturday is all ages.
Speaking of Less Than Jake, their drummer Vinnie Fiorello offered his thoughts on Westbound Train in a recent blog post on Rootfire. “All you have to do is like music, let the band do the rest, let the band convince you to dance when you haven’t danced in years,” he writes. That same article reveals Westbound Train will release a new album in 2017 and contains a stream for “Stranded,” a song from that record. Our readers might remember that song was featured on the 2015 Rare Breed sampler. It can still be downloaded from Paper + Plastic’s store.
Westbound Train last released “Come and Get It” in 2009 and like most fans, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this new record that the band has been teasing for quite some time now. Just check out #newwbtalbum on Instagram.
Here’s hoping we get to hear a few new songs this weekend!
Night 1 – Friday, September 16, 2016
8pm, 18+, $15
with The Scotch Bonnets, Riki Rocksteady, The New Limits
Facebook Event, Tickets
Night 2 – Saturday, September 17, 2016
7pm, All Ages, $15
with The Macrotones, BarRoom Heroes, DJ King Django
Facebook Event, Tickets
LISTEN: Enjoy this playlist of the bands playing this weekend.
Stay glued to the calendar for ska show listings!
