Editor’s Note: It’s equal parts exciting and terrifying to see the calendar flip to October in New England, and not just because it means the Red Sox aren’t contending. To help soothe all the seasonal panic that comes with preparing for two weeks of pretty landscapes and then months of snowfall that seems to linger until “Smarch,” the one constant throughout all the seasons is comedy, and that is one thing that keeps on flowing like the finest PSL on tap. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy throughout the commonwealth continues to show up, night after night. To help you make sense of all of the wonderful options, enter Mic’d Up, our ongoing weekly series that details the best live comedy shows to consider as you head out and about. Below, find our rundown for this week, through Sunday (October 27).
Matt Shore at The Rockwell
The creative force of Matt Shore knows no boundaries, as he brings a night full of both comedy and music to Davis Square in Somerville. With a myriad of beats and musical influences serving as the soundtrack, Shore has prepared quite a slate of hilarity as he wades through an impressively copious amount of topics in a fairly short amount of time. It’s the perfect recipe for a little midweek decompression.
MATT SHORE :: Wednesday, October 23 at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St. in Somerville, MA :: 7 p.m., $15 to $20 :: Advance tickets
Townies at Lil’ Chuck
A brand new show at the city’s newest space for comedy, and you’re only going to catch the best that the city has to offer. Hosted by Monica Carroll, this showcase at Lil Chuck is bound to be the best bang for your buck around town, and you never who is going to show up, so it truly is a win-win all around.
TOWNIES :: Thursday, October 24 at Lil’ Chuck, 74 Warrenton St. in Boston, MA :: 8:30 p.m., $20 :: Advance tickets
Natasha Leggero at Laugh Boston
It’s been a hot minute since we last caught Natasha Leggero in town, but rest assured that there is still no defeating her. Whether it’s discussing the ever-evolving oddities of parenthood and marriage, or taking aim at the nonsense she sees outside of her own home, Leggero remains one of the most potent comedic forces in the game.
NATASHA LEGGERO :: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 7 and 10 p.m. both nights, $33 :: Advance tickets
Jon Stewart at Hanover Theatre
If there’s one man who can make the remaining election season palatable, it’s Jon Stewart, and a sold out crowd in Wormtown means at least two things. First, it means Stewart remains as much of a legend behind the mic as he has been behind the Daily Show desk. Secondly, it means that the city of Worcester, and its surrounding areas, are just looking for a little something to cling on to for some semblance of sanity as we nose dive towards November 5. Buckle up for one hell of a night.
JON STEWART :: Saturday, October 26 at The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St. in Worcester, MA :: 7:30 p.m., $55 to $95 :: Advance tickets