Editor’s Note: Welcome to On Sale @, a weekly series from Vanyaland alerting concertgoers to the best shows coming to MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Check in each week for a highlighted look at each show, and how to access the best tickets as soon as they go on sale.
Janelle Monáe, Age of Pleasure Tour, September 17
Welcome to the Age of Pleasure. That’s the invitation extended by Janelle Monáe, who today (June 9) drops her fourth studio album via Atlantic Records before taking the record — and its hedonistic ethos — out on the road for 26 North American dates this summer and fall. Included in the romp is a September 17 twirl at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, and after the past few years, we’ll take all the pleasure we can get. Hear lead single “Lipstick Lover” below, and be seduced by this promotional promise: “Her tour promises to light up your body, soul and all of your senses with an unforgettable performance featuring songs off her latest album and classic hits from her discography. Tickets are on sale now.
John Oliver, John Oliver Live, August 27
Live comedy is popping off all over the region, and now one of the city’s newest and biggest stages is getting in on the laugh. Comedian and late-night host John Oliver brings his John Oliver Live tour to MGM Music Hall at Fenway on August 27. Here’s what we had to say about it earlier this week: “The show will close out a short tour for the Last Week Tonight host, and represents the first show Oliver has performed in Massachusetts since 2016, when he participated in the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival at Mansfield’s Xfinity Center. In addition to his earlier work on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and manning the helm of HBO’s Last Week Tonight since 2014, Oliver has also lent his talents and fairly iconic voice to on-screen projects, such as 2019’s The Lion King, and worked a short three-episode stint on the animated Netflix series Big Mouth in 2020.” Tickets go on sale Friday (June 9) at 10 a.m. local time.
Violent Femmes, Performing The Debut Album Cover to Cover, October 13
Playing MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 9) at 10 a.m. local time.
Ben Howard, IS IT? North America Tour, October 27
Playing MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 9) at 10 a.m. local time.
Needtobreathe, THE CAVES WORLD TOUR, November 11
Playing MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 2) at 10 a.m. local time.