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Summer Concerts at Institute Of Contemporary Art


Presented by Natixis Global Asset Management

As the weather warms up, join Berklee students, alumni, and faculty for a free outdoor music series held in neighborhoods throughout Metro Boston and beyond. The series culminates with the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on September 28.


“Summer in the City is one of our very best contributions to the local community – the world’s next great artists performing throughout Boston all summer long. You can be among the first to see their careers take flight,” said Berklee President Roger H. Brown. Past performers have included Esperanza Spalding, Dopapod, and the Stray Birds, to name a few.


Summer in the City concerts bring neighborhoods to life with free programs of pop, rock, jazz, Latin, blues, flamenco, and Celtic music. The Boston-area concerts take place in destinations throughout the city from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Harbor Islands, and the Boston Common’s newly renovated Brewer Fountain Plaza to communities with strong cultural identities ranging from Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, East Boston, and the South End.


Click on one of the locations on the left to find a concert near you.

Wambura Mitaru Synergy / Kaliné

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Led by Kenyan vocalist Wambura Mitaru, with South African guitarist Sebastian Reunert and Egyptian percussionist Moez Dawad, this group of friends has a deep grasp of their African roots. With their various regional backgrounds and their vast experiences in world music, Wambura Mitaru Synergy creates a hybrid sound that combines groovy tunes and catchy lyrics.

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We Avalanche and The Dwells

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Heavily influenced by noise, pop, and old-time, We Avalanche sounds like your favorite band forgot how to play their instruments. The Dwells are cosmic Americana, born on the Fourth of July. Together, Paige Califano and Matthew Bean are a vocal swirl, drenched in memorable lyrics and infectious songwriting.

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Family Photo

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Family Photo takes complex vocal harmonies and arrangements and weaves them into popular song structures. The group seamlessly glides between genres, incorporating musical styles from jazz and pop to the more obscure corners of rock and neoclassicism. They tie it all together into an energetic performance, creating a sound that speaks to the band's relentless search of uncharted, sonic territory.

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Ali Amr Experiment

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Palestinian-born Ali Amr takes a journey into an exotic blend of original jazz with a modern Middle Eastern vibe, influenced by touches of flamenco to bring a flair for the unexpected. He gives a mesmerizing performance of vocals and qanun, backed by keys, bass, and percussion.

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Daniel Kuark

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Daniel Kuark is a folk/indie singer-songwriter from Southern California. With a mixture of influences ranging from electronic and folk music, he has been able to create a new atmosphere for his audiences while conveying honesty and talent. Some of his influences are Tallest Man on Earth, Damien Rice, and Motopony.

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Cocoa Jackson Lane

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Cocoa Jackson Lane combines gritty soul with roots and reggae. Hailing from the Pacific, South East Asia, and Barcelona, this eclectic outfit instinctively delivers an honest and raw performance. Fronted by the vivacious Jess Harlen and directed by bassist Camilla Charlesworth, Cocoa Jackson Lane seamlessly ranges from heart-wrenching delicacy to hard-hitting dancehall.

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Christian Li Group

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

The Christian Li Group’s compositions are informed by the diverse backgrounds of band members Matthew Halpin (tenor saxophone), Christian Li (piano), Zach Brown (bass), Sergio Martinez (percussion), and Roberto Giaquinto (drums).

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Sırma / Lillia Betz and Gossamer

Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m.Free

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, and now living in Boston, Sırma is influenced by her multicultural background to strive for collaboration and connection. Constantly exploring her sound, Sırma has experience in production, arranging, and songwriting on top of her solo work. She recently released her debut solo EP, Traces. Electronic artists Lillia Betz and Gossamer will be performing an improvised set, using software programming and audio hardware.

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