Dinosaur Jr - Boston 2024

Dinosaur Jr. made a memorable stop at Boston's TD Garden on September 10, 2024, opening a massive triple bill with The Flaming Lips and Weezer. For a band known for distortion, volume, and gloriously messy guitar solos, getting to play one of Boston's biggest rooms was quite a change from the clubs where Dinosaur Jr. built its reputation.

J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph delivered a short but concentrated set, taking the stage at 7 p.m. and playing for roughly 25 minutes. There wasn't much time for wandering or extended experimentation, so the band went straight for some of its best-known material.

The set opened with “Little Fury Things,” immediately throwing the crowd into Dinosaur Jr.'s trademark wall of fuzz. “Feel the Pain” and “Start Choppin” followed, providing two of the band's most recognizable songs before “Freak Scene” brought out one of the defining tracks from the band's early years.

One of the night's most interesting moments came when Dinosaur Jr. tackled The Cure's “Just Like Heaven.” The unexpected cover fit surprisingly well with Mascis' guitar-heavy approach, giving the Boston audience something a little different before the band closed with “Gargoyle.”

The biggest limitation was simply time. A 25-minute opening slot barely scratches the surface of what Dinosaur Jr. can do onstage, particularly for a band whose extended guitar work is such an important part of its identity. Still, the compact set worked because every song was recognizable and the band didn't waste a second.

Playing before The Flaming Lips and Weezer also made Dinosaur Jr.'s appearance feel like an introduction to a much larger audience. The Boston show was part of a September run through major arenas that included stops in Columbus, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

For Dinosaur Jr. fans, it may not have been the longest set the band has ever played, but it was a loud reminder of just how powerful three musicians can sound when J Mascis turns up the guitar. TD Garden got a concentrated dose of Dinosaur Jr.—fuzz, volume, distortion, great songs, and just enough chaos to make the short set count.