Salem, MA · Updated daily
Live Music in Salem
There is live music in Salem nearly every night of the week — and almost none of it is in one place. It's spread across neighbourhood bars, breweries and the waterfront, most of it free, most of it starting between 7 and 8 PM. Below: the standing weekly nights you can turn up to any week, then every upcoming show we know about.
Live music in Salem by night of the week
Standing nights that run week in, week out. Acts and featured guests rotate — the dated listings further down say who's on.
Tuesday
- 6:45 PM Karaoke with Maxine Harrison at Gulu-Gulu Cafe
- 7 PM Live Jazz: Steve Lacey & Pat Dole at The Babe
Thursday
- 7 PM Open Mic Night at Village Tavern
- 7:30 PM MUSICAL OPEN MIC! at Gulu-Gulu Cafe
- 7:30 PM Music Open Mic at Gulu-Gulu Cafe
Friday
- 3:30 PM Blues Jam at Mercy Tavern at Mercy Tavern
- 8 PM Terror Ticket: Raveyard at The Lost Library
- 8 PM Karaoke at The Babe
- 9 PM DJ Night at Village Tavern
- 9 PM Live Music at Mercy Tavern at Mercy Tavern
Saturday
- 7 PM Mike McGeown Band at Mercy Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Night at Village Tavern
- 9 PM Live Music at Mercy Tavern at Mercy Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Fuerto at Village Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Brecko at Village Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Selekta at Village Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Tumi at Village Tavern
Sunday
- 9 PM Live Music at Mercy Tavern at Mercy Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Rozey at Village Tavern
- 9 PM DJ Fuerto at Village Tavern
Live music in Salem this week
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Thu, Oct 1 · 12 PM · Live Music
The Haunted Hall: A Magical Music Experience
Starring Eleena Gelfgatt, renowned concert pianist. Event takes place during October 2026 at Ames Memorial Hall in Salem, Massachusetts. Includes a QR code for more information.
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Sun, Oct 4 · 2 PM · Live Music
Live Music: Ryan Kelleher from North of Trouble
Ryan Kelleher of North of Trouble plays a solo set on piano and vocals at Far From The Tree, 2 to 5 PM. Live music, classic R&B.
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Mon, Oct 5 · 7 PM · Live Music
Molly Pinto Madigan – Live Music No Cover
Molly Pinto Madigan joins us for three solo evenings this October. A Salem State alum and winner of WUMB's Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, Molly is a singer-songwriter whose music draws from folk, bluegrass, Celtic traditions, and classic balladry, plus more. Molly has a great repertoire. Her songs pair haunting melodies and poetic storytelling with a clear, distinctive voice and acoustic instrumentation. October 5, 19 & 26 • 7–9 PM No cover
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Mon, Oct 5 · 7:30 PM · Live Music
Jordan Gravel and the J Organ Trio - LIVE JAZZ NO COVER
Jordan Gravel and the Jorgan Trio bring the unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ to Gulu with a lively mix of jazz. Catch their regular residency and settle in for an evening of deep grooves, sharp improvisation, and seriously good live music. Always the last two Mondays of every month, sometimes more. Keep an eye on our Events page for more dates.
-
Tue, Oct 6 · 6 PM · Live Music
The Carole King and James Taylor Story
at The Cabot
Following critically acclaimed sell-out runs at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe, and sold-out shows in the UK and the US, The Carole King & James Taylor Story comes to a theatre near you! This loving tribute takes you on an incredible journey through the careers of the six-time Grammy Award winner, twenty-time platinum hit maker Carole King (as performed by Phoebe Katis), and five-time Grammy Award winner, and American folk legend James Taylor (as performed by Dan Clews). This live performance features passionate renditions of Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel the Earth Move, Natural Woman, You've Got a Friend, and many more, this astonishing back catalogue is realized with authenticity by Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews, both well-established artists in their own right. “Dan Clews is too great a talent to ignore.” – Sir George Martin “Sent chills down my spine.” – The Upside News “Will leave any folk-rock fans wholly satisfied.” – BroadwayBaby “Wow, what an experience.” – BBC Radio “Performance was immaculate.” – Three Weeks
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Tue, Oct 6 · 6:45 PM · Karaoke
Karaoke with Maxine Harrison
The coolest place to be on Tuesday night is Maxine Harrison’s Karaoke at Gulu-Gulu Cafe & Bar. No genres limited, skill doesn’t matter, sing from the stage or your chair with the wireless mics. You can even do a whole routine if you want. It’s always a blast. No cover. Just bring yourself and have fun. Signups start at 6:45pm, music starts at 7pm. Dates for September and October are: September 8 September 22 October 6 October 13 October 20
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Tue, Oct 6 · 7 PM · Live Music
Live Jazz: Steve Lacey & Pat Dole
at The Babe
Weekly jazz night at The Babe with Steve Lacey on guitar and Pat Dole on upright bass, 7–9 PM.
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Wed, Oct 7 · 7 PM · Open Mic
Open Mic with Mike McGeown
Weekly Wednesday open mic hosted by Mike McGeown at VFW Witch City Post 1524, 95 Derby St, from 7 PM. A different featured guest each week — bring an instrument or come to listen.
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Thu, Oct 8 · 7 PM · Open Mic
Open Mic Night
A Night for the Arts — local artists, poets, musicians, and performers every Thursday at Village Tavern. Starts 7 PM.
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Thu, Oct 8 · 7:30 PM · Open Mic
MUSICAL OPEN MIC!
Every Thursday night, Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar turns into one of Salem’s most welcoming rooms for live music, creativity, and unexpected moments. Musicians and listeners of all ages are invited. Signups start at 7:30 PM, music kicks off shortly after 8, and there’s never a cover. Sorry, no standup comedy.
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Fri, Oct 9 · 7 PM · Live Music
Magical Mystery Doors
at The Cabot
BEATLES, ZEPPELIN, DOORS by Magical Mystery Doors is a tribute act that blends and layers the music of three legendary bands to create something new and unique for music fans everywhere. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. These three iconic groups have changed the face of music as we know it. Their songs have become part of our history. Their melodies have moved people everywhere to “Come Together” in their love of music. Patrons attending a Magical Mystery Doors performance can expect to hear timeless tunes from each of these historic bands over the course of the night. The songs you know, the songs you love, the songs you sing at the top of your lungs! Throughout the show, the band combines some of these classic compositions in ways that surprise and delight audiences time and time again. The melody from The Doors' “Hello, I Love You” laying atop Led Zeppelin's “Misty Mountain Hop.” The pounding beat of Zep's “When The Levee Breaks” coupled with the serene strumming of The Beatles' “Dear Prudence.” The thematic sequence of The Rain Song – Riders On The Storm – Here Comes The Sun. These rare arrangements take crowds on an unexpected and exhilarating journey “Over The Hills
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Fri, Oct 9 · 7 PM · Live Music
Ted Leo
at Off Cabot Comedy & Events
Ted Leo is one of the finest songwriters of our generation, even if it's not entirely clear what generation that is. Starting in New York Hardcore with Citizen's Arrest, making the ‘90s safe for power-pop and Weller-esque hair with Chisel, then singing our turbulent lives like we were smarter than we were with The Pharmacists, and most recently providing equal parts sweetness and solace with Aimee Mann as The Both, Ted never let us down. And now, seven years after The Brutalist Bricks, he has a new solo album. And it's wonderful. The songs on The Hanged Man, recorded at a home-studio-in-transition in Wakefield, RI, with Ted playing almost all the instruments, are some of the finest and most finely wrought of Ted Leo's career. Ted describes the time working on the album as one of “personal desolation that felt fallow but was actually very fertile” and, indeed, lyrically, The Hanged Man is suffused with hope of sorts but crushingly heavy. The concerns addressed, whether personal trauma or the national disaster we're all currently existing in, matched with the range and vitality of the songcraft is inspiring, even uplifting. The Hanged Man offers the sharp bursts of skinny tie pop-pun
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Fri, Oct 9 · 8 PM · Live Music
Terror Ticket: Raveyard
After dark, it gets louder. Dance amongst the monsters. Fridays • 8 PM–10 PM Live DJ • Haunted Walkthrough • Halloween After Hours A Haunted House Rave When the sun goes down, the Haunted Witch Village and Frankenstein's Castle get louder. Every Friday night, step inside Salem's two premier haunted houses for an after-hours experience filled with pulsing music, eerie lighting, fog, Halloween atmosphere, and a live DJ spinning from inside the haunt. Explore the village, dance among the monsters, discover photo ops, and experience the attraction in a completely different way as the entire haunted house transforms into a Halloween party. This isn't your typical nightclub and it definitely isn't your typical haunted house. Fridays • 8:00 PM–10:00 PM 🎧 Live DJ 🎃 Live Actors 💀 Sober Halloween party atmosphere 📸 Photo opportunities 🌙 Limited late-night experience Come for the haunt. Stay for the rave.
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Fri, Oct 9 · 8 PM · Live Music
Nate Goyette - Live Music No Cover
Nate Goyette brings a sharp, heartfelt mix of indie rock, folk, and punk sensibility to the Gulu-Gulu stage. A New England singer-songwriter with a knack for turning everyday anxieties, bad decisions, relationships, and the awkward business of growing up into songs that are funny, thoughtful, and deeply relatable, Nate has performed throughout the Northeast both solo and with a full band. With two EPs under his belt—including 2023's The War on Comfort—his music can move from raucous and energetic to quiet and introspective, usually with a good story somewhere in the middle.
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Fri, Oct 9 · 9 PM · DJ Night
DJ Night
Boston's best DJs every Friday and Saturday at Village Tavern — no cover charge. Starts 9 PM.
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Fri, Oct 9 · 9:30 PM · Live Music
Everything Dies and Dream Evil Live at Koto
Everything Dies, celebrating the music and spirit of Type O Negative, with Dream Evil, a tribute to Ronnie James Dio. 21+. Tickets $20 online, $25 at the door.
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Sat, Oct 10 · 8 PM · Live Music
BLOODAOKE: Summer Camp Mascaraoke
Karaoke event with horror and summer camp theme. Admission is $10. Featuring Camp Counselor Abi Chaos. Includes a screening of 'Summer Camp Memories of the Past' brought to you by Beastie Bridge Street. Scan QR code for tickets.
-
Sat, Oct 10 · 8 PM · Live Music
Daniel Ouellette w/ Lynda Mandolyn - Live Music No Cover
Daniel Ouellette brings his theatrical, multilingual world of new wave, art pop and electronic music to the Gulu-Gulu stage. Performing solo and with his longtime project The Shobijin, Daniel has taken his wonderfully eclectic live show across the U.S., Canada and Spain, building a sound that's colorful, strange, danceable and entirely his own. Joining Daniel is Lynda Mandolyn, a veteran of the underground rock scene whose career stretches from Detroit punk to San Francisco pop-punk and today's Portland garage and shoegaze scenes. A founding member of Detroit's Inside Out, Lynda recorded a legendary John Peel Session for the BBC before going on to tour internationally with Fabulous Disaster, sharing stages with the likes of NOFX, T.S.O.L. and The Dickies. Today she's a member of Tiger Bomb and Crystal Canyon, while continuing to release her own dreamy, melodic solo work. No cover!!
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Sat, Oct 10 · 9 PM · DJ Night
DJ Night
Boston's best DJs every Friday and Saturday at Village Tavern — no cover charge. Starts 9 PM.
Coming up
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Thu, Oct 1 · 12 PM · Live Music
The Haunted Hall: A Magical Music Experience
Starring Eleena Gelfgatt, renowned concert pianist. Event takes place during October 2026 at Ames Memorial Hall in Salem, Massachusetts. Includes a QR code for more information.
-
Sun, Oct 4 · 2 PM · Live Music
Live Music: Ryan Kelleher from North of Trouble
Ryan Kelleher of North of Trouble plays a solo set on piano and vocals at Far From The Tree, 2 to 5 PM. Live music, classic R&B.
-
-
Mon, Oct 5 · 7 PM · Live Music
Molly Pinto Madigan – Live Music No Cover
Molly Pinto Madigan joins us for three solo evenings this October. A Salem State alum and winner of WUMB's Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, Molly is a singer-songwriter whose music draws from folk, bluegrass, Celtic traditions, and classic balladry, plus more. Molly has a great repertoire. Her songs pair haunting melodies and poetic storytelling with a clear, distinctive voice and acoustic instrumentation. October 5, 19 & 26 • 7–9 PM No cover
-
Mon, Oct 5 · 7:30 PM · Live Music
Jordan Gravel and the J Organ Trio - LIVE JAZZ NO COVER
Jordan Gravel and the Jorgan Trio bring the unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ to Gulu with a lively mix of jazz. Catch their regular residency and settle in for an evening of deep grooves, sharp improvisation, and seriously good live music. Always the last two Mondays of every month, sometimes more. Keep an eye on our Events page for more dates.
-
Tue, Oct 6 · 6 PM · Live Music
The Carole King and James Taylor Story
at The Cabot
Following critically acclaimed sell-out runs at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe, and sold-out shows in the UK and the US, The Carole King & James Taylor Story comes to a theatre near you! This loving tribute takes you on an incredible journey through the careers of the six-time Grammy Award winner, twenty-time platinum hit maker Carole King (as performed by Phoebe Katis), and five-time Grammy Award winner, and American folk legend James Taylor (as performed by Dan Clews). This live performance features passionate renditions of Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel the Earth Move, Natural Woman, You've Got a Friend, and many more, this astonishing back catalogue is realized with authenticity by Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews, both well-established artists in their own right. “Dan Clews is too great a talent to ignore.” – Sir George Martin “Sent chills down my spine.” – The Upside News “Will leave any folk-rock fans wholly satisfied.” – BroadwayBaby “Wow, what an experience.” – BBC Radio “Performance was immaculate.” – Three Weeks
-
Wed, Oct 7 · 7 PM · Open Mic
Open Mic with Mike McGeown
Weekly Wednesday open mic hosted by Mike McGeown at VFW Witch City Post 1524, 95 Derby St, from 7 PM. A different featured guest each week — bring an instrument or come to listen.
-
Fri, Oct 9 · 7 PM · Live Music
Magical Mystery Doors
at The Cabot
BEATLES, ZEPPELIN, DOORS by Magical Mystery Doors is a tribute act that blends and layers the music of three legendary bands to create something new and unique for music fans everywhere. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. These three iconic groups have changed the face of music as we know it. Their songs have become part of our history. Their melodies have moved people everywhere to “Come Together” in their love of music. Patrons attending a Magical Mystery Doors performance can expect to hear timeless tunes from each of these historic bands over the course of the night. The songs you know, the songs you love, the songs you sing at the top of your lungs! Throughout the show, the band combines some of these classic compositions in ways that surprise and delight audiences time and time again. The melody from The Doors' “Hello, I Love You” laying atop Led Zeppelin's “Misty Mountain Hop.” The pounding beat of Zep's “When The Levee Breaks” coupled with the serene strumming of The Beatles' “Dear Prudence.” The thematic sequence of The Rain Song – Riders On The Storm – Here Comes The Sun. These rare arrangements take crowds on an unexpected and exhilarating journey “Over The Hills
-
Fri, Oct 9 · 7 PM · Live Music
Ted Leo
at Off Cabot Comedy & Events
Ted Leo is one of the finest songwriters of our generation, even if it's not entirely clear what generation that is. Starting in New York Hardcore with Citizen's Arrest, making the ‘90s safe for power-pop and Weller-esque hair with Chisel, then singing our turbulent lives like we were smarter than we were with The Pharmacists, and most recently providing equal parts sweetness and solace with Aimee Mann as The Both, Ted never let us down. And now, seven years after The Brutalist Bricks, he has a new solo album. And it's wonderful. The songs on The Hanged Man, recorded at a home-studio-in-transition in Wakefield, RI, with Ted playing almost all the instruments, are some of the finest and most finely wrought of Ted Leo's career. Ted describes the time working on the album as one of “personal desolation that felt fallow but was actually very fertile” and, indeed, lyrically, The Hanged Man is suffused with hope of sorts but crushingly heavy. The concerns addressed, whether personal trauma or the national disaster we're all currently existing in, matched with the range and vitality of the songcraft is inspiring, even uplifting. The Hanged Man offers the sharp bursts of skinny tie pop-pun
-
Fri, Oct 9 · 8 PM · Live Music
Nate Goyette - Live Music No Cover
Nate Goyette brings a sharp, heartfelt mix of indie rock, folk, and punk sensibility to the Gulu-Gulu stage. A New England singer-songwriter with a knack for turning everyday anxieties, bad decisions, relationships, and the awkward business of growing up into songs that are funny, thoughtful, and deeply relatable, Nate has performed throughout the Northeast both solo and with a full band. With two EPs under his belt—including 2023's The War on Comfort—his music can move from raucous and energetic to quiet and introspective, usually with a good story somewhere in the middle.
-
Fri, Oct 9 · 9:30 PM · Live Music
Everything Dies and Dream Evil Live at Koto
Everything Dies, celebrating the music and spirit of Type O Negative, with Dream Evil, a tribute to Ronnie James Dio. 21+. Tickets $20 online, $25 at the door.
-
Sat, Oct 10 · 8 PM · Live Music
BLOODAOKE: Summer Camp Mascaraoke
Karaoke event with horror and summer camp theme. Admission is $10. Featuring Camp Counselor Abi Chaos. Includes a screening of 'Summer Camp Memories of the Past' brought to you by Beastie Bridge Street. Scan QR code for tickets.
-
Sat, Oct 10 · 8 PM · Live Music
Daniel Ouellette w/ Lynda Mandolyn - Live Music No Cover
Daniel Ouellette brings his theatrical, multilingual world of new wave, art pop and electronic music to the Gulu-Gulu stage. Performing solo and with his longtime project The Shobijin, Daniel has taken his wonderfully eclectic live show across the U.S., Canada and Spain, building a sound that's colorful, strange, danceable and entirely his own. Joining Daniel is Lynda Mandolyn, a veteran of the underground rock scene whose career stretches from Detroit punk to San Francisco pop-punk and today's Portland garage and shoegaze scenes. A founding member of Detroit's Inside Out, Lynda recorded a legendary John Peel Session for the BBC before going on to tour internationally with Fabulous Disaster, sharing stages with the likes of NOFX, T.S.O.L. and The Dickies. Today she's a member of Tiger Bomb and Crystal Canyon, while continuing to release her own dreamy, melodic solo work. No cover!!
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Tue, Oct 13 · 6 PM · Live Music
Daughtry – 20 Years Unplugged Tour
at The Cabot
With Ryan Perdz on support Daughtry celebrates 20 years with an intimate acoustic performance! Formed in 2006, the Grammy Award®-nominated, multi-platinum rock band Daughtry has remained a dominant force for nearly two decades. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Chris Daughtry, the band has sold more than 11 million records worldwide, earned four Grammy nominations, received American Music Awards, and achieved multiple Billboard chart-toppers, including three No. 1 rock singles. Entering a bold new chapter with their latest albums, Dearly Beloved and Shock to the System, Daughtry delivers a harder-edged, high-impact statement that reaffirms their evolution and staying power—proving they're not just part of the rock conversation but are still driving it. RYAN PERDZ Ryan Perdz is a 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. Raised on his grandparents' family farm, he began teaching himself guitar at age ten and expanded into bass, violin, and mandolin, developing a hands-on approach to songwriting and arrangement. Influenced by artists such as Nirvana, Chris Cornell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Led Zeppelin, Perdz channels the emotional weight of 90s rock
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Fri, Oct 16 · 7:30 PM · Live Music
Bars After Dark: Bars Over Bars at The Lost Library
at Salem Witch Village and the Lost Library
You've seen Salem by daylight — this is what happens after dark. Hidden beyond the shelves of The Lost Library, an intimate Black Box theater comes alive for one night with Bars After Dark, an immersive Halloween-season rap showcase in the heart of downtown Salem. Step inside, leave the October crowds behind, and drop into an underground room of live music, heavy beats, eerie projections and some of the area's rising hip-hop talent. Performers take the mic throughout the night while visuals wrap the whole room — less a concert than a hidden Salem nightlife experience built for the season. Presented by Bars Over Bars and The Lost Library. Doors 7 PM, music 7:30 PM, done by 10 PM. One night. One hidden room. Nothing but bars.
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Fri, Oct 16 · 8 PM · Live Music
Free Live Music by From The Jump at Wicked Axe
at Wicked Axe
Join us at Wicked Axe on Friday, October 16th from 8–10 PM for a FREE live music show featuring From the Jump, a New England-based band bringing a live audio-visual experience you won't want to miss. Groove, Shash, Keith, Frank & Ash are ready to bring the energy and get the night moving! There's no cover and no activity reservation is required to attend the show—just grab your crew, come enjoy the music, and make a night of it at Wicked Axe. This event is exclusively 21+.
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Fri, Oct 16 · 8 PM · Live Music
Couple of Wanderers - Faith Kelly & Caswyn Moon - No Cover
Gulu favorites, Couple of Wanderers returns! They are Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon, two Catskills songwriters who have made the road a big part of their music. After meeting at an open mic, the pair began crisscrossing the country together, playing original songs in venues and small towns all along the way. Caswyn brings melodic, punk-tinged Americana with old-country roots, often backed by Faith on Moog synthesizer, before Faith takes over with her own wonderfully strange blend of spacey folk rock ’n’ roll and Appalachian sounds. Expect guitars, synths, storytelling, a little psychedelia, and the occasional washboard or kazoo. Come catch these two wandering songwriters as their travels bring them back through Salem and the Gulu-Gulu stage. No cover!!
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Sat, Oct 17 · 7 PM · Live Music
The Steely Dan Project
at Salem, MA
The Steely Dan Project is the ultimate live celebration of one of the most iconic bands in rock history! This powerhouse ensemble of world-class musicians brings Steely Dan's legendary catalog to life with electrifying energy, jaw-dropping precision, and the kind of groove that keeps audiences on their feet all night long. From the instantly recognizable hooks of Reelin' in the Years to the silky smooth vibes of Peg and Hey Nineteen, every performance is packed with the hits, deep cuts, and signature jazz-rock brilliance that made Steely Dan a global phenomenon. More than just a tribute, The Steely Dan Project is a full-throttle concert experience—complete with soaring vocals, blazing horns, and flawless musicianship that will leave fans shouting for more. Whether you know every lyric or you're ready to discover what makes Steely Dan's music timeless, this show delivers the thrill, the soul, and the sound of a true classic. Get ready to sing, dance, and groove—because The Steely Dan Project is rolling in, and you don't want to miss it!
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Sat, Oct 17 · 8 PM · Live Music
Rick Berlin w/ the Nickel & Dime band!
Boston music legend Rick Berlin brings the Nickel & Dime Band back to the Gulu-Gulu stage for a big, night of rock & roll. A fixture of the Boston scene since the ’70s, Berlin first made his mark fronting Orchestra Luna and later Berlin Airlift, building a decades-long reputation for theatrical performances, sharp storytelling, and songs that refuse to stay in one genre. His Nickel & Dime Band carries that history forward with a mix of rock, punk, funk, Americana, and plenty of unexpected turns. Along the way they’ve shared stages with Dr. Dog and the Violent Femmes, while Berlin’s career has crossed paths with everyone from Roxy Music and the J. Geils Band to the early Boston punk scene.
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Mon, Oct 19 · 7 PM · Live Music
Jorgan Trio
Jordan Gravel and the Jorgan Trio bring the unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ to Gulu with a lively mix of jazz. Catch their regular residency and settle in for an evening of deep grooves, sharp improvisation, and seriously good live music. Always the last two Mondays of every month, sometimes more. Keep an eye on our Events page for more dates.
Music venues in Salem
Every bar, brewery and venue in Salem that puts on live music, with addresses, hours and links.
Live music in Salem — frequently asked questions
Where can I find live music in Salem, MA tonight? +
Salem has live music most nights of the week. Standing nights include open mics, DJ sets, jams and karaoke across bars and venues downtown and along the waterfront — the weekly guide on this page lists what happens on each night, and the upcoming list shows exactly who's playing. Both update daily.
Which Salem bars have live music? +
Live music in Salem is spread across neighbourhood bars, breweries and waterfront spots rather than concentrated in one district — Brodie's Seaport, Mercy Tavern, O'Neills, Village Tavern, The Cannery, the Witch City VFW and Gulu-Gulu Cafe all run regular nights. The full directory of music venues is linked below.
Is there an open mic in Salem? +
Yes — Salem has several. There is a weekly Wednesday open mic hosted by Mike McGeown at the Witch City VFW on Derby Street with a different featured guest each week, plus regular open mics at other venues on other nights. They are listed in the weekly guide on this page.
Do Salem music venues charge a cover? +
Most of the weekly neighbourhood nights — open mics, jams, DJ sets and karaoke — are free. Ticketed shows and touring acts do charge, and those are noted on the individual event page along with the ticket link where one exists.
What time does live music usually start in Salem? +
Most weeknight music starts between 7 and 8 PM, with DJ sets running later, from around 9 or 10 PM. Weekend afternoon sets happen too, especially at the waterfront spots in summer. Exact times are on each listing.