Ever wonder why everyone besides Bill Murray looks so happy at the Oscars, even when they leave empty-handed? Simple: It’s those ridiculous $10,000 gift bags they give out. Plus, booze.
Our own Boston Music Awards (December 14 at the Revere Hotel) is unfortunately lagging behind in this department, but they’ve come up with an equally awesome way of saying thanks that doesn’t involve free Dr. Dre headphones: Sound Of Our Town, a free locally minded concert this Saturday (3pm-10pm) at Lawn on D in Southie. The recently debuted 2.7 acre outdoor experimental event space is a gift in itself, and that’s before you add a stacked lineup of hometown talent curated by Vanyaland, including Parks, Quilt, Hooray for Earth, and Speedy Ortiz.
The show also serves as the official announcement of this year’s BMA nominees, which is convenient since several of our own odds-on favorites — regal rapper Dutch ReBelle, indie folk crew The Grownup Noise (see Tracks), serial trophy winner Eli Paperboy Reed — will be making their case for your vote with performances. But then again, when you get to see headliners Ted Leo and Aimee Mann (as The Both) live in a beautiful new city green space, everybody wins.
SOUND OF OUR TOWN. THE LAWN ON D, 420 D ST., BOSTON. SAT 10.4. 3-10PM/ALL AGES/FREE. BOSTONMUSICAWARDS.COM