The Magnetic Fields
November 18 and 19. Hudson resident and Magnetic Fields/Future Bible Heroes/6ths mastermind Stephin Merritt once again makes his way slightly east to contemporary art museum and performance complex Mass MoCA. For this two-night stand in the facility's Hunter Center, the culmination of a two-week woodshedding residency, the singer-songwriter is in full Magnetic Fields mode with the world premiere of a stage show for the Fields' forthcoming album, 50 Song Memoir. Each of the two nights will feature a completely different set of new songs celebrating each year of Merritt's five decades on the planet, played by seven musicians using 50 instruments (not all at the same time, one guesses). (Actress Elisa Davis sings November 12.) 8pm. $35-$65. North Adams, Massachusetts. (413) 662-2111; Massmoca.org.
