Walk or ride along with a local musician and uncover Boston's rock history. Dig for vinyl at a local record store and discover legendary venues like the Rat, Storyville, and the Boston Tea Party - the Velvet Underground's favorite place to play in the whole country! Learn how pioneering DJs, producers, and educators sparked a revolution in how music was transmitted, recorded and taught. And trace Boston’s impact on the careers of iconic artists like B.B King, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, New Edition, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Pixies, Radiohead, Peter Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Jonathan Richman and more. Scroll below to learn more….
REVIEWS & PRESS
“I’m at the start of a walking tour of Boston’s ragged, arty rock ‘n’ roll history. And my guide, Matt Bowker, proprietor of Soundscape Tours, is arguing that the Pixies-and by extension, Boston’s late 20th century music scene-were seminal forces in modern rock. He’s making a pretty good case.”
The Boston Globe
“There are Boston walking tours, and then there are Soundscape tours -punchy explorations of the city’s rock ‘n’ roll history.”
Yankee Magazine (2026 Best New Cultural Attraction Winner)
“His (the guide’s) demeanor as a docent calls to mind a knowledgeable record store employee, but not the mean kind. Evincing more crate-digger enthusiasm than rockist snobbery, he carts around a boom box and a selection of LPs to play curated clips and supply visual aids on tours (and during interviews).”
- Frommers
“As a tour guide, “ Matt brings his unique perspective as a local Boston musician to the table... I was very glad the tour reachced beyond well known Boston acts and delved into some hidden history! Much of the tour felt like being let in on secret, and even though I’ve lived around Boston area my whole life, I learned new things about the city’s role as an important musical hub.” - Thom
ABout the tours
The Mighty Mighty Bus Tour
From historic Boston Common, journey through Boston’s rock ‘n’ roll past with a local musician. See where iconic artists like Pixies, Joan Baez, and the Cars lived, recorded and performed. Dig for vinyl at a local record store, explore Harvard Square’s folk roots, and end with a pint at an Irish pub.
Walkin’ Bout a Rock ‘N’ Roll Revolution
Beginning in the lobby of the Verb Hotel, discover Boston’s revolutionary musical heritage on a walking tour through the Fenway & Kenmore Square neighborhoods. Examine rock ‘n’ roll artifacts including posters for shows at the Velvet Underground’s favorite venue, the Boston Tea Party. Stroll through the verdant Fenway Victory Gardens before descending into Kenmore Square’s punk past. On Landsdowne St., see where iconic artists like Springsteen, Nirvana and Radiohead played legendary shows before concluding back at the Verb.