There is more to this concert hall than meets the eye. (Music Box)

Did you Know…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

…that the Music Box in Little Italy not only serves as a public concert venue, but that it secretly hosts top entertainers who perform for private parties? We’re talking about the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Billy Idol, Smash Mouth, Ben Harper, and others—all of whom were hired to perform for exclusive audiences by various corporations.

“Most of the bands that play at our private events are very well-known,” said managing partner Joe Rinaldi, whose job is to keep the concerts by such luminaries under tight wraps—at least until after they’ve made their under-the-radar appearances.

Otherwise, the venue (formerly known as Anthology under previous ownership) offers a full schedule of shows by musicians who are usually on the rise.

“The majority of our public shows are by bands before they become famous. We catch them on the way up,” he added, referring to past concerts by musicians such as Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, Anderson Paak, and the wildly popular “yacht rock” band, Yachtly Crew. 

In addition, the 700-person-capacity Music Box has become something of an art gallery since Rinaldi and partners took over the space and fully renovated it more than a decade ago. The three-level venue flaunts more than 25 works by local and regional artists, including a giant metalwork made from pieces of a pipe organ.