The biggest names in rock and pop come to the TD Garden (100 Legends Way, 617/624-1050, www.tdbanknorthgarden.com), which is converted to a concert auditorium when the Celtics and Bruins aren’t in town. Acoustics are about what you’d expect from a sports arena.

During the warmer months, a much nicer place to see a show is the Bank of America Pavilion (290 Northern Ave., 617/728-1600, www.livenation.com), an open-air auditorium in the Seaport District with the twinkling lights of the harbor as a backdrop to folk and pop performers.

During the summer months, many area radio stations also sponsor shows with of-the-moment pop stars at the Hatch Memorial Shell (617/626-4970, www.mass.gov/dcr/hatch_events.htm) on the Charles River Esplanade.

The Orpheum Theatre (1 Hamilton Pl., 617/679-0810) is run-down, hot, and cramped, but still provides a sufficiently grungy venue for alternative-rock shows.

A much more exciting place to see mid-size performers is the House of Blues (15 Lansdowne St., 888/693-2583), which despite its name hosts mostly indie rock performers such as Regina Spektor and The Bravery in a huge amphitheatre with multiple balconies. Shows are general admission, so get there early to get close to the stage.