This poster advertises The Velvet Underground’s three-night performance at The Boston Tea Party in Boston, Massachusetts, from May 16 to May 18, 1968. Sharing the bill for this weekend were The Hallucinations (on Thursday) and Bo Grumpus (on Friday and Saturday), with lighting effects provided by The Road. The poster, designed by Davis Laing, is printed in black ink on card stock and measures approximately 17 x 22.5 inches. A smaller version of the design, a card measuring approximately 4.75 x 6.25 inches, was also produced.
The central image features a striking, minimalist portrait of Lou Reed, rendered in a high-contrast white silhouette against the black background. The circular framing around Reed’s profile adds a bold, graphic element, making the design iconic and instantly recognizable. Below the image, clean serif typography lists the event details, including the dates, venue, and ticket information.
The text notes the show’s start time of 8:00 PM and the admission prices: $3 for Thursday and $4 for Friday and Saturday. Tickets and free posters were available at local outlets such as Krackerjacks and George’s Folly, emphasizing the grassroots promotion style of the era.
This poster is a prime example of 1960s concert design, balancing stark simplicity with an artistic edge. It captures The Velvet Underground’s avant-garde ethos while highlighting Lou Reed as the band’s central figure. As both promotional material and artwork, it represents a memorable moment in their residency at The Boston Tea Party, a venue closely tied to their legacy.
The poster is no longer available however the smaller card is.