This flyer advertises a Velvet Underground performance held on June 9th and 10th, 1967, at the Boston Tea Party, located at 53 Berkeley Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Sharing the bill with the band was the local psychedelic rock group, Beacon Street Union. The flyer measures approximately 8 1/2 x 11 inches and features the distinctive artwork of D. Arthur Hahn.
The design is ornate and classical, with a baroque-inspired border adorned with floral patterns and cherubic figures. The central layout includes an illustration of a lyre and a statue, visually bridging the historical richness of the Boston Tea Party venue with the countercultural avant-garde of the Velvet Underground. The flyer’s vibrant red and purple palette adds to its psychedelic charm, reflecting the spirit of 1967’s Summer of Love.
The text prominently highlights the connection to Andy Warhol, noting the event as Andy Warhol’s Velvet Underground, a nod to the band’s early collaboration and promotion under Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable banner. Tickets were priced at $3.00, with advance sales available at local outlets such as Paperback Booksmith, TCA, George’s Folly, and Dolphin Design.
This flyer is a testament to the Velvet Underground’s early influence and their role in shaping the alternative music scene in Boston. Its intricate design and historical significance make it a cherished piece of memorabilia from the late 1960s rock-and-roll underground.