Jack Kerouac lived pretty hard and fast. Maybe don’t emulate the hard, but the fast, well, you’re going to need fleet feet to keep up with everything at the 2024 edition of Lowell’s The Town and The City Festival. The arts and music fest named for Kerouac’s 1950 debut novel returns April 26 and 27. And the schedule is packed.
You can play around with potential itineraries and buy passes at thetownandthecityfestival.com. But if you need help — and you’re willing to race around — maybe try this (note, times are set times, doors open earlier):
Friday, 7:15 p.m., Earfull at the Overlook at Mill No. 5
Earfull is a long-running Massachusetts series that puts writers and musicians on the same stage. The Town & City edition doubles down on the concept with Freda Love Smith and Dave Hill. Smith came up as the drummer in the Blake Babies and has since gone on to write memoirs and cookbooks (and play in a ton more bands); Hill wrote the theme song for HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” between authoring four funny (and occasional dark) books.
Friday, 8:00 p.m., Muck and The Mires at Smokehouse Tavern
Boston garage rock. Yes, yes, punk and power pop and jangle rock too. But let’s not over think it: Muck and company do ace garage rock. (Not up for walking 10 minutes to Robyn Hitchcock? Stick around for the also ace Linnea’s Garden at 8:45.)
Friday, 8:45 p.m., Robyn Hitchcock at Christ Church United
English singer-songwriter-weirdo-genius Robyn Hitchcock can write songs like Violent Femmes trying to write the Ramones on acoustic guitar (“Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl”) and Ramones trying to write Violent Femmes on electric guitar (“The Yip Song”). Oh, plus psychedelic folk, dreamy paisley pop, indie rock and more. Don’t miss this legend.
Friday, 9:15 p.m., Bermuda Search Party at Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall
Why risk a lawsuit when you’ll be famous any day now? The Q-Tip Bandits rebranded as Bermuda Search Party a few months back. What hasn’t changed is the bright and strange sounds the band makes — the slow-burn soul of “Happy,” almost angular funk of “Lifeline,” the lazy groove-meets-energetic hook of “Dan D Lion.”
Friday, 10 p.m., One Fall at the Old Court
One Fall is the best punk band in the Bay State. The band earned those bragging rights by winning the 2023 Rock ‘n’ Rumble championship. Viva punk!
Saturday, 10 a.m., The Town and The City Record Show at Mill No. 5
Get up early and check out some records. No thanks on a 9 a.m. wake up call? Get an egg and cheese sandwich at Gormley’s Cafe at 11 and hit the record show in the afternoon (it goes on until 3 pm)
Saturday, 3:45 p.m., Forest Romm at Brew’d Awakening
My word! What a voice! Forest Romm takes her Southern Appalachian roots and clawhammer banjo skills and writes stuff that’s both earthy and otherworldly. Then she puts her delicate, dreamy voice on top of it all.
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Sarika at Mill No. 5
Sarika is a singer-songwriter. Sometimes people forget that basically means somebody writes and sings sharp pop. But Sarika doesn’t. This rising Mass. talent connects the dots from old classics like Fleetwood Mac and Anita Baker to new classics like Taylor and Olivia.
Saturday, 5 p.m., Restored Faith: Storytelling & Poetry at Luna Theater
Local hip hop/rock/everything else legend D-Tension hosts an evening of live jazz, verse, and stories featuring up-and-comers from Lowell High Poetry Club and established talents including two-time Boston Music Award-winning Spoken Word Artist Amanda Shea.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Hip Hop showcase at The Last Safe
Want your poetry with a beat? This lineup features a range of talents including Smooth, Cropze, and IshaFromThe978.
