[Flyer courtesy of Hudson Forman]

By Roman Salomone, Music Director

We here at ACRN put on a lot of shows this year. We’ve thrown on the cowboy hats for the Y’allternative Bash, we had bands fighting it out at Battle of the Bands and we even dusted off the ol’ Hot Topic Siouxsie tees for Goth Prom. But now, we have officially entered Lobsterfest season, and it’s time for the Athens crowd to bring the energy that only rock lobsters have. This year’s lineup is stacked, to say the least, and features local acts of the Athens scene, killer regional bands, and headliners that will frankly rock your socks off. 

The show on Friday will take place at The Union, and will be headlined by none other than Philadelphia’s finest shoegaze act, They Are Gutting a Body of Water. The band formed in the mid-2010s and have since dropped a steady stream of releases, including modern indie classics such as Destiny XL and “lucky styles.” Stereogum called TAGABOW “one of the most unique and compelling bands in underground music,” so it’s safe to say that the band is ready for the Athens crowd.

Other acts at Friday’s show includes Merce Lemon, the prolific Pittsburgh native who’s been dropping music since 2015 and has played with acts such as Horse Jumper of Love, Lily Seabird, Squirrel Flower and fellow Lobsterfest artist villagerrr. Columbus art-punks Big Fat Head, a band signed to local label Clean Demon, will also be appearing at the Friday show. Last but certainly not least, one of Athens county’s most prolific indie acts in recent years, The Laughing Chimes, will be rounding out this show’s line-up. The band recently dropped an especially goth-tinged single titled “A Promise to Keep” this past October, and recently opened for quintessential Ohio slacker band Guided By Voices.

The show for Saturday will also take place at The Union and will be headlined by Brooklyn’s Hotline TNT. The band has been making explosive noise rock and shoegaze music since 2018, with their last album, 2023’s Cartwheel, turning heads across all fronts of the indie sphere. Not only did it drop via Jack White’s Third Man Records and receive the holy Pitchfork “Best New Music” tag, but Paste Magazine rightfully called the band a “bedrock of DIY community” and the album “…a triumph of shoegaze.” They’ve also recently toured with Lobsterfest alums Wednesday, so rest assured the band is ready to crank amps and blow minds.

Additional acts for Saturday’s show include Owen Justice, a band from Omaha who just released their debut full-length, Upstream. Virginia hardcore band Cicada will also be in attendance, and judging by the EP the band has put out through Richmond’s Dream Home label, it sounds like they’re ready to take some names. Lastly, Athens’ own trio Saddlebags will be performing at the Saturday show. The group formed in the back half of 2023, and is comprised of former Rent Free members Paul and Weston Nern, along with one of Athens County’s finest songwriters, coralilly.

The Sunday show will take place at the Scripps Amphitheater and will be headlined by Columbus’ own villagerrr. The band is spearheaded by Mark Scott, and the group recently put out their fourth LP this past March, Take Your Heart Out. The remaining sets will be all Athens-based acts, including performances from Snail Satan, Plant Clones and Tal Mars (formerly of Spillover).

Doors for the Friday & Saturday shows will open at 8pm and will be $8 for 21+ and $10 for those under. The Sunday morning show will begin at 11am, and is free for all to attend. See you out there, rock lobsters!