[Flyer courtesy of Hudson Forman and Alice Falkowski]

By Eileen Fortner, Staff Writer 

From good old healthy competition with Battle of the Bands to blasting speakers at the ACRN Punk Prom, the Rock Lobsters have taken the ‘24-25 school year by the claws. But we’re not done just yet! April 11-13, ACRN’s annual music festival, Lobsterfest, will be rocking Athens.

Friday and Saturday’s shows will be held at The Union. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 8:45 p.m. with an $8 cover for 21+ attendees and $11 for attendees under 21. 

Friday’s lineup will be headlined by Indiana-based indie rock band, Wishy. Wishy formed in 2021 under the moniker Mana and released their debut self-titled EP in 2023. Since then, Wishy has gotten critical acclaim from Stereogum, listing them as a “Band To Watch” in 2023 and even labeling them as “magnets of indelible melodies and purveyors of beatific dream pop.” 

Other acts on Friday include shoegaze band from Indiana, Mourning Star. Mourning Star is a self-proclaimed noisy band that creates incredibly nostalgic sounds, with one notable song being “awake in a dream.” People in the Daytime, a synth-pop band from Cleveland, will surely be a showstopper as well with groovy tunes sure to make you bust a move. In addition, Athens knows from experience that local indie rock band Rug will release everyone’s pent-up angst right before the end of this school year. 

Saturday shapes up to be great too. Toronto-based headliner cootie catcher will be ready to rock the stage with music you can’t possibly help but dance to.

As for the rest of the acts on Saturday, they are sure not to disappoint. Rock artist Dazy is coming in hot from Virginia to give Athens a show they won’t forget. Dazy just released a hot new single, “Pay No Mind (To The Signs),” that will knock your socks off. Cellar Dwellar returns to Lobsterfest this year after playing the event in 2022. The columbus-based psychedelic shoegaze band has been described by Matter News as “a sonic ghost in the machine that heightens the otherworldly connection in the words,” so be ready to hear chilling tunes that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Lavandula announced on their instagram that this will be their last show together, as their college experience as a band is coming to an end. With their latest self titled EP in mind, this show is certainly one you don’t want to miss. 

The Sunday show at the Scripps Amphitheater opens at 10:30 a.m. and music at 11 a.m. A $5-10 donation is suggested.

Headlining the final day of the festival is A-Go-Go. The indie band has just released their debut album Today, Today which Paste Magazine describes as a “nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty, crunch-ified and country-fried slab of garage-rock gold,” making the show perfect for an outdoor concert. Along with A-Go-Go, two Athens-beloved bands, Blush and The Houseguest, will be performing. Blush is one of Athens’ newest bands, sprouting this summer as an amazing all femme rock band and quickly becoming a fan favorite. The Houseguest is an indie rock band who brings chill vibes, but don’t be deceived! They have certainly rocked out with some of their past shows, including covers of Pixies and No Doubt. 

Every act this weekend is a must see, so don’t get caught up in the motion of the ocean! Come join ACRN for an unforgettable Lobsterfest April 11-13 in Athens, Ohio.