As the year comes to a close, ACRN is planning one last hurrah — Lobsterfest, an annual event featuring an abundance of music and sun.
“This year, we have a little bit more funding,” said Ben Haager, the event’s general manager. “So we have two headliners and a show at The Dragon’s Cup on Friday. We have been able to get more bands than we have ever before.”
With proper funding from the student activities committee, the crew got to work. Kory Kasler, the event’s band coordinator, was in charge of securing the lineup for the fest and signing on each band.
“This year, we have a great lineup and we actually have two headliners — Pujol and XRay Eyeballs,” Kasler said. “It’s a big difference and we are lucky to have such great bands to play a free show all day Saturday.”
As a result, the coordinator was able to create a weekend full of different styles.
The bands expected to visit Ohio University for the fest include Brothertiger, Blithe Field, Lazer Babez, Whirl, Difficult Dogs, Pigeonholes, Vagrant Beat, Nurser, Mindy Braasch, Indigo Wild, The Kyle Sowashes, She Bears, Evolve, Scubadog, Sign Off, Fat History Month, Xray Eyeballs and Pujol.
“This will be my third Lobsterfest; I’m looking forward to seeing all the national acts,” said Hannah Cook, a junior studying journalism and the editorial director for ACRN.
Co-headliner Xray Eyeballs formed in Brooklyn in 2000 and dropped their debut album, Not Nothing, in 2001. The four-member indie band recently signed with Night-People Records and others as they continue to produce new music and tour.
Also headlining the event is Pujol, a rock band from Tennessee. The group recently released an EP, Nasty, Brutish and Short, in October. Currently on tour, the crew has visited cities including Cincinnati, Nashville and St. Louis.
“These bands are what ACRN is all about,” Cook said. “These national bands are awesome and I can’t wait to see them on stage.”
Although the event is, as Haager describes, a “great learning experience” for ACRN’s members, the fest also serves as a gift from the organization and is free for attendees.
“I think it’s great that (Lobsterfest) is completely free for us every year, ” Haager said. “I think this is a great event and is going to be a great day.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
