This weekend, Out of the Blue Too Art Gallery & More is going big.
Following up its Back To School Fest last fall, the Cambridge arts and music space is hosting the two-day Fool's Fest, a Friday night and all-day-and-night Saturday blowout that brings more than 40 bands to its Central Square stage. Among the performers are a mix of hometown sounds (Earthquake Party, Barbazons, Bat House, Steep Leans, IAN, Black Beach, Midriffs, Audrey Harrer, etc.) and those using highways to get here (including Worcester's Secret Lover, Colorado's Sound of Ceres, and Pick A Piper from Toronto).
Most of the bands and artists are affiliated with Out Of The Blue, have played the room in the past, or have been supportive of its cause, says space manager TJ Edson.
"They were all very excited to be a part of what we were aiming to be our biggest event yet," Edson tells Vanyaland. "It's an eclectic mix of bands with something for everybody. It is purposefully representative of the gallery's mission to promote freedom of expression and form and to be a crossroads for musician's of all different types."
It's been about a year since Out Of The Blue relocated to the old Blockbuster Video space on Massachusetts Avenue, and the room has a growing reputation as a haven for artists and performers.
"The uniqueness and magic of the space is something pretty special for Boston," adds Edson. "It is so many things: an art gallery featuring artists of all disciplines with a wide range of experience that is very open to offering artists their first show, a small business incubator offering affordable spaces on Mass Ave in high traffic retail setting, a community center where people of all backgrounds can meet and collaborate on ideas, and an event venue where we strive to have an open mind with the booking and give as many people a chance to use the space as possible."
Listen to what we think are all of the performing Fool's Fest bands and artists below via the slider, and check the full lineup and daily breakdown via the flyer down below (the Saturday bands are embedded first). There's a $13 to $20 sliding-scale cover for Friday, Saturday runs $15 to $20, and a two day pass is $25 to $30.
It's an all ages event.
